Good morning and happy Tuesday, sun, sun, glorious sun is shining this morning, we have not seen this beautiful sight in days..oh how I love you sun! 37 degree, cloudy but sunny skies and a whole lot of love in my heart.
In prayer this morning, as I sat wrapped in my favorite "blankie"head tilted toward the sky, watching the clouds slowly drift by, thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for and asking God to forgive me for all of the blessings that I tend to take for granted and not acknowledge. I closed my eyes and began to pray for each of you, I asked God to bless you abundantly this day, to see your needs, to feel your fears, to give you peace where there is chaos, to give you calm where there is confusion and to give you comfort in all areas that ache. I asked him to provide strength and understanding to those who are standing in wait as you quietly watch your loved ones stepping closer and closer to the gate of heaven. I asked him to fill those who are struggling with health, addiction, finances, relationships, unruly children, lack of faith and who stand in the darkness with a renewed faith this day. Father God, wrap your arms around each of us today, allow us vision of what is to come, allow warmth in our hearts to out do any cold that might be lingering there. Give us courage to face our demons and to profess that you are our Lord of Lords and King of Kings and that no one nor anything comes before you. Heavenly Father I ask for a little extra cup of your love this week for our soldiers on foreign soils, bless them with the feeling of hope that soon they will be coming home, keep them safe from harm, shield them from hurt and fill them with the knowledge that what they are doing is not in vain. In the name of my brother, my savior and my friend, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I came across a short but mighty powerful little story to share with you today. I am guilty of this many times over and wish so badly that I had read this story many years ago for I know if I had had a worry tree there would have been much more harmony and much less stress within the wall of my safe haven I call home. I pray today that you will share this lesson with not only your partner but with your children, turn your home back into a retreat where only love and peace live.
In prayer this morning, as I sat wrapped in my favorite "blankie"head tilted toward the sky, watching the clouds slowly drift by, thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for and asking God to forgive me for all of the blessings that I tend to take for granted and not acknowledge. I closed my eyes and began to pray for each of you, I asked God to bless you abundantly this day, to see your needs, to feel your fears, to give you peace where there is chaos, to give you calm where there is confusion and to give you comfort in all areas that ache. I asked him to provide strength and understanding to those who are standing in wait as you quietly watch your loved ones stepping closer and closer to the gate of heaven. I asked him to fill those who are struggling with health, addiction, finances, relationships, unruly children, lack of faith and who stand in the darkness with a renewed faith this day. Father God, wrap your arms around each of us today, allow us vision of what is to come, allow warmth in our hearts to out do any cold that might be lingering there. Give us courage to face our demons and to profess that you are our Lord of Lords and King of Kings and that no one nor anything comes before you. Heavenly Father I ask for a little extra cup of your love this week for our soldiers on foreign soils, bless them with the feeling of hope that soon they will be coming home, keep them safe from harm, shield them from hurt and fill them with the knowledge that what they are doing is not in vain. In the name of my brother, my savior and my friend, Jesus Christ. Amen.
I came across a short but mighty powerful little story to share with you today. I am guilty of this many times over and wish so badly that I had read this story many years ago for I know if I had had a worry tree there would have been much more harmony and much less stress within the wall of my safe haven I call home. I pray today that you will share this lesson with not only your partner but with your children, turn your home back into a retreat where only love and peace live.
The Worry Tree
Paresh, an Indian carpenter I once hired to help me restore my old farmhouse had just finished a difficult and hard first day on the job. A flat tyre on his lorry made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw packed in, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start. While I drove him home, Paresh sat in stony, thoughtful silence.
On arriving, Paresh, in the way of all Indian gentlefolk, invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door to his home, he underwent an amazing transformation. His tanned face wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
After a cup of tea, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
'Oh, that's my trouble tree,' Paresh replied. 'I know I can't help having troubles on the job, but one thing for sure, troubles don't belong in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang them on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning I pick them up again. Funny thing is', he smiled winningly, 'when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.'
Peace be with each of you this day my friends!!!
