Seeing with the right perspective brings change for the good.

I am blessed and finding great fruit coming from this slowing down, tasting of life, and giving thanks in all circumstances. I see God. He is constantly at work. All around me. I am grateful! In those moments where he gives and in those where he takes away. I have always loved declaring the truth of the song, Blessed Be Your Name by Matt Redman. It is healing to sing it out loud. Still I will say...My heart will choose to say...Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. My moment to moment circumstances do not change my ability to sing this and for it to be truth. God's grace is there in the plenty and in the lacking. He doesn't change. It is TRUTH. It has grown me and changed me in an amazing way. (#181-203 of my Thousand Endless Gifts)

*the way the grass is suddenly green
*making tough choices, my beloved to make them with
*not talking too much
*a new perspective on a messy kitchen
*hubby bringing me home several surprises this week
*free resources and books on the internet
*slicing apple rounds, the hidden flowers and stars, all the variety, uniqueness and taste
*grandparents
*a hot dinner in an inviting home
*a tree that didn't land on the house
*electiricity
*friends helping
*a sound machine and sweet sleep
*beautifully spoken word from The Word, my own spoken Word.
*"But, please take special notice of this, especially you who tend to keep God at arm's distance from your emotions. According to Hosea 2:16, God does not want you to return to him and say, "Yes, Sir" and set about your duties. He wants you to come into the wilderness, to listen to him speak tenderly and to respond to him, "My husband." God wants your heart, not just your hands, because if he has your heart he has everything." excerpt from John Piper 1982
*thinking about God's tender touch, a new way for me, not so comfortable
*getting up and trying again
*letting go, accepting the gift of a friend
*visions to change lives- one example, knowing and being challenged by these people
*reading the stories of Abraham and Issac and Esther. again. relevant for right now.
*lent. preparing myself. understanding a little more about sacrifice
*a most amazing book, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
*another book (for me first, not directly for my child) that i am not necessarily proud that I had to read but one that I am so grateful to have found. the same goes for these two sermons by S.M. Davis on anger. getting to the heart of the matter, no matter how uncomfortable, and asking forgiveness and beginning to change.
*a quiet, calm word