Drops of Sunshine - Daily Bread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Growing up, my siblings and I, as well as others in our circle, were taught the importance of obedience. As I'm sure most children are. It didn't matter what our friends at school were doing. Our parents and other adults around us gave us instruction. Even if they weren't within view, it didn't change the rules. God's standard is similar in the sense that we should never risk his wrath in choosing to deliberately disobey his instruction.

If we desire peace in our lives, it starts with us. We have the opportunity each day to determine what is acceptable in our space. Be more intentional about being particular about the who and the what when it comes to your lifestyle. You'll find that the more you seek peace, the more you'll find it.

There is no shortage of things to complain about. Whether in our own lives or the state of the world we live in, it seems like there is always something to shake our heads about every single day. That's why we have to be intentional about keeping our thoughts on God. If we start there, then we can be reassured that we're in his care and all things will be well.

There is no love on earth like God's love. That should encourage us every day to look for the good in the situations we face because that's the type of Father we have. He won't withhold the good things from his children. That may not be an easy task in some of the situations we face. That is why we have to live seek him every day. Afterall, it's more difficult to hear and understand the voices of those we don't communicate with on the regular. Our prayer life is the same. 

Growing up, I was always told that lies snowball. One turns into two. Two turns into two thousand. You have to keep lying to cover up the fact that your very statement wasn't the truth. It's much easier to simply be honest. There is no need to deceive others (and yourself!) with a story when you are just telling it like it is.

Sometimes we get so consumed with pleasing others with the perception of outward beauty. Our clothes have to be right. Our hair too. We have to look like a million bucks even if getting one is challenging in itself. Some folks are so consumed by those thoughts that their inward man (the heart) begins to suffer. We have to make a conscious and daily effort not to sacrifice our eternal home to please residents of this temporary one.

Laundry is my pastime. I love it! Over the years, though, I’ve had more than one encounter with something being too dark and staining the lighter clothing. A true frustration! However, it regularly reminds me that dark and light weren’t made to exist together. Our choice has to be one or the other. We can’t straddle the fence.  

 Sometimes, when we awake from sleep, it can be a little disorienting. We may blink a few times to get our eyes to adjust to the light or the clear our vision as best as we're able. Our spiritual journey is not that dissimilar. When we are exposed to light, we suddenly realize that we were in darkness and there should not be a desire to return to it.

If we ever need a reminder that what God says will be, then we need look no further than the beginning. Until God spoke it, then it didn't exist. If we take those dark situations and circumstances clouding our judgement and give them to God, then we can trust that he will speak light into our lives.