ASPIRE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday 

Word prompt--ASPIRE

Five minutes to free write about it 

------------------------------------------------------

The first thing that came to mind was Proverbs 19:21--"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

When I was very little I aspired to be a ballerina, and a few years later I aspired to be a concert pianist. Neither aspiration materialized. 

Then some years later I aspired to get married to someone I would grow old with and still be walking down the street with hand in hand. And I did get married, but my husband and I did not grow old together.

When I graduated from graduate school and was offered the job of my dreams, I opted for marriage and a move across the border. Sometimes I wonder what my life would now be if I had made a different choice.

On the other hand, there were many things I never aspired to that just happened. Like becoming an author of children's picture books. Writing books was never anything I had aspired to do. 

And after my husband's untimely death, I had a fear I too would die young and arranged for one of my friends to be the legal guardian of my two children should that come to pass. But God had other plans, and not only did I live to see them grow up, get married, and have families of their own, but I have been blessed with seven grandchildren and six great-grands, the youngest of which is the little munchkin sitting on my lap. 

NEXT CHAPTER UPDATE

 

A couple of posts back, I had asked for suggestions for a verse I could use for my next chapter. Thank you all so much for your suggestions.

Despite my best intentions, things did not start out the way I had anticipated, and I have a lot of sorting out to do as the Lord helps me through a rough patch. 

Instead of using a notebook, I've decided to blog the journey on one of my old blogs, At The Foot Of The Cross, because that's where I need to lay it all down.  I am not using hashtags or sharing to Facebook, Instagram, or other social media that I share this blog to, but if any of you would like to follow along, you can click on the Foot Of The Cross link and it will take you there.

The verse I felt led to use was the quote Ginny Hartzler posted -- “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis  Thanks, Ginny. By faith I receive that.

 

JUST A THOUGHT

 

Things are not always what they seem.

On the morning I took this picture I was beyond excited to see what looked like a beautiful pink sun. I had never seen anything like it before. 

And then I found out that it wasn't really pink. It was just an illusion created by a toxic filter of smoke blowing down from wildfires in Canada. 

Many outdoor events got canceled, and we were warned to wear a mask if we did have to go outside.

How easily we can be deceived, sometimes with dire consequences.

SUNSHINE

This post was written for Five Minute Friday 

Word prompt--SUNSHINE

Five minutes to free write about it 

------------------------------------------------------

I love sunshine--except when the sun is at such an angle that it shines right into my eyes, through my sunglasses, and blinds me as I drive into it. That is really scary.

There's nothing like a blue sky, sunshine day to convince me to drop what I'm doing and spend time outdoors--except when it's a scorcher. Heat and me don't go well together, so if being outside can't be avoided, I'm ever so grateful for a shady spot under a tree and a gently blowing breeze to fan me.

QUICK

This post was written for Five Minute Friday 

Word prompt--QUICK

Five minutes to free write about it 

------------------------------------------------------

On my desk, next to my computer, sits this timely reminder not to be so quick to panic and jump to conclusions (most often wrong) or so quick to think of worst case scenarios (also mostly always wrong).

A reminder to trust in Jesus who has never failed me yet. Through all life's adversities He has faithfully walked beside me, provided for all of my needs, blessed me beyond measure, and given me the strength to endure.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.

When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not

drown. When you walk through he fire of oppression,

you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume

you. -- Isaiah 43:2, NLT