STRETCH, REACH & LEAP!

Take a leap of faith and trust you'll land just where God intended.

 Have a wonderful day!

Joshua 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Maybe it's in the spirit of the 2012 Summer Olympians that I feel so encouraged! These stellar athletes marvelously challenged themselves as they competed for the coveted gold, silver and bronze medallions. They emotionally and physically prepared for grueling exercises-many had previously experienced rejection and defeat. But that was in the distant past, yesteryear!  In the present they focused on the metes ahead. With dogged determination they swam, leaped, raced, hurled and dazzled spectators with fearless abandonment, so it seemed. I marveled at Gabby Douglas and so many other outstanding athletes' grit and fortitude. It took endurance, great personal sacrifice and heart to compete. Well we too are competing daily, diligently staying afloat in a turmultuous, and often unrestrained world. Many of us are terribly challenged and feel the unspoken pressure with few coaches, mentors and team mates to cheer us on! But alas, we've got supernatural help that can lift us out of the muck and mire! No need to give up! We've got the Holy Ghost that not only protects us, but directs and speaks to us! Yes encourages us, pushes us to embrace a lively hope and to get moving! It's almost like being a kid again and with our best friend telling us, speaking not so softly in ear shot, "You can make it!" And so we go for it! We dare to trust this divine unction and stretch, reach and leap further than we've ever imagined because we believe what our hearts-our spirit has received!

I pray this eloquent art perfectly signals for you too, that it's time to look to the heavens, hear the voice of God, reach inward and move onward! It's a spiritual, divine exercise of sorts.It requires trust and the act of gracefully flinging your spiritual arms (spiritual muscle), extending yourself, getting over self imposed restrictions and trusting that God has planted in your heart the desire to live-live with joy and great promise that it's the Almighty that propels you, lifts you and most assuredly loves you (no matter how the competiton looks)! It's your time to go for the gold! As my little cousin would say, "Grace, grace grace!"

Sharing in Faith,

Linda Mose Meadows, Inspirational Columnist and Inspirational Author of: The Blessedness of Believing A Devotional Journey of Life’s Lessons and God’s Promises
http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/

http://blessedauthorlm.wordpress.com/



APPRECIATING YOUR SIMPLE ABUNDANCE

Saturday, was another blessing from God. I had the opportunity to be invited as guest speaker during The Episcopal Church Women of the St. Augustine Episcopal Church's 29th Annual Prayer Luncheon. I am so greatful for all the positive feedback and wonderful outpouring of love. It was evident from the comments and affirmation that God had touched our hearts and minds! Their theme was: Take Time to Smell The Roses and my addendum was: AKA Appreciating Your Simple Abundance.

I've commanded you to be strong and brave.

Don't ever be afraid or discouraged !

I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

In summation we are very busy living, too busy to smell roses and missing out on the big picture of life. Our homes , our sacred spaces are meant to be retreats and safe harbors where we dock our weary souls, tired minds, and our beleagures spirts when not another place will suffice. It's good to have a place to rest and call home.We cherish our things and our stuff: artifacts, baskets, adornments, furnrnishing, but what's residing in our hearts?

What's in the corridors, the resesses of our hearts and minds- what comfortably is taking lodging at home in our hearts? These are the questions in my spirit, that cause me to reflect.

Could it be an umbrage, a resentment, a spirit of just not good enough, a buried hurt, a pain that we can't shake? Are we being unloving or dissappointed by some life circumstance? Certainly I can't act as though I am exempt. But hopefully a new resident has lodged in our hearts and is taking over: redemption and her children, thanksgiving and their offspring, joy and his cousins: love, adoration, celebration, forgiveness and grace?

What things are we passionate about? When do you feel most at home and who's at the core- the center? Possibly you've invited Jesus!

Is anybody at home who really cares to take time and smell the roses? Well while we mull over that concern, enjoy Stephanie Miss singing Home:

In our desire to smell the roses and appreciate simple abundance let me encourage you to take inventory of your personal effects- reflect on God's word ( find scriptures that line up with your personal effects):

• Waxing /cleaning the floors-think about the Lord's power and majesty (i.e. ThePsalm :5,6)





• Communication/How we speak to each other/ God gives us clear instructions for powerful living.





• Bags of potting soil-sowing good seeds-reap a harvest here in this life and the life to come.





• Tool chests,with nails, hammers etc.: what relationships need to be repaired?





• Baskest- what's overflowing? Share your joy, your gifts, your peace, passions and time!





• Shoes-give feet to faith! Get moving, believe and trust God to realize your dreams, your desires!

• Dishes-what love are your serving up today?





• Linens: be secure in God's word! Wrap yourself up in them.





• Music- what melody is playing in your heart?





• Candles- we are the light of the world, we're ambassadors for Christ!





• Clothing-dress yourselves in the fruit of the spirit: joy, gentleness, love, meekness, peace, temperance etc.





• Chest of drawers/dresser- what's tucked away that needs to be pulled out and reexamined?





• Curtains/Shades: pull back, lift up the shades and don't be afraid to let the light of the Lord expose/ shine on the interiors of your lives.

REMEMBER! IT'S PRAYERS THAT:

Permeate the walls of our homes, prayers to the most high God that refresh our spirit and wash us brand new.

Make it tolerable to place keys in locked doors of life's struggles that otherwise would have forever remained locked.

That cause us to love and celebrate home even with it's imperfections.

That bathe the heart and soothe the weary for soul for just another stretch of this natural and spiritual journey.

Oh my friends, it's a new season, its taking an honest look at our inventories and making us appreciate God/Jesus, our Lord and Savior, our relationships, nature, and the many blessings that are bestowed upon us and then it's easy to smell the roses and appreciate the view!

From My Heart To Yours,

Linda Mose Meadows, Author
The Blessedness of Believing
A Devotional Journey of Life's Lessons and God's Promises ( Tate Publishing, Nov. 2007)

http://blessednessofbelieving.blogspot.com/