Selective memory...

My prayer:

Another wonderful day God. THANK YOU!

I do want to talk a bit more about the topic we started discussing on the hike. I am still confused about how selective my memory can be. When it comes to bad memories, painful memories, I fight every day to overcome them. I fight every day to not allow them to ruin my present and future. I fight every day to allow you to heal me. And still, they pop back up at the worst times. They are relentless.

The crazy thing is the exact opposite is true with good memories. Even something as simple as working out. When I am in the routine of it, I love it. It feels fantastic, my stress level is down, I feel good about myself. But let me get out of the habit and the memory of how good it is fades. I start to think, well it wasn't that good. I can put it off another day.

It is even true of those most amazing moments with you. You have shown me so many amazing things. You have given me experiences of your presence that are truly miraculous. But those times, I have to work at remembering those times. I have to bring them back to my remembrance and even then, I have to remind myself that, yes, it really was that amazing and wonderful.

I would really like it to be the other way around. It would be so much better if the good memories were more persistent and relentless and the bad memories faded in detail and significance. Can we do that God?

What God Said Tonight:

What do you think it is about the bad memories that keeps them around? You have an enemy that is constantly reminding you of them. You have a voice whispering in your ear every mistake, every hurt, every thing he can think of to accuse you. It is who he is and what he does.

The good memories. The times you and I have, I don't want to have to constantly remind you of them. I don't want them to lose their significance by constant repetition.

I also don't want you to get so tied up in those memories that you miss what I am doing for you right now. I am your comforter and your helper. I will remind you of the good when you need it but I really want to focus more time and effort on the good of right now. I want to focus on the good we will have tomorrow.

I don't see great benefit in getting stuck in the past, good or bad. I love you and we have a lot of good memories yet to make.

A blessed day...

My prayer:

Thank you for a truly wonderful day God! A beautiful hike, great food, good friends and prayers answered, I could not ask for more.

Thank you for days like today where peace and joy reign!

What God Said Tonight:

You are welcome. I love to bless you!

Truth...

My prayer:

I am consistently amazed at how easily people misunderstand each other. It seems that we all have this filter of what we expect to hear or want to hear and that colors everything.

I wonder what it would be like if we could hear and understand what the other person is really saying instead of our own interpretation of what they are saying. I bet we would have less arguments, hatred and war.

I ask God for increased discernment to hear and understand what people actually mean when they are talking to me and not just my interpretation, filtered through my scars.

What God Said Tonight:

I have given you my heart and my Spirit. Listen with them and not just your ears and you will hear and understand the truth in every situation.

I have no interest in seeing you deceived. I am made of truth, I am truth and there is no deception in me. Use me as your filter and deception must flee so that all that remains is truth.

I have much planned that requires your ability to see and discern the truth. Your tools are ready to use.

Safe in the storm...

My prayer:

There was a lot of nastiness to deal with today but when I look back on it, you were so good to me and brought me through it all with no permanent damage. That is pretty awesome! Thanks for being my refuge in the storm today God.

What God Said Tonight:

I have yet to see the storm that can shake my children when they are holding on to me. The wind may blow and the rain may fall but you will be safe.

That is what I have been showing you with these storms all week. You see them build, they look so ominous and yet, you have made every ride home with not even a drop hitting you,

I want you to see and to trust that I will keep you safe in every storm. I don't need you to look to the horizon to see the next frightening thing coming your way. I only need you to look at me and I will take care of the rest.

I love you. Don't take your eyes off of me.

Destined for greatness...

My prayer:

Sweet Father, I am worn out tonight. I just really want to hear your voice.

What God Said Tonight:

15199, Don't forget it and don't lose it. It will make sense one day.

You are destined for greatness. Never forget that.

Nothing special...

My Prayer:

You are wonderful and amazing and everything to me God. My life did not really begin until you were in it. Everything I have, everything I am and everything I know is only good because of you. Thank you for choosing me!

What God Said Tonight:

Today is one day in eternity.  It does not determine the future and it is not a result of the past, entirely. It is just a day.

Sometimes life just is. Sometimes, there is no greater significance.

But, even in those days when nothing special seems to happen, even in those days, I will always give you a nugget. I will always give you a little show of joy, love, miracles. I have daily gifts set up for you.

 

Work...

My prayer:

My thoughts are wrapped up in work tonight God. There is so much to do. I will absolutely need your intervention to get it all done. The great thing is, you are always so wonderful to help me get it all done.

I ask for your help and direction. Show me each thing as I need to do it. Thank you God for your help and your timing.

What God Said Tonight:

I have work for you to do but it is work that will fill you, not empty you. It is work that will build you up and not tear your down. I have work for you.