Struggles

Have you ever struggled with something in your life? Have you made things more difficult than they needed to be? 

On a recent shopping trip with Julie, I found a dress that is a style I have liked for years. Once in the dressing room I discovered this dress was very difficult to get on. No give in the waistline just buttons from the waist up. I not only struggled to get the dress on but it was so much worse trying to get the dress off! 

As I exited the dressing room I was asked if I wanted to purchase the dress - I couldn't believe my response. "I want to think about it." Even I was surprised by my answer! But the truth was, I really liked the dress - I liked how it looked once I could get it on! So I had to decide if the dress was worth all the effort! 

In the end, I purchased the dress. 

I wore the dress today. :0) 

This morning, I tried to prepare myself for the stuggle I knew was going to take place. Once the dress was on, I was admiring how it looked and was excited I could wear it and breath! Placing a piece of jewelry on the dress I noticed something dangling under my arm? "What is that?" Much to my disbelief, I discovered a zipper that went down the side of the dress! 

I had stuggled for nothing. 

The solution was there the whole time. 

But why hadn't I noticed? 

The truth is, I really hadn't looked. 


(c)  Faith Builder

God is Present

The early morning hours bring about a hush to the start of the day.  All is quiet.  While sitting still I hear God.  I hear Him in my heart, in my soul, and in my mind.  God is Present.

As I busied myself with the morning routine I saw Him.  It was subtle.  He just let me know that He was Present.

  This morning I watched a video about the persecution of believers in India.  There was a challenge at the end to  pray for the believers to simply have courage to stand strong in their faith.  The request?  Pray hard.  Pray with passion.  Pray for 3-4 minutes.  Pray.  God is Present.

Later in the morning I went to Lowe's to purchase a basket of flowers.  On the clearance rack was a beautiful plant for $1.00.  There was an audible gasp that escaped my lips. I knew I was supposed to take the plant home.  God is Present.

What an odd thing you might say...why the overwhelming need to take home a plant?  Well you see, I knew God was Present.  I could hear Him.  He was tugging at my heart.  He was stirring my soul.  He was speaking to my mind.  How?

 The tag on the plant read, "Song of India."

God is Present. 

(c)  Faith Builder

A Signature Piece

We have a nice collection of pottery from many different potters.

The colors and styles vary by artist and I consider each one a signature piece.

There have been times when we have watched a potter at work ~ 
throwing the clay on the wheel and working it with his hands.
He meticulously pays attention to the detail of the piece as he creates a design that will carry his signature.

In our recent move one of my favorite pieces of pottery was broken.
I haven't attempted to glue it back together ~ but I will try.
And I will display it again.

This morning as I pondered the potter at work I opened my Bible and read from Isaiah 64:8

"But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father,  
We are the clay, and Thou our potter;

and all of us are the work of Thy hand."

It is my heart's desire to be as clay in My Father's hand.  
The broken bowl put back together will be a significant reminder 
of His continual work in my life.  On the other hand, 

I have never thought about carrying His Signature
but as His child I do.  

This gives me a new perspective.

In a recent conversation with my mom, her closing remark to me was
"Remember whose girl you are."  

This is a phrase my daddy said to me ~ often. 
It was a reminder that I was his girl.

He is my Potter.
Even broken.
I carry His Signature.
I am His girl.

A Signature Piece

Signed

Numbered

By the Artist

(c) Faith Builder

Trouble

Matthew 6:34 - Amplified Bible  ³⁴So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

Dad is in the hospital.  Pneumonia.

Mom is missing him.  Lonely.

Roger is transferring.  Busy.

Jon is graduating.  Searching.

Jen is applying for a job.  Anxious.

Julie is our anchor.  Settled.

Susan is overwhelmed.  Stressed. 

God is Present. Always.

I totally understand this verse from

The book of Matthew.

It pops into my head almost daily.

The words that linger in my thoughts -

"Sufficient for each day is its own trouble."

Now isn't that the truth!

No need to explain this one to me ~

I get it.

But I also get that God knows 

What I face each day.

How thankful I am to simply whisper His name ~ 

Jesus

And He hears me.

(c)  Faith Builder

I See You Lord

I see You Lord

In my dear friends

Whose gift is that to give

Of caring hands and loving hearts

Time and time again

Each one brings joy 

Into my life with heartfelt

Love and laughter

There's no mistaken

Whose they are

For You are truly 

Their Master.

I see You Lord

In my dear friends

And thank You for each one

I ask that You would bless them

Beyond what they could measure

 I see You Lord

In acts of love

That overwhelms my heart

And prayers of those both
Near and far that brings much
Peace and comfort

I see You Lord

At dawn of day

Until the setting sun
Thank You for being
My Friend who
Sticketh closer than a brother

(c) Faith Builder

Attitude is Everything

The lined sheet of paper is covered in ink.
Words flow from the top to the bottom of the page.
Things to do ~ the list seems endless
And time seems short.


"Make hay while the sun shines" pops into my thoughts.


So now with the kitchen timer set to aid in motivation
And praise music filling the air I am ready to tackle my chores
Remembering all the while 
My attitude is everything.


And when I begin to feel overwhelmed by the daunting 
"To Do List"
I will pray, O Lord, according to Your Word I can give my
Worries to You and You will take care of me.
Psalm 55:22


(c) Faith Builder

The Traveler's Psalm

Early this morning as I was praying
Psalm 121: 1-2 kept coming to my mind.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth."

I opened my Bible to read the words.
After I read it,
I heard it,
On the radio.

Affirmation.
My help does come
From the LORD.

The title of this post
Is the title in my Bible for this scripture.
The Traveler's Psalm
And it is significant in our lives.

Today we begin a new journey.
Without a doubt I know God placed
This scripture on my heart and in
My thoughts.

Verse 8 spoke to me ~
"The LORD will guard you
As you come and go, both
Now and forever."

How thankful I am for God's
Love letter.
It always brings
A Timely Word.

(c)  Faith Builder