Jesus Makes All Things Possible

Do you know what is possible with God? Stubborn people can be saved. Relationships can be restored. Healings happen. Blessings come in abundance. All things.

Psalm 103 reminds us that Jesus forgives my sins, heals my diseases, redeems my life from destruction, crowns me with loving kindness and tender mercies, satisfies my mouth with good things, renews my strength, executes righteousness and judgment for the oppressed.

Sometimes I just need to write that list out and personalize it for myself. Perhaps you need the reminder, too. Writing it with actual pen and paper settles it into our hearts and minds in real way. Writing out Scripture, writing out prayers is something that I’ve gotten away from in the busyness of this season. But I’ve been reminded.

Because that’s what God does. He lovingly, tenderly shelters us as a mother. He teaches us the same lesson over and over (Hello, Israelites and disciples). He shows up and shows off and shows me that He loves me personally. He created me intentionally. And He has a plan for my life (and it’s better than my plan).

This weekend was full of a variety of situations that didn’t fall under “my plan.” I didn’t respond well in most of those. I may have had a minor breakdown. If I’m being honest the whole past year has been quite the drift from my plan. But God is not surprised. And He uses all these things for His glory and for the good of those who love Him.

So as I look at this photo I snapped Sunday morning, with the intention of writing that day, I’m reminded that God brings beauty in the starkness of winter. The sun still shines. The sky is brilliant blue. The shadows and highlights display His creativity. That tall pine tree stands tall and firm. Even dead trees have an odd stark beauty about them.

I’m reminded that He gives me words when I take the time to sit still and listen and write. He gives me sunrises and sunsets. He gives me laughter with my kids and the hard conversations. He forgives my impatience and helps me seek forgiveness of others. He gave me a place of employment that talked me through my oven connections (I think I even learned something about flare union adapters and NPT threads). He gives me delicious take-out options on the days I live in my car. He provides neighbors willing to help and give me tea. Phone calls with friends, dark chocolate, coffee. Good books to read. Hot showers. Chiropractic care. Rest. And all of this is over and above the gift that is all I need.

Jesus. He makes all things possible. What do you need to ask God to show you today? What has God done for you that you need to acknowledge and give thanks for?

#HopeWriterLife #FiveMinuteFriday (on Tuesday) #fmfparty #writingprompt #writingcommunity #possible #JesusOnlyJesus #juliesmonthlyspot #onceamonthspot #frontdoorview

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Finding Creativity in the Winter Blues

Today, my creativity is all dried up. I’m seeing the world in dusty grays and faded whites, and the dreary weather matches my mood. I have good intentions in my writing challenge, in writing to find my voice. And then I procrastinate and scroll social media, I go do more laundry, I read the same paragraph three times in a book I want to read, I snack because I’m bored.

And none of it helps my creativity, none of it inspires me to write. So I stop and look out my front door view and take my monthly picture. A moment in time to pause and remember and reflect. And I stare at what looks like a black and white photo because the sky is so gray and I can’t find the sun—in my days or in my heart.

I know the season is just that—a season, and the sun WILL shine again, the clouds will give way to blue skies, and some of the trees will grow leaves again. The snow will melt, the grass will be lush and green, and the birds will perch in the branches of the tall pine tree. But part of the routine of taking a monthly photo is to be present in the moment, to appreciate the ups and downs, to find the creativity even in gray, even in the sadness.

Sometimes art is quiet and subtle. Sometimes beauty is barren tree silhouettes against a gloomy winter sky. We give thanks for the snow as we watch from our warm windows. We remember that even gray winter skies can be pretty. Creativity is the landscape of sloping hills, rocks, and trees.

When you don’t feel creative, it’s okay to read a lighthearted fiction when you can’t get through the philosophical non-fiction, or watch a movie with your kids. Creativity is remembering that God is with me when I can’t shake the blues, and every day is not wrapped up in a pretty bow. His mercies are new every morning, and sometimes the mornings feel as dark as the nights. But still He is holding me. 

Sometimes beauty is barren tree silhouettes against a gloomy winter sky. #write28days #creativity

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#Write28Days #Creativity #FrontDoorView #onceamonthspot #juliesmonthlyspot #ministryofpayingattention #ministryofordinaryplaces #JesusOnlyJesus #winterblues #soulstruggle