Flower Lesson

We can learn from flowers. We drink deeply from the minerals and water from our roots in Jesus and His Word with prayer. When we drink enough from these sources, only then do we grow and bloom and open up into a beautiful flower that encourages and enriches other people’s lives and shows God’s glory.😃❤️

Beauty After Pruning

Like a gorgeous azalea in full bloom so are we after some healthy pruning. No one wants the bad parts of their lives pruned, even by a loving God. However, everything is better and richer after the pruning. 😃❤️

Changes in Health and Beauty

I had lost 50 pounds. I did this without exercising, just via the Paleo nutrition lifestyle. And I don’t believe I am made for that long-term because I woke up regularly with Charlie horses and always had foggy thinking and was slow with problem solving. Sure, I was on target with my “ideal weight” but felt lows about myself.

So I threw away that option and have stuck with the health and freshness of it but added some carbs (healthy ones mostly) and most importantly exercise every day, walking fast and even some jogging between 2-4 miles a day with the kids. We are all three healthier and stronger and I feel good again and strong and healthy. And I have yet to experience a Charlie horse again or cloudy thinking. So, sometimes you have to modify. Yes, I have gained 30 pounds, the scales tell me, but my clothes still fit beautifully and comfortably and I have muscle definition.

So don’t always care so much about the numbers or some unknown person’s thought of what you should be. Be the healthiest person you can and do so for God and His kingdom and glory, woking with Him on the heart and mind. That is what makes beauty. ❤

Born Confident

Many of my friends seem to have been born insecure, born worried, born unsure. I never understood that because God gave me the spiritual gift of faith from birth so I was always confident in Him and myself. I was born confident. I was incredulously sure of things I knew very little about yet. My less confident friends always envied my confidence and we’re amazed by it. Truth be told, I was made that way and had little to do with it other than exercise it.

But being born confident has its own issues and easy-coming sins. I tended toward pride and independence (which sounds good except that now I realize I need to depend on God). In fact, I had a judgmental bent back then and a certain annoying know-it-all obnoxious quality about it. Even if I was right, that is hideously annoying, I see now.

And here is why I say all this. There is no person on this earth perfect or together or flawless. No need to look out the corners of your eyes at someone and wish you had their confidence or sureness or strengths. You have your own. Maybe it is different or not as in-your-face as some of us loud folks, but I can guarantee that when exercised, your gift rocks. And cautious has its advantages (your guardian angel doesn’t have to work so hard maybe). Embrace who you are and thr beautiful way God made you. Rise to it. Develop it and see how invaluable you are in the kingdom of God. That is a beauty He loves and rewards, and I personally find it inspiring and alluring. Be God’s.😄❤