Living The Best Life

 

                                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

In conversation be sincere;

Keep conscience as the noontide clear;
Think how All-seeing God thy ways
And all thy secret thoughts surveys.
THOMAS KEN.

I think we all have the best intentions in mind when we set out into the world. We have dreams and goals that we place upon ourselves. We set off running straight ahead without any idea of what lies in store for us. We feel as if we could conquer all. It doesn't take long to realize that the road ahead is full of many pitfalls.

I smile to myself as I reflect over my life. The Lord has led me down a different road altogether from the one I had in mind. How did I get here? Only the Lord knows, lol.

Oh, many of the paths I have taken were because of a bad turn on my part. The Lord turned each wrong decision and made it good. He does that, you know, because living our best life is that important to Him.

I don't regret my life. I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't experience the things I have. I may be not proud of some of the choices I have made, but they were definitely learning curves. They also made me aware of the importance of speaking out against entanglement in these situations. We need to be teaching the younger generations about these pitfalls they need to avoid. There are dangers out there that have long lasting consequences. 

What amazes me the most is how God steered me in the direction He wanted me to go. I ask again, how did I get here? I know I never even thought about the things I am involved with let alone planned any of it. Yet, the Lord knew me better and He knew my strengths. He knew where to place me and when.

We all look back at our lives and reflect on the successes and the failures. Do I want to go back? No, that part is over and I have no desire to revisit the past. I'm just grateful to have made it through the trial. I am also grateful to know a God who loves me and knows me better than I know myself. The plans He has for me outweigh anything I ever could have done myself. It's only because of Him that I am living my best life now.

Have a blessed day everyone.

The Beauty of Winter

                                      Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 Be patient, suffering soul! I hear thy cry.

The trial fires may glow, but I am nigh.
I see the silver, and I will refine
Until My image shall upon it shine.
Fear not, for I am near, thy help to be;
Greater than all thy pain, My love for thee.
H. W. C

It caught me by surprise. Snow just doesn't visit here in Central Illinois as much as the rest of the World. When we lived in Chicago, snow was a common Winter decoration and we certainly had tons of experience driving in it! Living here, Winters have been more cloudy and rainy over the past couple of years. Have we become spoiled? Oh yes!

Winter is a very bittersweet time for me. On one hand, I fight the winter blues every January. My body yearns for hibernation, the couch calls out a nap every time I pass it by and my mood turns negative. I am tired, lethargic and have no desire to do anything. Yes, January is not my favorite month of the year.

Yet, there is that other thing. . . . . the beauty. 

There is something so serene, so comforting to looking out your living room window and seeing the stillness of a wintery scene. Everything looks so pristine and heavy laden with snow. Nature is truly beautiful. God's country. God himself reflected here. 

Yes, it's freezing out there. Yes, we just drove in that mess. Yes, we had to shovel and take care of errands and chores. But . . . . when all is said and done, we come inside and breathe a sigh. We have warmth, perhaps even a fire, family, comfort food. We are good. We are safe. We are snug. We are comfortable and cozy.

Have a blessed day everyone.