There is a time for rest. Rest rejuvenates. Periods of rest ignite the needed energy to move on. You are anxious about many things. Devote time for rest. I use the word “devote” for you to make this into an act of worship. When you intentionally build in breaks and a slowed pace, this allows you to receive My Grace and sustenance. It opens the window to hear My voice. When you make it a choice to stop and rest out of love for Me and My guidance, it leads you to a whole new level of relationship and balance. This is part of a God-driven life, – holy and sacred; One with all things.
calming thoughts
Decisions
Listen. It will come to you. That thought, that decision that needs to be made; wait for it, and it will come to you in due time. Sometimes you need to act in faith, trusting Me with the outcomes, and make a decision even without complete confidence on your part up front. Instead of crying out in fear with “I don’t know what to do!”, remember that I do know. As I lead and you choose to follow, I will guide your next steps. Take one step. Maybe even take the leap. Whether the decisions before you are small and seemingly inconsequential, or are monumental and overwhelming, I AM WITH YOU. I will nudge you one way or another; your work is to move forward with trust in My direction and My outcomes. Stillness before movement is good and essential, but eventually I call you to move. I allow and encourage sound reasoning; stagnancy is not part of My holy plan. You can trust My Holy Spirit to be your guide always, – helping you to be brave as you step into unfamiliar territory. Remember, each choice made in faith leads you closer to Me. I am a safe and loving God.
Here for You
True contentment lies in your relationship with Me. There is no such thing as spending too much time with Me. Yes, you must go about your day, but I can accompany you in your every activity and converse with you all the while. Bring Me with you conscientiously! Let Me be a “tag along”, if you will. I can also be present to pluck you out of the mire of things that cause you tension, annoyance, and worry. Like a hidden but handy life-preserver, reach for Me when the waters around you seem too deep. Find comfort in the way I sustain your head above water. Nothing will be too much for you to handle when you learn to rely on My ever-saving Presence. I am here for you, – all day.
The Bouquet
Behold each person you encounter today as being a splendid and beautiful arrangement in My eyes. Their unique bouquet is designed by the Master Florist. It is not your job to judge the design. You tend to see with quick judgement, – calling things “beautiful”, “good”, or “well put-together”, or naming them as “not-so-pretty”, “not worthy of your time”, even “distasteful”. Work on softening your opinions and try considering My perspective as a filter to see things with a more gracious, accepting heart. This takes practice. It may call you to curb your appetite for gossip, criticism, or making negative remarks on the side to others. You can replace these habits over time with My help and with an intentional focus. Learn to stop and smell the roses in a new level of appreciation for those who are different from you. Find secret joy in this loving act of acceptance. Notice how it changes you more into My likeness. You may even discover that you can be less hard on yourself in the process. You are each an integral, beautiful, and much-needed component of My bouquet.
The Hike
Remember, – you have Me already with you. Remember, – I am your guide. In difficult encounters today, stop. Calm yourself inside, and gather My thoughts on what to say, when and where to move, how to act. I lead you down the high road. I’ll show you ways to climb over or go around barriers. It might involve saying less, – being less reactive or defensive, – and electing to be more submissive for a change. Like a child who is too small to complete this hike alone, I can pull you up over the hard and seemingly impassible boulders. I can also put you on My shoulders so that you can enjoy the expansive view. Take it in. I will feed you all that is needed to sustain you until we reach our destination together, safely. What wonders you will see and experience with Me!
Don’t Hold Back
I warm you with My brilliant Presence – dazzling over you with Light and peace. Ask of Me your deepest questions and doubts. I can take it. I know you so intimately, yet it is you who holds back from Me. Depart from shame and self-ridicule long enough to stand boldly and honestly before Me. Let Me reassure you – there is nothing we can’t talk about. I ask you to give Me your ALL, not just the “perfected parts”. You know what is troubling you; so do I. Don’t hold back. Turn your gaze to Me, receptive to My healing love-light. Yes, I can even love you, just as you are. Come into My Presence, and learn why others do so shouting for joy.
More than Presentable
You must take courage to admit your failings to Me. I watch you trying so hard to “do things right” all the time. I appreciate and value your attempts, because I know you do so out of love and honor for Me. But I long to do different works in you – ones that can only be accomplished in your frailty. Come to Me in all your brokenness. Release your WHOLE life to My care, not just offering what you feel is “presentable”. I will help pick up the pieces. Not one speck of dust from the acts and experiences that have crushed your spirit goes unnoticed or unattended by Me. I love you as you are. I never expect perfection. Your vulnerability, aches, annoyances, and disappointments matter greatly to Me. Release them to My hands, and be confident that I can restore you to a new wholeness. See how I make all things NEW.
Thwarted Plans
Show love in the spur of the moment. It can become overwhelming trying to plan in advance for all the things you “intend” to do to bring goodness to others. Sometimes I thwart those plans with more pressing or present needs. It’s okay to prepare and try to lay out positive plans, but I call you to be open to the winds of change I may put along your path. I thank you for your good intentions. I love that you honor Me in doing good works. I want to bless you – and others – in moments where My hand can accomplish what is most needed. Sometimes I even send angels to accompany you in allowing My will to be done. Be open to whatever I present to you today. You may be on the giving end, or I may place you on the receiving end. My design is so intricate, beyond your eyes or imaginings. In your response to others, as you strive to bring love into the moment, you may or may not even be aware of the dynamic change occurring. I design all things for Good.
No “Spiritual Guilt”
Don’t get Me wrong. I do not ask for “spiritual guilt”, – thinking that you are somehow not measuring up to My demanding expectations or that things are ‘your fault’ when they aren’t turning out the way you think they should. Yes, I desire for you to be attentive to others, – a compassionate listener, caring friend, kind family member, patient colleague, – but I do not call you to do so to a point of depletion. I also don’t ask you to be walked on by others who mistreat or bully, thinking you have to always ‘just be nice’. I never intend for my children to be abused. It’s perfectly okay to assert yourself when a voice of reason or justice is needed. It is also okay to back away and take time out for self-care, – to fill the well. Time with Me, – truly quiet and reflective – is the best way to do that. Be cautious about filling your well with things that won’t satisfy, led by false Gods or desires that aren’t of My intent for you. Learn how to be content in the stillness, even when all around you may be filled with discontent. If you sense ‘spiritual guilt’ rising in you, you are probably trying to do too much on your own. Bring it to Me to help you gain perspective, and hand the problems to Me. It’s okay to allow yourself to be at peace even when those around you are not. I am the One attending to the repairs needed; you don’t have to carry the pressure to ‘fix’ everything on your own.
Striving
My child, – your busy-ness concerns Me. I designed you for a balance between activity, service, and replenishment. Are you as devoted to Me as you’d like to be when you are over-run with your To-Do list? Taking time out for rest and simple, pure enjoyment of your surroundings is of equal value in My eyes. Stop all your striving for a change. If you could only see and trust how deep My love runs for you…and rest in the comfort of this Goodness…you would hear My voice again. Hear it in the bird’s song. See it in the quiet light of morning. Be comforted. Strip away all the clamor in your head trying to convince you of the tasks beckoning for your attention. It’s okay to do LESS sometimes, especially if you exchange that for time with Me. Come to the well; dip your cup in and drink of Me. Know that this is enough. You don’t have to be constantly accomplishing something in order to be loved by Me. Drink in the Goodness, and know that you are part of it. Soak in My Presence, and see how this quiet sensitivity to My Presence in your environment calms you and perfects the moment.
Spoken to Me 