Author: Journeys of My Heart

This last week, I was studying for a coffee chat that I was giving on how to handle hard times and still have joy. Wow! What a tough lesson to learn! We know it is the right behavior to have joy at all times, but I don’t about you, it doesn’t make it any easier to walk out. But in Ecclesiastes 3:12 it says, “There is nothing better…then to be happy and do good.” What are the things that bring you joy, peace and hope? Do you work at making them happen yourself or do they “just happen”?  I have learned to cultivate my joy by what I do on a daily basis.

And Peter tells us that suffering teaches us to be done with sin and to live for God’s purposes rather than our own pleasures and evil desires. (I Peter 4:1-5)  Why does Peter say that do you think? From my experience, when I am going through hard times and it just doesn’t seem to change, I have to give up what I might be expecting to happen and be real about what is. When I give that up, I am more free to live my life how God wants to me live. I am living in what is now, rather than what I think should be. Now I can say that and work toward it, but that doesn’t mean its going to be easy. How I handle my emotions in the midst of the crisis is what can keep me from big disappointments. We have to have the right mental outlook toward it. God has all things planned for us and so we need to stick to Him and walk through it together. God says he disciplines those He loves in Hebrews 12:6. So we arm ourselves with the armor of God and become a warrior! Sometimes the pain we go through because of the crisis will heighten our awareness in other areas of our lives too. So what can we do? Go to prayer. Sometimes the first thing we do is get mad and then we separate ourselves from God and pull away. Don’t stop helping others, or stop teaching or leading. But instead, go to Him and ask Him if there is anything you need to change, get right, or deal with. Ask God, “What do you want me to do?” Get in the Word and see what He wants to give you. In conclusion, guard your mind and behavior, life is short, do something for another person, and give God glory in spite of what you are going through. It’s pretty hard for satan to get an inroad when you are praising your Lord and Savior! Do we always FEEL like doing that? Nope. But it sure is the best way to end the cycle of discouragement and confusion that satan likes to keep us on.

I have a project called JoAnn’s Photoscapes 365 Project that I have been doing on Facebook, where I post a photo a day there and often times write what God is teaching me through that photo. After going through my own hard times, God led me to the study about His grace in hard times. In doing so, a phrase popped out at me and it seemed clear God wanted me to change my project name to Life Through A Different Lens. I think that is how God wants us to look at things; through a different lens.  He wants our situations to be viewed through HIS LENS, HIS FOCUS, and HIS COLORS. I am doing that through my experiences.  So I hope this encourages you to do the same. Get out that camera of His, the Bible, and look through and read it with His lens instead of yours. See what beautiful photography He makes with you! God bless.

During a struggle in my spirit, I “happened” to look out the window and there in the middle of my front yard was this flower, heads up, and all by itself. It was even sitting right in the middle of a big weed. I thought well…what is God trying to say? He often speaks to me through the things He helps me to notice.

I felt like God was saying I am not like that flower, alone, when the weeds of life are choking some of the joy from my life. Instead, God sent that little flower out into my yard to be noticed. To remind me that there is beauty in the lone flower, even amongst the weed. He will make beauty come from this struggle if I am willing to notice. In the middle of a big yard this flower has a lesson to teach.

How did ONE flower get out in the middle of my yard when there are dozens on the ground around the bush? Only God knows…

This last weekend for Memorial Day, as we celebrated the freedom that we have on a daily basis, I am reminded to be thankful for it and all those who served and are currently serving to make that freedom possible. I know I was taken back when we visited a cemetary and my grandson knew what to do when he saw the flag. I caught it in a photo. You know, we talk about things with our family around and we think it might not matter. But I have found new answers to that question. It DOES matter. They ARE listening. Ethan is showing me that everyday I am with him.

So think about the influence that you have around you and use it. Share it. It matters. You affect others. You may not see as I did that day, but it will present itself. So go ahead. Share what is important to you so just as you have memories of your parents or grandparents sharing their lives with you, or things you remember about their home or lifestyle, that you can now be that generation that will give a legacy of memories to our current generation. Thank you Ethan for that reminder! Stand tall, with honor; salute!

This last weekend was my brother’s wedding. I did the ceremony for them and all the event planning. There is a lot of work and details that go into a wedding…a lot of work! But that is just the beginning of the work. Relationships are work. Its like a dance; back and forth, around the obstacles but always back in the arms of the one we love. In a husband and wife relationship you are like grinding stones for each other so that you become polished and your character is changed over time. You improve each other. Communication and active listening are so key in living out your marriage relationship together. Remember how all the little things you did for each other in courting, are even MORE important once you are married. Life can take over and you forget to show your love in all those small ways that mean so much to each other.

Then you have all the family and friends that come to celebrate with you. That is so special. I wish…..hummm…what do I wish? I wish that family and friends didn’t wait until there is a wedding or funeral to go to before spending time together. They are our connection with life. We are also teaching our children and grandchildren what their lives are going to be like by the way we spend our lives. I know I want mine to know the value of family and friendships and to see them as a treasure to explore in order that they may know more about themselves and enjoying their life every day. Take the time.

So once again, my daily journey has taken me on a detour of some great learning. I hope my journey challenges yours!

Do you remember the saying that beauty is skin deep? That is the world’s beauty economy. In God’s beauty economy, He tells us that he wants women to be women of virtue, diligence, skill, wisdom, piety, and have fear of the Lord. Generosity and inner beauty are also a part of a woman’s virtue. She is an excellent woman and a wonderful gift from God. Don’t we all want to be wonderful women of God? I know I sure do. I want my virtue to appear graceful and associated with inner beauty. I want my inner beauty to be more important than my physical beauty. I Peter 3:1-6. Our inner beauty should grow over time. Time spent alone with God, prayer time, and time in the Word are important in our journey to become strengthened in our inner beauty.

Does this mean that we don’t have to worry about our daily appearance that much? After all, if we are home with children, we do well to have clothes on to cover us up some days. Or what if we are domestic empty nesters? Does that mean we don’t have to worry about it because we are at home alone and no one will see us anyway? What happens if someone drops by? We are wishing we had taken the time to present ourselves better for the day! I am guilty of this myself. Have you ever ran to town without makeup only to see everybody you knew? I think we all have those days once in while where we just do nothing, and that is also good for us. But taking care of our body inside and out is vital to our over-all sense of well-being. Eat well, keep your skin fresh and shining, rest well, and take those moments for yourself to create beauty in your life.  It really goes a long way to make EVERYTHING go better! The best way that I can be an example of a woman of beauty, is to take actions in my life to make that evident. God has given us this “temple” for a season of life on earth. How are we taking care of  this temple so we can be about the work that He as for us to do? Are we cleaning the temple and caring for it daily? We need to. We are a complex body that needs attention to be at optimum. I can tell you it will change the whole way you look at your life if you listen to your body and your heart. What do you need to work on to become a woman of inner beauty as well as outer beauty?

It is a proven fact that when we look good, we feel more confident. I have a ritual that I do twice a week to help me feel good about how I look. I give myself a facial two times each week. I do this at home with products that I use. It keeps my skin looking great and feeling healthy. I have a great bath soap that I use on my skin so it doesn’t get dry. It’s in the little things that we do. Getting a hair cut or color. It just lifts us up. Treat yourself well and nurture your outward physical body, but remember the most important part; inner beauty. Even today, do it! Remember, we are excellent women, and a wonderful gift from God! Amen!

This Mother’s Day, I spent the day at the beach. There were relatives gathering together to share what is new in their lives and to see kids that are growing up so quickly. What a joyous time it was for everyone to see each other again! Memories abound as we talk about fun times of the past that have shaped us into who we are today.  I think it is important to connect more often. Taking time to learn where we have come from  in terms of our lives, from the people who have lived it longer then us. I enjoyed the day very much! Lots of laughs, a little music, great food and fellowship. THAT’S what it is all about.

In this time at the beach, I also listened as my grandson insist on putting on his swim suit so he could go swimming. His parents had warned him it might be pretty cold, but he didn’t think so. He just ran with abandon right into the water with the water splashing as he went. There was no surprise on his face when he hit the water. He just laughed and keep on going. He was free!

I was thinking how we each came to the day of Mother’s Day with our own burdens and cares and how wonderful it would be if we could look at life just as Ethan looked at the water. He saw only the water and all the fun and enjoyment he could have. He wasn’t thinking how cold it would be. He was going for it! If we could look at our lives that same way, how many changes would we make? How many different things would we try? Would we rest and fellowship more often? Would we laugh more and be challenged more? And most of all, would we ENJOY life more? I think we would.

I have vowed that I will look at my life through eyes like Ethan. I will abandon myself to the joy of living and run head long into life without worrying about any surprises. Just enjoy the moment. I know I can trust the One who has me in His hands. He will keep me and guard me in all my ways when I acknowledge Him in my life. Are you ready to run into the water with me? I hope so. Join me. The water is fine! Ready…set…GO!!!

Many years ago when I worked for Joyce Meyer Ministries, I heard her give a teaching in which she made a statement that really resonated with me. She talked about how she was through with the past and she was moving on with God. She said, “I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!” I was in a hard place at that time and it really spoke to me about my need to take my stand against the plan of the evil one. I wrote down the thought so I could remember it. When I got home I put it up in my office and as I looked at it, I thought of what she said and these word came to mind:

I’m Not Slippin’ and Slidin’ No More!

I was steeped in sin and all the wrong thoughts

But God brought me out and His Word to me taught.

I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

When satan tries hard to pull me down

I stand back up and adjust my crown.

I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

The path may be rocky and winding around,

But I can now stand on His Holy Ground.

I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

As I walk with the Lord and read in His Word,

I am grounded and steadfast and given reward.

I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

God holds me up every single day,

He listens intently whenever I pray.

I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

So satan you have no hold on me,

I can now tell your legions of demons to flee!

Because, I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

Praise God! I’m not slippin’ and slidin’ no more!

I love to be creative! But there are people out there that just have creative minds that think of ideas that no one else would think of. I love that kind of thinker. Now me, if you give me an idea of what you would like to do, my mind will just take off! I am good at re-using items for various purposes. I love to come up with ideas. But there are just some paths it seems, that my mind doesn’t travel towards. Today, I found one of those kind of items. I just love the creativity of this piece! It is stretching creativity to the max! But you know what? I can also imagine it in my home very easily! THAT would be a great conversation piece!

When I see these kinds of things, it just reminds me of what creative talents and gifting God has given us. To think we use so little of our brains and we still come up with such great ideas! How good He is to plant those in us. He commands us to use our gifts and talents for Him and what He commands, He will enable us to do. So get out of that box ladies and enjoy some creative time. Who knows? You might be the next creative idea that catches my eye for a picture!

I have been busy planning a wedding…my brother and future sister-in-law. It has been a fun and busy time and it is great to see all their wishes for their special day come together. I wonder as I plan this, if the time of planning a wedding is a precursor to what working things out in a marriage relationship will be for their future. You have to learn to compromise and keep even temperaments during these times because emotions are high. It’s kind of give and take; a dance. You can’t be mad at someone and dance with them. It would be difficult to say the least. But in a dance you are holding each other, usually in close proximity, and moving together with the rhythm of the music. Back and forth, turning around, and in and out. Life is like that too. We have to move through it together. We have dance to the rhythm of life. We have to side step the unexpected and move around it. We move out from each other but we always come back together.

So as this journey of their life begins, it gave me pause for thought. Do I still dance the dance of life as I did in the beginning? Are there things in my life that need to change to move in better rhythm to the dance with my sweetheart? The theme for my marriage is the word “Dance”. I don’t ever want to forget that life is a dance and I want to do it together with the one I love. There is no better music and dance then that.

Dance on Keith and Mylan!

This weekend while I spent a good share of it laying down, I was privileged to watch a servant’s heart. My husband Terry has been doing all the things I would normally try to do, plus he has been working on the completion of our bathroom. But it the midst of all the tasks he did, he always brought breakfast to me, lunch, and even had candles lit for dinner that night. What a guy! And then it happened. I came back in to lay down and was going to take a drink of some CranRaspberry juice and it slipped out of my hand and fell over the white, fluffy rug that lays along my side of the bed. What does he do? Quietly goes and gets some cleaner and gets down on his hands knees and cleans the rug. He doesn’t say anything about how it happened because to him, mistakes are just that mistakes. And accidents are called accidents because they are.

It was a good picture of how we all should be with our significant others in our lives. I have always appreciated Terry’s servant heart and it has taught me a lot about what a servant heart is. God wants us to have that kind of heart in our daily lives toward others. It is what He would do. No complaints, just a quiet bending of the knee to clean up our mess. I challenge you this week to find ways to honor your spouse or children in a special way to show your servant’s heart to them. You can be a living example to them so they will see it modeled right in their own home. God bless you on the journey to a servant’s heart.