The other morning as I was walking from a coffee shop back to the pharmacy where I had been waiting to pick up a prescription, I looked down at the clover at my feet. Everyone has looked for four leaf clovers I am sure; I was equally sure I would never find one. But a still small voice prompted, "Look again." And there, by my foot, was a four leaf clover. I plucked it and posted to Facebook, and it is in a glass bottle at home on my dining room table. Everyone of course commented that I should buy a lottery ticket. I am not a gambler, although I have purchased lottery tickets in the past.

But on this weekend, when we are pondering Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, I think the clover is God's way of reminding me that it is only through HIS grace that I have my life and my blessings. At night, this fragile little frond folds up its leaves, reminding me that prayer is still needed--if even a plant, which has no mind or soul, folds in prayerful attitude, how much more so should I, blessed with a mind and soul by His creation!

I don't believe in luck, I believe in God's providence. He is asking more of me.

Jude 1:24: "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..."

Have a blessed Easter season.

New Beginnings

In an effort to broaden my writing experience and experiment with other venues, I have also started a blog over at WordPress.com. Less bells and whistles, but I'm not leaving Blogger entirely either. I have too many blogs I follow here. So, for those who may or may not be interested, my URL is bmetswife@wordpress.com. My blog is called Labyrinth, Ideas, and Wanderings. Pretty much describes my life lately. Lots of ups and downs and yet we are so blessed that I feel guilty for even complaining. I want to have a confident heart, find calm in this chaos we call life, become more nurturing, less stressed, more balanced. And figure out how to use the charcoal grill without setting dinner on fire or waiting so long that it's waaaaay past dinner time by the time it's done! (Typing while waiting. Waiting is NOT my strong point!)

Bless you in your year.

In All Things Give Thanks

Just saying thank you today. Having read Ann's post about Ecuador leaves me speechless and wordless. I, who am too well known for my sharp temper and tongue, have absolutely no right to say anything in this space, except thank you for grace. Thank you for those who have the heart to give, who really see what's important. As I struggle with my petty little day-to-day annoyances, I need stories like the one Ann Voskamp has shared today to remind me how blessed (and WHO blesses us) and how rich we are. So please--go read her story. Pray. Share. And be blessed.

Prayer at Work, at Home and at Rest

"Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. "

I Thessalonians 5:17-18

Giving thanks for the memories of cherished times with my daughters--and for the fact that we took lots of pictures when they were little.

Giving thanks for having a job, even when some days are rather difficult. Giving thanks for my recent bout of illness, which teaches me patience and gave me rest in His timing, rather than mine.

Giving thanks for other authors who share their thoughts, like Susan Dimickele's post over at the Highcalling:

http://www.thehighcalling.org/hcb-community/do-you-pray-work

(If this link doesn't work, try this one:

http://susandimickele.blogspot.com/2011/10/does-prayer-work-at-work.html

And for the reminder that autumn is not about death, but about rest:

http://tuesdayswithjesus.blogspot.com/2011/10/219-fall-into-rest.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FfUxAR+%28Tuesdays+With+Jesus%29

(Thank you Donna Schulz for your timely post.)

And then my online "bloggy friend" Alisa talks about how even just taking 5 minutes to meditate on God rejuvenated her spirit and body during a period of intense workout.

http://faithimagined.com/2011/10/day-10-five-minutes/

I find it amazing how God speaks to me repeatedly when He's trying to get something through my thick skull! The world would have us continually racing, trying to keep up a frantic pace.

But God says this instead:

"Do not be shaped by this world: instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect." Romans 12:2

Resting in Him. Have a blessed Wednesday.

So many things to be thankful for, and yet it takes very little for bitterness to creep into the cracks. So I am trying today to just be at rest. True rest, not just curl up in a ball and tell the world to go away, which is my gut instinct today. To be rested in the moment. To remember Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians: "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." (I Thessalonians 5:16-18). 


my list is only at #125: thankful for love and support of family and friends.
If I keep going:
#126: Beautiful sunshine today. Enjoying the warmth before the leaves fall and the frost finishes off what the drought hasn't burned.
#127: For seasons that teach us to be grateful.
#128: For authors who heed God's urgings and write words that uplift others. (Like dear Ann!)
#129:  For electricity so that I can read those words daily in my emails.    
#130: For my youngest's ability to still swallow and drink even though her tonsils are swollen and mono is draining! (We WILL overcome this!)
#131: For recent affirmation that our oldest's immune system is working--and that she HAS immunity against the Epstein-Barr Virus that causes mono.




Hebrews 12:1

Pure Emotion

I'm emotional. I've been called overly emotional, difficult, over-reactive, cry baby, and that's just for starters. So when I saw Susan Lawrence's "Pure Emotions" bible study over at Internet Cafe, I was hooked. Immediately. Doing an online study will let me do something that's been on my heart for a long time. I have difficulty attending group studies because of my working hours--for some reason, people are not interested in getting together between the hours of 11 pm and 5 a.m.! I'm thankful that God laid this on Susan's heart to write, and am including the trackback in case anyone happens by my blog and wants to join as well:

http://internetcafedevotions.com/2011/09/our-study-begins-today/trackback/

Praying that God joins our hearts in a community of prayer.

Blessed and Digging

Just sharing a link to Alisa's post today. She talks about the parable in Matthew where the man has to sell all that he has to buy property that has buried treasure and about how God provides us with treasures, but sometimes we have to sacrifice a lot and cultivate the land to find it. Very timely and thought-provoking in a time of people seeking more, but often in the wrong places or the wrong manner. Hope you will browse on over to her post at Faith Imagined--you will be blessed.

http://faithimagined.com/2011/08/buying-land

(If this link hiccups or doesn't work right, I also have a link to her blog over here on the right.)

Have a blessed week, and happy treasure hunting!

"For where your heart is, there will be your treasure also." Matthew 6:21