Front and center...

My prayer:

What a great day God! You took care of everything, even the weather! Thank you for days like today where your favor is so evident. They are wonderful reminders of how amazing you are. I am gratefully, all yours God.

What God Said Tonight:

I don't want to get lost in the shuffle. I don't want to get lost in the celebration when things are going your way or lost in the shuffle where things are so hard that you don't know what to do next, 

I want to be your front and center everyday. Not just because I love you and want to be with you but also because I know when you keep me front and center, your life is better. 

You see hope instead of failure. You find joy instead of despair. You love instead of hate...when I am front and center. 

Don't let me get lost in the noise of life. Keep me front and center.

Frustration vs. trust...

My prayer:

So frustrated all day God. Barely held on by my fingernails. I don't know why some days, life can throw just about anything at me and I can maintain your peace and joy while other days, every little thing gets the better of me.

Sitting here in hindsight, I can see how you help me all day long. I can see how you worked everything out and things that could have turned into really big nightmares turned out to be no big deal. I can see all of that in hindsight. I sure would like to be able to have that hindsight wisdom at the time it is all coming at me.

Thank you for all that you did today God. Thank you for not giving up on me. Thank you that I get another chance tomorrow. I ask for your peace to surround and infuse me.

What God Said Tonight:

What would happen if you knew that life was not fair and you praised me anyway? What if you knew that you deserved more than what you have and you gave to others anyway? What if you knew that you were right but you allowed the other person the grace and the space to figure it out themselves? 

I know it isn't easy to live that way but I can promise you that you will live happier. You will  live with greater peace. 

Find a way to trust me when things are not fair, when the person cuts you off in traffic, when the promotion goes to the person who didn't do the work, when life slaps you in the face. That is when your trust in me to work all things for your good can make all the difference in the world. 

If you trust me, you know that those tings that are not fair will be made right. You know that you will prosper. You know that you will win in the end. You know this and if you truly trust it, you can be generous, loving and kind, even when other people don't deserve it. 

Lean on your trust in me and find a way to live in peace. Everything else will just drive you crazy.

House of sand vs. House of clay...

My prayer:

Amazing God, full of grace and mercy. Thank you for bringing me through today. Not the best of days but definitely not the worst. 

I mainly am sitting here tonight feeling drained with no idea what to talk to you about. Probably it would be a good idea for me to shut up and listen...my ears are open and my mouth is shut God. Love you!

What God Said Tonight:

A house built with clay lasts a lot longer than a house built with sand. 

I could bless you constantly and keep you from all struggle, but that would be like building a house with sand. The first bit of trouble that comes along will blow you away. I choose to build your house with clay. Taking all of the struggles together, mixing it in with my living water, kneading it together until it is malleable and I can shape it. I can shape you. Then, we can create a beautiful house that will withstand the storms. 

I will build some parts with stone. Your cornerstone and your foundation are made of stone. Those are the super challenging times that cement in for you those things that are immovable and unshakable. Those are the things like your love for me and my love for you. Those form the bas for everything else to build on. 

I love you sweet daughter and I will see you living in a strong house that will keep you safe for the long term. That house does have some cost associated with it.

Help...

My prayer:

Wonderful Father. Make me a blessing God. Help me to be a joy, a support, a help to those around me. Help me to always add positive things to people's lives and never subtract. Help me to be someone who lifts others up, not someone who is a barrier to others success. Help me to be more like you Jesus.

What God Said Tonight:

I have a plan for you and for your life and it does not require you to be perfect. It actually requires that you are not perfect. It requires that you have to trust and rely on me to be the answer. It requires that you depend on me to be the healer. It requires that you trust me to know what to do in every situation. 

Your heart to help, that comes from me. Remember that the best way you can help is to invite me into the situation. Don't try to be the solution your self. It will wear you out. Invite me in and let me be the solution. 

You will see great things that way and you will endure until the end. 

Blessing right here...

My prayer:

Amazing and wonderful God. Your power is mind blowing. Your grace is unimaginable. Your love is all encompassing. 

You are beyond my ability to truly understand and yet you sit with me every day and continue to teach me. I mess up and you make it ok. I step out into areas I know nothing about and you make me successful. 

Life with you is truly amazing. Not easy always but truly amazing. Thank you for never giving up on me.

What God Said Tonight:

Some things grow in the darkest places. Places that seem to get no light and yet for some things, that is the perfect environment for their growth. 

I will find a way to grow and prosper you no matter where you are, no matter what your circumstances. I don't have to change the circumstances to make you successful. I dont have to change the circumstances to bless you. I  can bless you right where you are. 

I will show my glory in you by blessing you where no one thought there could be a blessing. 

Not easy...

My prayer:

Wow God. You have filled my life with such amazing people! Thank you! People who love me and support me. People who challenge me and help me grow. People who accept me and just want to hang out. I am richly blessed. Thank you Jesus! I pray your immeasurable blessing over all the amazing people you have put in my life.

What God Said Tonight:

Walking in my direction and path for you is not always easy. I will lead you to places that many will not want to go. I will ask you to trust me in situations where nothing would make you think that I was still in charge. I ask you take many things on faith. I ask you to believe that things that don't seem right will turn out for your good. 

I ask you for this faith and belief, understanding that what I ask is not easy. No where, ever, did I promise that the road with me would be easy. 

I did  promise it would be blessed. I did promise that all things will work together for your good. I did promise, that in the end, you will win with me. But I never promised it would be easy. 

If you want easy, you will have to follow someone else. I never pick the easy path. I always pick the path of the greatest reward. Not many footprints on that path, but worth the journey. 

Love you sweet child. Come walk with me.

Maturing...

My prayer:

What an interesting and surprising day God! You have given me a lot to think about. I pray for the wisdom and understanding to process it all. Thank you for continuing to teach and mature me God. The process is not always fun but it is always worth it.

What God Said Tonight:

When you are a baby, I hold your hands to help you to walk. When you are a little older, I encourage you to go out walking around on your own, but always where I can keep an eye on you. When you are grown, I cheer you on as you run your marathon. 

Like any good parent, my desire is to see you grow, mature and acheive more than you ever thought possible. I will always be with you, but how I help you, how I support you may change over time as your need for support changes. I will always love you but how I express my love for you may change over time. 

Don't be worried when you start to see changes in our relationship. So often, it is only a sign of going to the next level of maturity. I will never leave you, ever.