“For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate.
He will not turn from you if you return to him.”
2 Chronicles 30: 9 NIV
As a retired teacher I love this time of year. The excitement, anticipation, and promise of a new beginning brings students, families, and teachers together for a fresh start.
Confident, optimistic and carefree many kiddos slurp down their Cheerios and practically run to the bus stop to catch up with friends after an all too short summer. They can’t wait to greet their teacher, and crack open their books to embark on a new adventure.
Other students are full of “what ifs,” and unable to grasp the new school year as an opportunity to begin anew. Their focus remains stuck on previous or imaginary scenarios. Overwhelmed by worry and defeat, fear takes center stage.
The sad part is, all of us can slip and slide away from the Truth, and cling to old habits, better left in the month of June. Agree?
Reminiscing about my past students, and my own behavior, like wanting to remain invisible in algebra class-flashback here-I was reminded that every child of God has a choice.
I can enter His presence, and seek His eternal Wisdom, and He will direct my path, or I can rely on the thoughts and emotions I feed myself from the broken world around me.The choice is simple. I can persevere through hardship, or wallow in self pity.
Having a positive, faith filled optimistic attitude is just a decision away.
Paul writes, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12: 2 NLT).
Reading God’s Word I know there is only one right response.
Over time the spiritual discipline of prayer grounds me to experience life to the fullest.
I know with every ounce of my being that our God is a faithful and loving God. A sacrificial God who took our sins to the Cross, died, and rose again to bless us with the gift of eternal life.
Yet even when we mess up, and we all do, He is waiting to forgive us. Waiting for you. Waiting for me. Every single moment of every single day. This is the Gospel message that children of all ages need to hear.
His Promises say it all, “The Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him” (2 Chronicles 30: 9).
God always begins with the end in mind. In His Wisdom He knows what is best. Yes, there will be trouble and struggle, but hope in Him brings eternal joy.
Let’s pray.
O’ Sweet Jesus,
Thank you for picking me up when I fall.
I am so sorry. How foolish of me to fall into the trap of thinking that I could handle life without you.
The noise around me is often too loud to bear. Help move me away from whatever clouds my view of you. Guide me to hear your whispers deep within my soul, Lord.
For it is my desire to fall into a steady rhythm of prayer to embrace your Wisdom. “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long” (Psalm 25:5).
Thank you, Jesus.
I ask this in your holy name.
Amen.
My dear friend, thank you for being part of the Faith First Women family. I thank God for you!
Until next time…
May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you, and the promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.
Enjoy a beautiful day!
With love and blessings...
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For deeper reflection write today’s Scripture verses and Dr. Robert H. Schuller’s words in your journal.
“Possibility Thinkers Creed”
“When faced with a mountain I will not quit!
I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel
underneath, or simply stay…and turn the mountain into a miracle
with God’s help!”
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Author of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace
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