How you define usefulness and how I judge are not always the same thing. You are prone and programmed to measure by volume of tasks completed and number of goals achieved. I may only ask for minimal things, wanting instead for you to spend loving, quality time with Me or with others. It’s okay to slow your pace down for a while. When I give you opportunities for space like this, take advantage of it. I designed “down time” to help restore and replenish your soul. Take a right turn on Easy Street for a pleasant detour, and stop driving yourself so hard for a change. Delight in My Presence and in your surroundings. Acknowledge Me as your vision and appreciation for the little things opens up, widening your perspective. Take it easy, storing up treasures of energy for another day when it will be needed.
calming thoughts
Vacation from Self-Criticism
No little oversight, no silly comment, or no missed opportunity to be thoughtful can make it so I don’t love you. I will ALWAYS love you. You chastise yourself far too much. If you allow yourself to recognize and soak in this truly unconditional love, how differently you would enter your day. Take a vacation from self-criticism for these next 24 hours, living in the Light of knowledge of My great love for you. See what tenderness evolves from this act. Be healed through this feeling of being totally accepted. This is Truth, made possible by Grace.
Stand Down
Love your neighbor as yourself. It is not always as easy as it seems on paper. You will have to keep yourself in check. This means curbing your temper if it tries to arise, or your tongue if it seeks to make an off-color or derogatory remark. In a world of cynical, dry humor and negative stances poured out all over the media and social networks, My ways are atypical. My way, – choosing to step down in an argument or defer to others you disagree with as opposed to bantering or swinging back with words, – is challenging. Choose acceptance, even amidst opposition. Choose to love, honor, and respect others. I will guide you with Grace when and if it becomes time to speak up against injustices. Otherwise, stand down. My ways are radically different from the worlds, -but try it anyway. See how the union between your will and Mine makes a powerful and peaceful difference in your reaction to circumstances all around you.
Allow Me to Take Over
You don’t need to seek some sort of ‘magical formula’ from Me to experience joy or goodness. Light is all around you, and accessible to you at any time. Perhaps you need to set aside your troubles for a while. Take a break from all the worry and stress by placing these cares into My capable hands. Allow yourself to take in a deep breath. Release. Soak in the comfort I offer you by lifting those burdens, even if you can only imagine this as a temporal thing. Try it now. Breath in deeply, embracing and packaging up all that burdens you and weighs you down. Hold that breath as you gather multiple items of concern and place it in a package to deliver directly to Me. Then release that breath, sending every item on for Me to unpack and address for you. As you relax and breath more and more easily, focus intently on the LIGHT infusing all around you. This is My Presence. Allow Me to take over. Ask Me to be in charge. Invite Me to show you how much I care about your every concern. As you do this, see how you become the Light you so long for by allowing Me in.
Soft Hands
Oh, my weary one. My soft hands have a gentle hold on your heart. Nothing you are going through goes unnoticed by Me. Not a single tear shed is too small for Me to wipe away, nor is any concern too small for Me to attend to. I dominate over injustice. I will teach you to rise above your circumstance – sometimes directing you to take a stance of defiance, and other times a stance of submission. I will reveal the way you should walk, in due time. For now, simply lean on Me, allowing Me to comfort and console you without worrying about ‘what do to next’.
24-Hour Awareness
My word is a lamp unto your feet. See how clear the path is in this day. Notice how I only light the few steps in front of you, in 24-hour increments. This is to help you find your way without worry. Learn to keep your focus intentionally on Me, with a trust in the security I have promised. Delight in My ways. See how I do not overload you when you live in this day instead of the future. Be on the lookout for resounding moments when I AM. Pause, and you cannot help but notice Me present in and around you. Silence your head long enough to BE AWARE. I’ve never left your side.
Hunger and Satisfaction
What are you hungry for? Attention? Prestige? Stability? Excess? Find your ultimate security and pleasure in Me first. When you fix your eyes on Me, something happens to the appeal for other things. Your desires can be for good when brought into focus through My Lighting. You may need to release your grip for a while, allowing Me to take away that which is unhealthy for you and to re-order your priorities. Be hungry for Love, and for the Good of all. Stand ready to supply support and encouragement. Take notice of times when you need to retreat into the background. I will organize for the greater Good, and you will find satisfaction as you see My works unfold. Be filled with holy desire. We are One.
Not So Serious
Live up to MY expectations, not your own. Mine are softer than you think. Your pursuits and goals must be in line with the needs of My kingdom, and I want you to do what comes naturally and easily to you. I call you to lighten up on yourself and around others a little more. This may be at work, your home, your church, elsewhere, – reaching out in love, through playfulness and attentiveness. Find balance in rest, leisure, and quiet time – not working all the time. I expect purity of thought with helpful intentions and plenty of laughter. You don’t have to be so serious all the time. Let down your guard so that I can work in you, through you, and with you. See a playful God who accompanies you into this day. I created joy for many reasons. Find enjoyment alongside work.
I Remain
I have been calling to you, – singing to you! Sometimes you hear Me so clearly, and other times I am distant background music covered by the noise and busy-ness going on in your head. I don’t fault you for that. It’s human nature to be so preoccupied that you become unaware of Me, and distant from My reassuring voice. Still, I remain. Remain faithful, holy, omnipotent. PRESENT. Loving. Patient. I wait for you, yearning to communicate as One.
Listen for My still, small voice.
You are important to me! Yes, you. I need you in this world to be My hands and feet. I need you to be the voice of tenderness and compassion. I need you to reason with the unreasonable, pardon the unpardonable, and love the unlovable. I also sing to you a love song, greater than any you have ever known or heard. Bring Me your darkest concerns, your ugliest thoughts – allow Me to shed light on them and wash you clean. Let Me bathe you in Grace. Stop striving so hard on your own. You are not alone in this world. Stop, and listen for My song to you. I have never left your side.
Unfold
There is time enough for EVERYTHING. Work will unfold, piece by piece, task by task before you. What I need accomplished may be results that you will never see. Be present fully to each task, each encounter, and the day will unfold as it should. Trust Me in that process. Go willingly into your day with this mindset. Instead of feeling like it’s “all up to you”, reach for My hand and take a walk with Me. It’s OK to take a break. Feel and notice My Presence with each door you enter. Let Me carry the load for a while. I will hand off to you small tasks along the way which you are fully equipped to handle, by My design. Let Me give you the work to do in reasonable increments. Pause to thank Me for My Presence and guidance. You can be at peace even in busy times because you are never alone! I am with you. I AM is with you.
Spoken to Me 