New Friends and Blessings

I have been blogging now for a little over one-half of a month. I have met some wonderfully talented and certainly witty people. I have seen the homes I dream of having. I have read the lines I wish I could write. I am amazed that I went 34 1/2 years before I found the joy in blogging. What was I doing all that time?

As I pondered over about what my today would include I read some emails. I get a daily devotional from Crosswalk and one from Joel Osteen (smiling Joel, as I like to call him.) I also get an email on "Daily Tips For Being a More Generous Wife." I can't always seem to apply those tips as I would like, ha ha. But, as I was reading these emails this morning I thought of my new blogging friends. On the surface everything appears to be in order. Their lives appear fulfilled. Their houses appear beautiful. And their relationships appear to be thriving. But it occurred to me that sometimes the truth is hidden just beneath the surface. What if every day one or some or all put on a brave face and type as though they have no worries but in reality they're suffering inside? Is that possible? These well-put-together moms and friends and sisters. Is it possible that they're struggling with issues such as I on any given day?

Crosswalk's devotional today included a piece about Paul's letter to the Romans, ""Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves." This passage calls us past the neighbor level, past the acquaintance level, past the "just friends" level, and up to familial devotion. It calls us to look at those around us and consider how we can honor them with our time and attention, as we would our brother or sister."

The email from Joel: "Your time is coming! The dreams and desires, the things you want to accomplish, the situations you want to see changed will happen. Just because it has taken a long time, or because you’ve tried and failed, don’t give up on those dreams. Don’t be complacent about pursuing what God has placed in your heart. I encourage you today — get your fire back! It may be taking a long time, but God is a faithful God. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how impossible it looks, if you’ll stay in faith, your time is coming. Every dream that’s in your heart, every promise that has taken root, God not only put it there, but He has every intention of bringing it to pass. Start declaring today, “My time is coming… God is working behind the scenes on my behalf… I will fulfill my destiny… I will fulfill the plan God has for my life!” As you declare and expect and wait for the appointed time, your faith will grow. Your hope will grow. And you’ll step into the destiny God has in store for you!"

I have often told my mother (Mommy of Nunnie's Attic) that God is talking to me. Once I whispered that to her in church and she whispered back: Right now? And we giggled a little. But I seriously believe that when you open your heart and your ears to the Lord that He will answer you. It may not come in the answer you were hoping for. Or in the designated time you prayed about. But it will come! And in doing so, listening for the word of God, you perhaps bend your ear to another. You tend to comfort people a little more. Rejoice with them a little more.

So again I think of my new friends. And I hope that their lives are as they seem in blogland. But I know that may not be the case for some or all for that matter. So I offer up this prayer for you. May you find courage, hope and peace in it:

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Amen.