No Fear. Today Is What We Have...



Most of us are trying to hold back stark emotions and concern over the past week's events in Paris and other parts of the world.  I struggle with anger and fear and this changing world looking so frightening. It is so easy to be overcome with concern and our focus be consumed with anxiety over it all. Maybe we should just turn off the news and disconnect for a while and look outside our front doors.

All we have is today. I'm not saying to put your head in the sand and ignore the future, but truly, when we focus so much on what might come we miss out on how we can minister to people on this day. The only time we are promised.

All we have is today to affect change for God in our own neighborhood and communities. We have today to smile and care and love those around us. I have wrestled with the scriptures below over the past week. I fight against the love your enemies passage but it is truth. I am called to it no matter what.

I have to try.
Praying for people I fear and come close to hating is a great starting place.

Today, I pray. I pray for my heart to be changed and for God to change the hearts of those that are filled with hatred and a lust for killing. I pray for peace but am also thankful for the fact that disaster and fear make people look for something that truly has hope and that something is Jesus. I pray with thanksgiving for the fact that we are saved through Jesus and no matter what happens to our earthly bodies we know the end of the story and goodness- it is beautiful!!

Matthew 5:43-48Love for Enemies

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Isaiah 41:10

10 
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;

 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Fear paralyzes me. Fear stops me in my tracks. Sometimes I let fear scream louder than the strong quiet whisper of God's voice.  That is when I must stop listening to the world and quietly study what God says and wait for Him to give me peace. He says over and over not to fear. For fear to be banished I have to stop and listen and be strengthened. It makes me think of the song our children used to sing...God is bigger than the boogie man.
Yes, indeed He is.

On a lighter note- Our youngest gentle giant brought us some old screens that someone did not want. I had some fun taking off the screen part and adding chicken wire to the back to make a Christmas card display. So- I'm ready friends for your Christmas cards! Bring em on! :)

Also- we are still more than a little bit excited about our new little baby girl addition to the family. Our daughter in law (love) is the cutest and sweetest pregnant girl I have ever seen.  This pic below is of my husband and I on the beach with our oldest gentle giant when he was around two.

This one is from this past August and the announcement that our first grand baby was on the way.
What a joyful day!!
We are loving documenting the baby sightings!

Here she is sucking her thumb.
Yes, I will probably take millions of pictures of this little girl and will be unashamed to share them with you. Obviously. Ha!

So to close out this long blog post I give a look into Thanksgiving past and take a deep breath and long for next week to come fast! Hey all you kiddos...meet us at the ranch!





Comments

Wa Wa Waughs said…
Love this post! It's like our lives, many things happening at once. Enjoy the slower pace at the ranch with your loved ones!
Sandi said…
Sweet photos!

What you said about fear is so true. It paralyzes. That's what it is meant to do. Fear is not of God. He doesn't teach with it, lead with it, or prepare us with it. It is a force of evil only.

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