You Have Permission....to be Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! I’m so thankful for you! I can't overstate how much my social media family means to me. I am so grateful that you read my blogs. I know that God gave me this platform to celebrate Him and all that knowing Him affords: peace, comfort, joy, zest for life, faith, hope, and untold blessings. I'm glad we're a part of God's great, big family. And, now for what my heart is leading me to say……

I love this day so much -- the fall weather, the yummy food, warm smells coming from the kitchen and the house bustling with my people. Still, I can’t ignore the quiet rumblings of hearts on days like today. Maybe that’s you. You may feel overwhelmed. Or forgotten. You may feel out of place. You may feel stressed and frustrated. You may feel disappointed or anxious with worry. Or just incredibly lonely.

In a world filled with social media posts with “perfect families” as the featured photo, it can feel like an empty place for hurting hearts. But, let's not go there. Let's flip that nagging heart around, because of Who we are and Whose we are! Today is about giving thanks. It is a day for us to give thanks for the things that really matter: the inner peace that settles us when we are afraid. The inner calm that rises above obstacles and calls us to be brave. The inner voice that steadies us when the world crashes around us. We give thanks for the countless blessings we receive in spite of the odds against us. We give thanks for a Creator who sees us, knows us and accepts us just as we are – even when we feel lost on days like today.

That is the beauty of today. I hope you are at a table with those you are proud to call your own. But, if you find yourself at a table that isn’t a “comfort zone” – embrace the opportunity that you are there – making a difference because you are loved by God and you get to be His representative at that table. Smile and breathe. Connect with that inner voice of God that says “You are enough! You are so very loved. You are beautiful. You are worthy. You are brave!” Remind yourself of the ONE Who is right there with you and Who makes your family of plenty or your family of one, so very loved.

You have permission to be exactly who you are and to be reminded that that is enough. Allow the servant part of you to open your arms and serve. Hmmm! I wonder who that sounds like – it was Jesus Who sat in a room of lovers and haters, some deniers, some rejecters. Serving doesn’t feel like a burden at all – instead it’s something we naturally long to do, where the act of giving becomes a natural expression of our heart.

Whatever your table looks like, I promise there is no obligation greater than the one you have to yourself: to be sure you realize how loved you are. You are worthy of being seen and known. You are worthy of being fought for. Be thankful you are loved by the One Who loves you most. I love you and I pray this is a Thanksgiving in your heart and soul – like none ever before.

Do We Reflect God's Glory?

Do We Reflect God's Glory?
Have you ever been on the other side of the audience -- the side of the speaker who is speaking to the audi? I have, and I’ve learned to focus on the smiling faces and those with the bright and glistening “I’m with you” eyes, and simply overlook those mellow faces looking back at me.

You've got to hand it to pastors, ministers, speakers and leaders who can motivate audiences that are looking back at them with those seemingly unhappy, sullen and serious faces. I know some folks who really aren't unhappy. They just can't help it, because they have a natural frown. In fact, I often walk past a mirror or I see a photo that someone has taken of me that I didn't get to pose for, and I think "Donna -- be on purpose with smiling -- think about Who lives big in you, and SMILE!"

It really is about displaying a happy face that is the outward expression of the inner peace that dwells in us. Check out this scripture: “Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory and we are being changed to be like Him.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

We were just at the Mount of Transfiguration (aka Mount Tabor) in Israel, and we were reminded of how Jesus’ appearance was changed. “His face became bright like the sun.” (Matthew 17:2).

As I read scriptures, I’m more than aware of how God was extraordinarily on purpose with making an impression on those who were in the presence of our Lord. In that case, it was His “Chosen 3” -- Peter, James and John (Sounds like a great name for a gospel singing trio, doesn’t it?), and that impression carried on to you and me by their experience. I believe the example of Christ’s glowing face is an example for you and I, to follow. Our face is the most public part of our bodies, covered less than any other area (well except for the coloring we girls add to the canvas ;-) ). It is also the most recognizable part of our bodies.

Just think about our schools' annuals or the church’s directory or the family photos on the walls of our homes – they are all photos of our faces….not our feet. God desires to take our faces, this exposed and memorable part of our bodies, and use them to reflect His glory, His goodness and His mercy.

Our worship, praise and adoration to the One who deserves worship, praise and adoration will indeed change the face of worshipers. Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart does good like a medicine,,,,", and we just can't be merry and joyful without a big smile planted across our face. This isn't profound, but I know that a smile says "In spite of my circumstances -- good or bad -- I am blessed and I win!"

Maybe it's time to do a check up from the neck up to see of we are exuding the love and joy of our risen Lord! Just maybe we are the only "Jesus" that others see, and I expect that He was full of the joy of the Lord! I love this photo that I like to think that our Lord looked like, so many times as He patiently led His Motley Crew of disciples!!

My Lighthouse & Safe Harbor

Day 109 of Photo Inspirations -- My Lighthouse & Safe Harbor
As I walked on the treadmill this morning, I saw on Fox News that a ship full of migrants to Italy capsized and all lost their lives in efforts to save their lives.

In my devotion, I later read this in John 6 "The crowd got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus."  They, too, were looking for a safe harbor.  They were looking for peace, healing, comfort and a new way of living.

Here I am on this luxury-liner cruise ship -- all needs met, comfort and security -- but I could be here, and not know Him -- and be lost on the seas of my life -- longing for inner peace and rest in my soul. How grateful I am that when I searched, I found that safe place in the person of Jesus Christ, and what a difference it made in my life.

Most importantly, no matter what ship of life we may be on.....we can know Him Who is Refuge, Him Who is Fortress.    He is with us for the journey.  He is OUR Capernaum.  He is our lighthouse and safe harbor.

Full Moon in the Morning

Day 37 of Photo Inspirations -- Full Moon in the Morning
This was the feast that greeted me this morning as I looked out of my living room window at 7 am.  A Full Moon going down in the Western Sky.  The Moon was a treat for my eyes. Seeing her was a much welcome start to my day, and I wanted to share the image with you.  Maybe you happened to catch her presence last night when she was full in the Eastern sky.  And, maybe you're like me and managed to say goodbye to her this morning.   I quickly Googled "moon in the morning" and this is what I found:  "At full moon, the moon is exactly opposite the sun. This means that the moon rises just as the sun is setting, and sets just as the sun is rising. Two things contribute to the moon being visible in daylight. First, it is bright enough that its light penetrates the scattered blue light of the sky. Secondly, the moon must be high enough in the sky to be visibleI

I am loving this daily "photo inspiration" quest that I absolutely know that God assigned to me for this year.  I am noticing the beautiful world around me.  What was I thinking before now?   I know that "life" happens with all its busy-ness, all its appointments and schedules and itineraries and much more "to do's" than there are hours in the day,  I heard Sister Barbara Austin speak at a luncheon yesterday and she said this, "Soon you'll reach the season of life when you're able to slow down and sincerely find inner peace -- it's that place where you de-stress.  You are God's women and if we're God's women we listen to hear Him say, 'I love you. I love you. From the beginning of creation, I've been loving you."

And that resonated with me -- "from the beginning of creation"  when He was creating the skies and the sun and the moon and all of creation.....He was thinking about you and me.  What do we do with that?  We go the gratitude route -- thanking Him for all He has created.  Inner peace is finding Him in the midst of the busy-ness.....being consistently aware of this beautiful gift of life.   We can find that peace sooner than later if we purposefully make a point of looking for Him -- and finding Him -- in our day.  Perhaps it will be in the morning full moon, or seeing Him in our little children, or the precious loved one in a nursing home.  He's all around us.....and He awaits our noticing Him.

"When I look at the heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you established—"   Psalm 8:3
#PhotoInspiration #MoonInTheMorning #GodCalling