Footprints That Linger

I’m sure you have all heard the familiar poem about footprints in the sand, and when there was only one set of footprints it was because Jesus was carrying you through the rough times. As I walk on the beach today, I am thinking about something a little different when I look back at my footprints. I am being mindful about the footprints I am making in the world. What am I leaving behind that will linger? What memories am I creating with family and friends? Am I speaking positive and inspiring words into people that I love? What legacy will follow me after I am no longer able to leave footprints in the sand? My age may cause me to think of my footprints more intentionally, however, I believe we should be purposeful about our legacy at any age. What are we doing in our life span that will leave a mark, make an impression on someone’s heart, inspire life where there was hopelessness, or be the cause of a smile or a laugh? Every day we are gifted with a freshly groomed, white, sandy beach. Go make your mark and leave an impression that will linger!

 

Sunrise-Sunset

 

This title sounds a little like a song from Fiddler on the Roof, right? Well I am a big fan of both sunrises and sunsets (as well as the movie)! They both bless me so much and invite me into a place to dream, reflect, and pray. However, waking up early in the morning isn’t usually what I am hoping for, but one of the added blessings of doing that is to see the sunrise. Everything about a sunrise is so beautiful. The big orange ball hangs in the sky, peeking up over the horizon, giving us glimpses into a new day; a new day beaming with promise and hope coming directly from the creator of the universe. Pair that with a steaming cup of strong coffee and my day is off to a good start. I love to meditate on God’s goodness and his mercy being new every morning. The emergence of another day represents freshness and a new start; a blank canvas and an empty page right in front of me.

Conversely, ending the day with a similar display of color is equally as inviting. I love completing my day with time to relax, enjoying the marvels of the setting sun, and reflecting over my day. I am often astonished that another day has slipped by and I have one less day to enjoy being on this earth. Sometimes I sigh in contentment that it was a wonderful day and other times I need to take a minute to process why it wasn’t. Taking time like this at the end of the day gives me valuable time to analyze my thoughts, emotions, frustrations, motivations, triggers and whatever else I need to process at the moment. By doing this at the end of each day (as often as I can) it prevents unprocessed, negative emotions from building up and taking root in my heart. It allows time for receiving gentle assurance from Jesus that His love for me hasn’t changed even though I may not have demonstrated his character very well that day. It gives me space for forgiving myself and others and clinging to the hope of an upcoming sunrise, where hope will be restored, and an unwritten story will unfold.

Would you say that you take the time to daily set your mind on hope for the future? Is this something that you struggle with? Is it easy to start your day feeling positive? If not, what changes do you need to make in order for that to happen? Also, do you take time each day for reflection to consider the attitudes and motivations of your heart? What can you incorporate or eliminate to allow for this?

Psalm 65:8 The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love.

Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Oh Lord you are beautiful and all of creation shouts your praise. Let my heart be in tune with you from the rising of the sun until the time it goes down. Set my gaze upon your beauty and set my mind towards hope and joy. As I sit with you in sacred stillness, I visualize a day filled with faith. I breathe in the breath of life, who is Jesus, and celebrate as I reflect on a life filled with His goodness.

A few days after I posted the blog about cardinals in the snow, I saw this right outside my window. What a blessing! I am reminding myself that there is beauty in the contrast. 

The Vibrancy of a Cardinal

 

The Vibrancy of a Cardinal

Early one morning I was sitting in my prayer chair having time with God. I was looking out the window, as I often do, and I was blessed to be able to see a male cardinal. I always feel so encouraged when I see a brilliantly colored red cardinal. Cardinals symbolize hope to many people, and I personally feel a special touch from God when I see a cardinal. Here’s why. During my sister's cancer journey, she recounts a beautiful story of seeing a cardinal after praying to the Lord for birds to come to her feeder. She was at a very vulnerable place during her cancer treatments, and she just wanted some birds to refresh her soul. Not only did God provide a bird, but he provided one of the most colorful and majestic birds common to our area, showing her that He was present and attentive during a very difficult time.

In my devotional time this morning, this cardinal was sitting very close to my window and I observed it for a minute or two. As I was appreciating the ruby red feathers, I was also thinking about how it is even more beautiful when it is against a snowy, white backdrop. The contrast of the red and the white really makes the colorful bird stand out. So, even though it has its own natural beauty the contrast makes it even more glorious. God revealed to me as I pondered, that when we shine the light of Jesus in the dark world, the contrast is very beautiful. When I am around people “of the world”, I have a tendency to think I stand out as an oddity. It’s easy to believe that people can’t relate to me at all, or even begin to understand my dedication to the Lord. However, as I was contemplating contrasts, I gained a new perspective that walking in the light shows the beauty of Christ within me and it really makes me stand out as attractive instead of peculiar. The contrast is what creates the beauty. What an interesting concept and revelation for me, and I hope for you too.

Is there something you can identify within yourself that makes you stand out as a Christ follower? What is the contrast of the light in you against the dark world? What measurable steps can you take to shine the light of Jesus better to those around you? 

Ephesians 5: 8-9 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. (NLT) 

Precious Jesus, you exemplified light in the purest form as you walked this earth. Thank you for also giving me the ability to walk in that light of truth and goodness. Give me courage to let that light shine forth in all its brilliance.

Jesus, you are light and truth to me and I sit with you in sacred stillness. I receive light into my spirit so that I may radiate beauty.

I'm So Proud Of You

I'm So Proud of You

Five little words...I'm so proud of you. Five little words that can mean so much! When is the last time that you heard those words or have spoken those words to someone? Just recently someone said that to me and I was a bit taken aback, not really knowing how to respond. It was spoken in all genuineness and I graciously received the affirmation, however, it did give me pause for a minute. I got to thinking that those words aren't commonly shared from one adult to another. It is something we often say to kids when they accomplish something new or work really hard to finish a project, but from one adult to another, not so much. At least not in my circles. Why is that? Are we concerned the praise will go to someone's head? Does saying the words to another adult make it seem like we are superior over them? Are we so self absorbed that we don't even think about someone else's accomplishments? I can't speak for others and what goes through their minds, but I know that I am going to make an effort to say these five simple words more often.(and not just to my grandchildren when they are potty training or learning to put their shoes on)

It occurred to me as I was processing all of this, that I haven't heard those words very often in my life. Affirmation wasn't common in my home, or in the various areas of my childhood. Being confident and proud was somewhat frowned upon because it was believed that it didn't follow the teachings of Christ, so praising someone was kept at a minimum.

I don't write this to stir up sympathy. I am writing this to express my sadness over the fact that someone in the past or present would go through life without that needed encouragement. Hearing 'I am so proud of you' can have a significant effect on a person's confidence and self-worth.

It is our human/sinful nature to find fault, to criticize and to judge. It can actually come pretty easily for us. It takes more effort to find ways to praise and encourage. For those of us in the church, who have taken on a new mindset, and who follow the teachings of Jesus, encouraging others should be part of our everyday practice. 

Let's do it!!

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.