The Real Things

Posted on December 26, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

“I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” ~Laura Ingalls Wilder

My simple things this morning: a cup of caramel cappuchino, my daughter playing Perplexus at the kitchen table in her new ballerina robe, my dog sleeping blissfully, the quiet of the house before the day begins, my nice steaming hot shower this morning, a hug, an omelette. The challenge for me is always keeping sight of those simple kinds of things in the busyness of the day. Maybe I should “preplan” my simple things, so that I’m looking for them. The cows on the side of the road as I drive, the neighbors’ goats that dive their whole bodies into the stack of hay to eat, the sun that is planning to come out today warming me, talking to my husband on the phone at work, smiles, laughing at the funny oddities in life. Those are a few of my simple, real things I’m going to look for today. I pray that your Christmas was a blessed time with friends and family, and that your simple things abound today. 🙂 Blessings, Lisa

Little Donkey

Posted on December 24, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2014 to come! Keep faithful to what God has planned for your life; keep moving forward, just like the little donkey. Even small steps will get you there eventually! Blessings, Lisa

“Little Donkey” ~Eric Boswell

Little donkey, little donkey, On the dusty road.

Got to keep on plodding onwards, With your precious load.

Been a long time, little donkey, Through the winter’s night.

Don’t give up now, little donkey, Bethlehem’s in sight

Ring out those bells tonight Bethlehem, Bethlehem.

Follow that star tonight, Bethlehem, Bethlehem.

Little donkey, little donkey, Had a heavy day.

Little donkey, carry Mary safely on her way.

Little donkey, little donkey, On the dusty road.

There are wise men waiting for a Sign to bring them here.

Do not falter, little donkey, There’s a star ahead.

It will guide you, little donkey, To a cattle shed.

***To see the cutest little real-life donkey I’ve seen in a while, check out Rocket Man’s video at http://donkeywhispererfarm2010.wordpress.com/2013/12/24/rocket-man-loves-to-be-scratched/ **** Adorable!

Leaving Home

Posted on December 23, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

For many people, Christmas means travel. Travel from one home to another. From one town to a city. From a huge metropolis out to the country. But it usually entails leaving the place you call home and going out to another place.

Mary and Joseph had to travel on that very first Christmas. They had to leave their hometown of Nazareth and travel many days, with extremely pregnant Mary, on a donkey, to the town of Bethlehem. All the local inns were booked solid, and Mary was going to have the baby soon. The barn that they found themselves staying at was probably not in their plans. But once that precious baby was born, Jesus, Savior for all people, the surroundings were perfect, beautiful, magical, holy. Because Christmas is not about the perfect place, or the perfect home, or the perfect present. Christmas is Jesus. And He makes all things perfect. 🙂 If you don’t have travel plans this Christmas, consider traveling to Bethlehem and that stable. Blessings, Lisa

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” ~James 1:17

Feet Upon Feet

Posted on December 19, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

Sometimes I get caught up in thinking about all the feet that have come before. For example, the Gap of Dunloe has seen millions of visitors passing through the 11km pass(6.8 miles)for years upon years. That’s a lot of feet, human and horse. So many people enthralled with God’s beauty that holds you so closely that you can almost feel His breath.

1910 Gap of Dunloe

God has protected countless numbers of feet for so many years. I am so grateful that my two feet are included in His care. Blessings on your day, Lisa “For You have delivered…my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” ~Psalm 56:13

2009

The Way It Looks

Posted on December 12, 2013 by lyonsroarforgod

The old priory wall is tall; I am not. In fact, I look positively wee in comparison. Which I say with a certain amount of glee, as I’ve never considered myself wee at any point! 🙂

My Christmas to-do list is huge; my time and energy is not. But is getting it all done really the point?

Life is here and now, and seems big. But eternity with God lasts forever, and from what I’ve read, sounds amazingly stress-free and joyful. And when I’m there, looking back, this will all seem wee.

“Living simply means concentrating on what’s important in light of eternity, and not taking the rest of life too seriously.” -Annie Chapman

Blessings, Lisa

Think About These Things

Lisa Lyons

Tag Archives: encouragement