Handwriting

So if you do Instagram, you have heard of these photo challenges. Basically, you take a photo a day based on a list that has a different subject/word that the photo should represent. So I am about 5 days behind and I decided to pick up on day 20, and day 20 is handwriting. I LOVE handwriting and I thought I would share mine and the reasons why I LOVE handwriting, (sounds a little dorky, I know just hang in there with me).

So I began to hunt for something that had my handwriting, post it notes (all over my house), grocery lists, to do lists and then my journal. Then I thought, " my journal?, that's a little personal ". And then I heard exactly! Personal. Handwriting is so personal. I have a box of letters that my husband wrote me while he was in boot camp 15 years ago, I have letters from my grandmother that just recently passed away, I have journals that I wrote from high school to now, cards from friends, etc. See, the thing is, is that our handwriting is unique, there is no other like it. Our handwriting changes as our moods change. Our handwriting says so much about us. Why do you think they have people that study that for a living?

I then opened my journal and began to read and I could tell just by glancing at my writing what kind of day I was having without actually reading the entry. I thought about how it takes time to hand write something, I thought about how free I feel when I can just pick up a pen and go for it in my journal at a moments notice. I don't have to log in on my computer and wait only to find out I forgot what I was going to write, ha! Handwriting is becoming a thing of the past with all of our technology. As I stopped to read an entry in my journal I was brought back to the moment I wrote it...

So write away my friends....

What we don't realize

Whoever loves his life loses it, but anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal.

                                                                                                                  -John 12:25

What does this mean? It means EVERYTHING... There was a man in Mark 10:17, he asked Jesus "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus told him that he still lacked one thing, told him he needed to sell everything (EVERYTHING) that he had and divide it among the poor, and he will have treasure in heaven; then told him to come back and follow Jesus. The man was sad and went away grieved.

 What hit me about this, is what he did not realize is that when we give our all up to Him, The One, He will give back so much more, and His Word promises it! We close our fists so tightly sometimes, we need to let Him open it up and have it! Now watch what Jesus says to his disciples once the man went away. In Luke's account in chapter 18:

                        29 And He said to them, I say to you truly, there is no one who has left the house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 Who will not receive in return many times more in this world and, in the coming age, eternal life.

 Wow! He says in this world, and in the coming age of eternal life! Then why do we hold so tightly to these "things"? We often feel like God is trying to take from us, when in reality He is only trying to give to us. He is looking where our hearts are where our loyalty is, do we trust Him enough to know what is best for us? This is not just about wealth or material possessions. God sees the big picture, He sees what is good for us. God wanted his heart, his all... He is asking the same from us. It will look different to each of us, it may not be selling all we have to give to the poor. We know what He has asked from us.

               9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

                                                                                                                       -2 Chronicles 16:9a

I love that verse, this verse comes to life, just watch what all those awesome words translated in its original language mean:
                 9For the eyes of the LORD (Jehovah, "the existing One") run to and fro (eagerly, quickly) throughout the whole earth, to give strong support (hold up, encourage, sustain) to those whose heart (inner part, mind, will, thinking, understanding) is blameless (full, perfect, His)( peaceful of a covenant relation with him) toward him.

 So, that is saying when we decide to let Him open our fist and give the all of our mind, will, thinking, and understanding to Him, He will support, hold us up, encourage, and sustain us. Not because we are perfect, but because He is. Because our covenant relationship with Him is at peace, we are at perfect peace with Him.
 One more thought, in James 5:8 it states; Establish (make stable in the truth that is in you) your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

That means we don't have all the time in the world, we want to be ready, we don't want to walk away like the rich ruler in Mark and Luke full of grief, if only He could have realized what the Lord had waiting for Him. It means EVERYTHING....

Atta boy, atta girl !

I was reminded back in November of  how God reaches in our world to talk to us in a way that is personal, as I sat watching a home video of my 12 year old son, Bailey making his 2nd touchdown of the season. You see, he plays defense and a touchdown is a rarity in his position. Not only did he make one touchdown, he made two.

  My husband and I attend every game, my dad was there to see the first one and my mom was there to see the second one happen. Blessed, favored, yes I was overcome with emotion. God loves me and my family so much to give us an experience not once but twice. I was filled and bursting with pride watching my son on the field. I can only imagine if I am filled and bursting with pride at that, what God feels for me when I make a right choice, or choose to love when its hard. 

  Like a proud mom of her son screaming " Way to go!, atta boy!", 

I want my God to say " Way to go!, atta girl!, well done good and faithful servant."  Lord, forgive me of my slacking, of not putting enough effort into our relationship at times, just as my son seems not to put in his "all" in the beginning of his games. He seems not to "hear" his dad and I saying give a 100%, give your all, don't quit, do something. 

  I am reminded that God is telling me these same things. I pray for God to show himself to me, to send me encouragement and motivation. He does, sometimes through words from friends or a sweet note from my 9 year old daughter, and yes even touchdowns! You see God is cheering for us, He is on our team, He knows what He can do through us, and for us. When we are driven by the voice of God that is when the opportunity arises and when we grab it that is when the rarity happens, and we can hear the voice saying " atta boy!, atta girl!".    

Blogging for the first time...
So many things to say, to write, to share. Imagine that, if you are reading this and you know me you know that I talk a lot. I am one of those people who has a story for everything, what would take most people 10 minutes to say may take me 20. Details are important to me. This idea to blog has been on my heart for a long time. I journal, I write, I talk to God throughout the day and He talks back to me. This blog is my journey through the things I say to Him and He says to me, a devotional of sorts, but not limited to. So, here goes feel free to share with others and myself on the things I blog about, would love to hear from you.