We have all heard the saying that "One man's trash is another man's treasure". I am finding this more and more to be true as I am starting a new business - an online flea market. I have gone around to different garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores to find items to put on my new website. It is amazing the items that you can find - some are fantastic! I don't think some people realize what they have! And others make you wonder "What were they thinking when they bought that? That is junk!" But I have actually purchased some of this junk and turned it into something wonderful for my home or to sell. You just never know what you could do when you turn your mind to it.
Sometimes we feel like we are junk in God's eyes. We make mistakes. We sin. How could God possibly love us and our junk? But everyday, He takes rebellious sinners and transforms them by His power into something beautiful and valuable!!
Before you give up on yourself or someone else, before you get too discouraged about how your life has turned out, always remember that you have the potential in the hands of God to be turned into something wonderful and valuable!!
He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
HELP ME TO FORGIVE AND BE GRATEFUL
I am so frustrated and angry. I live in a condominium complex and we have a communal laundry room. Everyone has their own washer and dryer but they are all in one room. I have lived here for over two years, have grown to love it, and love the neighbors that I know.
Well, I went to do my laundry this morning and someone had stolen the empty laundry basket that was on my washer, all of my fabric softener and fabric softener sheets, and one bottle of detergent. They were kind enough to leave one bottle of detergent. I was so angry. I know it doesn't seem like much but I save every penny I can and laundry supplies are not cheap. But more importantly, it was a horrible feeling to know that someone stole from me.
Of course, I got all in a dither and decided that I was moving! It didn't matter that my home is perfect for me - the right size, the right location, the right price, and, for the most part, great neighbors. I didn't care - I was moving!!
I went outside to sit on my porch and read the paper (the real estate ads!). I have worked hard to make my patio look nice - put lots of plants out, got new chairs, and hung my bird feeder. I love to watch the birds come up to the bird feeder. They will actually come up to it and eat even while I am sitting right there on the porch. It makes me happy to watch them and always puts a smile on my face!
Well, while I was out there steaming about my laundry supplies and looking through the ads, I looked up and there were several birds on the feeder and several more actually walking around my porch. I put the ads down and watched the birds. I began thinking about how grateful I am for my home, how much I truly like it, how perfect it is for me, and how easy it would be to just put my laundry supplies away where no one can get them. My problem would be solved and I am still happy in my home.
God has so truly blessed me with my home and everything in my life. I am so grateful that He opened my eyes on this situation - instead of continuing to be angry and frustrated, He gave me a solution and a peace about the situation. Although I have to admit, I am still a little angry, I feel sorry for whoever stole my things. I would gladly have let them borrow some if they needed it instead of them stealing it. But I am more grateful for the wonderful neighbors that I do have, the ones who have been true friends and have helped me in so many ways. God led me to this home and I believe He wants me to stay here.
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the peace You give me even in bad situations. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me and help me to be a good example to them in these situations.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:35
Well, I went to do my laundry this morning and someone had stolen the empty laundry basket that was on my washer, all of my fabric softener and fabric softener sheets, and one bottle of detergent. They were kind enough to leave one bottle of detergent. I was so angry. I know it doesn't seem like much but I save every penny I can and laundry supplies are not cheap. But more importantly, it was a horrible feeling to know that someone stole from me.
Of course, I got all in a dither and decided that I was moving! It didn't matter that my home is perfect for me - the right size, the right location, the right price, and, for the most part, great neighbors. I didn't care - I was moving!!
I went outside to sit on my porch and read the paper (the real estate ads!). I have worked hard to make my patio look nice - put lots of plants out, got new chairs, and hung my bird feeder. I love to watch the birds come up to the bird feeder. They will actually come up to it and eat even while I am sitting right there on the porch. It makes me happy to watch them and always puts a smile on my face!
Well, while I was out there steaming about my laundry supplies and looking through the ads, I looked up and there were several birds on the feeder and several more actually walking around my porch. I put the ads down and watched the birds. I began thinking about how grateful I am for my home, how much I truly like it, how perfect it is for me, and how easy it would be to just put my laundry supplies away where no one can get them. My problem would be solved and I am still happy in my home.
God has so truly blessed me with my home and everything in my life. I am so grateful that He opened my eyes on this situation - instead of continuing to be angry and frustrated, He gave me a solution and a peace about the situation. Although I have to admit, I am still a little angry, I feel sorry for whoever stole my things. I would gladly have let them borrow some if they needed it instead of them stealing it. But I am more grateful for the wonderful neighbors that I do have, the ones who have been true friends and have helped me in so many ways. God led me to this home and I believe He wants me to stay here.
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have given me. Thank you for the peace You give me even in bad situations. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me and help me to be a good example to them in these situations.
"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:35
Friday, June 6, 2008
PRIORITIES IN OUR LIVES
We live in such a hectic world today. Family, work, social activities, church, home -so much to do and it seems like so little time. Sometimes it is hard to decide what we should do and what we should let slide. In other words, it is hard to determine what should be the priorities in our lives.
Obviously, we have to work. We need money to pay our bills, to put food on our tables, to put a roof over our heads.
We need to take care of our families. We need to get our children to school and to their activities. We need time to spend with our spouse or significant others.
We need to have time to spend with our friends. Friends are so important in our lives and it can be so easy to let friendships go by the wayside when we get so busy.
And does there ever seem to be an end to the chores - washing, vacuuming, ironing, cooking, gardening, and the list goes on and on!!
So much to do in life and so little time. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention God!! I really didn't forget - it just seems like sometimes we put Him last on our priority list. We get so busy that we just don't take the time to spend with God - we don't read our Bibles, don't go to church, don't pray. Seems like we get so tired and busy that it is just easier just to let our relationship with God be put to the bottom of our priority list.
In reality, God and our relationship with Him should be NUMBER ONE on our priority list. Absolutely nothing should come before God - not our spouse, our children, our work, NOTHING!! And even though it may be hard at times, when we do make God number one in our lives, we are truly blessed!! Our schedules and lives may still be hectic, we may still be stressed, but we are truly blessed!!
Lord, forgive us for not making you the most important part of our lives. Forgive us for placing others before You. Thank you for always being there for us and for never putting us to the bottom of Your list!!
"You shall have no other Gods before me." Exodus 20:3
Obviously, we have to work. We need money to pay our bills, to put food on our tables, to put a roof over our heads.
We need to take care of our families. We need to get our children to school and to their activities. We need time to spend with our spouse or significant others.
We need to have time to spend with our friends. Friends are so important in our lives and it can be so easy to let friendships go by the wayside when we get so busy.
And does there ever seem to be an end to the chores - washing, vacuuming, ironing, cooking, gardening, and the list goes on and on!!
So much to do in life and so little time. Oh, wait, I forgot to mention God!! I really didn't forget - it just seems like sometimes we put Him last on our priority list. We get so busy that we just don't take the time to spend with God - we don't read our Bibles, don't go to church, don't pray. Seems like we get so tired and busy that it is just easier just to let our relationship with God be put to the bottom of our priority list.
In reality, God and our relationship with Him should be NUMBER ONE on our priority list. Absolutely nothing should come before God - not our spouse, our children, our work, NOTHING!! And even though it may be hard at times, when we do make God number one in our lives, we are truly blessed!! Our schedules and lives may still be hectic, we may still be stressed, but we are truly blessed!!
Lord, forgive us for not making you the most important part of our lives. Forgive us for placing others before You. Thank you for always being there for us and for never putting us to the bottom of Your list!!
"You shall have no other Gods before me." Exodus 20:3
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
WE HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR WHEN WE TRUST IN THE LORD
Fear is a horrible emotion. People have fears of many things - heights, water, spiders - just to name a few. My biggest fear is of fires. I had a friend who died in a house fire when I was only 12 years old, and I have never gotten over that. I am very afraid of fires in my house.
Last night this fear "flared" up. My daughter was drying her hair in the bathroom when the plug starting making noises and sparking. I did not know what to do, other than shut the fuse off. When I did that, however, it also shut off the refrigerator. I had a refrigerator full of food and didn't want it to go bad. So I turned the fuse back on, did not use the plug again, checked all my smoke detectors in my house, and basically stayed awake all night and prayed that my house would not catch on fire. I called the electrician the first thing this morning and he replaced the outlet. Things are fine now but it made me really think.
While we may never be able to completely get rid of our fears, no matter how rational or irrational they may be, we truly have nothing to fear when we trust in the Lord. He is always there for us no matter what. And while I was truly afraid last night and didn't sleep much, I did find some peace in praying to God to protect my daughter and myself through the night. Every time I would roll over and wake up, I would pray to God to protect us and then I was able to go back to sleep. It may have been a long night, but it certainly would have been a lot longer night had I not had His peace and comfort.
Lord, thank you for the peace that you give us through all situations. Thank you for the peace that passes all understanding.
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Last night this fear "flared" up. My daughter was drying her hair in the bathroom when the plug starting making noises and sparking. I did not know what to do, other than shut the fuse off. When I did that, however, it also shut off the refrigerator. I had a refrigerator full of food and didn't want it to go bad. So I turned the fuse back on, did not use the plug again, checked all my smoke detectors in my house, and basically stayed awake all night and prayed that my house would not catch on fire. I called the electrician the first thing this morning and he replaced the outlet. Things are fine now but it made me really think.
While we may never be able to completely get rid of our fears, no matter how rational or irrational they may be, we truly have nothing to fear when we trust in the Lord. He is always there for us no matter what. And while I was truly afraid last night and didn't sleep much, I did find some peace in praying to God to protect my daughter and myself through the night. Every time I would roll over and wake up, I would pray to God to protect us and then I was able to go back to sleep. It may have been a long night, but it certainly would have been a lot longer night had I not had His peace and comfort.
Lord, thank you for the peace that you give us through all situations. Thank you for the peace that passes all understanding.
The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Monday, June 2, 2008
GOD IS ALWAYS THERE - EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT!
Sometimes you just don't know, or appreciate, how much God has blessed you with. It And sometimes you feel so all alone in the world. It always seem that there is someone else who has a nicer house, nicer car, nicer clothes, etc. It is so easy to feel sorry for yourself and not appreciate what you have.
God has truly blessed me in so many, many, many ways. Lately I have not acted like I realize that or for that I ask His forgiveness. He has blessed me with a home that I have truly come to love, a daughter who is the most precious thing to me, friends who are like family. He has blessed me with fortunes beyond believe - not monetary but just the everyday things - there is truly nothing in life that I need or want. I pray for His forgiveness in not being more appreciative, for being envious of others, for wanting more or thinking I need more when I know in my heart that He will provide for all my needs. Even though I feel so all alone sometimes, I have come to realize that I am never alone. It has taken me a while to snap out of this funk and to listen to what He has to say, but I am grateful that He is still there and will always be there!
God has spoken to me in so many ways lately. One of the many ways is through people that I don't even know personally, that I have come into contact with through this devotional site. I thank God for those that He has brought into my life and I thank them enough for caring to let me know.
I praise you, God, for all your wondrous blessings in my life! I thank you for your forgiveness for my sins. I pray that You will help me to realize that although I don't have all the riches in the world that I have all I need in You! Praise You, God! Thank you for letting me know that I am never alone because I belong to you!
For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7,8
God has truly blessed me in so many, many, many ways. Lately I have not acted like I realize that or for that I ask His forgiveness. He has blessed me with a home that I have truly come to love, a daughter who is the most precious thing to me, friends who are like family. He has blessed me with fortunes beyond believe - not monetary but just the everyday things - there is truly nothing in life that I need or want. I pray for His forgiveness in not being more appreciative, for being envious of others, for wanting more or thinking I need more when I know in my heart that He will provide for all my needs. Even though I feel so all alone sometimes, I have come to realize that I am never alone. It has taken me a while to snap out of this funk and to listen to what He has to say, but I am grateful that He is still there and will always be there!
God has spoken to me in so many ways lately. One of the many ways is through people that I don't even know personally, that I have come into contact with through this devotional site. I thank God for those that He has brought into my life and I thank them enough for caring to let me know.
I praise you, God, for all your wondrous blessings in my life! I thank you for your forgiveness for my sins. I pray that You will help me to realize that although I don't have all the riches in the world that I have all I need in You! Praise You, God! Thank you for letting me know that I am never alone because I belong to you!
For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Romans 14:7,8
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