Music

Music is probably the main way my soul hears from God -
Thanks to my Grandmother on my mom's side music was a vital part of my life from a very young age. GM could play the piano soooo well and would have my siblings and I sing every day she was with us on a visit. She also had us singing in her church any time we went to visit her.
The Gaither family was a huge influence on what we sang - Down by the Creekbank was my personal favorite as well as certain hymns she would do.
Anyway - even though God did not gift me with the ability to carry a tune in a bucket, He did give to me an awesome love of music - all kinds of music, but especially music that told stories - hymns, country, Christian, - anything.
I also love to move - again - I can't actually dance well, but I do have rhythm. That is something I took for granted until I met my husband (love you honey!). Really did believe everybody could move to music. He tries - unfortunately he is usually one step behind. But, you know what - the beauty is he tries! Just like I try to sing - I am always a couple of notes off, but I give it all I've got! Isn't that what God asks of us? To give it all we have? Everything?
In Ephesians 6:7 Paul is instructing us to do EVERYTHING as if we are doing so unto the Lord.
I hear that as not just work - but everything we do - because we have the ability to build up the Kingdom of Heaven even with what we may see as the smallest of deeds - like spending that moment listening to our child's story, or looking at their comic they made - or taking that meal to a neighbor or person in need - even though you may be busy - spending a couple of hours out of your week to serve the less fortunate - not just meet the needs of your own family (not that there is anything wrong with that, but sometimes we can become so focused on ourselves - even for good and necessary things - that we forget that God called us to do more - serve others).
I have trouble balancing at times - I don't want to serve so much that I neglect my own family's needs, but I also don't want to stand before Christ one day and have Him ask me why I didn't meet the needs of those I came in contact with when prompted by the Spirit.
The Bible also says in Galatians that we will be known by our fruit - if there is no fruit - there is no life. So, if we are Christians and LIVING in Christ, then we should be bearing the fruits of the Spirit - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
Honestly some of these fruits come off me in abundance and others I am still trying to allow Christ to cultivate inside me so I can share them.
So, whether you can sing and dance (or not), or paint, or serve, or pray, or befriend - do whatever you are called to do with your WHOLE HEART as unto the Lord!
Your blessings will be plentiful!
I encourage you to read Galatians and Ephesians today!

Frustration

Have you ever worked on something - poured your heart into it for that day and then lose it? Actually have it disappear - and no amount of searching brings it back.
Okay - that is me today.
Heartfelt and compelling ( I think) post - VANISHED! somehow it edited to only a few words and then went away.
I am choosing not to be frustrated. I know that is easier said than done, but I will not be frustrated.
Just know that God continues to move in me, change my heart, and change my life - I am continuing to choose Him daily and am learning that trusting Him completely with EVERYTHING is exactly what He demands of my life -
I don't want to be that child in the desert roaming because I choose not to listen.
I am thankful for His patience and grace and love for me.
I will today choose to serve Him, trust Him, lean on Him no matter how difficult it may feel at the time - Philippians 4:13 assures me I CAN do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength - He knows I can't do it on my own strength - I am weak and that is exactly when He is strong if I allow it -
But go to the verse before that one - read it - Philippians 4:12.....I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in poverty or wealth.....
I am in the process of being taught that secret.
No matter what - to be content - not to conform to this world - but to continuously be transformed through knowing Him more.
Not to worry about what others may think of me, my appearance, my children or any other worldly measuring point - to be content with what He has for me - right now - because if I am always looking ahead or behind - I miss the now part of life.
Plans are good, but God has the ultimate plan for us - He says so in Jeremiah 29:11- I so love that verse! What a great reminder!
So, as I continue on my journey in life - I am learning that there is nothing more important than my relationship with Christ and what I do with that relationship.
Do I go to Him when upset, happy, mourning, celebrating? Or do I turn to friends or food?
Do I ignore my time with Him to watch TV or sleep later? Do I keep Him all to myself and never tell others about Him? or is it really that I talk about Him, but when others look at me they think it must just be lip service because they see no difference in me?
This is just a revelation I am having about me, my relationship with Christ - what I consider more important than Him and why I will never understand the secret in Philippians 4:12 if I do not better know the Author.
Here I GROW!!! Praise God!