I saw then that everything I had ever needed: love, joy, peace, and oneness with God had been with me all along

Good morning and happy Thursday, wow this week is flying by! I pray your day is going well and that you, like us, are experiencing beautiful weather...we are expected to hit near 70 degrees today with nothing but blue skies and sunshine...I am so excited to be able to sit out in the yard and enjoy the beautiful gift of spring that God has so lovingly blessed us with. 

In prayer this morning once again we see answers...the baby we prayed for is now here on this earth and is simply beautiful, she was born without complication and is very healthy. We continue to pray for all who have come to us and we are believing in God's blessings for all. I asked our loving Father in heaven to bless each of us with peace in our hearts that we might move forward without fear. I asked for calm in our minds that we might be able to see things clearly and to know what it is that he is calling out to us for. I asked Him for comfort in our bodies that pain might be laid to rest today so that we might be able to go forward with our plans and I asked him for knowledge that we might all see that no matter how hard our trek is, the prize is waiting at the finish line...no matter what we endure, we must stay focused, not live just for the moment but push forward so that we can be given our reward. Father hold each of us today, in your arms and allow us your strength and will to continue on our way. I ask these mercies, blessings, and favors in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I love this little story and could feel the love and meaning as I read it. Don't get caught up in looking so intently in one direction that you miss the "tap" 

A Tap On The Shoulder

A long time ago when my full grown children were still "children" I saw something that still brings a burst of joy to my heart whenever I think about it. My youngest son who was still a toddler at the time was very attached to his big sister. When she first started going to school he would stand by the window waiting everyday for her bus to bring her home. And when I would walk her up the hill to our house he would be waiting at the door to hug her. 

One day, however, after a particularly nasty diaper incident his Mom needed to give him a quick bath right when the bus was scheduled to arrive. When his sister and I made it to the door then he was still in the tub. His sister went into her room to put her coat up and as soon as she shut the door out toddled her brother from the bathroom and right to the window he went. His internal clock knew that his sister should be home any second. I smiled as I watched him looking intently out the window while his sister emerged from her room. Quietly she snuck up behind him and ever so gently tapped him on the shoulder. The look on his face when he turned around and saw his big sis was one I have rarely seen in this life. It was pure bliss, pure joy, and pure love. His big eyes shined with delight, his toothless smile took up most of his face, and his tiny arms opened up to give his sister a very big hug. 

I realized a while ago that I had spent far too much of my own life looking out a window waiting for something or someone to bring me what I wanted in this life. It took me a long time to finally feel the gentle tapping on my own shoulder. When I turned around there was God ready to take me in His arms and fill me with His love. I saw then that everything I had ever needed: love, joy, peace, and oneness with God had been with me all along. I had just been looking the wrong way. I hope that you too will turn around when you feel that tap.