Pink Peacock

I took a picture of this peacock and wanted to make him have some funky colors.

The Best Laid Plans...

I hurriedly try to take a shortcut to save time only to realize that there actually isn't an entrance to the highway where I thought there was.

I impatiently try to get in the short line at the grocery store only to wait longer than the line that I was previously in. (You know you watch the line you left behind, too!!)

I unsuccessfully try to make all these plans and envision a glorious outcome for certain events in my life only to be surprised or disappointed.

Well, I was once advised through my readings to take my expectations, write them down, then rip the paper up and let them go.  Expectations are good at times, but I am learning to surrender some I've white-knuckled for too long.

I remember a time when I was at a crossroads in my life, trying to make a big decision.  I attended a women's event at my church.  I do love a lively church ladies' event!  We were told at the end of the dinner to pick a balloon from the scattering of balloons blown up around the room.  We were to pop our chosen balloon to find a verse inside.  I remember that my balloon verse really hit home with me at that time.  I was encouraged to just let go of some of those worries and leave it in His hands. The verse was Proverbs 16: 9-
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."

It's okay to plan.  It's okay to be prepared--you scouts out there.  However, the lesson I feel I am to receive lately is to surrender, let go of my attempt to force things that aren't going to happen.  Life isn't going to be perfect, and it isn't going to happen according to my script.  I need to seek Him and let Him shape my heart and desires.  The Lord will provide the joy for the journey.  When I am consistently disappointed, then I know that I am placing my hope in circumstances and not in the Lord.

Proverbs 3: 5, 6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

By Faith (enter your name here)...

Abraham was told when he was 75 years old when God told Abraham of His promise to bless Abraham's offspring.  Now that's waiting!  And yet, he had to wait more.  He waited 25 more years before Isaac was born

I heard an inspiring sermon this morning on faith.  Our music minister started off the service saying, "How's your faith today?"  I appreciated his transparency when he later said that his faith was low today.  He had been depending on himself and his focus and his faith had not been fixed on the Lord.  

The sermon had so much spiritual meat in it, I am still chewing on it.  I will share with you a small part of it.  Abraham was called to take steps of faith, including leaving the familiar.  He often didn't know the details, but he knew God.  And in Hebrews 11, the Word repeatedly says, "By faith Abraham..."

What does this tell me about Abraham?  He trusted.  He had faith.  He is an example of one who waited on the Lord.  He wasn't perfect, and at one point with persuasion from his wife, tried to take matters into his own hands.  (I'm guilty of this!)

What does this tell me about God?  He wants us to trust Him.  He wants us to have faith.  He provides.  He follows through on His promises.  

What have I been thinking about how this pertains to my life?

-I want to trust and have faith and believe like Abraham did.

-Why is it so much easier to believe for others than to believe for yourself?  I can easily say and believe for others who are waiting, "It's going to happen for you!"  "God has plans for you." 

 Jeremiah 29:11 " 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' "

-I am helping to co-lead a mission trip to Haiti this summer, and this definitely calls for faith and trust with a lot of unknowns.  I enjoyed hearing a team member say that she and a fellow team member were nudging each other during the sermon thinking about the Haiti trip!

So, I don't know quite how to sum all this up but that I am still learning and thinking and processing.  I am so thankful for the Word of God for guidance as well as examples like Abraham.  I also call to mind the father in Mark 9:24 who said, "...help me overcome by unbelief."  This helps me remember that when trust and faith are hard to find, I can pray for them to come.  (hashtag Bebo Norman's song "Borrow Mine", hahaha, I know nothing about hashtags, but I if I did I would use one there).

My Mini Adventure

I was feeling a little restless and in need of an adventure.  I had to explore, see new sites, or find a treasure.  However, I was low on the cash flow and the time.  So, I headed out west--well only two and a half hours west.  I used the web to research four stops west of my starting point that I thought were interesting.

My first stop was a flea market surrounded by green pastures and hills.  The scenery was enough of a prize for me.

I did find a treasure, depending on your definition.  I have my good friend Charlotte in mind for this present.  She will even appreciate the tiny harvest corn inside that was a bonus to my purchase.  This piece is made by Jim Graham from Genesis Pottery.  I tried to find him on the internet, but I couldn't find the man I thought made this piece.  Anywho, I think you did a nice job, Jim.

I continued on for lunch at an old house made into a yummy smelling coffee bistro.  The potato salad was the creamy blanche kind.  

My next stop in my adventure was to take a picture of a beautiful historic bridge in the tiny town of Ozark.

My final destination was the quaint historic downtown district of Van Buren.  It was super cute; however, I only left myself one hour there before I had to return for I had some ballroom dancing to get to!  I enjoyed window shopping in all of the antique stores, and I hope to return to actually go inside them someday.  I treated myself to a large chocolate chip cheesecake slice which came in handy when I got turned around and delayed by a train.

Yay for more adventures and discoveries to be had!