If you’re fearful today, just believe.
If you’re feeling doubts weighing in like the coming storm, just believe.
If uncertainties cloud your mind and swirl around your life like a tornado, just believe.
He came to give you peace. He came to give you life.
He rose to prove His promise, and He went away to prepare a place for you.
Just Believe.
He rose once. He will come again.
Just Believe!
I know the present pandemic isn’t quite over, and for many, it has brought a whole new normal. I grow angry at those who perpetuate the fear, and I am broken-hearted for those who have lost so much. I neither trivialize nor magnify this crisis. I live with precautions; yet, I absolutely refuse to live in fear.
When I am surrounded by media outlets constantly trying to manipulate the masses to think a certain way, or even act a certain way, I have red flags and sirens immediately go off inside my mind. I stop, watch intently and listen beyond the headlines. I read more, seek more and yes, even pray more to find the absolute truth not the perpetuated and opinionated half truths/half lies.
So, with all that being said, I’d like to tell you what I have learned during this 2020 pandemic… (These are in no particular order…just thoughts brought from heart to pen and paper.)
1. There are many things in life which I thought I needed, and I have found I can live without.
2. There are many things in life which I thought I needed, and I have found I was right.
3. You can confine and restrict, but the old adage stands true, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
4. School can be cut out from the children, but they will learn in more way than you first realized.
5. Even in brokenness and poverty, kindness can override…and the opposite is also true.
6. Even in health and prosperity, selfishness and hatred can thrive…and the opposite is also true.
7. We all need our friends and our support systems.
8. We all need our downtime and to be alone with our thoughts.
9. If you are always the smartest person in the room, Leave. You’re either not as smart as you think you are, or you’re not surrounded by enough challenging people.
10. Your wellness and happiness does not depend upon your wealth, your posterity, your location nor your relationships
…neither does it depend upon your poverty, your failures, your content nor your friendships… but these all (good and bad) can make a defined difference in your life, your destiny and in your legacy.
11. Some people are angels, no matter their circumstance.
12. Some people are devils, no matter their circumstance.
13. It can be very comical what people will buy in a panic.
14. It can be very heart wrenching what people will need in a panic.
15. People are resilient when given a chance to choose.
16. People are assiduous and persevering when left without an easy alternative.
17. Our older generations are valuable, genuine and full of tenacity.
18. Our younger generations are cherished, authentic and full of vigor.
19. People who have determination and purpose can thrive in adversity and in abundance.
20. People who live in fear can be controlled by those who appear to have the confidence to give direction.
21. People who live in doubt can be contained by those who appear to know the answers.
22. If you can believe in the Creator of this universe, He will give you hope, grace and peace like you’ve never seen.
23. God is God, and His name will be glorified in the good, in the bad, and yes, even in the ugly.
Just a little reminder…
If things are a little chaotic around you, and you feel like your patience is wearing thin,
Just Stop and take a deep breathe.
If doubts and fears and uncertainties are weighing upon you like a ton of bricks,
Just Breathe.
If the cares of this world are crowding your thoughts, and you feel depressed, broken-hearted and just down in a low place,
Just Breathe, Again.
The sun is still shining. The world is still spinning on its axis. The moon is still rising. The birds are still singing. Take a lesson from these.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:3-4
Just thought I’d send out a little reminder to you today…
No matter what this world looks like. No matter what the masses might say…
God is still in control. He is not surprised by these tragedies, uncertainties or the unknown.
He is not negligent in keeping His promises, and He is not thoughtless to our concerns.
He is compassionate and long-suffering. He is merciful and kind.
Just trust Him.
Just believe.
Isaiah 43:1-3
But now, this is what the Lord says—
he who created you, Jacob,
he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”
Isaiah 43:16-21
This is what the Lord says—
He who made a way through the sea,
a path through the mighty waters,
who drew out the chariots and horses,
the army and reinforcements together,
and they lay there, never to rise again,
extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.”
My feelings for you are all bottled up inside
The anger, the pain, the hatred, I so try to hide
I question my motives, my sanity, my right
You seemed so loving, never knew you’d take flight
I drown the sorrows, the fears deep in the bottle
I cry buckets while your smile I want to throttle
I doubt my rightness, my justice, my defense
You appear so pure, resentment doesn’t make sense
I cast the bottle out to the farthest sea
I dredge the shore seeking solace to be
I wonder my blame, my guilt, my freedom
You presume release, to my heart you say come
My thoughts of you have sailed with the ships
The forgiveness, the peace, the praise is on my lips
I stand firm in my liberty, my love, my claim
I have long forgotten you, my rejoicing in His reign
Penned – MG – 2/29/20
Each year, February brings the painful dance of my heart. It’s not that I’m angry. It’s not that I’m hating what I see. It’s just a longing within my once little girl heart that will never be fulfilled.
The beautiful pictures plastered all over social media during this month brings sweet memories never beheld. Precious relationships promising treasured protection and defense for all her days.
His large frame casts a shadow not of harm or destruction but of love and nurture. Her petite form is sheltered, cherished and adored. They stand in parade for all to appreciate and celebrate.
I am thankful for his place in her life. I am grateful for her desire for his strength and fortitude. I truly am.
Yet, my heart breaks time and again for the wee little one standing at the door, her packed bags awaiting his never return. She forms her own dance, spinning, twirling, hoping for his hand; yet, he never extends it.
Someway, somehow, she makes it to the One who holds the key. With tears streaming, hopes shattered and dreams crushed, He takes her into His arms, and swirls her life into a new masquerade where she can smile again. ❤️
As a parent of two older teen sons, there are often times, I wonder if we’ve raised them right.
When their attitudes are stinky, and their relationships are floundering. When they’d rather threaten to “punch you in the face” to show brotherly love than express a kind word. When they’d rather goof off and smart off than do what they’re told and help out around the house.
As a parent, you work real hard to train up your children in the way they should go. You work real hard, constantly hoping your words are matching your own deeds, and somehow, that example is being seen by the tiny feet (now big feet) that follow.
As a parent, you spend long hours teaching the hard lessons, conveying life truths and praying, “Dear Lord, help this child to hear and understand what I’m trying to tell him.”
As a parent, you’re continually pleading with God to protect, guide and help, give grace, and most importantly, to love and help them to realize just how much.
And you wonder…
Are they getting it?
Will they hear it?
Much more, will they believe, receive and repeat it?
Then, in one brief moment, one twinkling of an eye, you get a glimpse…
You and your sons are sitting in a restaurant, awaiting your food, and an elderly couple pulls up in the rain. The husband is bent over in stature, trying desperately to help his wife, who is just as feeble, to get to the door and out of the downpour.
All of this has been in your peripheral vision, not completely cognizant of the events, until at the same split second, you hear your 18 year old’s chair loudly scrape the floor, and by the time you turn to see him, he’s already at the door.
He proceeds to hold the door, take the lady’s hand from her husband (so he can go park the car that’s been running on the curb) and he proceeds to walk the little lady to her table and make sure she’s alright.
Wow. He’s gonna be okay. Not just ok, he’s already become an amazing young man, and I just got to see the proof of it.
This momma’s heart is full. ❤️
Oh, the deadlines, test dates, pictures, invitations, test scores, applications, conversations and far away visits that happen in the last lap.
The tears flow unexpectedly and without warning. The memories flood in like a cold, hard rain, and the expectations burst forth like a bright ray of sunshine.
There’s apprehension, excitement, fears, doubts and joys to be had.
Your heart desires to hold on tightly, clinging to all that has been, not wanting to extricate or even peek ahead.
Yet, your head knows the day comes and waits for no man, understanding this is all you’ve worked toward since the day your eyes first met.
Your hands acknowledge the time is beckoning him to fly, and there will be no flight if they don’t release their grasp.
Your soul understands if there is no surrender, his wings will be clipped, and the sorrow will be grave for all involved.
Your feet can feel the earth begin to tremble; you question is that the ground or the foundation of your dreams.
For they’re no longer your hopes, your visions, your aspirations; they must become his as he pursues the calling within.
The smiles savored and the grief in farewell is intermingled with the confidence and exhilaration of the promises yet to come.
As you cheer him on for this last lap that will count for a lifetime of yesterdays and tomorrows.
Penned – MG – 12/10/19
*A little late to posting today. My apologies.
I saw this picture the other day, and it struck a chord in my soul. Sometimes, we work hard to hide the scars we’ve obtained through the valleys of life. Many times, a scar leaves us with the memory of what is broken and marred. Often times, we try to cover the scar with a smile, a laugh or a seeking to remain in the shadows, thinking somehow, if the scar is never seen, the wounds and the pain will magically disappear as well.
I have found this statement to be so very true. “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.”
Growth, strength and healing is all in perspective. Let truth be your guide. Let love be your light, and let hope be your destiny despite the scars with which you travel.
Hold your head high and embrace those things that remind you of the struggle, of the wrestling for the next breath, and always remember, your scars don’t make you a victim, unless you choose for them to be.
Wholeness out of Brokenness
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My journey didn’t stop with mere time travel or writing; it led me to become one of the most sought-after empaths, a soulful psychic who reads the hidden depths of the human spirit. I’ve been blessed—or perhaps burdened—with an ability that allows me to feel the emotions of people from every corner of time.
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