Tag Archives: #Blessed

Share Four Somethings ~ March

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Share Four Somethings ~ March

Spring has sprung here in my little part of the West Virginia mountains! Daffodils and crocus have burst forth from the cold ground, leaves are emerging on the lilac tree where my bird guests find their buffet, and the robins have returned doing their “dance” in the grass with the worms below. (The worms are not willing partners). Yes, March has brought blessings of Spring and for me, this month has presented other blessings, too! Join me and others at http://www.heathergerwing.com as we share our “Four Somethings” for the month.

Something Loved

“The LORD gives his people strength. The LORD blesses them with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NLT)

March is a big birthday month in our family! Both my son and daughter were born in March. Then we added a son-in-love who was a March baby, too. And….yours truly also celebrated a birthday this month. Not sure how it’s possible that I’m 62 years old, but I’m so grateful God has brought me this far! Truly, every day is a gift!

I don’t know about you, but not being able to gather with family and friends had really begun to weigh on me. My heart felt heavy and my soul, weary. That’s why I loved receiving “visits” from those I love in the mail. My spirit bloomed like the early Spring flowers with each envelope I opened and message I read! To say I am blessed with special people in my life is an understatement! Now, I can’t wait to be able to tell them so in person!

Something Read/Said

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. with less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

This whole idea about “being blessed” can be complicated. It’s something I’ve been talking with trusted friends about, engaging in social media on the subject, and this month, participating in a study about it. The Bible has a lot to say about what it means to be blessed and it doesn’t always match our worldly view. Each day in March, the ladies at http://www.faithfullyfollowingministries.org posted a key verse and often with it, insights others have gained in life about the subject. My “Something Said” came from a young woman on day 15 of the study. Alyssa Nelson shared this:

“What makes us blessed is not having all the things we’ve decided we need, even if those are good things, it is to see God for who He truly is and to know Him deeply and personally.”

Such wisdom from a young heart! Her words were the focus I needed and they will stay with me  even though the #Blessed study is over! I encourage you to click over and read more for yourself!

Something Treasured

“May the LORD bless you and protect you.May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you. May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NLT)

I have to take you back to my birthday for my “Something Treasured” this month. Not only did I receive lovely cards and notes, I also was given some fun gifts. Truth be told, I don’t need a thing. That being said, I really enjoyed opening bags and boxes containing just the “perfect gift”! I’d hinted to my mom (ok, I sent her the link) about this cute Dove Planter filled with little succulents. It didn’t matter that the delivery date for it was past my birthday, I don’t know about you, but I’m happy to spread the celebration out as long as I can!

Well, a few days before my birthday I received a small box in the mail from mom. Imagine my surprise when upon opening said box, a very strong fragrance escaped! I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what she’d sent and why! Was I ever tickled when under the tissue paper I found this ummmm…aromatic…bar of “Dove” soap with a message on it. Oh, how I giggled at her creativity and how happy I was to receive my hoped for Dove Planter a few days later! Blessings come in all sizes AND smells!

Something Ahead

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)

As I’ve told you before, I’m a calendar girl and those empty pages in the midst of the pandemic served to remind me just how much we were missing out on. I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to now be able to make plans and write them in those little boxes! We’re still living day by day as we know anything unexpected can happen, but it’s fun to look ahead at the possibilities!

If I’ve learned one thing this past year, it’s to not take our blessings, large or small, for granted. Going to church was one I never thought much about, until I couldn’t go anymore. Last year at this time, churches were closed and Easter felt lonely. As we journey to the cross this week on our way to rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morning, I’m looking forward this year, to celebrating together with my church family in our sanctuary, and most importantly remembering from Whom all blessings come!

I always enjoy looking back at my month and picking out things to share with you. I’d love to know YOUR “Four Somethings”! Share them with me in the comments so that I can celebrate them with you. I hope you know that when I count my blessings, you are among them.  I so appreciate the time you offer me by coming here to share in my ponderings! 

 

Jesus Rules!

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I was honored to write this post as part of a series called, “Blessed” at   http://www.faithfullyfollowing.com You can click over to read more of their inspiring words or find them on their Facebook Page called “Faithfully Following Ministries”. Jodie and Donna inspire me and refresh my soul. I know they will do that for you, too!

Jesus Rules!

You don’t have to spend too much time with me before a few of my “quirks” begin to introduce themselves; like, “Hello, I’m a recovering rule follower.”  Many years ago my little girl heart shattered when my dad walked away from our family. As it began to heal, a lie cemented itself in the cracks and I grew up convinced that if I’d only been better, done better, maybe my dad wouldn’t have left. And so, in an attempt to “be good” the confines of adhering to rules slowly but surely became my comfort zone. 

“Praise the Lord! Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

So, what happens when a rule-loving gal reads in the Bible about being delighted and blessed by following commands like in this verse? Well, just imagine a high five being lifted toward heaven and the words “I’ve got this,” slipping from my lips.

“You shall not murder.” Check!
“You shall not commit adultery.” Check!
“You shall not steal.” You get the idea.

Maybe like me, you think having a commandment check-list complete with heavenly high fives sounds “delightful,” but here’s what I’ve been learning: Obeying the rules isn’t what brings us true blessing. Remember the rich, young man? (A champion rule-follower, himself!)

“As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 

‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’

‘Teacher, he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’

Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ” Mark 10:17-21 (NIV)

Friends, Jesus looks at us too, and He loves us more than we can comprehend (quirks and all). His love is so great, He went to the cross to release us once and for all, from the bondage of rules we were never able to obey on our own in the first place. What the young ruler missed, and sometimes we do too, is that following the rules doesn’t change us; following Jesus does! And while we don’t have to go and sell everything, we do need to rid ourselves of all that keeps us focused on our own efforts rather than on Him.

 In life, there will always be rules to obey. The delight comes when we walk away from depending on our own performance to gain a father’s love or whatever we’re in search of, and instead, with thanksgiving, pursue the One who’s already blessed us with everything we’ll ever need.

“But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.” Romans 7:6 (NLT)

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”
Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)