It’s getting to be that beautiful time of the year. The hard work of the spring planting is giving way to beautiful blooms and green gardens. I enjoy watching the buds on the rose bushes and seeing the blossoms on the tomatoes and squash in the garden. It’s time to sit back and enjoy.

Or it would be, except for the weeds.

Yes, just about everything we do and have requires maintenance. From our cars to our bodies and everything in between, we can’t expect anything to run at its full potential without maintenance. Even our smart phones aren’t smart enough to charge themselves!

Gardens and flower beds are no exception. While the blooms burst forth with color, weeds sprout up anywhere they can find a little place to grow. And boy do they grow! Have you ever noticed how weeds seem to grow faster, and their roots seem to grow deeper than any plant that we actually want in our garden?

Last summer I was clearing out an old foundation from a barn or shed that used to be on our property. Over the years this foundation has been used for many things from a goat yard to a peacock pen and most recently a bed of hollyhocks. We had let it go for a few years and decided last year to plant some sunflowers there. As I started pulling weeds I realized it was going to be a bigger job than I originally thought. There was some sort of plant/tree that had embedded itself in that foundation over the years and it did NOT want to give up its home. I pulled and dug and yanked…finally getting the weed out, with its whole root.

I couldn’t believe the size of that root. The plant had been supported by an enormous root system that dug down deep and held the plant safely and securely where it was supposed to be.

As I was weeding yesterday I was reminded of all the weeds I get in my own life. Weeds of deception and self-doubt. Weeds of discontent and jealousy…the list could go on and on. At different times in our lives we have to fight different types of weeds. Some of them pull up easily, especially if we catch them quickly and get rid of them before they spread and deepen. Some don’t come up so easily.

Sometimes we allow weeds to grow and establish roots without even realizing it. Lies we have told ourselves for years about not being good enough or being unsuccessful can, if left to their own bidding root themselves so deeply inside of us that they seem impossible to get rid of. And it’s easy to give in and stop trying. This is satan’s ploy and desire for us to live in doubt and never allow ourselves to reach our full potential. But that’s not God’s plan.

As I weed I often listen to a baseball game, or think about things that are coming, or even pray for others. Weeding can be monotonous and having something to occupy your mind makes it go easier and faster. In our lives we need to be filling our mind with the repetitiveness of God’s word to replace the untruths of those who are  planting doubt and holding us back. Repeating scriptures such as these below can plant God’s truth in your heart and mind:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

When weeds start to take over a garden or flower bed it cans seem an impossible task to clear them, and you wonder if there’s going to be anything of value left when the weeds are gone. It CAN  be done with hard work, consistency and never giving up. The beauty of what is left and the value of the fruit that will grow when the weeds are gone is worth the work.

The same can be said for the weeds in our own lives. It can seem impossible but we CAN conquer them and squelch the lies that try to root themselves deeply. It may take some time, but in the end we will see the beautiful results of God shining through our lives in the way He always saw us from the moment He created us.

Where are you rooted and how deep do your roots go? These are important questions that help determine the direction and quality of your life, and your peace along the way. I encourage you to plant God’s Word and His Truth in your life and let those roots grow deep. You will find blessings and peace as you move forward in Him.

If you need help finding these truths, please comment here, or e-mail me at pauladavispeace@gmail.com. I would be honored to pray with you and encourage you on your journey to be all you can be in God.

blessings and peace on your day…

Paula

Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top by Jeanette Levellie and TWO GIVEAWAYS!

About the Book

What do drive-by diaper stores and God have in common? When is blabbing an acceptable habit? Why should you beware of moths and sligs? In her entertaining, uplifting style, award-winning author and humorist Jeanette Levellie weaves 72 amusing stories with affirming Biblical truths. These soul-nourishing examples of God’s favor and grace will help you:

• Laugh when you find cow patties in your field instead of daisies

• Discover the bottomless heart of God

• Grow in your acceptance of yourself and others

Welcome a vacation from stress as you discover the sweetness of Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top.

You can buy the book here.

About The Author

A spunky pastor’s wife of thirty-plus years, Jeanette Levellie authors a bi-weekly humor/inspirational column, God is Bigger, a popular feature in the Paris Beacon News since 2001. She has published stories in Guideposts anthologies, stories in Love is a Verb Devotional with Gary Chapman, articles in Christian and secular magazines, greeting card verses, and poems for calendars.  She is also a prolific  speaker for both Christian and secular groups, and loves to make people laugh while sharing her love for God and life.

Jeanette is the mother of two grown children, three grandchildren, and servant to four cats. She lives in Paris (not the French one), IL. with her husband, Kevin. Her hobbies include dining out, talking baby talk to her cats, avoiding housework, reading, and watching old classic movies.

Visit Jeanette on her blog, On Wings of Mirth and Worth, at www.jeanettelevellie.com.

My Review

Jeanette’s book is filled with stories of how God stepped into her life with grace when she wasn’t always graceful. While the book is full of chuckles it also touched my heart, reminding me over and over  of times when I also have received His grace. Through her sweet stories God nudges us to remember that His grace is bigger than our gaffes and that He expects us to give that same grace to others even when we think they don’t deserve it.

Each reflection is followed by “sprinkles” of application – thoughts to carry with us throughout the day or a question to make us think about how God may be trying to speak to us through our own situations.

One of my favorite reflections is when Jeanette reminds us what God isn’t. He isn’t worried…He isn’t tired…He isn’t offended…and other isn’ts. He is full of patience, grace and love for us even when we aren’t deserving. These reminders are sprinkled throughout Jeanette’s book.

If you are in need of a reminder of God’s grace for you, or are looking for a gift for someone who is struggling to sense God’s grace and love in their lives I encourage you to choose “Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top”!

Jeanette’s Giveaways

For each share of this post link on Facebook, Twitter, or your blog, you will receive one entry.

For each like on Jeanette’s Author Page or my Two Scoops Book Page on Facebook, or follow on my Twitter page or this blog, you will receive one entry. If you already like and/or follow me, mention that and I will count it.

Please send me ONE comment at the end of this post to tell me how many times you shared, liked, or followed, so I can give you the correct amount of entries. I reserve the right to verify all information given me, and disqualify anyone from the drawing who falsifies information. (Do not leave comments here to be entered, you MUST go to Jeanette’s blog post for the giveaway.)

Contest starts today and ends midnight, May 10, 2012. Jeanette will announce the winners in a blog post Sunday, May 13, 2012.

….and a $100 Gift Card Drawing~~~WOWZA!!!

After you have read/reviewed Two Scoops, check out my blog at www.jeanettelevellie.com for a contest to win a $100 gift card by answering ten easy questions about the book! After I receive your entry, your name will go into the hat for a $100 gift card to one of the following places (your choice): Amazon, Barnes and Noble, CBD, Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A, Wal-Mart, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, or Ruby Tuesday. This giveaway will run until August 10, 2012 so there is PLENTY of time for you to enter!

The author sent me the above book for review purposes. She will allow me to keep the book. I have no other connection to and have received no other compensation from Jeanette Levellie. The entire blog tour can be found here.

Did you like to play hide & seek when you were a kid? It’s fun for little ones when someone covers their eyes in front of us then uncovers with a cry of “peek-a-boo!”. Before long we encourage our playmate with “Again! Again!”. While the game is simple and great fun it also builds a trust within a relationship, showing kids that while their loved one may hide for a minute they are never truly far away.

In backyards all across America kids young and old challenge friends to hide around the yard or in the house while someone counts down the moments until they seek them out and see who was the most successful with their hiding place. These games too have a sense of security in knowing that our friend is going to seek us out, reunite with us and continue the game.

Sadly for most of us the time comes when we begin hiding because we don’t want to be found. Maybe for children it’s something as simple as eating a cookie we weren’t supposed to or breaking a toy that belongs to a sibling. When my little dog knows she’s going to have a bath she tries to hide under a table or behind a living room chair so I won’t make her go through with it.

I make light of it, but hiding can be more serious. When danger or ethics are involved hiding can seem like a solution but ultimately makes things worse. If we hide from a problem that we need help with we rob ourselves of a better life. If we hide something we’ve done wrong instead of admitting it we are often led to more and more lies and deception to continue covering our tracks. When we are eventually found out (and we always are) the consequences become much worse than if we had owned up to it in the first place.

Have you ever tried to hide from God? 

If you have you’re in good company since the first people God created tried to hide from Him. Adam and Eve had it good. No, actually they had it great! God created a garden just for them where everything was perfect. They never had to work. All the good food they could imagine was provided to them, and their environment was indescribable. The best part was that every day they walked and talked with God. Yet Adam and Eve chose to do the one thing God told them not to, and then they were ashamed. And afraid. They tried to hide from God. But they could not. God knew where they were and He knew why they were hiding. And He loved them anyway. Sure He sent them from the Garden of Eden but He didn’t leave them. He disciplined them, but was with them and loved them even though they disobeyed and tried to hide from Him.

There are plenty of examples in the bible of people who tried to hide from God. Many returned to Him, some did not. But there are just as many examples of men and women who sought God out and tried their best to obey Him. And that is what God truly desires from us.

I love those who love me, 
   and those who seek me find me.                                                                                                         Proverbs 8:17

God knows we’re going to fail Him. Since no one is perfect except for Jesus we will all sin at times in our lives. The difference is how we react when we do sin. Do we try to hide from God and act as though it never happened, or do we seek God out, ask His forgiveness and move forward, walking with Him again? I think our humanness may incline us to try to hide, but if we fight that inclination and turn towards God instead of away from Him we will find a great reward. For God promises…

You will seek me and find me                                                                                                           when you seek me with all your heart.                                                                                       Jeremiah 29:13

Are you hiding from God in any area of your life right now? 

Is He asking you to serve Him in a way you aren’t sure you’re ready for?

Maybe He’s asking you to show love to someone you really can’t in your own strength.

If so, please consider coming out of hiding and calling at the top of your voice, “OVER HERE!! I’M OVER HERE!! COME AND FIND ME!”

I am certain He will!

blessings & peace to you…

Paula

“Love your neighbor as yourself”. An oft quoted verse from the bible ~ actually a commandment cited by Jesus in Matthew 22 as second only to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.”

When I think of this commandment my first thought is to ask myself whether or not I am being selfish in my own life. Am I giving to others as I am giving to myself? Do I spend more time considering the needs of others than feeding my own desires?

I believe it is healthy and appropriate to ask these questions and to examine our lives to eliminate selfishness and poor attitudes toward others. But I have also been struck by the “what if” in this verse.

What if we don’t love ourselves?

Every neighborhood is filled with hurting people. Too many people don’t even like themselves, forget loving. Some people look in the mirror and detest what they see there. Others have never known true love in their lives. Beat down by words or actions from childhood, all they know is criticism, never praise or acceptance. When there is no example of love in our lives it is difficult to know how to love others.

The challenge I have when I encounter someone who is difficult to love is to not react but to realize. I need to realize that I don’t know what’s going on in that person’s life and I don’t know what is making them act in a certain way. Maybe they’ve had a really difficult day and the way I respond to them could make the difference between whether the day continues to go downhill or takes a turn for the better.

There is a phrase that has become sort of cliché in Christian circles of what would Jesus do? While perhaps this saying can seem tired and overused the reality is that applying it to our lives can make a real impact…for us and those around us. If before responding to others we stop to think about what Jesus would say or how He would act toward the person we encounter we may swallow a sharp retort or adjust the expression on our face and make a bigger impact than we know.

If you are hurting today I want to encourage you that God knows your hurt and wants to show you how to love yourself. He loves you regardless of how you look, how much you weigh, and whether or not you are “successful” by the world’s standards. He already knows all about you and loves you for all you are, the good and the bad.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; 
I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.                                               Jeremiah 31:3

With our human eyes and brain it can be difficult to see how God can love each of us with all of our shortcomings. But whether we understand it or not, He does. God is just waiting for us to cry out to Him and release all of our feelings, good and bad to Him and allow Him to sort them out with us. 

God is so faithful that as we allow ourselves to be open and trust Him with our relationships He will bring people into our lives who will walk alongside us and show us what love is supposed to look like here on earth. The relationships may take a while to build and they won’t be perfect, but don’t let that stop you from reaching out. By loving those God puts in our path we will learn how to love ourselves as well.

We are all in this together. Neighbors both physically and through the wonders of electronics. And in our interactions we have power…the power to heal or to crush and the power to love or turn our backs. Allow God to work in you and through you today to learn to love yourself as He loves you and then in turn to love others as you love yourself.

blessings and peace to you…

Paula

Over the past few weeks I have been dealing with a medical issue that seems to be a mystery. To this point my pain cannot be diagnosed, yet it increases. This unknown can be frustrating, even frightening at times, yet in the midst of it I am learning a great deal about myself, those who love me, and my faith.

Amidst every doctor visit, each test, and repeated pokes of needles there is only one (here on earth) who truly knows what is going on inside my body. That person is me. I have to do everything I can to help others understand what I am feeling and narrow down what the cause may be. I must be my own advocate and continue to press on until someone listens enough to help me. I must persevere.

Perseverance:

“continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.”  (Miriam Webster Dictionary)

I think of others who persevere and am humbled at the thought of what they face. Every day people face cancer treatments, learn to live without limbs, lose their jobs or homes and figure out how to survive and support a family. Some face incredible odds to start the business of their dreams. When I felt sorry for myself  because I had to fast for 2 days before a test I was jolted back to reality with the fact that when the test was over I could eat whatever I wanted while others go without food for many days at a time, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. Amazing perseverance.

I’ve also been reminded that perseverance is biblical.

Romans 5 reminds us of the reward for our perseverance:

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  Romans 3:3-5

The book of Luke recounts a story Jesus told of a man who had a guest in his home late at night. He had nothing to feed him so he went to a friend’s home at midnight asking for bread. The friend tells him to go away and yet Jesus says…

“I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your perseverance he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.

“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

On this Holy Thursday, as we enter Easter weekend we remember the day Jesus spent preparing for the last meal He would eat with His disciples before His death. Throughout the day Jesus tried to explain to them what was to come – of His imminent betrayal and eventual death. His disciples didn’t get it. Jesus washed their feet, explained to them about serving others, and asked them to join Him as He prayed in the garden. He never gave up trying to teach them of God’s love for them.

When evening came Jesus gave us such a beautiful, yet heart wrenching picture of perseverance. Jesus knew He was about to be betrayed, then executed. He had lived a perfect life. In all His interactions with those who opposed Him Jesus never sinned. Yet He would be ridiculed and hung on a cross to die the most painful death for all people who believe that He is Lord and Savior. His heart must have been so heavy, yet He persevered.

Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane that evening to pray for God’s will. Matthew’s gospel tells us that Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” He didn’t receive an answer so He prayed again, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will  be done.” Jesus prayed a third time in the same manner, persevering for an answer from His Father for what He was facing.

The outcome of Jesus’ perseverance was not His deliverance from the coming ridicule and death. It was not what He desired but for Him it was more important for God to be glorified than for Him to be comfortable. And because Jesus persevered and completed the purpose for which His Father sent him to earth we reap countless blessings. Every year as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice for us we are reminded that if He had not persevered through His times of tribulation we would not have the gift of eternity in Heaven with Him.

Each one of us has challenges to work through and overcome. While yours may not seem significant to the world it is significant to you, therefore it also matters to God. Whatever you are facing as you read this I pray for your perseverance. Don’t give up – on yourself, a solution, and especially your faith that God will bring good out of your circumstances. And as you persevere remember that through Jesus’ gift of salvation we can have the blessing of peace that passes all understanding.

I echo the words of the book of Hebrews and pray it encourages you today:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.  Hebrews 12:1-3

Blessings and peace to you…

Paula

When I don’t leave for work early enough I get “stuck” behind a school bus. Since this doesn’t make me late for work, just not as early as I’d like, I choose not to get upset about it but instead watch the kids and their parents as they wait, and as the kids board the bus.  When I’m just ahead of the bus the kids are usually waiting in their yards or driveways. One family of boys is usually chasing each other, passing the time with play. One little girl twirls and dances and I imagine her singing a little tune as she waits in her own little world.

There’s one house that stands out to me more than the others. Almost every morning the dad, dressed in his suit for work and coffee cup in hand, stands with his son of I would guess age 10 or 12. They chat and wait together, but the best part is yet to come.

As the bus pulls up the young man gears up, then runs to get on the bus. I can see him walking back to his seat, settling in on the side of the bus next to his house looking out at his driveway. Dad, still in the driveway sets down his coffee cup, points to himself, crosses his arms across his chest, then points to the window of the school bus. “I LOVE YOU” he is saying to his son. The bus pulls away and the dad turns to get in his car and head to work.

I have just witnessed a precious ritual that both father and son will treasure their entire lives.

The other day I watched this interaction and thought to myself, “Imagine what the son would miss if he didn’t look at his dad.” As I continued my trip to work I had another thought. “What do I miss because I don’t look at my Father?” I realized that all around me are treasures from my Heavenly Father.

As I drove I looked around at the sun reflecting on a pond, the geese snacking in a cornfield, the little waterfall tumbling down the rocks along the road. So many blessings put there for our enjoyment. I too often take them for granted, driving back and forth from work with tunnel vision.

Then there are the gifts of health, wisdom and friendship.

While my body is aging and seems to have more aches, pains and things to get checked out I am blessed with overall good health. I have the ability to exercise and work that many people do not have due to health reasons. I also have good sight and hearing which I too often take for granted.

I am blessed with a sound mind and the love of knowledge. I enjoy reading and writing and learning more about a range of topics. I have access to books, internet, library and community programs and classes if I choose to take advantage of them. I look at people here in America and throughout the world who don’t have these opportunities.

Friends are blessings that encourage and inspire me to be a better person, live life to the fullest and push myself beyond what I think I can do to what I actually can do. I have a number of people who are only a phone call or e-mail away who stand ready to pray for and with me, stop for a visit or a cup of coffee and help bring perspective or brighten a dark and discouraging day.

Most of all, the love and promises of my Lord are in abundance. In the bible He reminds us over and over of His love and faithfulness.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” Jeremiah 31:3

” And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20b

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5

Just as the father signed his love to the boy on the bus, our Heavenly Father signs His love to us every day. How many of them are we missing because we’re not looking for them?

I ask you to join me in making a point every day to look for God’s signs of love. At the start of the day, let’s look for the blessings instead of the challenges. As we start out with exercise, step into a hot shower and sip that cup of coffee let’s not take them for granted. Looking back at the end of the day I’ll bet we would lose count of the signs we saw throughout the day.

Today let’s allow the signs of love to give us the peace to carry us through our day.

blessings and peace to you!

Paula

Today begins Daylight Savings Time for another year (so if you didn’t set your clocks ahead last night you might be an hour behind everyone else!). I’m not as big a fan of daylight savings as some people are. It’s not that I don’t like the extended daylight at the end of the day. It’s great to have it lighter when I leave work, and nice to be able to go for a walk or do some work outside after supper. However the sacrifice for light later in the day is less light earlier. I really like watching the sun come up shortly after 6am. It’s easier to get up at 5am knowing the sun is soon behind me.

No longer. It will be the end of March before the sunrise is before 7am and the end of April before it is up before 6am. So it’s an exchange really, we don’t actually gain any daylight today. I’m reminded of the legend of a Native American ‘s remarks regarding Daylight Savings Time (thanks to cousin Dave for the image):

So as I sit here missing that hour of sleep I lost last night I have been contemplating the concept of saving time and planning our futures. As the days stay light longer and the spring and summer approaches I tend to make many plans. I plan for the gardens and the flowers I’ll plant. I plan for trips I want to take and waterfalls I want to explore. I was reminded this morning of what God has to say:

Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” ¹⁴ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. ¹⁵ Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.  James 4:13-16

I don’t think God is against setting goals and making plans for our days. It seems to me that if we are to serve him effectively we need to think ahead a little. But our plans should always be subject to His revisions or striking them completely. To make the most of our days we should always start with a conversation with the Lord, both talking AND listening to see who He would have us touch and how we can best serve Him.

We also shouldn’t leave that conversation in the morning. We need to be in touch with God all day to adjust our attitudes and actions to match what He would have us do. I often struggle with this one, getting to the end of the day and looking back, seeing too late opportunities I missed because I wasn’t paying attention. That makes me sad. I’m going to work on doing better.

So my friends, whether you like this springing ahead stuff or not, allow yourself to take the time to think about today and what the Lord has for you. Do the good He has for you today, and go to bed tonight with the peace of knowing you’ve done the best you could for Him.

Blessings and peace to you today!

Paula