Listen - Day Seventy-Four

"But when He (Jesus) saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd."  Matt 9:36 NKJV

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matt 11:28-29 NIV

I have been challenged this month of March so far. The stress encompasses some part of my whole life. A bit a here, a bit more there and then some physical, mental, spiritual and emotional bits too. When I tried to introduce my problems, needs, character flaws to Jesus -- as my Jesus Calling devotional by Sarah Young suggests -- I felt enpowered by handing off these struggles to God, to Jesus, knowing He is in control. Unfortunately I got caught up in an unseen tornado. Not sure how either. I felt like Dorothy riding in the house watching parts of her life swirl and circle faster and faster until she landed in Oz. I was good and truly lost.

I am still lost.

But I know God loves me. I know if I can quiet my heart, my mind from the chaos of this world, this life, that I will HEAR His loving voice whispering encouragement. If I can tune out the anxiety and listen for His still small voice. I will hear the voice of my shepherd.

This year has been interesting thus far with My One Word: Listen. I have heard His voice and felt the surety of His direction. Fleeting. Too fleeting. Yet I know the fault is mine. I need to practice more.

And I know this isn't a test or contest or a race.

God loves me no matter what. I am His and He is mine.

I yearn for the time when I can see His face. I want to be home with Him.

But until that day comes, I will seek to be as close to Him as I can.

Join me?

Listen - Day Sixty

.....from my journal 02/18/2014

Lord, let me be senstive to your Blessed Spirit speaking to me, but protected from the world and the chaos of anxiety, troubles, the weight of it....

Child, that is where you go wrong--you separate from your heart--you harden your heart--to protect it from feeling the pain of those around you....and the devil wins when you separate from your heart! You see possible evil in those I want you to reach out to or help, instead of seeing possible Jesus. Put Jesus on each face you see, speak with, offer to pray for, help, all the time.  See my Son in them.  Feel their pain. Carry their burdens. It will be divided.  I am  with you!


....from another journal entry

Who am I?
I am the beloved child of God, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a co-worker.  I value the relationships in my life above my job, my possessions, my influence. My value is based on how well I believe I fulfill these life roles. If I fail at them, then I am a failure.  Even as the beloved of God -- I place requirements in action, in words, in deeds, laws, being.

Can I accept....can I accept that I am Beloved without any requirements at all? Can I accept that I am His and He is mine? Can I accept that Truth? Can I accept His free Grace and His Love for who I am?  Can I believe in Him and Believe Him?  I believe He died, He rose and He lives so that I may be saved and spend eternity in heaven with Him. I believe the gift is free. No strings attached.

How do I live like I believe it?