Challenges and blessings...

My prayer:

Today was pretty crazy God. Thank you for giving me the peace to survive it. Thank you for giving me the peace to respond instead of react. Thank you Holy Spirit for living in me, making me more than naturally capable of dealing with the impossible.

What God Said Tonight:

Each day, there are new challenges and blessings. Don't be too sure to jump to the conclusion that you know which is which. 

I love you I am with you. I will never leave you. Those things you can be sure of. 

The journey...

My prayer:

I really enjoyed today God. Thank you for every minute. 

I am pretty excited about the potential opportunity you opened up tonight. Could that be the next season? It is kind of scary but pretty wonderful too. At the end of the day, if it is what you want, I am 100% in. If it is not, shut it down. Without you, it could be a nightmare.

I love you like crazy God and will follow you anywhere.

What God Said Tonight:

A journey may have a destination but that does not mean you know every stop along the way. My ultimate destination for you is set in stone and written before the dawn of time. But the journey, the stops along the way, that is where the adventure comes in. That is where you can pick what pulls at your heart and I will bless you in it. 

I am with you in this and all things. I will see you succeed wherever you go. Your path to your destination is your choice and my joy. 

I love you.

Brain break...

My prayer:

Not sure what to say or ask tonight God. I have lots of questions but they have all been asked before. You have told me to hang in and trust you through this season and I am truly doing my best. I am looking for the joy, and sometimes finding it. And, I am exhausted by it all. 

I guess the on thing I do ask tonight, help me truly rest. I could really use that. Thank you for getting me through.

What God Said Tonight:

Give your brain a break. Take a minute and picture putting it and all the thoughts, the worries, the strategies, on a shelf for the night. 

It will all be there tomorrow. Waiting for more to feed it. It will take all that you give it. You cannot fill it up. You have to decide when to stop feeding it. It will never stop on its own. Tonight, stop feeding it Stop giving it your thoughts and your attention. 

You will find greater rest in that one choice than you will in 12 hours of sleep. 

I love you. 

Not perfect...

My prayer:

Today was rotten. I really did not enjoy it. All day, every time I turned around, somebody was doing something to make something harder, less efficient, and generally making bad decisions which made me work harder. I am exhausted and frustrated. 

I pray God that you renew my soul.

What God Said Tonight:

I leave you tonight with one thought. Waiting on perfection will always leave you frustrated. No one can sustain it. No one can live up to it. 

Back down, take a breath, and give grace. 

Joy...

What God Said Tonight:

Enjoy your life. Find those moments of joy and dwell on them, expand them, keep after them. 

I love seeing my children enjoying life. I know there are struggles and I know there is pain. We will keep working through those together. But, in the mean time, find some joy and sit on it. Don't let it get away. Keep it near, wrap your arms around it, and bury your face down in it. 

Joy is my gift for you. Joy will get you through.

Get me out of this season...

My prayer:

I want change but only if it is in your will. I don't like the season I am in but I know from experience if I rush to get out of it, I will have to start over somewhere else until the purpose of the season is accomplished. So, while I an really tired of the season I am in, the one thing I absolutely do NOT want to do is something that will make it longer. 

So, as always God, I pray your will be done. And, if it is in your will to move me out of this season...WOOHOO!!!!!

What God Said Tonight:

Seasons may last longer or shorter but the one thing they never do is last forever. The one promise I can always give you is, this too shall pass. 

Know that, remember that, and remember that I will not leave you. I will not forsake you. I will love you now and forever and I will never leave you behind. 

A season is just that, a season and by definition, it is temporary. 

I love you.

Tunnel vision...

My prayer:

Today was quite a puzzle God. I feel a bit like an observer of my own life right now. Things are so crazy, it doesn't seem possible that I am a participant. So I observe, try to react appropriately, then walk away a bit confused and not knowing if things are better or worse. 

But, I am trusting you. I do know that you will work it all out for my good. I have been through enough roller coaster seasons to know that you are with me and in the end, we will find the place of peace again. In the meantime, I will hang onto you and pray for the best resolution of it all.

Thank you. I love you so much!

What God Said Tonight:

Tunnel vision. The people around you are seeing the world through tunnel vision. They can't see beyond their own immediate need. 

This is sad and not good or beneficial, but it is also temporary. They have blinders on that only allow them to see their own need. You, keep your eyes open, looking for people to bless. You make sure your vision is clear. You will be a example for people to follow as they take off their blinders and remember there is a whole world of people out here waiting to love them. 

I love you, now and forever my love.