He restores...

There are moments when I must fall into His arms...and let Him love me. May He restore my soul as only He can do.<3~thl

He stills...

He stills my soul when my heart is heavy.
He stills my soul when backs turn away.
He stills my soul when attacks are many.
He stills my soul when disappointments arrive.
He stills my soul when concerns are countless.
He stills my soul when silence is deafening.
He stills my soul when uncertainty is abundant.
He stills my soul when my purpose seems lost.
He stills my soul when answers are unreachable.
He stills my soul when tears will not fall.

He hears my heart.
He holds me together.
He understands.
His promises are certain.
His love is true.
His hope is inextinguishable.
His peace surrounds me.
His truth remains.
His Presence is everlasting.
He stills my soul.<3~thl

He sees....

What lies within my heart so deep is buried from this world.
But He sees.
The thoughts I choose not to share are guarded and kept safe.
But He sees.
My goals and dreams, stories many are tucked tightly within.
But He sees.
The silent tears, covered laughs, gasps and shrieks are still.
But He sees.
Questions abound.  Joys untold.  Memories unmentioned.
But He sees.
For what is most precious, private and priceless to me is held dear.
And He sees.
I am grateful for that  amazing peace knowing that He cares so very much
That He sees.<3~thl 

He listens...

Often, I ask Him to hear what's on my heart, on my mind and in my life.  Perhaps I should realize that I need to listen to Him even more closely.  I know He truly cares about what I share with Him.  Yet...do I really listen to what He wants to share with me?  May I listen attentively.  May I follow Him completely.<3~thl

He remains...

Although I am occasionally shocked and saddened on this journey, His Presence remains. He is aware.  He loves me.  He will lead me.  I am grateful for His faithfulness.<3~thl

He holds...

So now, dear God, I rest in You. I climb into Your loving arms. And I wait...trusting You.♥~thl

He knows....

Lord, You know my heart. May I trust You always, even when I don't know Your plan. ♥~thl

Blankets of love...

Snow blankets winter's cold, hard ground.
Whether muddy, bare or rocky found.
Each surface reached with quiet touch
And I am drawn to learn so much.

His love covers lives everywhere.
Strong, broken or lost, He cares.
Each heart is sought with earnest plea.
His love even reaches one like me.

Snow covers winter's ground,
Transformed barren to beauty found.
By persistent love and precious touch,
He changes me.  Thank You, God, so very much.<3~thl

   

Choosing...

I choose to...
savor each sweet moment,
cherish each loved one and
savor miracles in each new day.

I choose to...
accept the past as lessons learned,
celebrate present opportunities and
anticipate the future with abundant hope.

I choose to...
love with all my heart,
laugh with all my breath and
live with all my being.<3~thl

I choose to believe...

I choose to believe...
that life remains a precious gift,
that hearts can truly change,
that peace is possible,
that hope is real,
and that He still cares.

I choose to believe...
that in the middle of a hurried world,
God still has time for someone like me.
And His love will see me through...
Now and always.<3~thl

His hope...

When I am forgotten, You remember.
When I am left behind, You remain.
When I am insignificant, You care.
When I am unwanted, You love.
When I am worthless, You value.
When I am rejected, You embrace.
When I am broken, You restore.
When the world says I am nothing,
You call me Your own.
Thank You, God.<3~thl

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then You will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.'"  Jeremiah 29: 11>13

Compassion in action...

In the busyness of life, may we not forget...
to listen to hurting hearts,
to love broken, wounded, searching lives,
to make time for what matters,
to live what we claim.
Our world is hurting and lost, Dear God.
May we genuinely and consistently care.<3~thl

Choices then and now...

Tonight I focus on choices.  It is no secret that the choices I have made have greatly influenced my present life circumstances.  Some choices were for the best.  Some became lessons learned.  Some choices were made out of determination.  Some were made in desperation.  Whatever the reasons behind my choices, the experiences have taught me much..

This new year will bring more choices.  Some will be anticipated.  Some will be unexpected.  Some will be made in determination.  Some will be made in desperation.  I am so thankful, however, that I do not have to walk this journey of choices and circumstances alone.  I am grateful for His Presence, mercy, grace, love and faithfulness.  My choices have never been perfect nor will they ever be.  Thankfully, He made a major choice and sacrifice many years ago which brings forgiveness, hope, renewal and restoration into my life.  I choose to praise the One Who loves me...anyway.<3~thl
John 3: 16

The big picture...

A dear friend recently asked if I was interested in a new, large, beautiful, framed picture she had acquired.  She had offered to share it, sell it or even give it away with no previous responses.  Her mother suggested she ask me about it.  When she did, I was interested to see what others had declined.  I knew it had to be attractive or she would never offer it.  But my curiosity grew as I wondered about what no one else wanted. 

As soon as she unwrapped the picture, I knew it would become a part of our home!  The colors, design, theme and frame match the our style and tastes perfectly!  I even realized the specific room and wall where I would display it.  It's a beautiful addition to our home and a wonderful reminder of a precious friendship.

I began thinking.  Isn't that how patience works?  So very often, we want something to happen immediately.  We want...what we want...when we want it. We are not interested in waiting or considering other options.  We want it our way in our own timing.

My life has been quite a patience builder.  Very rarely have things gone according to my plans.  Yet I have learned that trusting God's timing is far greater than my own way.  It isn't always easy.  It isn't always pleasant.  But it keeps my focus on Him.  God has a beautiful, purposeful and wonderful big picture for our lives.  Sure, I could run ahead of Him and try to paint it myself  However, I truly believe that the Master Designer, the Creator, the Great I Am and the Author of Life is much more qualified.  He sees the big picture.  I see only a speck of the canvas.  I will trust Him...with each stroke He patiently and purposefully paints.<3~thl
Matthew 6: 33      

Tenderly trusting...

Tonight I focus on trust.  Life has taught me to not trust freely...but to trust deeply.  Trust is, indeed, a gift of tremendous strength and fragility. I am deeply grateful for the precious souls who have earned my trust.  I am humbled and thankful for the dear souls who trust me.  My journey, however, would not be possible without trust in the One Who made me, holds, loves and guides me. Trusting Him with every breath, heartbeat, moment and step...makes this life valuable and viable.<3~thl
Proverbs 3: 5>6

Holding and healing...

Tonight I focus on healing. When words attack, when criticism is shared, when loved ones walk away or judgments are unfair, I am not alone. The One Who knows me best loves me most. I matter to Him. His love holds and heals me...continually.♥~thl

Determined direction...

Today I focus on new direction in my life. Each breath is incredibly precious and I will cherish and live it fully. What matters...will. What doesn't matter...will not. What I can change...with His help, I will. What I cannot change...I release to Him. I cannot waste another moment of this precious gift of life He has granted me. ♥~thl

Looking forward, loving now...

On a dreary, cold, damp, winter day, I choose to think positive thoughts. Here it comes.....drumroll, please....72 days until Spring!!!!!!! Yaaaaaaaay! Until then, I will cherish the gift of each moment. For even in winter, hope and purpose remain! ♥~thl

Lasting love...

Tonight I am focusing on love...the genuine, unconditional, through thick and thin, without a doubt, always have your back, never walk away from you, stand beside you and for you kind of love. I thank God for true friends in my life. I look forward to the steps ahead as we share life together even more. ♥~thl

The gift of the moment...

Today I thank God for the gift of another day...another moment...another hug...another kiss...another opportunity to tell my Mom and Dad I love them before 2014 was gone. Each moment matters. Cherish it...while we can!♥~thl

Holding hope...

Tonight I am focusing on hope. Hope in Him makes this journey so much more precious, peaceful and promising. So I hold onto Him and His gift of hope...now and each step ahead. ♥~thl

Pondering peace...

Tonight I focus on His peace. Whatever has happened, is happening or will happen on this journey may seem significant, shocking or small. Yet knowing He always cares and never leaves me brings precious peace. I am grateful and amazed. ♥~thl

Quiet focus...

Tonight I am focusing on Him...simply being still and listening to Him. I love quiet, peaceful moments with The One Who cares so faithfully. I am grateful for His Presence, love, hope and peace. ♥~thl

New year, new yearning...

The year 2014 has closed. A new year has begun. New goals have been set. New experiences await. As I said farewell to 2014, I thank God for His faithfulness, love, hope, peace and strength that brought me through each moment. As I welcome 2015, I simply want to reflect Him more in every aspect of my life. Whether in my family, friendships, studies, music, personal goals or circumstances I face, I simply want to be what He created me to be...for Him.<3~thl

Daily gifts...

As we took down our tree and decorations, I felt a little sadness. The OCD part of me was relieved to have everything back in its place. Yet I find peace in knowing that He is with me each moment of every day...past, present and future. The celebration of His love and Presence never ends. Thank You, God, for hope, peace, love and joy I have through You...always.♥~thl
Isaiah 26: 3