Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

We need to be mindful of what we plant in our gardens. If all that we so is disruption and discord, then we shouldn't be surprised by the blooms that spring forth from that. If what we desire is to see the fruit of the spirit flourishing in our lives, then we know for certain that those are the seeds we want to plant and nurture.

In contrast to those that know what the right thing to do is and choose not to do it, are those who simply didn't know. Growing up, my siblings, my cousins, and I were quick to plead ignorance if it would spare us from being chastised when we all got in trouble. But the takeaway for me has always been learning what's right. Once I learn it, I have a responsibility to uphold it. However, many don't want that responsibility.

 There's an old hymn that I remember hearing my Dad sing at church once called 'Come and Dine'. From the first moment I heard it, that song stuck with me. It's so amazing to think that Jesus just wants to spend time with me. I'm reminded of the two disciples Jesus met on their way to Emmaus. Our hearts too should burn from spending time with Jesus and feasting on a meal unlike any we've had before.

We tend to overthink things and make our challenges even harder than necessary. No matter what we find ourselves facing, what is more essential than trying to figure it out, is remembering that God already knows the solution. That's why we need to pray for his guidance and revelation every single day. He's just waiting for us to trust him with us.

We as parents recognize the sound that our children make. Sometimes it's hunger related. Sometimes they want comfort. Other times they could be hurt. And other times, it's just noise. But we are able to discern those sounds and respond accordingly. In a similar way, God does so for us. He will not forsake us when we are in need. Keep waiting on Him!

One thing that stands out when the reading the scriptures is choice. We are given the opportunity to decide if we are going to walk in darkness or if we want to be in light. There is too much at stake for us to play around with dodging back and forth. If you are not on God's side, you are against Him. There's no alternative.

An author knows what their plans are for their story. They know how it begins. How it ends. And all that happens in between. Rather than feel perplexed by the journey of our life, we should trust that God knows what He's doing. Follow His direction and know with certainty that He only desires good for you.

Recently, I got a text message from a friend. I read the message and knew how to reply, but I forgot to do so. I'm sure we've all been there. I also have been on the receiving end of waiting for someone to reply to my message. This is at times what it feels like when we're waiting on that answer from God. Did He hear my prayer? Should I pray again? Why isn't He answering? Does this mean "no"? The same thoughts that plague our every day conversations with each other. We can be assured that God does not delay when His children are in need. We have to confidently trust that the answer is coming so that we are so busy looking for it that we miss it.

 If you've ever experienced any problems, then you know how easy it is for that problem to consume your waking thoughts. Honestly, it may even surface in your dreams. It's all you can think about. Day or night. When you have a chance to tell people how you're doing, you're thinking about this issue. When you pray, you're worrying about this issue. It's consuming. But if we believe that there is nothing that is too hard for the God we serve, then we have to trust that he is far greater than any issue we can and will encounter on this earth. With that confidence, we can press onward trusting that God will always deliver.

 There are a lot of "I remember when" people in the world. People that seem to have exceptional memories of all the things you once did wrong. There are others who are simply out to prove that other people are no good and never will be. This is one of the reasons why it matters what you think about you. If God sees the good in us, then why are we so consumed by the voices that only want to relive the wrongs? Instead, we need to spend more time focusing on the God-things so that we'll continue to be those examples that shed light on God being the life changer that he is.

 If you've ever encountered someone making you a promise that they don't keep, then you understand how frustrating that can be. Magnified by the fact that it becomes more difficult to take them at their word in the future. Just as we expect God to deliver on the promises given to us, we should hold ourselves equally accountable in keeping our word with promises we make to him.

Growing up, I remember there being an occasion at the baby-sitter's house where I repeated a "bad" word I heard the baby-sitter use. I got in a tone of trouble for doing so. If I couldn't talk like that, why was it okay for her to do it? Regardless of the answer, I learned a valuable lesson that I often hear in form of a proverb. If everybody else jumps off a cliff, would you jump too? The point is, when we know what's right, it doesn't matter how many other people are doing the opposite, be the difference.

 As an avid reader, I enjoy a good story. Sometimes, it can be tempting to skip to the end with the more complex and challenging stories. But just like with our  life, skipping to the end means that we miss out on the journey it takes to get there. Rather than rush to the finish line, trust the author of your story. He's working on a masterpiece!

 It always amazes me how our loved ones and our mentors will at times see things in us that we struggle to see ourselves. Yet, that's the experience we have with God. That, like Gideon, we are called what we are, even if we aren't really feeling it in that moment. So when God places us in situations that seem impossible, we can trust that he's also given us the skills needed to overcome.

 In my teen years, I would always write. Thoughts, dreams, creative stories, prayers, everything. I learned the value in this in being able to go back and look at some of those things and realize their manifestation. That's why the Bible and it's history is so valuable to me. Seeing those promises that are recorded for us is the reassurance we need that God's word never fails.

Understanding the value of loving what God loves made me take a deeper look at my self-confidence. If God loves me, then I have to learn to do that too. I stress learn because it was, and still is, a journey. On that road, I came to recognize that I was being more detrimental and destructive to me than anyone else. In learning to embrace and love the things that God loves, I learn to love even me. Vital, especially if you are surrounded by others that don't know how to show the meaning of true love. 

 I often share how, as much as I love the color white, I have a consistent struggle with it when it comes to keeping it clean. It seems like that is always the day I choose something messy to eat. Like spaghetti or something that will splatter onto my clothing and stand out. Though minute when it comes to salvation, it's often what I think about. Unlike spaghetti sauce stains on my white t-shirt, the blood that Jesus shed is the only thing capable of cleansing the dirt of sin. And it makes me as white as snow. Squeaky clean. What a marvelous gift that is!

 I used to wonder why it seemed that everyone I knew felt comfortable coming to me and bearing their innermost. I would only wonder this because it seemed that I had no one that I could go to. What stands out to me all the more is how those moments push us to rely on God even more. That's where we should I find ourselves. Not everyone walking this earth is someone we should confide in. God, however, not only knows our experience but he cares about our perseverance. So in those times, remember that God is listening and waiting for us to cast our cares on him.

 As a parent, you want what is best for your children. Because you've lived a life of considerable experience, you've learned a thing or two about a thing or two. It's from that experience that we don't want the people we love to experience the same difficult road. God loves his creation that way and desires the good for us. As our faith grows, so should our discernment of things that will only lead us down a path of unrighteousness.

 This is one of my favorite verses. Each time I read and meditate on it, I'm encouraged to continue pressing and confidently trusting that my God is still a prayer answering God. If I don't exercise my faith in trusting him, then that muscle will never be strengthened. So even through the hard seasons that we find ourselves going through, trust that God hears your cry and he is up to something extraordinary!

 I would sometimes see in a movie or two the attempt at hypnotism. While I'm not looking to explore it, I can see some of those principles being valuable when you are trying to drown out unnecessary noise and concentrate. I wrote about focus earlier in the week and the same applies. So often, people feel that God is not speaking. But perhaps we should ask ourselves whether or not we are listening for Him.

 When I began to step into supervisory and managerial roles in my career, I was hit with so much imposter syndrome, not even knowing that's what it was called. So much anxious worry that the people I supervised were far more qualified than little ol' me. One thing I came to learn is that my level of confidence is important. Not just as a manager, but as a believer. If I have confidence in God, then the enemies attempts to intimidate me from doing God's will are not going to be prosperous. That is visible with every victory. And I won't see those victories if I fall back.

 Have you ever tried to focus on something? For me, I found that when I would try to study and concentrate on a topic, that's when all the distractions come. The phone rings, the text message pings, the dog barks, etc. Suddenly everything else wants your attention and it's urgent! That's what happens to us when we are trying to focus and meditate on God. But don't allow those distractions to drown out the sound of God's voice.