open arms......

this week i had an 'ah-ha" moment.  i was in deep distress and praying fervently to God to calm my spirit, open my mind, and assure my heart.  i get like this at times when i am either battling a "depressive episode" or my mind does not want to give me any peace!  i am a firm believer that going to God and His Word, as well as asking prayer warriors for prayer will provide (and it always has, maybe not in the time frame i want, but always in God's perfect time) the truth i seek, the calmness of spirit and mind, and the relief that only He can provide for a soul and mind in turmoil.

in my "God immersive" state i was watching The Chosen, season 2, episodes 1 & 2, and as always, cried at the remembrance of the great love, patience, guidance and understanding Jesus has for us.  has for me. that His arms are open to all who will run to Him, no matter what your past, present or future will be.  no sin is too great, He cannot forgive it, no life so unimportant that He cannot touch it, no heart so broken that He cannot heal it, no person so lost He cannot save them.  

i was reminded of the parable of the lost sheep.  if a shepherd has 100 sheep and 1 gets lost, he will leave the 99 to find the 1.  i was also reminded of the samaritan woman at the well that Jesus spoke to, revealing not only who she was and what she needed, but who He was and that He was all she needed.  i know that this show is not an exact biblical representation of Jesus as the scriptures show, but more of a creative portrayal.  for me, it reminds me that Jesus was not only all God, but also a man who walked this earth, had close relationships with people He shared His ministry with, loved humanity enough to associate with those others would shun and embraced those who came to Him with open arms. it reminds me of the clear biblical fact that Jesus loves me. even me.....

Jesus will always give you truth, which at times may sting, but He always does it in His love for us, for you and for me.  He will always go after that lost sheep, even when it is me. He will always reveal the truth of our sin and our need for it to be paid for.  He will never reject the "worst of these" who repents and runs to His open arms.  sin is sin to God, all sin is the same and holds the same requirement: it must be paid for.  Jesus willing paid for it. i can never thank Him enough for paying my sin debt~

wherever you are in your life, wherever you are in your faith, wherever you are in your spiritual walk, wherever you are in your relationship with Jesus, (hopefully you are a found sheep!), whether you are saved and flailing, or battling a "depressive episode", He is never too far away to be found.  He is waiting to forgive your sin, restore your path, pay your debt and greet you as you run into His always open arms.....

Matthew 11:28-28; Luke 15:20; Psalm 17:8; Psalm 91:1-2; Proverbs 18:10; Hebrews 4:16; John 6:37; Psalm 18:2

time....

it's been a while, too long actually, since i wrote anything worth posting. 

life happens. it often gets in the way of the things we want to do as we accomplish the things we must do.  like go to work so we can pay the bills. or care for children who are too young to care for themselves. or even fulfill commitments to friends, family, church or ministry.  it seems that there is never enough time to fit it all in.  

time is fickle and fleeting. one moment you are staring down a 5 day weekend, excited for all the things that can be accomplished. house projects, lunch with friends, visits with loved ones, time to write and create, do laundry, exercise, then all of a sudden it's monday and you are back to work, school or wherever it is you must be.

as time continues on i find i have less and less of it.  i am also learning that how i manage the time i have impacts how much i have! it seems there is so little when i "waste" the time i have been given.  i am not talking about needed rest for the body and mind, but time spent on things that do not grow my mind, body or spirit.  like scrolling for what to "watch" and an hour has past. or scrolling thru Instagram and 2 hours have past.  

now i have no energy, no desire to do anything, i don't feel rested and i have no time but to get ready for the work day and go to bed. next day, repeat. next day, repeat.....now the weekend has come, nothing has been done and i race around trying to "enjoy" the time off, doing things i like and must do, yet not doing "everything" that i want to do. i have not even spent the time i could in nourishing my soul by feeding it on God's word.  

the most important thing i can do with my time is to spend it growing my faith, my walk and my relationship with Jesus.  when i put Him first, when i give Him the first of my time not just what is leftover (if there is any leftover!) i surprisingly have the time to do the things i need to and want to.  i am in a better place spiritually, which benefits me mentally, emotionally and physically.  i am equipped to handle life and all that comes with it! 

we are instructed to develop a deep relationship with God, knowing Him, His Son and His Spirit so that we can navigate our lives, maximize our time and avoid taking detours that rob us of.........you got it....time!  i have wasted, continue to waste so. much. time.   i will never get back what is gone, but i can move forward.  each day is a clean slate, a new opportunity to write a new page in my story.  some days the pages will be filled with time not wasted. some days will be a wash.  

time keeps ticking away no matter how it is spent. may i be more mindful of how precious a gift it is and use it wisely.

psalm 39:4-5; psalm 90:10; ecclesiastes 9:11; ephesians 5:15-17; proverbs 26:14; colossians 4:5; romans 12:2, ecclesiastes 3:1,