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.
devotional
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.
Not Elusive
Take time daily just to listen. I crave speaking to you as much as you crave hearing Me. My words are simple; don’t try to make complex interpretations as if I am a scheming Lord trying to trick or elude you. You do not need to pass tests to find My Love for you. Each day I will guide your steps and show you the way to walk. Greet others along the way with Holy Love. Stop pressuring yourself with perfection. Attentive listening to others is enough. Show kindness in that. Measure kindness in full back to yourself, as well. Forgive, love, and bear with one another. This is enough.
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.
Godly Traits
I have designed you with a spark in your eye and in Mine! Flaws and all, I made you uniquely,- and I AM IN YOU. My children often forget that – that you have MY genes! That’s what makes you “in My image”. Head into this day realizing you are more like Me than you’ve given yourself credit for in the past. You “take after Me”, you resemble Me – with mannerisms, wit, grace, style, kindness. My offspring. Take the best traits in Me and make them all part of you today. You “come by it naturally”. It won’t be hard. Trust Me with the truth of your Godly heritage.
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.
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.
Spoken to Me 