I often ask...

I often ask why...and He says to trust Him.

I often ask when...and He says in His time.

I often ask where...and He says He will lead me.

I often ask how...and He says He is the way.

I often ask what...and He says He knows His plans for me.

I often ask who...and He is the Great I Am.

I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am never alone.<3~thl

Sometimes...

Sometimes...I just want to know there is a place for me here.
Sometimes...I just want to know there is a purpose for my life.
Sometimes...I just want to know there is a reason for all this journey held.
Sometimes...I just want to know that I did something that mattered.
Sometimes...I just want to know that I meant something to others.
Then I remember....You love me all the time.
Each sometime in my life means something to You.
So I hold Your hand as You hold me close.
I am never alone...any time!
I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am loved.<3~thl

Even when...

Even when my heart is breaking, I know Who holds me in His arms.

Even when life is changing, I know Who is always with me.

Even when questions are unanswered, I know Who offers peace.

Even when life isn't easy, I know Who gives me strength.

Even when I seem worthless to others, I know Who loves me most.

Even when I don't know what lies ahead, I know Who will see me through.

I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am never alone.<3~thl

Even in exhaustion...

Let's just be honest.  Sometimes we are tired.  Very tired.  I'm talking about being so tired that climbing into bed is exhausting in itself.  The sheets even seem heavy.  The comforter could easily be compared to the weight of a huge rock.  Yes....total exhaustion, weariness and fatigue eventually overcome us and we feel that our bodies have nothing left.

Let's be honest on a deeper level.  Sometimes my spirit seems very tired, too.  Life has a way of wearing us down at times.  Demands.  Schedules.  Expectations.  Frustrations.  Disappointments.  Oh yes, there's the way others treat us. That's an entirely different level of exhaustion. We find ourselves weary beyond words. We have nothing left..at all.

Then I remember how He treats me.  He loves me.  He listens to me.  He hears my heart, my thoughts, my entire being.  He knows me and He knows my limits.  He is well aware that I have nothing left to give.

He loves me...anyway.  He holds me.  He calms me.  He consoles me.  He comforts me.  He knows me.  He assures me that He will never leave or forsake me.  He carries me and tells me to be still and know that He is God.  I will find rest...sweet, soothing, tender rest...in Him...again.  I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am leaning on Him...completely.<3~thl

Steps of assurance...

As memories, thoughts, feelings and concerns flood my mind and heart tonight, I am thankful. Knowing He is with me, holding me, loving me and providing peace in the middle of so much in my life...helps me take yet another step. I am amazed. I am grateful. I am never alone.♥~thl

Touches of love...

What a precious gift to know that His love touches my life abundantly each day. Even when I am distracted, He still holds me and loves me. I am amazed and grateful.♥~thl

Always and never...

What joy, peace and comfort to know that wherever I am, whatever I face and whoever I meet on this journey, He is with me. Always. I am not alone. Never. ♥~thl

May we remember...

May we remember...those who lived before us and left this world a better place.
May we remember...those who served, sacrificed and gave of themselves...for our freedom.
May we remember...those who lived, loved and led us to a life of meaning and direction.
May we remember...the One Who gave His life...yet lives again...so that we know love, hope and joy!
May we remember...may we never forget..that each moment is a gift to cherish and live with gratitude!
<3~thl

Infamous...but loved...

I am not well-known by man but God knows me best and loves me most.

I am not associated with big names, but the Creator of the universe knows my name and my heart, too.

I do not have a fancy title or job description but God made me with a special and specific purpose.

I am amazed. I am grateful. I am His child. I am loved by the One Who matters. ♥~thl

Faithful Father...

Thank You, God, for listening to me, loving me and leading me. You are faithful. You are genuine. You are never too busy and You never walk away. I am amazed. I am grateful. I am truly loved. ♥~thl

One of those days...

It's been one of those days.  My plans went by the wayside and I was not thrilled about it.  I had too much to do for my list to be delayed.  Appointments were rescheduled.  Errands were postponed.  My strategy was undone.

I began thinking.  Life often happens...or doesn't happen...as we think it should.  Plans change.  We are frustrated by the changes.  We have too much to do.  Appointments to attend.  Errands to fulfill.  Strategies to develop.  But then it falls by the wayside.

Then I am reminded.  God didn't give me this life to run my own way.  He gave me this life to share with Him, reflect Him, honor Him, live for Him, love Him, love others for Him and be loved by Him.  This life is not about my schedules...my strategies...my desires...or me.  This life is about Him.  Completely.   Every minute of every day.

It's been one of those days.  Perhaps I need more of them.  I am amazed.  I am grateful. I am not alone.<3~thl

Sweet silence...

As my journey continues, I realize more and more how refreshing, enlightening and amazing it is to spend time with Him in silence.  It's difficult to hear His voice if I am not listening.<3~thl

Each moment...

May each breath we take remind us of the gift we have been granted. May each moment be spent with gratitude and praise. Yet in the darkest hours, may His love and hope surround us. For we are never truly all alone. ♥~thl

Daily celebration...

Thank You, God, for the celebrations this weekend. Please help me remember to celebrate each moment of this life. For it is in the simple, ordinary moments that You work to accomplish extraordinary displays of Your Presence and power. No moment is too simple or small to offer my best for You.♥~thl

A prayer for Mother's Day...

On Mother's Day weekend, I pray...
for each Mother to know she is valuable. She sometimes forgets that.
for each child, of every age, to hug Mom even more.
for those whose Mothers have passed to know comfort and peace.
for those whose Mothers are ill to cherish each precious moment.
for those who have special Moms to be grateful for them.
for those who long to be Mothers to hold onto His love and hope.
for those who have lost children to know He understands and holds them.
for those who are lost to know Someone loves them.
for those who are hurting to know that Someone can help them.
for those who are abandoned to know that Someone is with them.
for those who are searching to know that Someone cares about them.
for those who find Mother's Day painful to know that He comforts them.
May His love and His light touch each life on Mother's Day...and always.<3~thl

Love is faithful...

"You amaze me, redeem me, You call me as You own.

You're my strength.  You're my defender.  

You're my refuge in the storm.

Through these trials, You've always been faithful.

You bring healing to my soul.

I am not alone..." (bridge and verse three sang by Kari Jobe)

Genuine love is faithful.  Knowing that Someone loves me enough to be with me at all times, no matter what, makes this journey more bearable and blessed.  Many times I don't know what to do when questions and circumstances surround me. How amazing to realize that although I may never have answers to all the uncertainties, I never face one moment alone.  Knowing that His love is strong enough to hold me, defend me, protect me and even heal me is life changing. His Presence brings peace.  His love brings light.  His hope brings healing. I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am not alone.<3~thl

Night Light...

"In the midst of deep sorrow, I see Your light is breaking through.
The dark of night will not overtake me.  I am pressing into You.
Lord, You fight my every battle and I will not fear.
I am not alone..." (Verse two, sang by Kari Jobe)

We have all been there.  Our hearts are shattered.  We see no end to pain, loss, grief or circumstances.  We wonder if life will ever seem normal again.  We ache so deeply that it hurts to breathe.  We consider running but we realize there is nowhere our pain will not accompany us.

Yet as darkest night eventually fades into morning's gentle light, we find hope. We grasp for the illuminating beam that assures us night is not forever.  In morning's soft glow, we are reminded that His loving arms have been holding us all along.  He is with us. Always.  I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am not alone.<3~

Power of Presence...

"When I walk through deep waters, I know that You will be with me.
When I'm standing in the fire, I will not be overcome.
Through the valley of the shadow, I will not fear.
I am not alone....." (Verse One sang by Kari Jobe)

Many times, I find myself in deep waters of stress, rejection and disappointment.  Other times, I stand in the fire of criticism, false accusations and failure to meet expectations.  Much too often, I have faced the loss of loved ones I miss so dearly.  Yet this journey has proven the power of Your Presence...over and over again.  Knowing You are with me, holding me and loving me...provides peace and purpose for me to continue.  I am amazed.  I am loved.  I am not alone.<3~thl

Praise report....

Praise report! Mom had a much better day today! From what I hear, she is sitting up and alert! Thank you for your continued prayers! God hears each one! I told my Dad that we have friends all over the world praying. It makes a difference! Much love to all of you! ♥~thl

Not alone....

"I am not alone.  I am not alone.  You will go before me.  You will never leave me."  (Kari Jobe)

Each day I thank God that no matter what happens around me or within me, I am not alone.  I am also thankful that this precious truth also surrounds my loved ones here, back home in Virginia and all over the world.  What a tremendous gift to know that our Heavenly Father holds us each moment of every day.  Whatever we face, He is there.  It is because of Him that my journey continues.  I am amazed.  I am grateful.  I am not alone.<3~thl

Prayer request...

Prayers, please! I received a call from my Dad late tonight. Mom has taken a major turn for the worse. Nothing else can be done for her. Please pray for God to hold her closely now on this side and in the moments ahead on the other. Please pray for my Dad, who has loved her for over 62 years. Please pray that we hold onto God, as well as honor and trust Him through this time. Please pray for all families who face the horrible journey of Alzheimers/dementia. I thank God for each of you. ♥~thl

Long days, short years, precious moments...

How did time pass so quickly? How did my babies grow up overnight? Each moment is precious. Days may be long but the years are short and I am thankful for each breath I am given. Celebrate the ordinary for when we look back, it was truly extraordinary to live and love! I am amazed. I am grateful.♥~thl

Bad day, beautiful hope...

There's no use trying to sugarcoat it.  Today was not my favorite day.  At all.  It was a day I wish I could have spent sleeping...or soaking in the tub...or relaxing somewhere far, far away.  I couldn't accomplish anything due to multiple distractions and interruptions. No matter what I had planned, something else happened. Repeatedly.  At the end of the day, I felt a weary sigh of relief.  And disappointment.  I had failed to make the day count. I began thinking...

It may not have been my best day.  It may not have been a pleasant day.  It may not have been a day I want to relive.  But it was a day of life.  I awoke with my heart beating, lungs functioning, legs moving and mind thinking.  I was given another day to live, love and learn.  It wasn't a day for accomplishments but maybe it was a day for much more. Perhaps this day was more about leaning on Him...listening to Him...living because of Him...loving through Him...and learning to hope in Him. 

Tonight I will close my eyes in peace.  Chores are incomplete.  Projects are unfinished.  Goals are unmet.  Yet I lived through today and I hold hope for tomorrow.  Precious, peaceful and powerful hope remains.  He is faithful.  I am hopeful.  I am grateful. I am truly amazed.  I am never alone.<3~thl