Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. It’s a song we sang as children – yet, we never knew how true these lyrics were!  God made us to shine like diamonds in the night sky. We are little lights destined for greatness. We were made to reflect the luminosity of the sun (our Lord and Savior).

From our vantage point, stars look like tiny spots of light up against a jet black sky. From the grass looking up, stars resemble night lights in the distance. However, in reality, they are megawatt masses. God has made us, not be distant night lights, but those megawatt stars. He has given us his Holy Spirit and this makes us shine bright!

In Christ, you have a built in candle. You can choose to radiate this light or hide it under a bushel. I would much rather be a burning flame rather than a distant glow. One of my favorite songs growing up was by Ginny Owens. She sang, “I don’t wanna be a flame. I wanna be a raging fire. Tired of my will, my way, Your calling’s higher!”

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever. – Daniel 12:3 

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When I was little, one of my favorite things in the world – was jumping in a basket of hot laundry (right out of the dryer!). There was nothing like feeling this warmth and smelling the fresh cotton detergent. My mom would wrap me and my sister in thick warm towels – the feeling was sensational.

Even though, I am much older now, thinking on this feeling and remembering the fresh smell still brings a smile to my face. However, knowing that I have a God that wants to envelop me in his warm love daily – makes me smile even more. He longs to cradle us in his deep, welcoming love.

God’s love is that hot, clean towel. It covers us completely – and fills the cups of our hearts to the brim. His everlasting affection makes you feel like a kid again. He is the strong, constant parent overwhelming you in sweet care.

Rest in the fact that God’s affection for you is strong. He will scale walls for you – and break bricks! Zephaniah 3:17 says, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

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Thankfulness is not just for Thanksgiving Day. It is important to live our lives in a state of gratefulness. I have always liked the song, ‘Gratitude’ by Nichole Nordeman. Her sweet, simple lyrics teach the truth of appreciation. If you have not ever checked out this song – please do HERE.

She writes, “We’ll give thanks to You, with gratitude for lessons learned in how to thirst for You. How to bless the very sun that warms our face, if You never send us rain.” I love the truth that God will provide us all our needs. (Philippians 4:19) He is not a stingy God. He is an abundant King.

Like the little boy that handed his two loaves of bread and five fish to Jesus – he trusted that God would take care of him. And, he did. He supplied endless baskets of provision! Let’s live with a grateful heart. Even if you feel like you have nothing to give thanks for – thank God for the breath of life he gave you. Thank him for the sun that shines in the daylight and the moon to illuminate the ink sky at night. Thank God for wrapping his arms of love around you in your pain and in your joy.

He’s always there – willing and ready to give you beauty in abundance. However, seeing this beauty most of the times begins when you start to give thanks to the Maker of all good things.

So often I am bluntly stopped in my tracks. I am made to reevaluate my surroundings and reflect on the purpose of it all. We are taught in this world what is good is beautiful. However, that is not always the case. I think on the ugly duckling that becomes a swan, the green caterpillar that eventually graces the sky as a butterfly or how about the child (different in appearance to others) that teaches us to love with our whole hearts.

There is strength in the imperfect. There is courage in the cripple. And, there is power in weak. It’s a Biblical promise. “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)

I need to look through the eyes of others more often. Life looks different through a different set of lenses.

I pray that God grants me a heart that loves like him. He gazes at the flawed and sees perfection. He looks at shattered pots and envisions masterpieces. He looks at the lame and says, “rise up!” I want to have the vision of my Master.

These lyrics hit me hard today, If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking. The thought of sinking is frightful. Frankly, it turns my stomach in knots to think of plunging into a deep, dark, choppy ocean. Not only do I have a fear of what lies beneath: sharks, jellyfish and jagged shells; but, the thought of being alone without any sign of land inspires anxiety.

However, thinking on God’s grace and sinking into it awakens a different feeling. It provides a picture of immense safety and support. I want to sink into God’s overflowing grace. It humbles me just how much he thrusts his grace on us. We stumble, we fall. We are clay pots – broken vessels of mud. But, God says Swim in my grace. You will not drown. Sink into my whirlpool of mercy.

Oh how He loves us! I am unworthy of His love; yet, He gives it to me freely. Thank you God for this grace, love and mercy! You inspire hope and joy to this weary heart of mine.