WHERE ARE YOU?

Several years ago I was driving through an orange grove and suddenly realized I had no idea where I was. The further I drove the more disoriented I became. In a near panic I called my husband, who happened to be on the golf course at the time. I was close to tears, and late for an appointment. The first words out of his mouth were "Where are you?" To which I responded a little more curt than I meant to, "If I knew where I was, I wouldn't be calling you." "Okay, honey, just calm down and give me an landmark." "I see lots of orange trees." I guess that didn't help him much, and besides that he was anxious to get back to his golf game. He knew if I continued driving, as long as I stayed on the main roads, I would eventually get to a familiar place. This morning while reading my morning devotions I came across a familiar passage in the Bible. Isaiah 65:1 I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me. I was found by those who did not seek me. To a nation that did not call on my name I said, Here am I, here am I. Reading that passage in the Bible brought me a great deal of comfort, just knowing even when I'm lost, no matter where I am the Lord is always with me. And isn't our life like that too? As long as you follow the Lord's path you will eventually come to a familiar place. Not only that, my husband bought a GPS for me a few years ago, so even when I'm driving around lost in the orange groves, I know I'm not really lost. Just like my life, the Lord is always with me too.

Sunshine Blogger Award

I received this award from Joylene Nowell Butler. And what a surprise!. Joylene is an inspiration to me and to anyone she comes in contact with. As I understand the rules which follow, it is my responsibility to pass this award on to 12 others. I can think of so many of my colleagues who deserve this award. At first I thought I couldn't think of 12, but in fact I can think of more than 12. People who not only spread sunshine, but hope as well as joy in their writing. My hope is that I don't forget any one of them. Thank you again Joylene for this wonderful award. You, my friend are the "sunshine" and JOY in my life. The rules for accepting the Sunshine Award are: - Put the logo on your blog or within your post. - Pass the award onto 12 bloggers. - Link the nominees within your post. - Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog. - Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.

NO BACK BUTTON

My husband is an avid golfer, so he pays close attention to the weather. Every morning his first question to me is, "have you checked the weather this morning?" I have it loaded on the desk top, so as the computer boots up, the weather channel displays the current weather conditions in our area. This morning was no different. "Sorry honey, rain all day." He shrugged his shoulders, "is it raining now?" I nodded my head. "When did it start?" Since the weather browser has no back button, I assume most people don't care what the weather was an hour ago, only what it will be in the coming hours. I sat thinking about that for a second, and realized that's a lot like the way our Lord works. He doesn't have a "back button". He tells us to ask for forgiveness, know that He will forgive us and move forward. A friend called one day with concerns on her heart. She shared with me and talked for a while. She said, "I know God will never forgive me. I'm not worthy. This is going to be hanging over my head the rest of my life." I waited until the tears stopped, then asked her. "Have you asked God to forgive you?" "Of course, many times." "You have to forgive yourself. Then you have to know that He has forgiven you too." Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman." We prayed together that day. She told me she had never felt more at peace. Today she is working as a crisis counselor. And she is worthy in the Lords eyes as well as her own.