God Hugs Archives - Page 5 of 6 -

Children are Our Greatest Treasure

Photos like this one are priceless. Sadly to say, they are also rare.

Little Daryl had been given a tiny Bible for his pocket. Now, every night he asks his daddy to read his Bible to him.

Dad’s big, hard-working hands gently turn pages in that tiny Bible as his precious child cuddles on his shoulder. Can you see the peace, love, and security on that little child’s face?“

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3

Shopping for girls stuff: make-up, fashions, etc. is not my thing. However, I do shop! I spend lots of money on tiny Bibles, tracts, Scripture candies to give as God directs. Blessed beyond measure!

I gave little Daryl and every child I saw little Bibles as they were with their families at funerals and visitations. When this photo showed up on FB, it made me cry! Here’s another story told to me about the little Bibles.

“At Ron’s funeral, you gave Little Emma, age 4, one of your little Bibles. Her mother said Emma insists that Mommy read her a story from Her Little Bible every night before they go to bed.” (More tears!)

As we visit different churches each week, I look first for the little ones. When I asked a couple of little girls if I had given them Bibles, their mother quickly said I did. Then told me they gave them to their nephews who didn’t have any. Guess who got more Bibles? Did I say I was blessed? Indeed!

Jesus loved the little children. Read Mark 18:1-11.

For more great Bible verses about children click here.

Often in stores and restaurants, I wonder if those little ones even get to go to church and learn about Jesus. Maybe, just maybe, as they get their parents to read to them from “their Bible”, they, too, will learn about Jesus’ love. (Prayers here.)

I’m writing this on Halloween; many families will spend money and time on costumes and candy. They will brave the cold, perhaps be careless on masking and social distancing, and enjoy some family fun. Memories will be made for sure.

The lasting memories are those we make with our children in showing them about Jesus and how much He loves each one of them. Please join me in praying for our children. Pray for their families. Pray for a Jesus-first mentality in all we do.

Keep looking up! Drop me a note.

Nelson Mandala quotes about children

Come Sit with Me on My Back Porch

Lightening, like small golden fingers, quietly filled the otherwise clear blue sky and drew me outside.

Come, sit with me on my back porch, let’s watch God wake up the world.

Framed by colorful maple trees, a cloud boiled up from the horizon, then another, and another. Soon mounds of fluffy cotton float upward and out of sight.

Beautiful MO Bluebird Sang to Me as Squirrel Played on the Wet Tree

Soft shades of pink, yellow, and purple colored the clouds, I turn to the east to see the sun peeping through. Hues of purple and blue and green, not found in any box of colors or palette of oils. No mixing of pastels could ever capture the depth, the brilliance–the scale or scope of the color half hiding the brilliant sun.

Join me as I sit in awe with two cameras, pad and pen and feel helpless, unable to describe the scene. You must find it for yourself. It’s that moment that stirs your soul to utter speechlessness and insurmountable joy.l

I feel like a child announcing on his birthday, “I got more than I asked for!” Yes, far more than I could ever imagine or dream!

Oh, the wonder of God’s creation! Slowly appearing in the majestic maple frame is a rainbow. In Genesis 9:13 God tells the world: I have placed my rainbow in the clouds as a sign of my promise until the end of time, to you and to all the earth. And I paused to thank God for His promises

All too quickly, the sky is blue the show has passed. Birds fill the air with song, a distant rumble speaks of a God who is in control. The sky is calm. I can’t drink it all in.

I know…I KNOW God called me outside this morning! I do not know how I’ll face the challenges of the day–they still lie before me.

But I KNOW, I know Who holds me in His hand. He who painted the rainbow, tossed a puffy cloud, woke the sun—It is He!

Hundreds of blackbirds swooshed through the back yard on their way to who-knows-where. They pause to rest in the walnut grove. Listen closely, a chorus of birds are praising God for His creation.

May we never forget, God IS in His heaven and all IS right with the Lord.

Let’s meet again, soon. In the meantime, I’ll pray for you; will you pray for me?

Hugs,

Surprise! Welcome to the New Norm

Surprise Lily – Prayer Bench

Surprise! Welcome to the “new norm”!

Shelter in place? For most of us, sheltering in place is not normal regardless of how blessed we may be.

There are days when I starve for a real hug, for an unmasked smile, for a tender touch.

“Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.” Isaiah 40:31 NASB

The best strength available is focusing on God’s promises. Here are some encouraging words to comfort you.

This week I realized I was becoming a cranky old gal! Seems every little thing irritated me. I believe God took me to the woodshed!

Seriously! For instance, when having morning coffee with Jesus on my prayer bench, I seemed to focus on the weeds, untended beds, and wished for a gardener. God seemed to smile through the Surprise lilies and beautiful flowers around me. And, I learned to praise Him for my riches; for fresh air, for choices.

And I pray: Father, forgive me. Fill me with Your love. Hug me so I can feel it. Remind me again that You will never leave me nor forsake me.

When hubby was ‘helping’ more than I wanted, I wished my doting hubby had a hobby! I was reminded of how difficult it is for him right now, at least I am in my domain at home. It’s heartbreaking for him to be unable to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and individuals with needs. And I thanked God that I had a hubby that wanted to be with me.

And I pray: Father, help the single men and women shut in at home with no one to talk to all day. Bless the ministers who cannot serve their flock as they want. I ask for wisdom in finding ways to share His love with those who are hurting in care facilities, hospitals, and the like.

When I get bored at home, I pause and thank God I have a home. When we can’t celebrate an occasion at a restaurant, I can thank God I have a well-stocked pantry.

Each morning as I do my devotions, I try to focus more on God and ask how He would have me spend my day. I thank Him for overlooked blessings such as phones and e-mail and ways to communicate with others. I thank Him for you, my readers. I praise Him often that I could even have the opportunity to come into homes for a brief time and share the joy of Jesus.

Read our focus verse in the amplified version below. Let’s commit to pray for one another as we learn to “wait for the Lord.”

“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.” Isaiah 40:31 AMPC

Drop me a note,

Hugs,