BROKEN

A simple text from a sweet friend inspired these thoughts this week.

You see, this friend, like me, is in her happy place when she is at the ocean.  She was texting me from the beach as she and her family was blessed with an unexpected trip to a beach for a few days! I was so happy for this opportunity that came up for them.

 

Photo courtesy of Laura Sage

 

The text said,

“I was thinking of you while walking because there are a lot of broken shells on the beach and I remember telling you once how people are kind of like those broken shells.  Broken but still beautiful!”

The other thought she shared at that time was that

“And the cool thing about these broken shells is that they’ve all had an amazing journey!” Continue reading “BROKEN”

THE JOURNEY HOME

As a Christian, you can consider your life on this earth as a pilgrimage to eventually spend eternity with God our Father and Jesus our Lord.

Have you really viewed your life as that?  Maybe not focusing so much on the routine “things” you do daily but on the things that are really important for eternity?

On your journey home, you may travel down many different roads.

**Some roads may be heavily traveled–Maybe you find yourself following the crowd which could be good or bad.

**Some roads may be only slightly traveled–Maybe you find yourself forging your own path doing what you feel God has called you to do that others may not think is popular.

road final

Photo credit by ANDRÉS NIETO PORRAS under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0) Word added by www.hopetoinspireyouwordpress.com

**Some might be very bumpy and full of potholes–These are the times when trials and tribulations are coming at you to test your faith.

**Some might be smooth–Things just seem to be moving right along on a nice, even keel where you know God is in control.

Whatever roads your life takes, the important thing is to keep your eyes focused on Jesus, knowing He is in control. Relying on His power and surrendering the trials of this life to Him will get you down those roads.

On your journey home, you have the opportunity of meeting many different pilgrims along the way.

**Some pilgrims will have the same views as you on life and faith–Maybe inspiring you to live a better life or giving you a different viewpoint to consider.

Jenny

Jenny, a great pilgrim (& editor) in the Lord who inspires me!

**Some pilgrims will not share the same views as you on life and faith–Maybe you will be an inspiration for them or your life may help them see something differently when the time is right in their life.

By sharing your different experiences with each other, you both may help each other. There is so much to be learned from sharing one another’s journey if we are willing. 

On your journey home, you have the opportunity to do things that build up the kingdom of God on this earth.

**Giving to the poor, lowly, needy

**Sharing your love of the Lord through whatever gift God has given you-inspiring music, writing, art, spoken word

**Serving the less fortunate through serving meals, sharing the Gospel

Jesus Christ

Photo credit by QUOTESEVERLASTING under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)

**Praying for others to make a difference in their life

**Showing love and kindness to all you meet–opening a door for a stranger, sharing a meal with a widow or widower

**Giving an encouraging word to someone who is feeling down or alone

On this pilgrimage home, our focus should be mostly on how we can build up the kingdom of God with the gifts God has given us and how we can bring His love to all we meet.

Through everything in this life, it is important to keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus.

Everything you do—whether in speech or action—is done unto Him. It makes no difference if you’re at home, school or work—it is all for the Lord.

By keeping the proper focus throughout your journey, you will be prepared to make that final crossing whenever the Lord calls you home, without fear or concern. Then you can spend eternity face to face with our Lord—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.  –Colossians 3:17  (NIV)

OUR JOURNEY OF THE SEASONS

While thinking about the seasons,
I couldn’t help but think
How our life’s journey is similar
to the different seasons God created.

Sometimes, our walk with the Lord                             970483_10201101467879572_1545651585_n
  is like the springtime.
We see things in a new way
  and have so much hope.
We are like the budding flowers,
  emerging with renewed energy in   full bloom.

1233600_10201732656418891_2051679501_nOther times, our walk with the Lord
  is like the good ole summertime.
We rest peacefully knowing He is
  in control of our lives.
We enjoy the beauty of each day
  and live life to the fullest.

At times, our walk with the Lord
  is like the fall time.fall trees
We see all the beautiful colors that
  surround us,
Yet at the same time, we may grow
  tired and weary,
Just as nature begins to slow down
  and hibernate.

1515035_10202698873573716_1304524868_nOnce in a while, our walk with the Lord
  is like the wintertime–
  kind of quiet and barren
  maybe even lonely.
The winter can be a time to grow
  within and reflect on our journey.

In each season of our journey,
there are good days and bad days–
Just like in the seasons, there are
cloudy days, stormy days,
and bright sunny days.

Each of the seasons has its own beauty
and “specialness”
Just like the seasons
that God’s children experience.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields is fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.   –Psalm 1:2-3

See!  The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me. –Song of Songs 2:11-13