Delays can be a good thing

 

I received an email notifying me that the Five Minute Friday link-up was delayed due to technical issues. The word "DELAYED" sparked a memory I'd like to share, so I will free-write on it for five minutes.

GO

Has something ever happened that stopped you from taking the next step in your journey?

 

I remember once that I signed up at the community college for courses that would start me on the road to becoming an elementary teacher.

 

I had a four-year-old and a husband who was struggling with bi-polar. I could see the handwriting on the wall and thought I should do something to prepare to be a bread winner. I felt since I loved to study and had a child, a school teacher would work out best for us.

 

However, a couple weeks after signing up, two things happened to delay me. My husband lost his job: and I found out I was pregnant with baby #2. (I discovered these things on the same day!)

 

I abandoned my plan and took the first full-time job I could find because we had to have an income NOW.

 

I never became a school teacher. However, I see now that the delay was a good thing. I need time to realize I was not meant to be a school teacher!

 

STOP (My five minutes are up; but here is the rest of the story.)

 

Deciding to advance myself in teaching children while waiting for the right time to go back to school; I volunteered as Leader of the Daisies in our girls’ program at church.

 

Here is what I learned about myself: I did not want to be a teacher of elementary children. The one hour a week that I led the Daisies was the longest hour of my life! I could not imagine how I would teach children every day all day long.

 

(If you know a teacher who really has a heart for students, give them some sign of appreciation every chance you get. They deserve it!)

 

God knew teaching children was not in my wheelhouse. He had something else for me. I just couldn’t see it yet.

Sometimes delays are a redirect towards the path you should go.

 

Wait and trust.

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Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes how you can arrive at Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

I am blessed

Let's begin the week knowing we are blessed.The world around us seems dark and chaotic; but believers, who have put their trust in the One True God, know there will be blessing no matter the situation. We might go through struggles but we will make it Home.

What a blessing to be able to lay down your head each night knowing you are one step closer to eternal joy with the One we love!

⁷ “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
And whose hope is the Lord.
⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters,
Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought,
Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8 New King James Version

 

Abba,

 

I want to be like that man who trusts, hopes and is rooted in You, never anxious and always fruitful.

It’s my heart’s desire to be that person; but Lord, You know how hard it is to keep that desire at the forefront of my mind when I’m overwhelmed by the pressures of life.

 

I ask You to send the Holy Spirit to remind me where my hope and trust is during those times. It’s not in me, but it’s in You. On my own, I can accomplish nothing; but You and I together can plant seed in every situation.

 

Be with me and my friends as we start our week. May we keep our focus on You and Your Word, standing on the promises You have given. Direct us to where the Living Water is so we can put down deep roots  and drink in all You have for us.

 

In Jesus’ holy name I pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes how you can arrive at Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Let's Have Coffee

Nurtured by The Shepherd

This week's prompt provided for the free writers at Five Minute Friday is the word, "nurture."

Nurture means to care for, feed, protect, and foster the growth or development of someone or something. One of nurture's synonyms is tend. (Merriam -Webster)

Tend? Now, there is a word I can talk about! 

GO

I first thought of the Lord comissioning Peter after his denial of Christ during the crucifixion. The Lord forgave Peter but challenged him three times about his love for Christ to counter the three times Peter denied Him.

Every time Peter admitted that he loved Jesus; then Christ gave him the directive to feed my lambs, then tend my sheep and finally, feed my sheep. (see John 21:15-17) Doing so would prove Peter's sincerity in his love for the Lord.

I find it so interesting we prove our love for God in how we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I especially love that Peter was told to tend the sheep, or in other words nurture them. He was to help them grow both physically and spiritually.

Of course, any discussion of sheep and shepherds immediately draws us to the beauful imagery of Psalm 23.

STOP (My five minutes are up, but wait! I have more!)

You see, tending is much more than just feeding the physical body. Look at the action words I highlighted in green contained in Psalm 23:

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever. - Psalm 23, NL

I think the Shepherd described in Psalm 23 is the very essence of a Nurturer.

Who is this Nurturer? The Lord Jesus Christ! And I'm thankful to proclaim, to publish, the news that He is my Shepherd.

He can be yours, too.

Want to know more? Read my post, A Ticket Home. It describes the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday, Remember Me Monday, Sweet Tea & Friends

Wonderful News

As you may have seen on the Journey, my word for the year is publish, meaning I'm in the business of making good news known.

Did you know one day the government will be run by a wonderful counselor whose every decision will be perfect? 

As we look back over the course of human history, we see the legacy of a long line of world leaders. Some did some amazing things and made a difference. Some chose unwisely and brought grief to millions. All were flawed human beings.

We need a leader who is not ruled by his passions, has no dark agenda, and has nothing to hide. One who gives everything for the people and whose motives are pure as the driven snow. There is only one person who could fill those requirements, and that is Jesus!

Seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah said this:

For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 NKJV

The birth of the Child Jesus ushered in the heavenly kingdom. The second coming of Christ will lead into the millenial reign of Christ on the earth and it will be wonderful!

Father,

We thank You for the Wonderful gift You gave us in Christ - a gift everyone needs, whether they realize it or not.

How wonderful that Jesus can fulfill all the things the prophet Isaiah foretold!

We look forward to the day when He will rule and reign on earth; and in that day, the government will finally function as it should. Justice will prevail. There will be no special treatment, priviledges or bribes given. All will be equal. Everything will be aboveboard and honest.

The world you made will finally be perfect. 

We long for the day; but until then, we look to Jesus to lead and guide. Let us be listening for the still small voice of the Holy Spirit, and let us be obedient when we hear.

In Jesus' holy name we pray; may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at InstaEncouragements LinkUp, Let's Have Coffee, One Word Linkup

A Prayer to Start Your Week

Today, we are focusing on one of the names of God, the Sun of Righteousness. May each believer start the week remembering how great it was to be set free from our old lives.

“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. Malachi 4:2 New Living Translation

 
Father,
 
The sun rises every morning. It has always been so. Thank You for the assurance that the Sun of Righteousness will also always rise to the occasion, healing and setting free those of us who reverence Your name.
 
I love that last part about rejoicing in our freedom, all excited and leaping about like someone who has been released from being penned up. This makes me think about how a lot of us were stuck inside during the recent snowstorm and were longing to be able to be out and about, enjoying Your world.
 
Life just seems good again when you are free to come and go.
 
Spiritually speaking, life feels great when you are not bound by strongholds and habits that led us onto a dark path.
 
Abba, let us feel joy like set-free calves again! Let us remember how wonderful it was to realize we don’t have to do what the carnal man would normally do. We want to be like our Elder Brother, Jesus, and please You with everything we do.
 
In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Remember Me Monday, InstaEncouragement Link-Up

A Benediction to Your Day

This week's prompt from the Five Minute Friday community is the word, "benediction." Since I'm all about prayer, I thought I would join in on the conversation.

But first, I like to always look up the definition of the prompt, in order to catch all the nuances of the word. It might send me in a different direction!

The noun benediction comes from the Latin roots bene, meaning "well" and diction meaning "to speak" — literally to speak well of. Vocabulary.com

"It's a powerful moment where God's blessing is formally bestowed and sent out with people as they return to their daily lives, reinforcing faith and providing spiritual empowerment. ,,, Derived from Latin meaning "to speak well," it's a "good word" from God to people." [Google]

I feel excitement about this word so here are my thoughts:

GO

Since about the middle of 2024, I've been drawn to writing daily scripture prayers. I take a topic, such as the names or attributes of God, look up one verse a day on my topic, and then write a prayer based on the scripture.

Going on two years later, I'm loving the practice!

Here is what I found. The Word of God encourages! (Probably, you're thinking, I know that!) 

What I mean is, taking a deep dive into the scripture, getting the context, why did God say that? and who did he say that to? ... It becomes a mini bible study. I come away each day encouraged in some way.

In other words, I've received a good word from God, a benediction to my quiet time. He is sending me out with blessing and words of encouragement until I return the next morning and we do it all over again. He is reinforcing my faith.

BUT! I must take the time to come before Him to get this benediction.

STOP

This has become a spiritual practice for me and it is enriching!

Why don't you try it?

I'm sharing below an example. I looked up one of the names for Jesus which is, "Teacher," and this is what the Lord gave me:

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. John 13:13 New Living Translation

 

NOTE: In the original language, this word was translated “Master,” and the meaning is “instructor.”

 

Father,

 

I love that You are my instructor; for so often, I’m at a loss to know what to do next.

 

I’m reminded of the scripture that says, “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.” Psalm 25:4

I take comfort that You will show us the path that is right for us and our callings.

 

You are so kind! You are so loving!

 

Lord, lead, guide and protect me and my people today. Help us make good choices and go where You send us. Let us keep You at the forefront of our thoughts, hearts and minds.

 

In Jesus’ name I pray, may many come to You today. So be it, amen.

 (adapted from a Prayer from 02/11/26)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday

Longing for God to Show Up

Sometimes, you just need to know God sees the situation you are in. Here's a story from long ago ...

I had driven a long way to put my husband in the hospital. It was late when we got there. By the time the paperwork was done and he was tucked up in bed, it was near midnight.

I went out to the parking lot to start up our gas-hog of a van to go home ... but it wouldn't start. It was not a dead battery, it just wouldn't kick in no matter how many times I turned the key.

Great. Just great.

I trudged back into the hospital and wearily rang the buzzer to ask if I could come back inside and use their phone. (This was back before I had a cell phone.)

Who could I call at midnight for help so far from home?

I decided to call my Pastor.  I told him not to come then, for the hospital said I could lay down in their guest waiting room. He said he would come in the morning.

So, using a borrowed pillow and blanket, I bunked on a couch. I fit on the couch as long as I kept my knees bent. and waited for morning.

"God, how could you let this happen? Don't you care? This is like the worst day of my life. I can't even ask Jim what to do because they don't let anyone have any contact with him for 72 hours."

There's no doubt about it, I was feeling very sorry for myself.

STOP

(This post was written in response to the prompt "LONGING" given to the writers at the Five Minute Friday Community. My five minutes are up; but, wait! I have more!)

How I longed to be back home with my children and in my own bed! How I longed to have my husband whole again!

When morning came, Bro. Hester was there to pick me up, earlier than I expected. But he didn't come alone! He brought a mechanic with him from our home town to help get the van going. (I'd figured we'd have to leave it there and worry about it later.) 

Bro. Hester took me home in time for me to get my girls off the school bus that afternoon.

The mechanic knew just what to do, and once he had the van  running, he drove it home for me. 

My church family helped us pay for the parts.

I longed for God to speak audibly to me in my hour of distress; He chose to use His servants to get me back on the road.

I'm forever grateful for both the kindness of God and the kindness of Bro. Hester.

~~

A Prayer for When You are Longing for God to Show Up

When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, Jeremiah 29:13 New English Translation

 

And,

 

I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Psalm 101:2 New King James Version

 

Father,

 

Some of us might be feeling pretty low today. We feel we have been seeking You. You are on our mind constantly. Yet we are still longing to hear Your voice, to experience Your presence.

 

We cry like David, “When will You come to me?”

 

Yet, we know You are Wonderful and glorious and a good, good Father. We also know that sometimes You choose to come to us in the form of one of Your children's kindness to us.

 

Abba, Daddy … please lift us up, in whatever way You see best.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, may many come to You today, so be it, amen.

 (adapted from a Prayer from 09/24/24)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home. That is the best news I could ever share!

Sharing at Five Minute Friday and Remember Me Monday, Let's Have Coffee