Be consoling to one another. So many of My children are grieving losses that go unnamed and unattended to. If all would soften their hearts and let down their guards, it would help healing begin. There is a time for sorrow, which cannot be rushed. Some stay stuck in their anger, or remain feeling hurt, betrayed, or helpless after a deep loss. I am a God who gives and takes away, but this term has mistakenly been used. Never do I inflict hurt or pain by inflicting tragedy or loss. I am not a mean-spirited Lord. As a God who knows sorrow and grief well, I accompany, replace, and nurture out of every loss. Turn to Me. My Grace fills the cracks and binds the pieces together in a new way. Be part of that healing Grace. Listen, attentively, and with soft words and compassionate eyes, you will be a vessel of My hand touching the tender wounds. I am thoroughly attentive to all your needs, and of those around you. Be My hands and feet in the world. You are needed, and you are loved.
restore
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.
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.
Interwoven
Grip My hand. Talk to Me constantly. Feel the Power of My Presence surge through that grip and into your innermost being, strengthening you: moment by moment…task by task…conversation after conversation. You and I, – tightly interwoven (regardless of how you look, think, or feel). When pain surges through your body, squeeze My hand tightly. When irritations threaten to take over, whisper to Me. I’m already there, seeing it and experiencing it with you. When it feels like too much, lean on Me and I will take over the rest. Always enough for you. Always there for you. Never alone. My kingdom come, My will be done on earth as in heaven. You and I are a powerful duo, – making that happen. Purpose in every day. Tight grips.
Shed the Details
Hear Me: I do not “reprimand you” – I am not that kind of God! If you face challenges that seem to attack your spirit, know that I may be forming or shaping you more into My likeness, and so choose to say, “thank you”. Choose to TRUST, knowing that I will reveal Myself to you fully each step of your life. My ways are not meant to be hard. Sometimes they call upon you to stop focusing on the details, enlightening simpler priorities and gleaning peace from it all as you learn a life of simplicity. Stop fretting; stop “sweating the small stuff”. Release those daily annoyances that frustrate you so much, and know that My Peace is within your grasp. I’m not a punitive God trying to teach some sort of mean lesson to you. My peace will satisfy far more fully than what this world defines as accomplishment or success. My peace I leave you; My peace I give to you…Not as the world gives, do I give. Joy unimaginable! Wonder beyond belief. All of this is within your reach. Shed the unimportant details. Seek peace, and follow after it.
Shortcomings Overlooked
Spend time with Me, – not rushed, – …focused. Take pleasure in this sacred space. I know you are frustrated with yourself. Your shortcomings feel like they are controlling your every move. I don’t see it like that. Yes, I recognize the times when you are less-than-what-I-have-taught-you. I see the times of irritation and short temper. I also see the times of patience, kindness, and deliberate choices to serve other’s needs before your own. I see you trying to “hold it all together” or put up a strong front. I look at this whole package and love you ever-so-much. You are My beloved! Holy and chosen for Good purposes. Stop being so down on yourself. Stop worrying about appearances. People love you and are drawn to you. I need you to do My works without overextending yourself to a point of resentment and bitterness. Rest. Fatigue can make all things sour. Slow your pace today and allow yourself time to pause and recognize My Presence and My partnership with you and those around you.
Walk You Through
Have you ever heard someone say “I’ll walk you through it” when you are learning something new? That’s My message to you today: let Me walk you through it. I have full confidence in you, and in your capacity to learn what it is I am trying to teach you. Your life is two-fold: part of you is designed for MY purposes for other’s needs; the other part is designed for your own well-being. Sometimes these two things seem to be at odds with one another, especially when you are tired and seeking time out for yourself. I don’t place one before the other. BOTH are of equal importance in My eyes and My will for you. When you face an obstacle or challenge today, let Me walk you through it, -finding the balance needed for self-care and for care of others. Remember, you are not alone, and it’s not all up to you.
Rest Your Head
Imagine, if you will, a quiet place. Warm temps, slight breeze, soft light. Comforting surroundings. A place where ALL YOUR NEEDS ARE BEING MET. Go there in your mind and sit down. Now, I come along to rest next to you. There is nothing unsettling or unsafe about My Presence. We sit together, relaxing, in silence. You are aware of My Presence and it, too, comforts you. Today, try to remove the concerns, the worries, the comments, the decisions – all vying for time in your head. Don’t worry about answers and solutions. Let the Light surrounding you FILL you. RESTORATION will result from this exercise. You will be restored to right-thinking, restored of energy, replenished with peace in your spirit. My Presence is enough to heal you. Your needs ARE being met – choose to believe this, and trust will follow. Come to Me in silence. Rest your weary head. Enjoy My Presence.
Content with Life
It’s okay that you don’t feel 100% joyful today. I never intended you to experience only joy when you decided to follow Me. I do gift you with the capacity to be grateful, though, – and joy is born out of gratitude. I also offer simple peace to you, with open access to finding your fill of that. My peace is always available. It takes self-discipline to learn to set aside your worries , wishes, and needs long enough to hear My ever-present reassurance that ALL IS WELL. Return to simplicity of thought. In the present moment, practice allowing a contentment with your life just as it IS, knowing that your future is addressed by My loving hands.
Spoken to Me 