Snow Shoveling

So I ask my grandson to help me shovel snow. He said ok, got dressed and came right out. We both shoveled snow. That we can say to anyone, but......

He complained the shovel was too heavy so we switched....

He started throwing snowballs, it was fun, but we still had snow to shovel...

He got cold after completing one side of the sidewalk and half of the other....

He went in, I stayed out and finished the job. Maybe not great as it could have been, but finished.

Life lessons....

Sometimes when you need help, they are all eager until they realize, this really is work.

Be prepared for some laughs along the way, and some rest stops.

Sometimes the job is bigger than you thought and everyone doesn’t go to the end, doesn’t mean they didn’t do a good job, they just couldn’t finish with you at that time.

Keep going for as long as you can. Once someone leaves you, it’s harder to go on but go on you must if you want the job done.

Don’t be so nit picky about the task, your vision and theirs are not the same.

Love the time and contribution to your goal.

Be Blessed.

I can appreciate alll that you do and will continue to do what I can to help make your dreams come true.

The Gift

unconditional Love is a gift. When I’m dissatisfied with my behavior I usually feel tha I am unworthy of your love. I punish myself by withdrawing rather than coming closer. I try to earn my way back into your heart. I ache for your approval and I try harder to please you. All the while you are aching for me, just to engulf me in the warmth of your love. When I feel unworthy or unloved I must remember to come to you, you are my unfailing love. You love me unconditionally and no grudges. You love me like a first love, you hold me near and dear to your heart. Thank you for loving me.

Unconditional Love

God’s Will

Focus

Forgiveness

John 21:22
Jesus answered, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.

Jesus if my personal jealousy gets in the way of me following you, please rebuke me. I should rejoice that he is surrounded by people who love and care for him. That is what I am doing with my family, why shouldn’t I want that for him? Just pure ignorance on my part. What difference should it make to me how God decides to work his plan. God’s ways are not my way. It is not for me to understand everything. I am to love, take care and feed God’s sheep and lambs. Care for those who can’t care for themselves. As it is written, in our youth we did what we wanted and went where we wanted to go but as we age we will be dressed by others and lead places we don’t want to go. As my mother ages I see that more and more in her. She is sick and refuses to go to the doctor. God help us to convince her of the need to get checked out. Forgive me for my jealousy of a situation that has nothing to do with me and is a blessing for both of them. Help me to heal.

God’s Will

i walk in perfect peace with you today Lord. It’s an important day for me today. Let your will be done. Win or lose, I played the game. I am grateful for the office wives that continue to watch over my friend. I pray that he stays healthy and safe. I pray that the Angela wrap a hedge of protection him daily. My thoughts and prayers are with him. I look forward to seeing him Christmas Eve. It’s been so long. I take my mom to church and then shopping and then I have my part time Macy’s job. The holidays are busy but with the help of God, I am blessed. I love you and come what may, I pray for you to be full of joy.

Joy and Peace

Walk By Faith

Faith

Working on My Behalf

Hebrews 11:1
NOW, Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

Not tomorrows faith, not yesterdays faith but now faith. God wants me to remember that every day is a new day. renew my faith and trust every day. Know that God loves me and will never leave me nor forsake me. NOW faith. Waiting is a process that I go through with God on my side. Even when I don't think he hears me or is near, he's there. Thank you God for your Faith, hope and love in me.

God is Good

Thank you Lord
My Hallelujah belongs to you
I will praise you holy name
You are worthy
I love you and you love me
Thank you Lord for loving me

God is a Faithful God

my God is faithful
My God is forgiving
My God is loving
Forever
When I think God is not there, he sends me a message that he is there
He will never leave me nor forsake me
He is with me always
I love you Lord, thank you for loving me
When I don't believe I am worthy, you show me my worth to you
Thank you God, I love you
I must trust in you
No matter what the natural looks like, I have to remember you are a spiritual being
You are with me always

Problems

Let God handle it.
Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will consul you and watch over you.

Turn it over to God.

A Genuine Turning To God

Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
God's companion is absolutely wonderful. When we are in need of love and mercy, God sees our obedience and gives us compassion. Pray, repent and love. I'm going to begin a fast. I'm working two jobs that are hardly paying me half the salary I was making. My family says I'm more relaxed and calmer than I was when I was working at CPS. I know that the long rides each way are not missed. My crazy principal, students and the constant craziness is not missed either. I'm going to work on my Phd now. I found an online course at Springfield, University of Illinois. I'm definitely encouraged that I can destress my life. money is not everything, especially when it leaves you overworked and stressed. My priorities are different but more focused. God's presence is something I will continue to seek in every decision of my day, hour, minute. I constantly ask for forgiveness because I know I don't do everything I am suppose to do, but I pray for constant support and help. I pray that the Lord hears the prayers of his people. Without faith, without hope, what are we? Where would we be? I know there is more for me and I am expecting the best. As long as I am still here, there's more for me than this. Keep me close, keep me encouraged and remember that I love you Lord. I can't do it without you. I need you every day. You are my comforter. I think of you daily and I will continue to focus on your promises. You will not disappoint me. Whether you save me or not, I know you love me and can do whatever you choose. Thank You for your blessings and love.

That Crazy Woman

Luke 2:19
A Child of Hope
But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Lord, we are always wondering about things that happen.
When I sought a counselor about my life and what I thought was a possible relationship in my life, I was told to confront him with questions.
When I tried in my most inept way, I was told I was mistaken.
So was I imagining this or was I just being made fun of at the time.
Was it a joke? Did I make this up in my mind? What real proof do I have.
No words have been actually said to me to make me believe that this is truth that I should believe. All of this is intuition and inference.
So I pull back, stop doing what I had been doing, just writing my thoughts and feelings and then remove myself from a hurtful situation. Then I feel as if I am being stubborn and foolish.
If its all in my head, then I need to clear my head.  I have taken things way out of context.
But yet, there seems to be something.
Something spiritual. Something to believe in. Something to say, no matter what it looks like, there is some reality to this situation. But is this really mutual or just me wanting it to be more than it is.
Nothing is said directly to you. Nothing is said to me to make me believe differently.
Nothing is done directly to you, but still, there is something there. So, I'm waiting. Waiting, Waiting, Waiting. Waiting for clarity. Waiting on the Lord. Waiting for evidence. I'm working near home. My finances are depleted. I work and still don't have enough. I'm focusing my mind on something else. Hope. Hope for my future. Hope to meet my needs and my bills. I rely on God, I keep my mind focused on God being with me and traveling this new journey together. If its really real, then God will find a way to make it happen. I will just keep trying to make my bills and focus on the present reality. I'm working weekends and evenings for the holidays. I'm going to church with my mom locally. I'm not in that situation that keeps me confused. I need clarity.
If its real, then God will make a way.

Blessings

everything doesn’t have to be a challenge
Life gives you a chance to make some choices, sometimes it doesn’t
Choice is important, do I have a say so in anything or do I follow blindly
It’s still a choice, do something or don’t do something, still a choic

Lord God Almighty, I choose to put my faith in you.
I can only thank God for my blessings. I thank him now so when they come
I will be ready. Thank You God for my blessings.

Wait and Trust

Exodus 33:12-23

Moses and the Glory of the Lord

12 Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

17 And the Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”

18 Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory.”

19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”

21 Then the Lord said, “There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. 22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”

When you don’t know what to do, wait while I (God) open the way before you. Trust that I know what I’m doing, and be ready to follow my lead. I will give strength to you, and I will bless you with Peace.
I will trust you. I will walk with you. I am constantly reminding myself that I must trust you especially when the thought of coping with another setback alone is too much to bear. You designed us for deep dependence on our Shepherd, our King, our Comforter. Challenging times wake us up to our need to take every step of our lives together.

Open my eyes, ears and heart

Matthew 13:1-23New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

14 In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[a]

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ²² The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”

I Need Your Healing

Lord, I need you to show me how to make it right, with them and with you. I don’t know where to begin, what to say, how to salvage this situation. But because You do, I’m looking to You Lord.

The Future

forget the former things
Do not dwell on the past
Do a new thing
Be creative
Be more creative than you can imagine
As I journey along life’s path,
I refuse to let the past define me
Roadblocks are just an illusion,
The future is in my hands and I can
Do what god say I can do.
God will guide me and be with me every
Step of my journey,
I will not doubt that god is with me.
I rely on god to keep me on the right road.
I will not give up, no matter
How hard it seems, I will not give up.

This Little Light of Mine

today, I will spread joy. God loves me. I will not break his heart.

Time, Love, Patience, Kindness

It’s  been a while, but I’m back.
Back to sharing my life with the world.
I thought I knew what was happening,
but it turned out I was so misled.
I believed in a dream, a fantasy.
I felt betrayed by God.
I know now that it was me, and me alone.
What a silly girl.
Whatever you want me to do God, I will do it.
I thought I could leave but I’m back.
I trust you Lord to guide me.
I don’t blame you for my foolishness, I blame me and
I forgive myself.
I forgive those who I believed hurt me, when in reality,
They didn’t do anything wrong.
I forgive myself for harming me emotionally.
How could I have thought that, and then to say it to him.
I’m sure he thinks I’m a bit crazy, and maybe he’s right,
But he will not be harassed by me.
I just felt like God let me believe a lie. I have to get over it. Forgive and forget. Move on.
Hello world, I’m back.

Live in Love

Ephesians 5:1-20

Paul tells us how to live this life worthy of our calling.

Be imitators of God, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us..

God I love you and will go where you tell me to go and do what you tell me to do. My heart is set on being the best me possible. I will glorify you. I love you.

Forgiveness

Luke 15:21-32
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “

‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Well, well, well, God brought me full circle. The Lord knew what I wanted from you. My the Lord bless our meeting tonight.
My Love, may God Bless you today, I love you.

Blessed

Micah 7:11-20

I am blessed and I love you, have a blessed day.

Feeling Motivated when you are not

2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.

On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.” We hear that some among you are idle and disruptive. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat. And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

Take special note of anyone who does not obey our instruction in this letter. Do not associate with them, in order that they may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard them as an enemy, but warn them as you would a fellow believer. Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Princess Diana

I'm watching the princess Diana episode and remembering how when she got married I was in the hospital and how I heard the bells ringing for her wedding. My daughter was born in the same hospital that prince William was born in, I feel a connection to Diana.

Trust

Thank you for such a wonderful sermon today. My heart was with you all day. I love the classical aspect and I love ballet. I used to do ballet as a child. My love of ballet goes to my always wanting to see the Nutcracker every year. I haven't seen it lately, but I love to watch it on television. Excellence is so beautiful when it done in dance, art, cultural things and artifacts. I love the idea of antiques. I love the thought that someone years ago touch and used an item, or did something with their lives. I love history. I feel like I'm back in my element again. God is good and his mercy endures forever. I love R Kelly, Luther, the O'jays and Yo-Yo Ma. I appreciate people who do their best with whatever talent God has given them. Touch my soul and my heart and I am yours forever. Grace and mercy are given by God. I love you and pray every day that God will allow me to be your wife and to be with you for as many years that we have left. After my heart attack and leg surgery I am devoted to making my life better with the man that I love.My Love, if I am not the woman for you then we go our separate ways, but if I am your woman and you are my man then we got to fix this thing. Love you.

True Hope

Luke 1:67-80New Living Translation (NLT)

Zechariah’s Prophecy

67 Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

68 “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
    because he has visited and redeemed his people.
69 He has sent us a mighty Savior[a]
    from the royal line of his servant David,
70 just as he promised
    through his holy prophets long ago.
71 Now we will be saved from our enemies
    and from all who hate us.
72 He has been merciful to our ancestors
    by remembering his sacred covenant—
73 the covenant he swore with an oath
    to our ancestor Abraham.
74 We have been rescued from our enemies
    so we can serve God without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
    for as long as we live.

76 “And you, my little son,
    will be called the prophet of the Most High,
    because you will prepare the way for the Lord.
77 You will tell his people how to find salvation
    through forgiveness of their sins.
78 Because of God’s tender mercy,
    the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,[b]
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
    and to guide us to the path of peace.”

80 John grew up and became strong in spirit. And he lived in the wilderness until he began his public ministry to Israel.

Thank you God for today. Thank you for your blessings. This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. When it becomes difficult for me to hope in God I have to remember all that he has done for me in the past and know that he can do it now. As I seek to trust God, I know that God is the only source of true hope. 

As we seek to become one, I trust God to guide me and bolster my faith. Blessed is the name of the Lord. Have a blessed day My Love.

New Beginnings

Well today has been a very successful day. I went to my GOLDEN APPLE STEM graduation after two years in the course. It was at Lincoln Park Zoo so I has to by something. My grandson's birthday is the 10 th. Then I went to lifetime fitness. Got in the pool, tried to swim but the leg wasn't having it. That's ok, I still exercised. Then came home. Went to my therapy session. He wants me to do some homework. He wants me to tell family and friends that I am interested in dating and is there anyone they can introduce me to. I don't think he believes that you are the man for me. He thinks I'm probably infatuated with you and misreading signals from you. I told him I haven't been on a date since 2000, and the hat was when I joined a dating service. That was a disaster. So he wants me to ask family and friends to introduce me to someone to date. I'm torn because if my goal is you, why should I try dating others. But maybe this will help me get to you quicker. What to do, what to do?

We Are One

Ephesians 2:11-

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 

12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 

15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 

16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 

17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 

18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 

20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 

21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 

22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

Thank you Lord for today. We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord. That was one of my favorite hymns as a child. I love you and pray that there is unity in our church. Be blessed today and know that I love you.

Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my world, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.

Blessed is the name of the Lord. Thank you Lord for today. I love you and will keep you in my heart forever. Have a blessed day today, My Love.

Witnesses and Messengers

Matthew 28New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.”

8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,”he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothersto go to Galilee; there they will see me.”

The Guards’ Report

11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor,we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with youalways, to the very end of the age.”

God I thank you for today. You are my blessing. I love that you revealed yourself to the women and right away they recognized you and worshipped you. The men, not so much. Lord, I love you and am thankful that you love me enough to have gone through the torture and disgrace, humiliation, jealousy, envy and severe pain, just for me. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice.

I love you and pray that you have a blessed day today.