Psalm139:4 - "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."

When a word is on my tongue, it's about to come of my mouth. That's not always a good thing. How many of us have uttered something and immediately felt like we wanted to take it back? I know I sure have. I am a talker and with that comes higher risk of vocalising naughtiness. And yet, God knows it completely before I have voiced it. Kind of a sobering thought on the one hand and a comforting one on the other.

Sobering because He knows every utterance - even when thought to be said in secret. And yet comforting because He knows me in my sin and yet loves me completely and sees me fully righteous because of Jesus. What an amazing gift we walk in every single day! Having said that, I don't want to take His gift lightly. I want to bless my God with my words and I also want to bless those around me. My gauge is this: if I wouldn't say it to someone's face then I shouldn't be saying it behind their back. I know it grieves God when we gossip and malign others, even if we think they deserve it. At the end of the day, we all deserve maligning because none of us is perfect.

Let's think a little more carefully before we speak. Before a word is on my tongue, what kind of a word is it? If it's not honoring to God and to others, then maybe I need to swallow it...

The start of another week! Today is a holiday and it is raining. However, instead of bemoaning the weather, I am very much enjoying a day to stay in and just relax and read.

Interesting how the weather is such a talked about topic and yet something that no one can do anything about. Let's not let the weather determine which direction our day is going to take. If we had plans and it's raining, let's plan an alternate adventure. Sometimes rainy days can turn out to be exactly what we needed - sometimes to just relax and read or watch a good movie or perhaps to clean out a closet or just have a good, long talk with a friend.

Of course, you can always choose to grab an umbrella and have a fresh walk in the rain. The possibilities are endless! Let's get creative and learn how to enjoy life no matter what the weather.

It's Monday again. Hope you are all well and enjoying spring.

The other day I was shopping and the cashier said to me: I'm just waiting for someone to come in and complain that it's too warm.

I laughed but isn't that the way it is? We have had a long, cold winter and Saturday was a beautiful, sunny day. And yet there are those who are never truly happy. Do you find yourself to be in this camp? Do you constantly find fault with others, your job or the weather?
It's so easy to find the negative everywhere. Our society and media help us right along with that. When I read the paper (except for the 'Random Acts of Kindness'), it is all bad news or perhaps slandering some politician or other famous person.

Can I encourage you to look for the good? Paul has some powerful verses in Philippians 4 in regards to what we are to dwell on. Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable..... Wow - some very powerful words there!
Let's get into a more positive head space. It's so much nicer living in the positive both for ourselves and for those around us.... including  those cashiers!

Another Monday in which to celebrate life! How about we celebrate you?

I know a lot of people would respond to that question and say: what is there about me that's worth celebrating? You, my dear one, were put here for a reason. There are no mistakes. I find, particularly as women, we are so hard on ourselves. I don't know many women that like pictures of themselves. We are our harshest judges.

Now think about a dear friend - someone that you love and loves you. Do you look at them and think: I sure don't like how she looks. Of course not. When you see that person from afar, it brings joy to your heart. You see their character first and love them simply because of who they are. Wow!! If we could extend that same grace to ourselves.

Our world is filled with magazines and images of near-perfect people however if you walk through a mall or grocery store, you rarely see a 'magazine-worthy' person. Most people are like you and me. And you know what? That's okay. In fact, it's more than okay. I Sam. 16:7 says this: "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Wow! Lord, grant us Your eyes to see each other and to see ourselves!

Don't get me wrong. I like to look nice and take care of myself but let's get beyond that and appreciate who God made us in ALL aspects of who we are. I know I think you're pretty great!