How Do You See Good When Bad is All Around?

If you're joining me here from the Christian Children's Authors blog, welcome!

"I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:17

Thankfulness awakens us to God's presence. My heart knows this full well and hearkens my spirit at sunrise. Summer night's heat still lingers so I tip toe outside - coffee in hand - breathing in the new day.

The day before proved challenging. Problem popped up like weeds in the lawn and I nearly lost my footing. I'm ready for a new day - one better than the last. So I take another deep breath and a sip of hot coffee and trace the warmth all the way down. Then I open my eyes - Thin clouds hide the rising sun but daylight reveals God's beauty and provision everywhere - and start counting to ten:

1. A new day
2. Waking up next to my husband
3. Morning's first coffee
4. Pink roses
5. Yesterdays wet fun draped over the clothes line

In this moment my heart remembers that goodness abounds - even in the middle of a challenges. And I can't stop counting, can't stop noticing all God's goodness around me.
    
     6. Ripening raspberries
     7. Bluing blueberries
     8. Cooling breezes
     9. Summer thunderstorms
   10. Silence

When we take a deep breath and start counting our blessings - big and small - our hearts resound with praise to the Giver of all good things. We realize how high and deep, how long and wide is His great love for us; how He takes care of tiniest details of our lives. When we do this - take time to count, to reflect, to remember - our faith grows.

These small recollections build our faith so that when those times of insurmountable problems arise we can present them to God with confidence that He will see us through - the One who makes all things work for good for those who love Him and call Him by name.

It's a new day - a new week. We all face challenges, even our children. When we practice counting our blessings (personally and as a family) our perspective changes. Are you or your children facing any challenges--maybe an insurmountable situation that's out of your control? Take a deep breath and start counting to ten, together. Ready?

Sneaky Little Words

"And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all." Acts 4:33b

Saturday, God's peace attends my soul. Countless hours caught up in green life of earth with rain soaked grass, bushy leaves of raspberry limbs, even weeds between the cracks of brick. Sharing space with a slumbering cat, I fill my mind with God's good graces and read. My heart full of His lush earth filling every sense of mine with contented praise. 

Coffee shared with a childhood friend and giggles heard of grandchildren close. Meal shared with son and wife. Life is good. Heart overflows. Daylight gives in to darkness. Sleep comes.

A new day. What could go wrong? My heart alert to all good but ways of old thinking flow in and pour out. Husband's heart destroyed by three sneaky words. "I knew it." Words that spill in one single moment when my guard is down. Too late. No take-backs.

 Lord, forgive. Lord, save. Lord, how?

Grace.

Grace from God to forgive. Wash anew. Start again.

Grace from Husband to forgive. Start again.

All grace.

"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace." Acts 20:24