Keep Me as your first love. You have many things that tug at your heart strings, clamoring for your investment of attention and affection. It’s okay, – in fact, it is Good! – to love My creation. I merely ask that you seek Me, spend time with Me, thank Me, and LOVE Me first. When your attention is divided or is solely focused on something or someone beyond Me, an emptiness may prevail. I long for you. I want to bless the people and pleasures that fill your attention. Seek Me, find Me, talk with Me. See how I help you focus on what is worthy of your attention.
direction
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.
Design for Good
Life: enriched and full. Bask in the Goodness I have surrounded you with. It is neither earned, nor doomed to be withdrawn or leave you empty-handed. The phrase “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away” mistakenly leaves many fearful that I am a mean God who enjoys teasing with dangling carrots, then pulls the rug out from under you. I am nothing like that! Yes, there are, and have been, and will be difficult times, – but your pain, grief, or suffering is never orchestrated by Me to make you learn a cruel lesson. No! My design is always for the GOOD. When bad things happen, I walk with you and find ways to lift you back up. I never abandon you. Nor do I want you to not enjoy an easier life, or one blessed with Good things. I delight in giving you joy and comfort. All I ask is that when you are in a balanced state with surplus, share the wealth. Be generous – of time, talent, and resources. Take notice of when I tug your heartstrings, nudging you to give or extend yourself in some way. Respond to My call. What you have been given is meant for the greater Good of all.
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.
Consolation
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.
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.
Spoken to Me 