30 days of Thankfulness: day 6

Today I am thankful for seeing God place a burden on the teacher's heart for a story that was going to be skipped, generosity in every corner, a beautiful fall Sunday, a sweet memorial service, an unexpected nap, and a good clean murder mystery movie!

30 days of Thankfulness: day 5

Today I am thankful for spending an hour on ballet exercises without knowing it! I'm thankful for a long and busy day at work! I'm especially thankful for hot water as I can now go relax with a shower!

30 days of Thankfulness: day 4

Today Im thankful for music; for using it to worship, to dance, to sing, to listen to, and to recondition your body. Slowly but surely I may dance in these again!

30 days of Thankfulness: day 2&3

Im thankful for a trip to the Y, a soak in the hot tub, a walk in the rain, a good day at work, and a little kitty who always makes me smile 

30 days of Thankfulness: day 1

Today I am thankful for getting shows scheduled, friends visiting, music planned, cinnamon buns made, laundry done, and an excited 4yr receiving a pre-k book to do schoolwork like her big sisters!

Fully See

I looked out just now and saw the moon! A faithful witness of the hope God has bestowed upon John and I. (Psalm 89:37) The beauty was overwhelming, and should you be up later tonight, stay up to see it!

As it disappeared behind a cloud, I was reminded of 1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV) - For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

We may not know the future, what it holds, what will happen, but God is faithful. Just like the rising of the sun and the setting of the moon. So when I see the moon, I'm reminded of the hope I have in Him.

Hebrews 6:19 (ESV) - We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain....

Do not despair, or be discouraged. He is faithful to care and provide for you. He will send someone out of no where to hold your hand and pray for you when you cry. He will orchestrate things in ways that leave you in awe. He will provide hope when life is beating you down.

I shall leave you with this:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

Shadows of hope!

I encourage you to read Romans (particularly chp 4, the beginning of 5, and chp 8). I did so the other day, and it brought such inexpressible abounding hope, that I became misty eyed. To read stories of the ones who walked in faith before us, and see ourselves living in the same way is incredible! Abraham and Sarah are quickly becoming my favorite people in the bible. As I was reading Romans 4, verses 20-21 jumped out at me. They are a powerful poignant reminder of God's promises to myself, to John, and to the world around me:

Too often we don't give God enough credit. God is God; He is the ultimate supreme King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Compared to Him, we are nothing. We truly are. He created us, and He knows what our lives shall be like from this day forward. If we cling to Him, and those shadows of hope that linger during the hard times, we shall emerge victorious!

Two more verses I'd encourage you to look up are, Romans 8:37, and Romans 16:20. Romans 8:37 is my favorite verse. In fact, I wear it on a necklace quite often to remind myself that God knows what's going on, and I need only to trust Him. Romans 16:20 made me misty-eyed again when I finished reading through Romans. To see God's sovereignty over all is a humbling thing. To know He intercedes for us, is another.

Romans 8:24-28 (ESV)

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)

 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

I encourage you today to read the Scriptures, to not lose hope, and see the Lord working in the shadows (not the literal form, but behind the scenes) to bring us closer to Him!

The Power of a Story

The power of a story can be an incredible thing! Whether it's reading a book to a child, or sharing a story about "the olden days", a story can change your mood, or give you something to think about! Going back through history, you can see how the stories were passed down from generation to generation. Each had a purpose, or a moral to them. Some were about events that occurred; others about how to live the best you could be. The Bible was originally passed down through the spoken word, memorized carefully, and preserved through generations. The books rich with examples of how God calls us to live, work, and show His love, kept the Christian faith alive! 

Stories are a big part of the relationship between John and I! The first time we began to flirt was when I taught a story, and he copied me blatantly! (I should sue him! ;~) Haha!) Anyways, from the beginning, stories are a part of our relationship. We started sometime last year, telling each other stories about silly things or about what might happen someday when we serve God. One of my favorites was one he told about a bunny! They bring us a smile when one of us may be sad or bring us hope when we are discouraged. Sometimes they even remind us of how God always is faithful even during hard times!

Today I want to share a little story of my own, that happened today, two years ago! <3

Once upon a time was two people contentedly emailing back and forth. Those two people were actually John and I. I was working on a blog post, and asked his advice when the tables turned, and the following conversation ensued.

J: Hey moriah could you be praying for me i have some things that have been weighing on my mind heavily lately and im very on the fence on what to do. :-/

M: It is awesome! I certainly will be praying!!! :( God will show you what's right. He always does..... idk if it would help, but Psalm 13 came to mind :~) 

J: Did that seriously just come to you this moment!

M: Um yes....I memorized it this past spring, and it popped into my head! 

J: Thats crazy it. Its like perfect to answer my question i mean wow im kinda speechless right now.

M: Weren't we just saying how awesome and amazing God is?? :' ) 

J: Its just its what ive been asking God for. I think he may have finally granted me my request. I really cant believe it.

M: I'm so happy for you John! That's wonderful!!!

J: Yeah at least i think He is saying i can have what i asked for im still a bit nervous but i think its a yes?

M: I'm sure it will be clear soon, in due timing :~)

J: Thats what i said 5 years ago.... Its been a long battle. :-/

M: :( do you mind telling me about it or no?

J: Um i dont know if i should it isnt bad but i dont know give me a second to think.

M: I understand if you don't. :) 

J: Its so hard i want to tell you because i know you could help but i dont know what the reprucussions of that would be this has happened once before and it didnt go so well last time.

M: I trust you to use your discernment. :~)

J: Ok you what just whatever. Ok for the past few years ive been asking God for a girl one who would fit into his plan and that i could you know "date" for the next 4-5 years i tried and failed twice to interpret Gods plan and i felt like a complete failure for the longest time. And now i think He is beginning to reveal His plan to me after all these years. So yeah thats it.

M: Sometimes God uses trials like that for us to learn and grow. I'm very happy for you :~) 

J: Yeah you are right and ive been learning why its been this way over these years but still i just feel like this girl is going to just be another failure for me to carry with me and i dont know if she even likes be back its rediculous i just dont know and im afraid to say anything for fear of killing our friendship which happened before as well. I just feel stuck.

M: Ah I see...quick story.....last guy I liked I told him so. I was scared stiff from making the mistakes I've made in the past. He didn't feel the same way but he agreed to pray. While my friendship with him became more brother-sister, we both could clearly see God's answer because of our honesty with each other. Now I have an awesome "brother"....honesty is best.

J: Ok ok....well you said it honesty is best moriah i like you its you the one who God put in my yead out of no where ive prayed about it and now you know what im sick of just sitting around its not why ive been so nice to you but through us talking its just been in my head for a while. So there i said it and now you may reject me but please make it quick ive been waiting for closure on this for a while...

M: Oh John! I like you too! You know last week when we were talking?? That was the day I knew I'd never be more than a sister to my friend.

J: Wow im just completely blown away right now you have no idea i wish you could see my face right now. :-D

And they have lived happily ever after! Well, mostly! ;~) The end!

Mismatch

Sometimes you need mismatch shoes just because...

...because it's an easy way to make others smile!

...because it's an easy way to make others laugh!

...because why not??

😊

The Train: How Love Works

A simple train, that runs on coal, is a great example of love. The more you toss coals into it, the farther the train will go. If you stop, the fire will die down. The coals will burn for a long time, but at some point will go out and need to be completely rebuilt. Therefore, if you continually put them onto fire, your fire will burn long and hot!

Love is the same way. If you continually work on your love and relationship, it will continue to burn, go farther, and grow. If you cease, then it burns down until you have to rebuild it.

I was mulling this principle over as John and I discovered we were in need of the coals to keep it going. When he came for a short visit, it was evident that when we get grumpy and miserable with each other, it was time to step back and reevaluate so we could add coals (prayer!) to keep us going. Sometimes it's not just prayer, sometimes it's going the extra mile.

I encourage you to think on the relationship you need to start adding the coals to. To keep friendships or relationships going, you must do this, (It's a simple recipe!):

- Love
- Coals
- A Dash of the Extra Mile

Praying for you! :~)