My children don't worry take my hand

I'm taking you down this road you don't understand… yet

There may be tears while your waiting for these answers

You only see the picture I can see the future

"The May Be Tears" - Scott Cunningham Band

There is no way to know what your future holds, but with a little faith and belief that God has it all in

HIs hands, you can be sure - very sure - that “it will be alright”!

Many times the things we are confident are steady, secure, and built to last crumble before our very eyes.

That plan you made for yourself 5 years ago,  crumbles away to nothing and you find yourself in a very different place than you

ever imagined. That friendship which you valued and felt would always be there fades away. That job which seemed so

steady becomes uncertain and unpredictable. The plan you had for your life seems to be the very opposite of what you had envisioned. You feel despair creep up, ready to smother you with fear and doubt. “God my life is impossible! I cannot make sense of it”, you cry out. 

But the Lover of your soul whispers, “My child, I know your future, I see the big picture, I know what’s best. Don’t let yourself become so enwrapped with your idea of your life and its direction that you cannot see the grand story. It  is so much bigger than the small picture you see. ” Think of it this way: God can see your whole story, the whole intertwined tale of your life - while you can only see the tunnel vision which is one part, of one aspect, of one tiny sliver of your life.

My friend, one lesson we must learn in this life is this: You don’t know your future and you cannot play king or queen of your destiny. Sometimes things go out of our control and we must accept that the bigger picture is worth all the pain.

God sees the big scheme of things. He takes you down paths that you don’t understand. The impossibilities with man become great opportunities. The seeming failures become His canvas for a bright future. There may be tears, there may be heartbreak, but God has your life in His hands and before you were even born He had a perfect plan for it.

It’s going to be alright! Have faith! Just take the Lord’s hand and walk with Him one step at a time, letting Him lead.

One day, if it be in this world or the next, we will understand why the pain, the heartbreak, the change, the direction of our life went the way it did. 

I like to think that we are not just separate individuals in this world. We are individuals connected and interconnected with all those around us, those people connected to those around us, and beyond. It’s a tapestry woven by God’s own hand of connections, opportunities, and miracles. The hardship that you are going through may be what it takes for one of your connections to be inspired by your faith-walk and come to the knowledge of God.  The joy that you just experienced may be a testimony of God’s great faithfulness and that neighbour you just shared with will ultimately change the course of his life just because of it.

My friend, in all of this, one thing is very certain. By faith and believing in God it will all work out; one way or another. We may not see it now, we may not understand, we may not feel joy at first, but I can tell you that God KNOWS WHAT HE’S DOING!

And the most impossible dream is a possibility with God!

So don’t be afraid to dream,  don’t be afraid to hope, but put every one of those hopes and dreams in the hands of the Maker of Heaven and earth. And then your future will be secure and your questions will all be answered in time.

For now, enjoy. believe. rest. Be held in the Almighty Arms. You are safe, very safe, in those Hands of grace and love.

"Priceless (The Film Ballad)” - FOR KING AND COUNTRY

I see you dressed in white

Every wrong made right

I see a rose in bloom

At the sight of you

You're irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable

Darling, it's beautiful

I see it all in you

No matter what you've heard, this is what your worth

More than all the money or the diamonds and pearls

This is who you are

Yes, this is who you are

So when it's late, you're wide awake

To much to take

Don't you dare forget that in the pain

You can be brave, give me safe

I see you dressed in white

Every wrong made right

I see a rose in bloom

At the sight of you

Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable

Darling, it's beautiful

I see it all in you

Sisters, we can start again

Give honor till the end

Love, we can start again (oh oh)

Brothers, we can start again

Give honor till the end

Yes, we can start again

We can start again

We can start again

Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered, “Who am I” ? What is God doing? What is His purpose for my life? Who have I become now? Where am I headed? 

You see the flaws, the imperfections. You see the mistakes, the blunders, and they make you cringe. Your pain is great, the questions and uncertainties overflowing your heart.

Yet, if you could see what God sees, your perspective would change. If you could see His love for you, poured out without measure. If you could see how He sees you - a canvas ready to paint, a vessel ready to fill. If you could see how He formed you, the life-plan he mapped just for you, you would realize that you are worth it. Yes, we do mistakes. Yes, we foolishly follow our fickle hearts, and get hurt in the process. But, if you could see Him standing there, asking you to start over with HIM, what would you say?

You were bought with a price. And because of this you are priceless. Your wealth, your looks, your temporary situation is non-relevant. God sees a rose ready to bloom; ready to explode into colour, grace, and beauty. 

Sisters, you can start again, and watch Jesus work in your lives. Brothers, you can start over, and honour God in your hearts.

You are offered a new heart, a new chance, new hope, a new life. 

You are a beautiful creation. You are no accident. Your life is precious, and your life-path is mapped intricately with the finger of God. 

When you are ready to give up, when you are pulled down by the enemy’s lies of  your inadequacy, your failures, your sins - throw it right back. “I am the child of the Heavenly God. I am His and He is mine. I am an overcomer through Jesus! I am bought with a price and am priceless!”

You are irreplaceable, unmistakeable, incomparable - more than any diamonds, pearls, or wealth - so don’t ever forget.

What will you do? Will you now step forward in the knowledge that your life is precious, you are one-of-a-kind, and loved beyond belief? 

Will you start again, with God’s grace covering, God’s love enfolding, and God’s power urging you on?

For only when you let go of the lies the enemy is telling you, and see yourself through God's eyes, you will be able to confidently move forward, knowing that you are a precious child of the Heavenly Father.

Each of us has a Jericho. Each of us has a Goliath. Each of us comes to the walls, look up and cringe at the heights. We see the giant of a trial and our hearts shudder.  

Yet, something becomes apparent very quickly. We either go forward or fall back. We either shrug off our fears or let them overtake us. 

Do we want to take the wide path, the way paved with deceptive ease? Or do we say “NO!” And overcome through Gods grace with a “I WILL FIGHT, LORD”

Living safe does not mean living stronger. Sometimes turning our back on comfort and striking out on the conquerors path means letting go of our fears and just going forward in faith. 

Fear will cling to you and eat away at your very soul. It holds your heart captive, robbing you of joy, but letting God’s love in will let you truly live free again. 

You will be stronger with God’s love. Braver. Free. The one conquered by fear will be victor through Christ Jesus our Lord.

No longer afraid. ashamed. a slave to fear. 

First say, NO LONGER. I don’t want to live half alive. I don’t want to live frightened. I want to have my heart on fire for God and want to bless others freely and selflessly. 

Remember who you are. As you look up at the stars, remember you are a child of the Almighty GOD. You are precious, desired, wanted by the Lover of your soul.

So rest in that and boldly go forward. Each day a step forward, each moment a conquering of your fears and realization of God’ will. Knowing that the bonds which held you are broken and you are free - truly and wholly free.

How many times have I passed by the little things? Only to go after the big ones - the big dreams, the lofty ambitions, the huge opportunities?

How many times have I aimed for the moon, falling back to earth only because I could not, would not appreciate the stars?

How many times have I not appreciated what I am blessed with already because I am too busy searching for something greater? Dreaming about something which may not be in God's plan? Not being satisfied with right now, right here - exactly where God has placed me?

For truly, it is the little moments that count. It is the time spent with family, a friend, a loved one - the laughter, the sweet words, the heartfelt talks.

It is the sunset on a warm summer evening, painted by the hand of God, telling of His unfailing love, and attention to the little details.

It is in the miracle of a butterfly - the transformation from something with little beauty to a dainty, intricate creature that makes us stop and wonder. 

It is in the spiritual gifts from God that He gives to me. 

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

And have I forgotten about the fact that God has given me HIS love - the greatest treasure of all?

Have I forgotten that I have been placed right here, right now for a purpose of God's calling? Have I missed the whole picture in seeing only my plans, and not God's way?

___________

What about the small talents I have been gifted with now - how am I using these "little things" for Christ?

God places each of us in certain capacities, I believe, to work our characters and test our faith."What will you do with that talent I have given you?" ,  Jesus asks.

Just as in scripture (Matthew 25: 14-30) the man with servants gave each different talents according to their capacity, so we are given distinct and unique talents. God wants to see how we will use them.

Our goal is for Our Lord to say, "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)

God fits us for bigger tasks by placing us with the little tasks. And it is the little tasks that shape us, and mold us for the greater ones.

If we are faithful in carrying out His mission in the small capacities that we now hold, and increasing these opportunities with our determination and faithfulness, God will open up new doors for us to walk through.

If we are pining for things that God has not revealed yet, and wish for that which we were not placed in, then how are we carrying forth the divine commission to be faithful in the few things? 

My desire is that I will notice the little things in my life that God has given me. The little tasks He has entrusted in my care. And do them well. Do them with a heart tuned to the melody of heaven and eyes fixed on the cross.

My prayer is that my heart will be soft to notice when others are in need of a kind word, helping hand, or silent prayer in their behalf. When someone lonely needs a smile to brighten their day. For, I cannot know when that word in season changed a life for the better. 

It's the little things that shape us, make us, and mold us into the individuals that we are. 

For, it is through the "little things" that we are able to reveal the love and character of Christ and touch one soul, one heart at a time.

Sing to me the song of the stars

Of your galaxy dancing and laughing and laughing again

When it feels like my dreams are so far 

Sing to me of the plans that you have for me over again ~ lyrics, "ONLY HOPE"

There's a melody in each of our hearts, a beautiful strain that can't be contained. It has been planted in our soul by the infinite One. The wonder of the universe, and the great welling desire to be loved and belong.

Because of sin, humanity is left with a missing piece in their souls. So often mankind fills this void with anything and everything that they think will complete them. 

It doesn't. They are left empty, and alone. 

But God is there all along. He has the piece that completes. The missing piece to the puzzle is in His hand. 

That's when He breaths into our hearts the love He has for us, the plans he has in store, the completeness He can offer. 

He's our only hope.

So, lifting our hands, bowing our heads, opening our hearts, let us allow God to complete us. 

We must surrender our destiny, our plans, everything we were and are now to the One - the only One who can provide peace and completeness for our soul.

When we surrender to Him, He fills the dark void with His light - the light that gave dimension and breathtaking beauty to the galaxies. 

Then, our one desire will be to belong to Him. And our heart-song? To be a part of his endless symphony of love. 

Lord , I'm in the dark, Seems to me the line is dead when I come calling. No one there, the sky is falling; Lord, I need to know. My mind is playing games again, You're right where You have always been. Take me back to You, The place that I once knew as a little child; Constantly the eyes of God watched over me. Oh, I want to be In the place that I once knew as a little child... "I will rest in You"

When your mind is running ahead of God's plan, when waiting is painful and dreaming occupies your days, remember to just rest in God. Remember to be as a little child - in faith, trusting that what you do not understand right not, what you can't see,  what seems to make no sense at this moment is known by our loving Heavenly Father.

There is a beauty, a peace in just resting. In saying, "Lord, I don't know much, and what I think I know is nothing compared to your infinite mind. So, I rest in Your plans, Your ways, Your love."

But this means in no way that we should stand idle. Look for that job, search for the home, pray for a soul-mate, but never lose your child-like faith and the simplicity of just resting in God's hands.

When your mind seems to be playing tricks on you, when you can't seem to see a clear path for your feet, "look up".

Just as Pilgrim in Pilgrims Progress had to look at the light above him when he went through the slough of despair so that the steps would become visible, so we should look to heaven when things become unclear and uncertain.

Open your Bible, ask Godly council, pray continually - and the way will become visible to your stumbling heart. The answer might be "wait" and that waiting time will be exactly what you need to prepare for the soul journey ahead.

But the answer will come and when it does, when the steps are illuminated - take them. Don't hesitate. Move forward confidently, for heaven has made a way for you to walk through even the most difficult situations.

Just rest, knowing that God will make a way when there's none. He will make a path when there's an ocean of impossibility between. When there's no oasis for miles around a spring will well up from the very desert. You are in good, good hands.

So trust as a child trusts its parent implicitly. "Trust and obey! There's no other way to be happy, but to trust and obey"

And rest, knowing that God has everything in His hands and is watching over you, guiding each step - each heartbeat - each breath.

If I told you my story, you would hear hope, it wouldn’t let go.

If I told you my story, you would hear love, that never gave up.

If I told you my story, you would hear life, but it wasn’t mine.

If I should speak, then let it be of the grace that is greater than all my sin.

Of when justice was served and where mercy wins.

Of the kindness of Jesus that draws me in.

Oh to tell you my story, is to tell of HIM.

Each of us have a story. Each of us have a journey. 

It is how we tell it that matters. Do we tell our stories and live our lives acknowledging that Jesus is the reason we have a heart which beats to His love and mercy?

When we look back, do we see God’s mighty hand as He’s woven the threads of our existence into a beautiful story? Do we tell of our victory over the enemy? Of freedom from despair? 

Or do we turn back the pages, only seeing the hardship, tears, and trials while missing the obvious reminders of God’s love?

We are here only because of Jesus’ love, His sacrifice, His goodness. Through Him we have life, and breath, and hope.

Our stories are unique - so unique, that no two are the same. Each of us has a unique beginning and a beautiful life-journey where God has led us even when we couldn’t see it. 

Our stories should be told, intertwined with God’s faithfulness. It’s really about perspective. What kind of eyes do we look at our journey with? Do we look with the eyes of hopelessness, letting the enemy have his way?

Or do we look with the eyes of faith and grace, shining hope and light on our life-path?

I like to think of our lives as beautiful books. Each chapter holds a new, life-changing transition and each page is beautifully written. God wrote that book. While you were being knit in your mother’s womb, God had a story for you already. He knew about that heartbreak you’d have one day, he knew of the greatest joys and the deepest sadness that would sweep your soul. 

When you were born, you were perfect in HIS eyes. And as you grew and became capable of choice He watched as the choices were made. Choices that were good. It made Him so happy to see you joyful. Choices that were hurtful - to you and others. It broke His divine heart to see your pain.

But He worked with you, allowing circumstances to blow, gently pulling you towards Him.

He worked through your mistakes and made good.

When you asked Him into your heart, He rejoiced and so did all the angels.

He molded your heart. He delighted in your soul warming to His love.

Life is never a smooth road, it is never flat, easy, level. There are many uphill climbs, downhill descents, rocky terrain, and flooded plains along the way.  Tears will flow - not every page in your book is happy.

Battle wounds will be inflicted  - not every chapter is easy.

But God is great. His love is infinite. He’s there by your side through-out every page and for each chapter of life.

So how will you interpret your life? Victorious over the enemy? Or despairing hopelessness?

Choose light! Choose hope! Choose victory!

Even if your life so far has been mostly uphill, just trust. Jesus is your Saviour. He’s enough.

He’ll take you into the plain, into the green pastures where your soul can rest.

Life is often messy, but it is a beautiful mess covered by Jesus love, HIs grace, and His faithfulness!

So look back with thankfulness. Acknowledge how God has worked. And turn back around and face the future with wondrous expectancy, waiting for what God has in store!