His Eye......

Linking with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Faith Filled Fridays

"When the world says, give up, hope whispers, try it one more time." Unknown

Sometimes stuff happens that gets me down.  Things I want just aren't working the way I imagined. 

In the past, when I got discouraged....it would take a long time for me to get back up.  It's different now. I won't stay down.....I won't give up....I won't give in to doubts and fears. 

If something isn't working out the way I think it should......maybe it's 'cause He's got another route....another path....another means.....maybe even an altered slant to the plan or dream.

I can't stay discouraged. Not with Him in my heart. The tug of His gentleness is a constant reminder that no matter what....it's gonna be okay. 

He's sees. He knows. And the best....He's got my back. He's always in my corner.

Give up? Never. 
Let go of the dream? Never. 
Hope....you bet. 
Trust.....absolutely.  Because I know......

His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches over me......

Singing in the Rain

LInking with Charlotte @ Spiritual Sunday and Laura @ Brag on Fridays

"Life isn't how to survive the storm; it's about how to dance in the rain" Taylor Swift

Some days are amazing. Others a struggle. Some days I can't stop singing....other days I can hardly catch my breath. Some days I feel like I can conquer the world. Other times...it's tough just getting out of bed.

It's nothing like it was before. Most days now are pretty good.....still, there are those times when I wonder what life and mostly my life is all about. But then I feel His gentle touch....a reminder  He's there.....in my corner. Even in the down times...the sad days....I'm not alone anymore. I can even sing through them.....and I can trust those life blips won't last. Somehow I'll get through them and the sun will shine again. I'm learning to  get up and sing in the rain. I'm learning to trust Him no matter what.... 

Rain or shine....I'm gonna trust. I'm gonna dance in the rain.

Even though my heart is torn......I'll praise you in this storm.....

And So This is Christmas

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Beholding Glory

"It's Christmas every time you let God love others through you. It's Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand" Mother Teresa

I like the spirit of Christmas. I like the kindness and the way people go the extra mile to be nice. I like how people band together to raise money and gifts so that no one has to feel left out....alone....and empty. 

I like all of it and I don't want it to be for just one month...or a few weeks or even one particular day. I want it to last...always...and I want it to outweigh the dark....the sad...the lonely and the hard times for all of us. 

Christmas has this amazing feeling that seems to make us nicer. Christmas....it's all b/c of Him. I never could've imaged this kind of joy....or peace. Sometimes I shake my head to see if it'll disappear.....it never does. Instead...every day gets a bit more brighter. And I've learned...

"I'm not alone at all I thought. I was never alone. And that is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent" Taylor Caldwell

Merry Christmas Guys!

And so this is Christmas.....I hope you have fun......

Did You Know.....

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  and Laura at Beholding Glory

"Christmas can be celebrated in the school room with pine trees, tinsel and reindeers, but there must be no mention of the man whose birthday is being celebrated. One wonders how a teacher would answer if a student asked why it was called Christmas." Ronald Reagan

Last week I attended the play at my daughter's school. The kids were totally adorable.....but I've been thinking about their "Christmas" play. They sang ten songs about snow, winter, Santa, presents, one Chanukah song, a five minute talk about the Muslim holiday and it's meaning, world hunger......But no mention at all about what Christmas is really all about...nothing about a virgin giving birth to a Savior...

I grew up Jewish. We kept kosher...attended synagogue and waited for the Messiah.....the One God would send to 'free' His people. 

One day in a hospital emergency room, under oxygen......I heard a voice say -  pray in my name. Sounds hokey.....but it happened. I pushed away the oxygen.....sat up and whispered the name Jesus. As soon as I did.....I felt Someone touch me....and chains holding me tight fall off. I had been a drug addict since age 12.  I never touched another needle after that. Even though I struggled with other things.....I now had an anchor.....and the courage to keep fighting. 

The Christmas Story......it's about grace...and mercy...It's about love and a God who cares enough to free and heal anyone calls on His name.

We celebrate Chanukah and Christmas. Chanukah to remember that the Jews refused to assimilate with the those around them and the miracle of light that lasted eight days. And Christmas b/c He is the Light of the world that shines in darkness and His Light will never be extinguished.

Mary did you know.....that one day.....your baby boy will one day walk on water....

Surrounded

Linking up with Charlotte Spiritual Sunday  Laura Beholding Glory Karen Hallelujah Anyhow

“He finally understood that God's presence was everywhere, at all times, and experienced by everyone at one time or another.” Nicholas Sparks, The Last Song 

Most days I walk around feeling really happy. It's not that there's any major reason for it.....It's just knowing that He's there....loving me.....always.....on those days I do awesome things I'm really proud of.....and on the days I blow it big time. 

Love.....there was a time it hurt so bad.. a time if someone told me they loved me....I questioned what they wanted. It's weird but He never told me He loved me. He showed me....in a way that turned my world upside down. He broke through the colossal fears....scaled the wall I had erected so high....and waited. He wouldn't leave....not even when I screamed at Him...or did things to push Him away...Still He stayed. Even when I did those things I knew would hurt Him.....He wouldn't leave.....He hung in and kept showing me incredible love.

Love broke through. 
Love healed my heart. 
Love made the difference. 
His love surrounds me and makes everyday the best ever. 

You're the whisper calling my name gently...I can't live my life without You.......

Heros and Sheros

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  & Laura at Beholding Glory & Five Minute Friday
 

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!  Maya Angelou 

I spent the other morning being interviewed....telling my story - Afterwards I  hung around and talked to some women.  One told me she's reading my book....and is blown away with what I've come through. She said.....I'm her hero.

Those women have a story too. One moved from another country to settle here....to live in a new culture.....far away from family. The other had huge losses that rocked her world. Like me....she learned to fight. Her strength and courage was in her smile and gentle spirit. 

Heros and Sheros. They're everywhere.....all around us...in our  neighbourhoods...cities.....around the country......all over the globe - People who shine hope....and inspire courage....

Talking to those women made me think of the heros and she-roes in my life....people like.....

-my good friend who went through some terrible losses yet somehow always offered me and others encouragement and support.....

-A neighbour who lives miles away from family yet opens her heart to embrace me and my family.

-A good friend who took a stand for what she knew was right She risked her reputation for what she believed in.

-Inspirational friends who fight chemo, radiation, medical treatments...never complaining.....always giving the thumbs up sign...determined to beat their illness.

-And many of you....awesome bloggy buddies - whose stories I've come to know....overcoming losses, battling eating disorders and other addictions, fighting illnesses, standing strong as parents, grandparents, single parents....You guys empower me to live my best life......

Heros. She-roes shining courage....determination.....resiliance......and mostly hope.......

None are famous. But all have become the wind beneath my wings....the heros and sheroes in my world......

Did I ever tell you you're my hero? I would be nothing without You.....I can fly high like an eagle cause you're the wind beneath my wings...

Sidetracked

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday  & Laura at Beholding Glory

"I encourage everyone to become their dream. Most people become sidetracked and never end up doing what they really set out to do." James De La Vega

Earlier this week I found myself sidetracked...sliding off the path I had been on.....and heading in an entirely different direction. 

It started when I met someone who made a suggestion...and for some reason I ran with it. It sounded good. Right. At least while we were talking about it. But when I left to go home.....I became discouraged. Hopeless. I didn't really want to do what she had said. It didn't feel right. 

Two days later.....I met with someone....someone who'se been in my corner....who knows my story......and believes in me. As soon as I saw her, she turned and said the very thing I needed to hear.  She had no idea of the other person's suggestion. She spoke her words with passion. And they hit their mark. Smack dab in the core of my heart. 

I needed her words to get me back onto the right track. They gave me hope. Reminded me He has a plan. A purpose. And even when we get sidetracked...He's there. Waiting. Knowing we'll be back.

This becoming is harder than it seems.....

I Know Who I Am

Linking up with Charlotte at Spiritual Sunday & Laura at Beholding Glory

"I know what I want, I have a goal, an opinion, I have a religion and love. Let me be myself and then I am satisfied. I know that I’m a woman, a woman with inward strength and plenty of courage." Anne Frank

I feel this strength inside......and a purpose.......a direction for my life. There's things I want to do.....ideas I want to make happen.....goals I want to see accomplished. I'm excited...about life....and living.  

I didn't always feel this way. I saw no purpose...no reason for life. I contemplated giving up....taking my life. Everything was too dark....meaningless. 

But now life has become an amazing adventure.  Every day....another opportunity to make a difference in someone's life. Everyday....another to show His awesomeness....and how He can make a difference.  

I know who I am....I have a goal....an opinion....I have my faith and love...and It's because of Him...His touch.....His amazing love...He gave me purpose...and a reason to live...

People said things couldn't change....they gave up on me....He never did. I want to shine His light for others.....and stand strong.....to show life really does have meaning and they value.

I know who I am....I have a goal....an opinion.....I have my faith.....and love.......Happy Thanksgiving Guys!

I know who I am........