Becoming More Beautiful

This is a sharp coral rock in Barbados, hurtful to touch, relatively untouched by the water.

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This rock, on the same shore, has been smoothed and rounded by the constant force of the water across it at high tide.  It is softer, able to be stood upon by tender bare feet, an accommodating shelter of sorts.

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Water is a relentless and powerful force that shapes, changes, and affects by its very presence.  Life gives us all lots of “water”…forces that change us.  We may not like the changes, we resist, but eventually, we realize….we’re stronger, we’re smoother, we’re more of a refuge for other people to seek, we’re more beautiful.  And I’m so thankful that God loves me enough to let me be more beautiful, more like Him.  Be blessed today, Lisa

“..What we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”  ~1John 3:2b

Watching Over

When our children are little, we watch, carefully and diligently.  We don’t want to let them get hurt, yet we want them to experience life and learn.  A fine and difficult balance.  On our first trip to Ireland, our little 7 year old Joshua wanted to climb everything he saw.  Every rock, wall, half crumbled staircase was his wonder of a playground.  And watching carefully, waiting to catch him if he needed it, we let him climb.  He learned and experienced and enjoyed his trip so much.

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God must feel like that with us.  He watches over us carefully, yet he loves us enough to let us experience all the climbs and hardships.  He knows that this is how we grow, and learn, and become more like Him eventually.  But it is so comforting to read, “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”  ~ Psalm 121:7-8  We are not alone, and we have a loving Father who is watching and waiting to keep us safe when we need it.  Blessings, Lisa

Cows on the Edge

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These two bovine creatures are on edge, on the wrong side of the fence, living dangerously.  This was taken approaching Dingle, and we felt bad for their precarious situation, but didn’t want to make it worse by “helping” them back.  And as we know nothing about cows….Plus these two seemed quite content in their spot of choice.

Sometimes people put themselves in bad situations; we want to help, but we don’t know how.  We talk to them, we try to reason…but unless they want to get out of the craziness, they’ll just go back.  So then I pray, because God can talk them back from the edge in a way that I just can’t.  🙂  Blessings for your Monday, Lisa

Overcome the World

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“In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.” ~Jesus, John 16:33

This picture says that to me…we might face government fiasco, wars, unrest, financial distress, feel the need to build forts and have big guns, but there is something greater.  The mountains, the sky, the One who made it all.  Jesus.  And He has overcome.  Joy and blessings for your day, Lisa

To The Hills

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“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip – He who watches over you will not slumber.”  ~ Psalm 121:1-3

May your feet be steady and sure, taking every step knowing that God’s got you.  Slainte, Lisa