Beautiful things for the new year

"If someone could see the inside of your soul, the pathways of your thoughts, the flow of your worship, the landscape of your thoughts and attitudes, what would it look like? Would it hold beauty or ugliness?

A beautiful soul is cultivated and crafted over time by the elements that surround it and that pour into its inner chamber. One lives and pours out words, behavior, attitudes, goodness or evil from what is dwelling inside it’s borders.

In the same way that if one fills a pitcher with lemonade, and lemonade pours forth, so one must be careful to fill one’s soul with all that is beautiful, true, lovely".

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Phil. 4:8

I love these thoughts!  This is taken from a devotional I've been reading called itakejoy.com.  If you get a chance, look at it.  The writer provides such wonderful insight.  I have gained so much from reading it. 

Lance and I briefly talked about New Year's resolutions last night.  I'm not big on them, as they usually don't change much of anything.  Instead, we want to take a different approach.  What is God putting on our hearts for the year?  What ways can we fill our hearts and souls with good things?  What do we need to stop doing?  And, not just each of us individually, but together, how can we bring goodness to our children?  What books will we read to them?  What ways can we specifically help their souls grow in beauty this year?  

There are things that God is already bringing to my mind and I can't wait to have some time alone to really think about how we will grow this year.  Have you taken time to think about it yet?  I encourage you to make time alone to think about how God is directing you.  A new year beginning could mean a wonderful change for you this year.   

Thank You Lord!

Wow!  What a day today has been.  It started off bright and early at 6:00, with two different alarms going off.  Had to get up and be ready for my appointment with the specialist.  If you've been following my blog, or know me, you know that this pregnancy has been a rough one.  Had a hemmorhage at 10 weeks pregnant, which left me with a big ugly blood clot behind the placenta. 

Baby didn't mind at all!  She just kicked and moved and kept on growing;  good news for us.  But, it bothered me bad;  bothered the doctor worse.  Every appointment he told me how bad it was, trying to prepare me for the worst.  At one appointment, he said, "Pray, do what you can, we'll do what we can.  That's all we can do."  I knew it was bad.   So, I just prayed.  And, I think more than that, many other people prayed.  I have been so humbled by so many prayers for us.  Did it mean it was gonna turn out like I wanted?  I didn't know the answer to that;  but I know that I prayed for God's will for this child.  I still do.  She is doing well.  I am rejoicing.  I have this day.  That's all I have.  I don't know about tomorrow.  I can't worry with that.  I know God answered me today. 

Today, I went in to the doctor and saw her sweet face.  She held her little hand to her face, trying to put it in her mouth.  She is a blessing.  The ultrasound technician looked and looked for the blood clot.  I knew it wasn't there anymore;  I just knew.  I honestly haven't even thought about it in weeks.  That's what God does, He takes our burdens.  And, even though maybe I should've worried about it, fretted somewhat, I didn't.  I have been at such peace and it's been good to be here.  It's good to be God's child.  I know bad things can happen and do.  I've seen the pains of this world.  I've experienced them, watched loved ones experience them.  But, if I choose to worry, what will it get me?  God says it won't add one day to my life, not one.  Even in the midst of this rejoicing day, the day I've waited for for 13 weeks, the enemy tries to steal my joy with worry.  The doctor says, even though the clot is gone, you're still at risk for premature labor.  There is a reminder that I don't have control.  I'm good with that.  I know that, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."  Romans 8:37

Are you tempted to worry about the future?  Are you like me?  I struggle with it daily.  Remember, "He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope."  Psalm  130:5
Where will you put your hope today?  Write His words on your heart, put your hope in them.  He won't let you down.  "The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love."  Psalm 147:11