Low Tide

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When the tide is low, things are revealed which are usually unseen.

When things go wrong in life, the same is revealed.  The hidden thoughts, the strengths, the underlying structure of a person.

And God is what holds the sea and me together, during high and low tides.  The water comes, the water goes, but Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  (Hebrews 13:8)

Blessings, Lisa

“What kind of man is this?  Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  (Matthew 8:27)

*Dunfanaghy at low tide, County Donegal

Beauty Scars

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Stripes of beauty line the Mizen Head Peninsula….no doubt won by pummeling wind, waves, rain, storms.  But the scars are beautiful; adding depth and contrast and story.  Much more beautiful than perfectly smooth and polished.

You are beautiful; scars, fears, mistakes and all.  God made you perfectly, and you are greatly loved.  Slainte, Lisa

“By His stripes, you are healed.”  ~Isaiah 53:5b

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

Would You Rather…The Finale

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All these choices I’ve posed this week has gotten me thinking about all sorts of things.  More serious choices where I don’t always get to pick the outcome, things that happen that affect the rest of what happens.  When I was a kid, I had a fairly serious operation on my ankle that left me laid up for a few months and kept me out of exercise for a year or so.  It caused me to have a lot of time on my hands to read and to play the piano, which I think caused me to have a deep deep love for each and affected who I became.  So, in a way, I’m thankful for that injury/surgery, because the pain resulted in a great thing in my life.  (although I wouldn’t have said that at the time)

Would you rather….a)live in an exotic locale with no close ties to family or friends or b)live in a normal (?) environment close to family and friends?

Would you rather….a) have responsibilities  or b) have no responsibilities, ever?

Would you rather….a) have a pain-free, trouble-free life  or b) go through some trials along the way?

Hard choices…praise God, we don’t usually have to pick these outcomes, because I would probably pick all the easy ones and stay immature all my life.  🙂  God in his mercy knows what we need and don’t need in our lives so that we can become more like Him.  We just need to trust, childlike, and try to enjoy the ups and downs.  (easier said than done, for sure)

May your trials and challenges all give you a beautiful ending. Hang in there.   Blessings, Lisa

An Irish Prayer

May God give you…
For every storm, a rainbow,

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For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.

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For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer

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Walk today knowing that God loves you so much.  Blessings, Lisa