"Blessed are those to whom Easter is not a hunt... but a find;
not a greeting... but a proclamation;
not an outward fashion... but inward grace;
not a day... but an eternity."
- Author Unknown
The next two weekends will be filled with a burst of spring activities; shopping for the perfect Easter outfit, haircuts for the kids, preparation for the Easter brunch, community Easter egg hunts, freshening up the house for out of town guests, practice for the Easter program at church, and of course, Spring Break activities.
Beware: Busyness once again lurks in the shadows - ready to attack and steal our peace.
Remember: Daily time spent with God can fill us with peace, patience, perseverance and help us through each day. His presence will give us perspective!
Sometimes I feel like my mind is like a broken record, replaying the same words over and over again ...
“avoid BUSYNESS, seek PEACE, seek HIM”
“avoid BUSYNESS, seek PEACE, seek HIM”
“avoid BUSYNESS, seek PEACE, seek HIM”
The fact is, these reminders keep pounding in my head because I still have not learned to listen to God’s promptings. Always good intentions ... but in my human-ness, I always fall short ...
I wake up and rush to get ready for work, missing the beautiful morning sunrise. I’m on the go, running my errands, can’t be late – missing the fresh scent of flowers along the path. I have my head buried in paperwork, eyes focused on the computer, TV making noise in the background, but I do not take time to sit on the patio and enjoy the afternoon sunshine.
God provides beautiful works of art, if we choose to open our eyes. God provides magical moments, if we choose to open our hearts. God provides inspiring, encouraging and loving words in scripture, if we choose to open our minds. As I was writing this, I got to thinking about the Bible verse about the “lilies of the field.” Check out this version of the passage which is taken from The Message Bible.
Matthew 6:27 - 33 (MSG)
27-29 "Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30-33 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
Sounds so reassuring ... like a wonderful, relaxing, peace-filled plan. God’s beautiful plan.
How about we give it a try? Would love to hear how you plan to enjoy some God-moments this weekend. Post your comments below.
It’s Friday, Let’s Sparkle ... action required ... In the midst of all the spring celebrations, there are people we may need to pray for, offer an invitation to, or take action to help out. Ask God to open your eyes to their needs. Ask Him to open your heart to reach out and love them. And ask the Holy Spirit to fill your mind with the words to tell them the reason you have hope, love, joy and peace.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” - Romans 5:8
Grace & Peace, Donna Weaver
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