We Did It!

Did you notice?  I've been so busy this week that I didn't realize it until this morning.  We survived January!  In fact, in many ways we thrived through January.  This seems worth making note of, even celebrating.  


Like the kids, standing tall, hoping the line behind the pantry door is higher than it was the last time we measured...  They're uninhibited in their joy over the increased height. Their growth brings joy to us because we love them!  Facilitating their healthy growth is one of the most important goals of our lives.  How much more our Heavenly Father?


So I look back and I can see growth and I'm excited!  I see my Papa smiling with me...  It's all by grace.  He's happy too...because all He's ever wanted to do is set us free and help us grow in freedom.  He wants to lend us His strength to conquer the giants we face.  I feel like we conquered January.  It was uphill some days.  For those of us who live well north of the 49th parallel there could be as much winter ahead of us as there is behind us, but there's a change in the air and the days are noticeably longer.  We'll make it.


We bring joy to His heart when we reach for and receive the gifts He's given.  You don't have to be getting every thing "right" today to make Him smile.  You just need to be reaching for Him in the midst of whatever you're facing...and one day soon you'll look back and see that you've grown.

 Don't bargain with God.  Be direct. Ask for what you need. 

This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. 

 If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? 

 If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate?  

As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. 

You're at least decent to your own children. 

So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

Matthew 7:7-11 MSG