Cherish Your Path

 

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Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - God My Loving Father

I thoroughly enjoy Joel Osteen's sermons and messages; he is positive and up lifting.  Joel often delivers a message that I really need and has directed my faith in a way that has brought me much joy. 

Just like many of us, I grew up in a household were the focus was not so much on "God, the loving father" but "God, He who should be feared."  While respect is a crucial part of any good relationship there has to be a balance and if that balance is missing many other components will also be missing.  When a person only fears God and does things out of the fear of what will happen if they don't, love, trust, joy and rejoice all take a back seat or are even completely absent. 

Me as a kid ;)

In my younger years most of those were missing for me and I acted mostly out of fear for the wrath I might receive if I didn't behave perfectly.  Talk about pressure on the human.  Unfortunately it is has taken me this long to shed many of these old teachings and embrace my God as the loving father He is.  I am truly happier than I have ever been and I find myself wanting to do the same positive things but now it is done not out of fear but for love.  Love the Lord Thy God and Rejoice. 

I hope that you have a very blessed Sunday.

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - Count Your Rainbows

Despite feeling under the weather I have been having a wonderful weekend.  Sometimes it is good to just slow down and take the time to count your blessings.  The New Year comes in with such a festive flurry of excitement that often it simply sweeps by and it is gone just like every other event.  But it should be the time for thoughtful recollection and gratefulness.  Maybe gratefulness that the year is over and there is hope for a brighter New Year or gratefulness for having had a prosperous year and the chance for another. 

I am truly grateful for all that the Lord has given me and I'm filled with hope that my future is rich with His grace, blessings and light.  Here are a few of the quotes that were on Facebook that really inspire me today.

"count your rainbows
instead of
your
thundershowers"
Posted by Inspirations In Life on FB

We serve a God who blesses & takes care of His people. When we are faithful, He will always take care of us. ~ From FB post by Joel Osteen Ministries
 

"Please don't ignore your blessings simply because it's not packaged the way you think it should be.  Not everything comes gift wrapped and with a bow." ~www.facebook.com/WICKED.HUMOR

 Have a very blessed day!
 

Spirtual and Inspirational Sunday - April 29 2012

I have always had a passion for birds.  I have had bird gardens and spent endless hours watching the Midwest landscape transform from a grey and frozen Iceland to a colorful rainbow full of life with some simple but strategically placed feeders.  Often it was more entertaining to watch out my picture window than to see what was on television.  I kept my feeder up year round changing them out for the seasons with anticipation of what seasonal visitors I would have.

This beautiful Graphite Pencil Drawing can be purchased from ETSY shop CarolineArt at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Carolineart?ref=seller_info

One summer, when my children were small, our nectar feeder was frequented by a special little hummingbird.  This little friend wouldn't just flit in and out as would her fellow hummingbirds, but she would sit for a minute lightly perched on the little plastic piece and spend a minute with me while I did dishes.  I noticed this for a week and as she darted away I also noticed that she had taken the same path coming and going.  Out of curiosity I followed in the direction that she had gone and noticed her busily moving around my grandmothers crab apple tree.  Then just as quick as I was able to spot her, she flew out of my view.  I did this routine for a couple days until on one warm sunny day I noticed on one of the lower branches a tiny little nest.

This wonderful image of a hummingbird nest is printed on beautiful notecards that can be purchased from ETSY shop DollsEyes at http://www.etsy.com/shop/dollseyes?ref=seller_info

Her nest was a beautiful little home, about the size of a tiny tea cup, lined with soft thistle and covered in sturdy lichen.  And inside this cozy little home was two miniature eggs.  I brought the kids to visit her every day.  We would stand on an embankment that was just at the right height to see into the little nest with out disturbing her duties, anxiously awaiting the new arrivals.  A few days past and the eggs were no more.  We barely could see the little darlings because they were so tiny at the bottom of that tea cup but we could see movement and knew the special day had arrived.

We spent the next couple weeks amazed at the little mother's dutiful care and how rapidly her young ones grew.  Within 3 weeks they looked just like Momma and they barley could fit in their tiny home.  Shortly, her feathered children left their nest and were on their own adventures. 

It was such a wonderful learning experience for my children and for myself.  My little friend and her brood will never be forgotten; she brought us a little miracle that summer that many people do not get to see.

My husband captured another little friend for me while I was at work this week.  She has been visiting our water fountain often and I am terribly curious to whether she has a nest near by.  Nature is often my inspiration and with the not-so-fun week at work my husband was thoughtful enough to bring to me just what I needed.  Some lovely pictures of our new friend and the most heavenly scented rose from our garden.

My inspirational thought for this week is that no matter how hard people try Don't let them take away your joy.  Your joy is a gift from God and no one has the right to steal that away from you.  Be happy my friends and many blessings to you.

Spirtual and Inspirational Sunday - April 22 2012

Even though I try to create a beautiful virtual world for myself, a sort of escape, the real world still encroaches in and there are times when I feel less then inspired.  This week has been an extremely trying one filled with the stress and woes that most of our population experience and I have been feeling a bit down.  But on the upside, due to some extra time for thought and reflection, I have come to peace in that fact that yes, God truly provides.  I have a good family that will have my back when times get challenging, I have all of my basic needs filled and more, and I know that whatever I have lost or had to give up will be restored.

I am focusing on bringing my mind, body and soul back to center and balance and not focusing on the past that cannot be changed.  I hope you find your balance today and have a blessed Sunday.

Happy Earth Day!

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - April 1, 2012

Listening to the gentle rain on the roof this morning reminds me that today is a new day.  The stress of the previous week, the challenging schedule, and those things that I found so disappointing have all been washed away.  I have been reading a book on redeveloping how I think about life; to focus on those things that I want to happen and to push aside all the worry and fear of how I am going to make it happen.  Truly everything is in God's hands and as I embark on this journey I realize how hard it is for me to just relax and let Him do His work.  My prayer for all of us is that as we start this week let our minds be still and find our peace.  Blessings to you my friends.

This last weeks Treasuries....

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - March 11, 2012

I hope everyone is doing well today.  I have an inspirational quote with a photo I took at the Botanical Gardens in Chicago; I hope you enjoy!

Here are this weeks lovely treasuries featuring either PostcardsInTheAttic or ButterflyInTheAttic:





And last but not least, a BNS hosted by the SFGC Team that is still open if you would like to join in the fun:

Spiritual and Inspirational Sunday - February 26, 2012

I apologize ahead of time for not feeling very inspirational today.  I couldn't find anything that really struck me this week (I think that the gas prices overshadowed most news.)  So I decided to post a few pictures of things that make me feel positive when World events try to overshadow God's glory.  People may be able to have enough power to make my car run out of gas but can they do this?

Here are the treasuries for the week that featured my little shop, PostcardsInTheAttic.  Have a very very Blessed Day!