1. God has always shown up! I was in an Instagram discussion regarding reflection with Mary Geisen (of the meme, #TellHisStory) when she asked me the question, "Tell me what you have learned from your practice of reflection." What a good question!
After thinking it over, I realized there were two benefits. One was simply "numbering my days." Life whizzes by at record speed. By stopping to reflect, I get the added bonus of recording what happened when.
More importantly, I realized each time I reflected I found something I was worried about had been resolved favorably. God had shown up and either taken care of the problem or had helped me in some way get through it.
It's a fulfillment of Psalm 23: He's always led me, fed me, gave me drink, anointed me, been with me and even let goodness and mercy catch up with me.
I recommend reflection for everyone!
2. I'm thankful for time with family. Simple things like family meals and children's birthday parties brighten my days. Although nowadays it's best to limit the amount of people or hold events outdoors, just seeing my loved ones helps so much. Rory turned 3 recently. Seeing her healthy smiling face at a simple backyard swim party meant so much.
3. The things kids say! Here are the newest conversations from the twins:
While driving in the car, Brody observed:
"I'm worried I'll be homeless when I grow up because I don't have a job."
MiMi: Brody, I think Mommy and Daddy will let you stay with them until you find a job.
Brody: I love my family. They won't let me be homeless. Or, I could stay with you, right?
MiMi: Right, we won't let you be homeless.
Earlier that day, we'd been playing a guessing game with the twins. We start out by saying, "I'm going on a picnic, and I'm taking _____________. (You fill in the blank with something that starts with A and so on until you reach the end of the alphabet.)
When we got to the letter "H," I chose the word handkerchief, and then had to explain to the twins what a handkerchief was.
The next day, Baylee asked her mother, "Mom, would you buy us a "hunkychip" someday so I can blow my nose over and over?"
You can't make this stuff up.
4. An answer to a prayer prayed years ago showed up. We might think God has forgotten a desire of our heart - but He never does. He is just working in the background.
5. Psalm 23. I've been feasting on it for months now - I'm sure I've mentioned it before (see above). Today the thought I want to share from it is this. "The Lord is my Shepherd. In other words, someone else is in charge."
I'm resting on that thought.
How has things been going for you? Has God showed up big in your life? Let us know! Leave a comment, or head over to Susanne's space and link up a post about 5 highlights of your week at Friday's Fave Five.
I'm also sharing this at Grace & Truth and
I love this post. So many wonderful things to be grateful for, and I say Amen to all of them! Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt does do us good to look back and remember the times God's presence was especially near and His work especially manifest. I believe He's there at all times--He doesn't just show up for special occasions and leave again (I know you believe that, too. :-) )But there are those times in life we see His hand more clearly. Going over those gives us confidence that He knows us, loves us, and will work everything out for the best.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got some time with the family! Those kid's conversations are so cute.
Another thought someone had from Psalm 23 that blessed me was, "The Lord is my shepherd, and that's all I want."
Haha! Love those conversations with kids. I have a lot of hunkychips and I love to always have one close by. Yes, I'm sooo thankful I'm not in charge.
ReplyDeleteI love Psalm 23. I think I'll just start reciting it every night as I fall asleep--what a good reminder.
ReplyDeleteArt Linkletter was right: kids say the darndest things! What a relief it must be for Brody that he won't be homeless.
Have a good week!
Reflection can often change our perception of things - for the better. What lovely conversations with the kids lol. I too have a lot of hunkychips! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteReflection causes us to slow down enough to recognize the hand of God in our days, situations and lives that we might miss because of the hurried pace our society tends to push us towards. Happy birthday to your little granddaughter. Kids and family bring so much joy. And kids do say the funniest and sometimes most insightful things.
ReplyDeleteah...reflecting....so good for our souls.
ReplyDeleteBrody's comments just crack me right up!! how fun he sounds!! how blessed you are!
Happy birthday to little Rory...she's a cutie.
Hope your weekend's been lovely.
God is keeping me. In the middle of an unprecedented pandemic, I am also dealing with the evilest thing I have ever encountered my whole life. Yet God continues to supply my need and he continues to protect me from the evil hurled towards me at lightning speed. There is no way I would be in my right mind during this time without him. He favors me and keeps me.
ReplyDeleteSo much goodness here! I love how you shared the wise and wonderful words of your grands.
ReplyDeleteAww! Those little grandbabies sure keep our Grandma-hearts smiling, don't they? I love your thoughts here, to pause and reflect over the goodness of our God. He shows us in the midst of our days, and He longs to be with us in the reflecting! Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteTime to reflect - which has been more available recently - is such a blessing, especially when we reflect on God's word, and there is so much in psalm 23!
ReplyDeleteOne of the life-changing books I read was 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp where she challenged readers to keep a gratitude journal, noting ALL the ways the Lord has blessed them. There is such a mindset shift when we are grateful for all that the Lord provides. There is always something to be grateful for, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your conversation with your grandchild. So innocent and so precious. :-)
Love how you tied this all in with Psalm 23.
Thanks for sharing.
I love the "hunkychip" story! And Psalm 23 is so very rich.
ReplyDeleteA blessing to read and be reminded. And then to get a few smiles with the kids' words! Thanks.
ReplyDelete