Spiritual Inventory

The movie, “Fireproof” introduced “The Love Dare”, a devotional and marriage help book. I think I’ve been doing the love dare off and on for as long as I’ve been married. When things would get tense between my husband and I prayer always brought us back to unity.

If marriage is to survive all that this world throws at us, we must stand united with our spouse and God. Otherwise we don’t have much hope of growing old together, much less have a happy family life. Without God we cannot treat our sweethearts as they deserve to be treated. Without Him our homes become a place where chaos and anger reign.

Listening to John Waller sing “While I’m Waiting” I wonder if I am doing all those things; praying, serving, worshiping…. Is there something in my life that needs to be removed so I can do those things with a pure heart?

It is strange how when life is stressful we seek God more fully, praying and seeking God daily. But when the stress is over we tend to revert to bad habits such as putting our wants first, pushing prayer and God to the back of our mind and the bottom of our schedule.

Spiritual leaders encourage us to do an inventory of our Spiritual life once a year but I think it would be better if I searched my heart more often. Perhaps then I wouldn’t tend to get off track so easily. So, for the rest of the week; Bible study, prayer, and journaling about where I am spiritually.

May you each have a blessed week and may God be glorified in and through you.

Another Year Blessed

I could say another year older but why go there?

Birthdays make me introspective. I don’t mean just taking inventory of the past year but a slideshow of pictures flashing through my brain; our boys when they were young, our grandkids when they were little, my sweetie and me when we were newlyweds, my parents when I was young, places we lived and things we did. I’ve really had an amazing life and I don’t feel like I’m half done here on earth. I would love to live another fifty (something) years, if I could be in good health and able to give to those around me.

There are regrets, sure, but mostly I am filled with gratitude for the blessings God has bestowed. Christian parents, a loving family life, good school friends, my high school sweetheart who became my husband thirty six years ago, two sweet and handsome boys who grew into honorable Christian men, a beautiful daughter-in-love, four wonderful, beautiful, handsome and talented grandchildren, good sweet friends who stick with and pray for me, and the list could go on…..

With all of that to be thankful for still there is more. That I have a heavenly Father who loves me and keeps me on track, always there to give me what I need, always calling me back when I get off track, always faithful and ever present. That would have to be the biggest blessing for without Him none of the other would be possible.

Thank you, Lord, for another year. Thank you for salvation through Jesus your son. Thank you for a life filled with blessing and purpose. Thank you for using me to minister to others. May all be for your glory Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.