An Abondance of Beauty

I cannot help but marvel at the beauty of creation in this wonderful season of spring!

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8

Come now, let us reason together," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. Isaiah 1:18

 

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.  They will be like a tree planted by the water   that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes;    its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought  and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I am so thankful for the grace mercy and love that He pours on my life daily. How Great is our God!

Hushed and Humbled by His Grace, 

Melissa

Extravagant Beauty

The delicate detail and vibrant color which God has spread across creation leaves me in awe of Him. What marvelous beauty we have been given to enjoy!  I love capturing it!

  

 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm: 19:1

 

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

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in his entire splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

  

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:26

 I will have more beauty to share in my next  post. Until then, enjoy all the blessings that God has wrapped for you in the gift of today!  

Richest Blessings in Christ, 

Melissa 

Come to Jesus

I am so thankful today that no matter the circumstance, or season of life, in Jesus there is life. His sustaining grace and love will remain steadfast at all times.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10



Only by His Grace,

Melissa

In Him

I woke up this morning, from a restless night of little sleep, with the words to this song scrolling through my mind.

On this stretch of life’s journey, I have found myself in great need of peace, rest and a song to sing in the dark of night. I am thankful that I don’t have to look far to find any of these things they are all resting within my reach in God’s word and at the throne of grace. So, with my heart heavy and my thoughts winding in all directions I draw near and call on Him- trusting that He knows my heart and all of my desires.

Though I cannot make ssense of the circumstances that surround me, I know that His ways are higher and His plans for me are far better than anything that I can conceive on my own- all of His glory.

So I wave the white flag of surrender. NOT my will but yours be done, Lord. And I offer Him thanks for the provisions and strength that He gives for today, and the bright hope for tomorrow. Because God is love!

Surrendered to the Savior,

Melissa

Faithful Friend

Friendship is one of Gods most precious and remarkable gifts. As I prepare this week to travel and be reunited with a close friend and to meet another whom I cherish and respect, I am so thankful for the gift of friendship and for the reminder that brings. The reminded that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

I pray that I will take on the mind and nature of Christ and that my friendships with others reflect Him.

That I am quick to listen and slow to speak.

That my words would be laces with grace and would be used as tools in the hand of God to build up the faith and life of another.

That I would go before the throne of grace often desiring not to lay burdens of my own down at His feet, but the cares and concerns of others.

I would rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

That the light of Christ shining from within me would light the path for the journey that someone else had been called to travel.

That the counsel I offer would be to seek first the will of God

Lord, help me to be a true and faithful friend that I might honor you!

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4

Only by His Grace,

Melissa

Counting

The book lays open upon her desk. With a pencil in hand, she sits pondering the concepts that are spread across the page before her. From another room I hear her counting as she works her way from left to right across the page, carefully solving each equation that makes up the day’s lesson in second grade math.

 

A smile bursts across my face as I hear her pause and say,‘six'. The number sparks my memory. For weeks I too have been counting. Counting down the days until creation is awakened from its long winter slumber and is revived again by the warmth of the springtime sun. Yes, only six days to go and it will be spring!

 

Her counting continue one step higher. From six she climbs to seven. My smile widens as the anticipation within me continues to build. In seven short days I will be reunited in person with a young woman whom I have been blessed to call a dear friend for nearly eight years!

 

Oh, the joy that is springing up from within as I continue this simple exercise in counting. Count the blessings that my heavenly Father has lovingly wrapped up in the gift of today. With my heart filled with gratitude I offer Him thanks for a select few of the endless number blessings that He has lavishly bestowed on me.

 

• the blessing of prayer -both giving it as a gift to others, and receiving its benefits and comfort myself

 

• sunshine

 

• Daylight savings time

 

•  Emails from a trusted friend that bring encouragement a smile to my day

• Clean Water to quench my thirst

 

• Two cans that help me stand up and walk

•  New shoes

 

• The opportunity to surprise others with simple acts of love and kindness.

 

• A future that is resting safely and securely in hands of our loving, all knowing God

• The gift of one more day

 

The best way to give God thsnks is to live in complete surrender and full obedience to His will no matter the cost.

 

Lord, teach me to number my days; to use my time wisely for your honor and glory. Open my eyes to see you clearly in the ordinary as well as the extraordinary moments that make up each new day. Help me to fix  my mind on complete surrender and obedience. May lips overflow daily with praise and thanksgiving  for the gift of your Son and all of the blessings that you generously give me  that I am so undeserving of. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

 

 

 

 Only by  God’s Amazing Grace,

 

Melissa