From a grateful heart today and everyday!

I am writing this post on my laptop while sitting in front of my piano keyboard trying to play along with some instructions from an online course. Suddenly, I am realizing that NOTHING happens without the Holy Spirit’s help and leading. I can assure you that there is no way I would be here if I had continued to follow the enemy’s plan for my life, or my own for that matter! 

I was not planning on this particular setting today. I was going to do something else this morning. But whenever you sense the guidance of the Holy Spirit and obey it immediately, you end up being truly blessed. He always rewards us!  I can’t thank Him enough for knowing me better than I know myself.  That should go for all of us!  He really has a beautiful plan for each and everyone of our lives even though each plan is different, just like our DNA.

Today I just wanted to share one of my past struggles and my victory over it with you. There was a time when I used to get up in the morning just filled with thoughts screaming at me making me feel so hopeless. Thoughts that included regrets of the past and fears of the future, but not anymore! And the only reason for that is because I chose to listen and trust God’s voice first.  It’s not always easy to do that, however. In fact, most times you have to put effort into controlling your thoughts and what you allow your mind to ponder on. Sometimes we welcome any and every thought that comes in. Why? Would we allow just anyone to walk into our homes and do whatever they want? Of course NOT! So, just as we have set boundaries for our homes, we must set boundaries for our thoughts and our plans.

Like my friend PJ once told me, sometimes it’s like waking up with cobwebs all over you. You have to pull off tangled thoughts and work your way through what the enemy wraps around your mind. Did you know that is his daily plan?

But God also has a plan for us everyday! A very specific and strategic plan.  He may actually want us to stay home one day, stop everything else and sit somewhere quiet (with our favorite coffee, tea, etc.) to just listen to His gentle quiet voice. If we pay attention, He will give us clear instructions for that day. That’s because His plans are not just for the big picture (our life as a whole), but also for the next few moments, which we don’t even know if we’ll get to see. My friends, that’s because our lives are like a vapor.

Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. 

Psalms 39:5 (NKJV)

But in order to know God’s plan we need to draw near to Him. In turn, He will draw near to us.  That’s His promise and He will never fail those who genuinely seek to know Him and love Him. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. 

James 4:8 (NKJV)

If we want to be blessed and make wise choices that will not only bring us peace but will positively affect others in our lives, we must choose His voice over the screaming noises of our soul (emotions).

The other day I read that you must put on your oxygen mask first before helping someone else with theirs.  I’m sure we all understand the concept/reasoning behind that.  Yet, when I thought about it, I realized that many times I have exhausted myself running in my own strength because I have been deceived by the devil to follow his plan. As a result I’ve been unable to help others in their time of need. 

But since I have experienced, and am still experiencing, the rewards of following our loving and caring Father’s instruction, I have decided to trust His Word and His plan. I have chosen to listen to HIS voice. He will never lead me (us) in the wrong direction.  He’s proven His love over and over again in my life. So, I choose to allow His breath (our oxygen) to be breathed into me through His words every day.  This is how we can have victory, peace, salvation, hope and a beautiful future. This is how we can follow His plan and help others to do the same. One day at a time. 

I pray that you call on Him and allow Him to show you the great and mighty plans he has for you and your family just like He is showing me.

‘‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’’

Jeremiah 33:3

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Proverbs 3:5-6