I give you this day. Notice Me in it. Something will speak to you – perhaps in a bird’s song, in the quiet & stillness, or maybe through a voice speaking words you long to hear. Listen for Me. Look for Me. Beauty is all around if you take time to get the right perspective. I know your pains, your worries. I AM attending to them, you can rely on that with certainty. You can still find peace, even when all does not seem “right”, by focusing on TRUST in My Goodness and My help. Ever constantly, I stand at your door waiting for you to turn the handle to open it. I AM there. I will wait.
devotional
The Grand Scheme
Take a big breath in. Hold it. Then release it, slowly, breathing your anxieties and troubles out. Breathe in LIGHT, goodness, peace. Breathe out worries, restlessness, anger, sadness, fear. Do this repeatedly in a quiet space until you can clear the way to sensing My Presence behind your closed eyes. So little of what you fret about really matters in the grand scheme of things. I don’t mean to say that your worries and frustrations are not important to me. Heavens no! But I am trying to teach you that My Peace is here for you more readily than you may be allowing it to be. Remove your clutter of needless or trivial details. I long to help you purge yourself of dark thoughts, and instead fill the well of your soul with refreshing waters of encouragement, forgiveness, and love. My love is dazzling! My waters are pure, clean, holy – and always available for you to wash away your dark, hurt, angry, hurtful, worried, retaliatory thoughts. My ways are LIGHT; full of GOODNESS. Let Me help you push away the darkness that clouds your head and heart. Bring those troubles to Me, and leave them with Me. Then, go to My well and have your fill.
No Pricetag
Over-abundance. Excess. “Tis the season”. I used to be the reason for the season. I still am. The more you get sucked into shopping, cooking, parties, decorating, and gifting, – aiming for unattainable ideals of perfection, – the more anxious you become. I can help you with all of that. With each gift you purchase, pray wholeheartedly for the recipient. Pray that they will come to know Me, and find greater comfort, security, and satisfaction through our ongoing relationship. Then, leave that part up to Me and them, – silently, in your heart. I am an over-abundant God, seeking to lavish all with Grace and Love. You can feel free to give material things; just do so with a genuine and loving heart. There is no need for over-abundance. A simple gesture is enough. Don’t worry so much about being perceived as either “cheap”, “thoughtless”, or “excessive”. Aim for simplicity and kindness, and pray for their spiritual rest. I will supply that in excessive amounts to all who come to Me. Let Me be the supplier of holy wealth, with you being a conduit through prayer. There is no pricetag on that.
Inclusion
You are a LIGHT to others. Don’t recede into darkness, or separateness. Your gift is inclusion; – reaching out to others who can’t always reach back. Many aren’t good at reaching beyond the awkwardness of mistakes. If I have taught you nothing else, it’s how to stand strong and move forward. Now I need you to hear Me calling you even deeper. I am reaching into your soul. You have a purpose here: a rich, meaningful purpose. Others look to you for leadership – they always have. Your leadership is one of inclusion, purpose, compassion. In the past you were hurt because you “felt” excluded, yet you weren’t. Yours is the leadership in that arena. Yours is that gift – to be welcoming, outgoing. I will bless that. Let My waves of Grace and Glory wash over you now. Rest, trustingly cradled in My arms, as I renew you and restore your broken Spirit. I am big enough to do just that! You are meant to be included, as well.
You Belong
I equip you. I equip you. I equip you! I, in all My might and majesty, have called you to these places. See what wondrous things are being done! You make people feel special, and I need your presence doing what comes naturally to you. Pray. Come to Me when you feel anxious; see that I don’t judge you nearly as hard as you judge yourself. Know that you belong to Me. “You belong” means you are LOVED, WELCOMED, secure, WANTED. You “fit”. I care about you, and long for you to be with Me all hours of the day. REMAIN WITH ME at all times. It is when you are fretting and punishing yourself that you have your back to me – all you need to do is turn and run into My arms, which are outstretched and waiting to encompass you. Let Me caress away your fears as a loving, tender, reachable parent. I am tender, kind, and fun. Laugh with Me today. See Me all around you in the joy and love outpouring everywhere. You are all part of My great circle of love. Enjoy this belonging.
My Good
You are My faithful servant. Serve for ME, – My Good. My Good is when you touch the lives of others – in a passing hello, in more attentive conversations, or in working together on complicated activities. My Good abounds – everywhere! Take some of it in today. I give My Good for YOU, too. I’m not a demanding God who only asks you to serve serve serve. Today you can receive. Any day, you can receive My Good; it’s not selfish to do so. I think you forget that, and that’s where the “it’s not enough” anxiety filters in. Insulate yourself against this by taking time with Me daily, absorbing My gifts to you in the form of rest, quiet time, help from others, and gifts from others. You are talented – so talented, but you are only one person. Others are okay with this – they don’t expect nearly as much out of you as you think or try to meet up to. “Less is More”. You are allowed to DO less in order to be replenished more. I do not ask for your weariness. I ask you to bring joy, and in order to do so you must receive it, so fill your own well first with My Living Water. Receive My Joy today so that My Good can be accomplished. Let it surprise you with how easy it is to find, and how satisfying it is.
One Thing
You are anxious and worried about many things. One thing only is required. Do you remember the One Thing? Follow Me. Stop worrying about what others will think. Cut back on guilt and resentment. Give with joy and do the things you LOVE; this will bring goodness. This might include taking on a new venture, perhaps, and others may like a chance to get involved, with your invitation. Free up time for friendship. I call you to a time of peace, healing, and renewal. Be gentle with yourself; be gentle toward others. Bask in my Goodness around you as you focus on following My lead for your day’s activity.
Clean Slate
I know well the plans I have in mind for you. Take hold of my hand on this stormy sea and I will calm the winds, keeping you SAFE. Safe from being too overwhelmed. Safe from Fear. Your slate is clean today! No worries… you have no worries because I have died for any wrongdoing and you are already completely forgiven. You can find REST now. Go in peace because I am surrounding you in Light. Your words will be guided by My tongue to bring justice. Know well that I love you. Harm will not come to you from this situation. You are My child. You are beautiful to Me, and wondrous; kind and full of Goodness. That is what others see and know to be true. Others want to please you, – in part because you are pleasing to them and also because they see Me in you. Let them know they are important to you, and your irritability will be overshadowed. Weep if you need to. Look to Me and see My eyes of love for you; know that this is REAL and more powerful than any shortcoming. Today and every day, you can start with a clean slate.
No Need to be on the Defensive
You are tired. I call you; listen to Me. It is time to quiet your thoughts, – time to replenish the well. This will help your anger to dissipate, too. You have earned respect, so there is no need to be on the defensive. WALK WITH ME. Bring Me into each encounter. Bring Me in as the stillness and calm you need. Use My gentle eyes. Be compassionate and forgiving with others. They are just frightened. I am watching; I am involved. See Me at the meetings and encounters you have today. See Me in photos painted moment by moment in your mind, – providing for your every need with reassurance and Grace. The Goodness will permeate here. Good triumphs over evil every time.
Opportunity Awaits
Celebrate! Opportunity awaits.Your time is valuable – so spend it well. Choose your attitude. Be playful as you are attentive to others. CREATE today – it’s in your Spirit to do so. Send letters, thanking others for the goodness they bring in your life. I AM the Great I AM: Don’t forget this! I AM in charge and looking out for you. I call you by name to tend My sheep and watch over My flock. Make My will complete today as you bring messages of hope to others. There are so many opportunities and ways to carry this out. You can RELAX, knowing I’ve placed this open day in your lap. Relax and breathe, and do not allow anxiety to seize you up today.
Spoken to Me 