As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my heart was full of hope as I watched the seagulls flying in and out of the waves along the shore. They were white and beautiful and made such a beautiful contrast against the blue sky. What a glorious day -- blue sky, dancing waves, free birds... who wouldn't feel hopeful in their heart on a day like today.
Hope is a quality you are so accustomed to living with that only in its absence do you truly understand its importance. Hope is what enables you to get out of bed in the morning and get your family off to school and work. Hope is the strength in your backbones that allows you to withstand storms of trouble and pain. Hope keeps you going.
Your grounds for hope is in God's Word and in His promises, in the history of steadfast love He has shown toward you and in the constant care and comfort He gives to all who trust in Him. Hope is your reliance on God's blessing and provision for you. Hope puts the smile on your face as you go forward with patience, courage, confidence, and stability.
Psalm 146:5 -- "Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the sand pipers running along the waves... wondering if they wake up each day with a plan for the journey down the beach. Do they know the plan for their life?
Each life on this earth is a journey... a uniquely personal passage through time. As you travel through difficult places, you need not give in to hopelessness. God is well able to bring you safely to your destination when you place your trust in Him.
God is the Author of each journey. He knows the way through every dark and frightening valley of your life. He knows the safest path along each high and treacherous mountain trail. God knows where the cool, refreshing waters flow and where you can find the provisions to meet each of your needs. He shares the weight of the burden you carry and causes you to lie down and rest in lush green meadows. He gives you hope and courage as you walk with Him, step by step, one day at a time. You can trust Him to walk the complete journey He has planned for you. Today, take His hand and walk with Him on your seashore of life.
Psalm 18:16 -- "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the waves were dancing in the warmth of the amazing sunlight. This was the exact opposite of what I felt only a few months ago as the wintry breeze swept against my face.
It made me think -- what would life be like without spring's warmth after a long and cold winter, rest after an exhausting and difficult day, achievement after an intense and tiring struggle? Promises of the reward to come mark your life. In fact, life is a promise in the process of being kept by the Father.
You may wonder at times if your life is no longer a bright promise. You may lie awake in the night hours rehearsing your regrets that this may be so. But God is the great promise keeper. You can count on what He has promised. He is already aware of every poor choice, every lost opportunity, and every wasted second. He knows, and your mistakes grieve Him. He takes you just as you are and restores hope to your life... that is your promise from Him. Receive it today and rejoice!
Psalm 119:148 -- "My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, there was a beautiful kite flying high above the waves... held tightly by a little boy running along the sandy beach.
A kite is a colorful spectacle as it sails high above the ocean. Its reach seems unlimited, its flight unrestricted as it dips and weaves, glides and bounces with the summer breeze. The kite may seem to be drifting free, but it is not. A taut string, almost invisible against the brightness of the day, keeps it from crashing to the ground or becoming entangled in the branches of a tree.
Your dreams are like the kite. They lift you above the trees and let you soar to new heights. Sometimes your dreams come crashing down because they are not safely anchored to God. When that happens, you must begin again, understanding that allowing God to hold the kite string is what will keep you aloft in a delightful pursuit of your heart's desires.
Psalm 20:4 -- "May He grant you according to your heart's desire, and fulfill all your purpose."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the ocean was calm and quiet. It was almost like looking at floating glass.
It made me think of how silent God can be at times. Nothing can be louder or more intimidating than silence when you are waiting for an answer to your prayers. In the nighttime of the soul, God's silence thunders down at you, rattling your confidence and leaving you wondering if He has abandoned you.
At those times when God is silent, you must place your hope in two mighty truths; the truth of God's sovereignty and the truth of His faithfulness. God answers all your prayers, but always in His own time and in His own way. When you place your hope in Him, you will not be disappointed -- even when the answer that comes is not what you expected. You are wise to trust Him and wait patiently. It is in these times that your faith is tested, strengthened, and established.
Psalm 66:20 -- "Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or hold back His love from me."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside today, I watched a school of fish jumping along the waves... hundreds of them playing in the waves close to the shoreline. What a joyful group they were, not a care in the world.
I thought about how we seem to always be loaded down with cares and worry. Then the Lord showed me that "worry is really fear dressed in sheep's clothing." Disguised as a friend, it betrays you when you are most vulnerable, bringing before you images of what has been and images of what might be in its quest to steal your present and sabotage your future. Worry is a formidable threat to the tranquility of your soul.
You can win over worry by seeing it for what it is -- a thief that can destroy your peace and steal your hope. When you turn to God and submit your anxious thoughts to Him, He can replace them with pure and praiseworthy thoughts, thoughts that will help build your future, thoughts that will restore your joy of living. Fear, stripped of its flimsy disguise, is then left to slink back into the shadows.
Psalm 55:22 -- "Our Lord, we belong to you. We tell you what worries us, and you won't let us fall."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the children had built a very detailed sand castle on the beach with a complete moat around the structure, a bridge to cross the water, and a beautiful tower with detailed windows. What a masterpiece it was.
An architect carefully creates a master plan for each new building, plotting all the details on paper before the first beam of wood is cut or the first nail is driven into place. The integrity of the structure depends on the architect's skill and the degree to which the builders follow the master plan.
God has a master plan for your life as well. When you disregard that plan or deviate from it in significant ways, you create an unstable structure that could come crashing down. When that happens, you must cling to hope and turn to God, the divine architect. He is always ready to help you rebuild your life. If it is too late for master plan A, then your faithful God will unfold the blueprint for master plan B.
Psalm 27:11 -- "Teach me how to live, O Lord."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched the dolphins playing in the waves. They were swimming with their babies having fun, jumping in and out of the waves... full of joy and not a care in the world.
We are supposed to be like that, but instead we seem to carry the worries of the world on our shoulders. Worry and fear are the bane of human existence. Any number of events or circumstances can trigger them to cripple or incapacitate you. Worry and fear strike when you feel far from God. They rise up and crash over you when you are not paying attention to what is really important in life -- your relationship with God. That's when you need to stay focused.
The more you pray, the closer you draw to God and the better you know Him. And the more you pray, the more His presence and power surround you, lifting you up and dissolving your worries and fears. You can cope with whatever comes along because you know you are shored up and strengthened with what He has promised you. You have become a recipient of His bountiful grace.
Psalm 64:1 -- "Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation; preserve my life from fear of the enemy."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sunrise broke through the clouds exploding into the morning mist! What a beautiful gift from our Father!
God's grace is abundantly evident in the world around you. The rosy blush of the sunrise as it bursts above the horizon reminds you that the sparkling dawn of a brand-new day is replacing the long dark night. The resplendent spectrum of the rainbow reminds you that the sun is busy chasing away the rain clouds. The whimsical laugh of a child at play reminds you that you, too, are a child -- God's child.
God's grace is evident in His creation, and it is God's gift to help you through the difficult times that life often brings your way. God's grace is the visible evidence of His everlasting love. Even when it appears that sorrow and grief threaten your joy, God offers His grace to you and you experience the hope of His promise.
Psalm 45:2 -- "Grace is poured into thy lips; therefore God hath blessed thee for ever."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I walked further than usual... and spotted a beautiful flowering bush positioned there in front of me along the shoreline. It was an unusual bush and one I had never seen before -- a hidden treasure from my Father. It seemed to have been hidden and protected just for me to discover.
A rare, blooming bush takes a long time to cultivate. Even when its buds finally open up and hold their blossoms to the sun, the blooms can be crushed in an instant. Yet over time, the heart of the bush can be restored, and it can once again sprout new blossoms, sometimes even more beautiful than the first. With tender care, the stalks can grow strong again, capable of sending roots deep into the earth where the bush can find lasting nourishment.
When and how God chooses to comfort you may come as a surprise, but comfort almost always arrives in the form of another human being. The right words, spoken at the right time, lift your broken heart -- your broken spirit -- and give you hope that life will go on... and almost always on a higher level with your heavenly Father.
Psalm 34:18 -- "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a hand full of sand, sifting through until I had found a beautiful piece of sea glass which had been buried beneath the sand. It was beautiful and smooth in my hands. I could just imagine how long it had lay on the beach to become such a treasure to be found.
Today you are holding a moment in your hands. What does it feel like? Is it a soft, silky rose -- a moment to be cherished and enjoyed? Or is it a scruffy, scratchy shrub -- a moment that is uncomfortable, a moment you would like to forget? No matter how it feels, it will soon be gone like sand through your fingers. Time moves on. Time slips by.
Yesterday you cannot change. The future you cannot guarantee. Today you have it! Embrace it. Cup your hands around it. Look for the blessing in it, the hope in it, the joy in it. Focus on God and serve others even as the grains of time run through your fingers to be scattered in the wind. He longs for you to offer this moment back to Him, even as it slips away.
Today is yours, my friend. What will you do with this moment in your hands?
James 4:13, 14 -- "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit,' whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the pelicans seemed to be working extra hard at catching their food... diving again and again into the water to gather the fish! They seemed really hungry on this morning!
I thought about us -- the humans? For what do we hunger? What do we need to fill and fulfill us? Maybe we are not always sure what is causing those pangs of emptiness and, therefore, nothing satisfies.
Let's consider our approach to God's Word. Are we reading it because it is on our to-do list? Do we want to learn more about God? Are we truly seeking His will? If spending time in the Word leaves us feeling empty, perhaps it is time to put aside merely reading for head knowledge in exchange for fully engaging our hearts!
To ingest the Word means to consume it and to let it fill the void, empty places. Today, let's determine to read God's Word not just for information but as life-giving words that will sustain us and become a part of us. Let's crave His every Word, ingest it, be satisfied by it, and let it nourish our soul and our life!
John 6:27 -- "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give to you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I was being followed by a tiny sandpiper... I would stop and he would stop. I would move forward and he would move forward.
I thought of how we follow our Savior, how He leads us like a shepherd leads his sheep. Calling us each morning to Himself. He gathers us together. As we set off into the day, we simply follow Him.
We watch our Savior move ahead of us. We trust Him. He will take us to pastures of green grass so we can eat. He is careful to bring us to still waters, for He knows that we can easily be swept away by swiftly flowing streams. He will not take us on paths too rocky for our hooves to handle or too steep for us to climb. He will tenderly care for us should we get caught in the briars or stumble on the path. And, when the sun sets, He will return us safely to the fold.
He bought us. He knows us. We are His.
Our Shepherd calls us today to follow. We can trust Him wherever He leads.
Isaiah 40:11 -- "He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those who are with young."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I was so thankful for new beginnings every day with Him. He always creates a new day every day for me to enjoy the walks on the beach.
God is a God of second chances -- and third, and fourth, and even more chances. He loves you so very much. God's approval is not in your achievements. It is based solely on the fact that you are His child and He sees the best in you. There's nothing you can do, and there's nothing anybody else can do, that will ever change your value in God.
But you have to do your part. Quit overanalyzing your faults; stop taking an inventory of everything wrong with you. If you make mistakes, ask forgiveness and then move on. Don't become overly concerned if you are not changing as quickly as you would like.
As you walk on your seashore of life today, stay focused on what you can become, and God will get you to where you need. He has given you a new day to enjoy. You just have to enjoy!
Ephesians 2:8 -- "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, my heart is full of love for my heavenly Father. I thank Him for giving us emotions to experience the joys of life.
Emotions can become so overwhelming so that they drown out all reason. The adrenaline rushes and suddenly unfortunate words flow forcefully.
Have you been there? Have you experienced the flood of remorse -- wishing you could retract your words because of how disrespectful they are? Perhaps you even imagined that your tirade damaged your relationship with God.
Fear not -- God is unmoved. He is still with you and steadfastly accepts you. You see, God knows where your hurt comes from, and His main goal is to heal you. Remember today as you walk your seashore of life, God is strong enough to bear what you say. Approach Him with confidence today.
Psalm 73:21-23 -- "When I became embittered and my innermost being was wounded, I was a fool and didn't understand.... Yet I am always with you."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seashore with Jesus today, I felt sadness from the loss of one of my really dear and special friends. It made tears come to my eyes as I thought of the times we had shared talking about the Lord and how we loved Him... and now He was in heaven with Him, rejoicing!
I thought of our tears on the earth... and was reminded that God has not allowed one of your tears to drop to the ground -- He's caught them all and made them into something beautiful. By all that you've been through, you've been uniquely trained to comfort those who are going through the same thing.
You know what it is to hurt as they hurt, fear as they fear, and yearn as they yearn. You can show them how to survive and be comforted as you have been comforted.
The tears of your biggest hurts have been resoundingly transformed into your most amazing opportunities for ministry. So today praise God for helping you overcome your trials and console others with the wisdom you have received.
Psalm 126:5 -- "They who sow in tears shall reap in joy and singing."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside today with Jesus, watching the ocean and it's grander, I wonder how anyone could ever doubt His existence.
Your challenge today is to put aside your doubts. Though circumstances may be disheartening, you must look beyond them to the absolute faithfulness of your God.
My Friend, no matter how long you have believed in God you will have moments of weakness. You will be tempted to believe that it is impossible to surmount what's ahead. The enemy will always give you cause to doubt your faith.
Your best remedy is to focus on the One who is absolutely true -- consistently faithful. God perfectly guides and equips you for the journey -- keeping you from swerving away from your purpose. He becomes your anchor throughout your whole journey of life.
Today cling to Him and forget your fears, or the One who promised you would never let you down.
Hebrews 10:23 -- "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the conch critters in the shells had started moving slowly on the beach. I stopped to watch them as they started coming out, but they were so very slow. I couldn't wait until they got all the way out --- so I left before seeing the tiny creature fully out of its shell.
That is the way we are with God. At times the doors of opportunity don't seem to open fast enough -- especially when your need is great. You come to the edge of your wits, strength, and resources; you wonder if there's something else you could do to improve your situation.
The great temptation is to disregard God's leadership and forge ahead, creating your own mediocre solutions. However, the doors of God's best blessings can't be forced open.
There are times for stepping out in faith and times for patience -- and God will show you what is necessary for your situation. Even so, listen to God, take heart, and trust Him. No one can close the doors of blessing God has for you.
Psalm 27:14 -- "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I followed two little sea gulls walking along the sand together. They seemed to be in perfect harmony -- something we rarely see in relationships in this time. Then I thought about my own relationships -- especially the one I have with my Heavenly Father.
I think one of the most difficult aspects of having a relationship with God is realizing that He knows what is best for me. That is why He will point out destructive habits or mistakes in my life and invite me to agree with Him that I have a problem. He doesn't want me to feel ashamed about it; rather, He wants me to just get better.
Today my friend, you along with me, may just have to admit to God that we are struggling with out situations before He will start the process of healing us. Then God will unearth the causes of our troubles and restore us -- He will make us feel clean and new... like new! So let's do it today -- admit He is right. We will be glad we embraced the healing that sets us free!
Psalm 51:4 -- "Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, there were several people on the beach... my solitude seemed to have been stolen.
This happened to be one of those days I just wanted to be alone with the Lord. We could all probably do a pretty good job of living purely and kindly and graciously if we just didn't have to deal with one annoying problem -- other people. They are the ones, out there in our world, who cause us so much frustration and anger and temptation. If not for them, well, we'd be pretty good indeed. We'd "live circumspectly."
Safe in our churches and our homes, we can put up the walls and keep those pesky "sinners" out. Problem is, that's not what Jesus told us to do.
New life in Christ makes it possible to shape a nurturing home and a peaceful church family. And new life in Christ compels us to step outside of our homes and churches in order to invite others to know the peace found only in Him.
We are called outside -- where sinners desperately need a Savior.
Isaiah 52:7 -- "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I threw a sea shell into the ocean and watched it make a big splash in the water. The splash rippled along the waves dancing before me.
When Jesus kerplunked into the pool of your life -- the still, ordinary-ness of your world -- the waves He created began with you at the center. He took up residence in your heart, began to work through your hands, mouth, and feet, and started a ripple effect through the sea of relationships you have.
The people within your sphere of influence may just be bobbing along life's waters when the ripple of your Jesus-relationship becomes noticeable. They see the wave coming, feel it lifting them up when it reaches them, and are left changed in its wake. You've touched them in some special way with the gospel.
The Lord wants all to know Him. And since you do, He wants you to have a ripple effect on others for Him. Let those in your life get caught in the current. And help them become part of the heavenly tide.
John 4:41-42 -- "And many more believed because of His own Word. Then they said to the woman, 'Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I took special care to notice the faces of people on the beach -- some happy faces, some lonely, some sad... and wondered what their needs might be. I was reminded that we are here to serve others, just as Jesus did when He walked on the earth.
When you center your life around yourself, not only do you miss out on God's best, but you rob other people of the joy and blessings that God wants to give them through you. It's so easy to criticize and condemn, to point out everyone's flaws and failures. But God wants us to build people up, to be a blessing, speaking words of faith and victory into their lives.
It doesn't cost anything or take a lot of time to give somebody a compliment or a smile. What does it cost to tell your friend how much you appreciate them. How long does it take to tell your employee, "You are doing a fine job. I appreciate your hard work"? Or call a friend that may have lost a loved one? Or write a note of thanks "just because"? You are sowing into the lives of others when you do these things.
As you walk your seashore of life today, take time to notice those around you and encourage them -- just as Jesus encourages us each day. As His ambassadors in the earth, we are the only Jesus some will see or hear. So daily remind yourself to be His example in the earth as you touch those around you with His love.
Hebrews 3:13 -- "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a mother sandpiper give food to her tiny little bird. It made me think of how Jesus taught us "it is better to give than to receive."
Many people nowadays are blatantly and unashamedly living for themselves. Society teaches us to look out for number one. "What's in it for me?" We readily acknowledge this as the "me" generation, and that same narcissism sometimes spills over into our relationship with God, our families, and one another. Ironically, this selfish attitude condemns us to living shallow, unrewarding lives. No matter how much we acquire for ourselves, we are never satisfied.
God is a giver, and if you want to experience a new level of God's joy, if you want Him to pour out His blessing and favor in your life, then you must learn to be a giver and not a taker.
As you walk your seashore of life today, wherever you are, find someone you can be a blessing to just as your Father has taught you. Remember, you are blessed to be a blessing.
Acts 20:35 -- "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, two little girls were sitting on the beach having a glass of lemonade, enjoying themselves to the fullest.
I thought of how our Father wants us to enjoy His presence. The ice is clinking in the pitcher of freshly squeezed lemonade. You are invited! The door is open. The welcome mat is out. The table is set.
Come, join Him at the table. Stay awhile. Savor His Word, rest in His presence, and listen for His voice. Let God quench the thirst of your soul like water hydrates after an intense workout, like a deep breath in the mountain air clears your lungs, like a swim in a beautiful, cool spring rejuvenates your tired limbs.
Are you thirsty today? Thirsty for meaning in life? Thirsty for love that will not fail? Thirsty for peace or joy or contentment? Come to Him and drink. The well is deep; the supply endless. And then, when you have drunk your fill, that living water flows out through you to the thirsty souls around you.
Who will you refresh today?
John 7:37-38 -- "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let Him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I picked up a reed that had been tattered and broken by the waves and wind. It had been broken and washed to the shore.
Tragedy and loss can leave you feeling powerless, like a single flower that the wind whips and breaks. You may feel that you no longer have control over the circumstances of your life, and you may feel hopeless and alone. In the midst of those difficult times, you may feel that God is far away.
But God promises that He will always be with you. Even when anger and grief cause you to lose a sense of His presence, He is closer than the beating of your own heart. He assures you that no tragedy can separate you from His amazing love. And He allows you to draw from His power to take responsibility for your life again, to see past your heartache, and to find hope and healing in His presence.
Psalm 68:35 -- "You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, the sea oats were waving gently in the wind. They were green and fresh from the spring rains... and sprays of color from spring flowers lined the sand dunes.
On your journey in life, you sometimes pass through desert areas filled with nothing but uninviting cacti and sun-scorched sands as far as the eye can see -- seemingly barren wastelands on the landscape of your life. What you do not see so easily is that the desert is teaming with robust life. Underground streams support a variety of hearty vegetation and lively creatures. God has not lessened the intensity of the sun's rays for their benefit. The sun shines on, but God has equipped the desert's flora and fauna to withstand the extremities of their home.
You pass through dry, parched areas in your journey through life. When you do, you must remember that God will faithfully provide for you, just as He has for the plants and creatures of the desert.
Psalm 107:35 -- "He turns a desert into pools of water, a parched land into springs of water."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a beautiful red robin sat atop a rock on the beach singing its heart out... making a beautiful song for the Father to hear.
As a robin lifts its head toward heaven and its voice in song, the praise is lifted to the heavens. Other troubadours take up the chorus, and a jubilee of birdsong fills the air, refreshing the heart of their Creator. Why does the robin sing? It sings because it must; a song is its voice. The robin's song was designed to bring constant praise to God.
Like the robin, you are God's creation. Unlike the robin, however, you have been given a greater gift. You have been given a will. When you lift your voice to God, it is because you choose to do so. Your songs of praise delight the heart of God. Your songs bring comfort, solace, and refreshment to your own life as well, strengthening you in difficult times.
Psalm 42:8 -- "Through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I captured the sunset God had beautifully ended the day with... the colors were magnificent and the waves seemed to dance with joy for the Creator!
The sunset is one of God's magnificent wonders. Sweeping across the horizon as if painted by God's own hand, it imbues the receding sunlight with indescribable splendor and signals that one day is giving way to another -- a celestial changing of the guard.
Your life is full of days as well, but you seldom pass as smoothly from one to the other. You fail to view the sunsets in your life in the same way you do the sunrises. Endings can be just as beautiful as beginnings if you allow God to open the eyes of your understanding. When you truly realize the miracle of the sunset, you will no longer cling to the remains of the day. You will instead revel in its beauty, celebrating life to its fullest.
Psalm 119:73 -- "Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, a small palm had planted itself by the beach... standing strong against the waves and somehow had survived the battering of the weather.
A tiny shoot can thrust itself through the crusty soil and push up into the sunlight even on the sides of mountains with nothing but rock to grow on... amazing, isn't it? Fragile but determined, it presses on until one day it is covered with beautiful flowers. It stands glorious in triumph -- until the cold winter winds extinguish its beauty and strip it of all it has worked so hard to accomplish.
But the story does not end. In season, spring breezes blow across the forsaken ground and the sun once again warms the earth. Its hope restored, the little shoot, waiting beneath the soil, begins its journey again.
In many ways, your life is as fragile as that tiny plant. Cold winds may blow over you, leaving you feeling withered and ruined. But then God shines His light on your life and you can blossom once more.
Psalm 37:23-24 -- "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in His way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron
As I walked the seaside with Jesus today, I watched a pelican dive into the waves and capture his lunch for the day. I think the pelican would consider that "success".
Success means different things to different people. To one the word means wealth and fame; to another it means comfort and contentment; to yet another it means accomplishment and fulfillment. You measure success by the degree to which you obtain the things that are most important to you.
But even when you achieve the goals you've set, you sometimes arrive at the finish line only to feel that your victory is empty and meaningless. Too late you realize that your furious run was in the wrong direction, and you experience feelings of sorrow and regret.
God measures success in terms of faith, hope, and love. It is never too late to begin following His lead. Your consequent victory will bring lasting satisfaction and a sense of true success.
Psalm 119:17 -- "Deal bountifully with your servant, so that I may live and observe your Word."
Blessings and peace,
Sherron