Encouraging Deep Roots

Hilary of Tours ~  "Busyness is a blasphemous anxiety to do God's work for Him." I've shared this quote here before and it is a good reminder for me as I continually seek to create space in my life. At times my busyness in ministry is an internal sense that if I don't do a particular activity then it will seem as if I am ineffective.  But here is the lesson I'm learning. God does not need my activity to work and accomplish His will. He is at work despite my busyness.  Jesus says the following in John 5:19-20, "I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does these things in the same way. For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works than these so that you will be amazed." Jesus Himself stated that He could not do anything independently from the Father. He came alongside the Father to work in tande...

It's Monday, I didn't sleep well and have been up since 3:30 a.m. I could start this week out on a grumpy foot, but am choosing thankfulness. And maybe getting a nap in later! 😉 Today I'm thankful for the following: 💓 The wonderful scents of autumn. 💓 A productive week. 💓 Family gatherings. 💓 More light in the morning. 💓 Getting some yardwork done and cleaning up my flower beds. 💓 Fun sewing projects. 💓 Hearing how God is at work around the world (yesterday, it was specifically in Peru).  💓 A weekend at home which was the first in 6 weeks. 💓 A wide choice of food avaiable which is not the case for many people around the world. 💓 A beautiful day to get out and walk yesterday. 💓 A warm and cozy house. and finally... 💓 The beginning of my favorite time of the year! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~ Rejoice  always! 17  Pray constantly. 18  Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I'm currently sitting on my back patio and attempting to write this outside even though it's only 46 degrees. I was out and doing yard work this morning and because I was moving around it seemed like a good idea. However, the sun has been swallowed by clouds and soon my cup of hot tea will be gone so I may need to move back inside. I've been doing a lot of reflection lately on the sin of self-pity. I know for some the word, sin , may seem harsh, but I'm going to call it what it is because it truly is rooted in self and I recognize it as a generational pattern in my own family history.  One of my earliest memories is my father driving us back home after a visitation with him. He had been drinking all day long and was a weepy drunk. He was crying and saying that no one loved him, not even us children. That is a heavy burden to lay on ten, eight and six-year old children. His choices were his own, but he would always play the blame game.  My mom, as well, would dwell on th...