I really want to be a wellspring...a spring bubbling up in a beautiful meadow. Giving out love, and contentment, and joy..passion.
But I feel like there is a block...a bunch of debris clogging my free flowing spring..what is that block...
what keeps the well from springing forth with clean. pure water...?
I must clear it out....
Be still and know...

I just read this poem....it's deep, but oh so rich! Draws me close to God.

When you pray, lay aside thoughts
that peck at the body and dive after souls
fears that give birth to needs
concerns that lay ambush to the future
mistakes that make poison of the past

When you pray lay aside thoughts
of where you are and what you are doing
of your struggle to walk the Chosen Path
even your hopes to leave behind
a few final footsteps in the sand

Then pull from under you
what little ground you still stand on
and fall
like a feather into the hand of God

Rest there so lightly so very very lightly
that when you think about it
(which you will not do!)
you will feel no longer where you end
and God begins.

This made me think about the state of my heart...

“The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart.”Matthew 15:18

“A Heart Temperature Chart.”
An ANGRY mouth indicates a HURT & HARSH heart.
A NEGATIVE/CRITICAL mouth indicates a FEARFUL heart.
An OVER ACTIVE mouth indicates an UNSETTLED heart.
A JUDGMENTAL mouth indicates a GUILTY heart.
A FOUL & DIRTY mouth indicates an IMPURE heart.
A CRITICAL & BOASTING mouth indicates an INSECURE heart.
_________________________________
An ENCOURAGING mouth indicates a HAPPY heart.
A GENTLE mouth indicates a LOVING & MERCIFUL heart.
A HEALING mouth indicates a PEACEFUL & CONTENT heart.
A CONTROLLED mouth indicates a SUBMISSIVE heart.

"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on it's ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid" Albert

On a very different angle for me....
I really like this outfit....

I am trying to not judge others...especially in my head. This quote shows different perspective on judging...

I am back...
I love this picture and words..

Ok. I borrowed this off another blog. I like it!

I had a restful Sabbath yesterday. Actually sat outside by the river (can you tell I love it there) for 2 hours...reading and journaling. I feel God sitting with me there. Holy ground.

This dialogue I read made me think....
"How can I get rid of my fears?"
"How can you rid yourself of what you cling to?"
"You mean I actually cling to my fears? I don't agree with that."
"Consider what your fear protects you from and you will agree."

Also a Bible text jumped out at me. What an awesome call by Jesus.
To the man by the pool of Bethesda..."Get up" (off your fears and sins) And "don't be afraid."
I also read the title of a book, Arising Lioness. The author is calling us as women to rise up in strength to what God has called us to do.. and be.
It is amazing the wisdom God will send you when you are still...it is wholeness.

I found this amazing quote today.....
I am living as if I believe I am worth it.
I am living as if I look in the mirror and love what I see there.
I am living as if I am completely comfortable with happiness.
I am living as if the peace I long for is actually here.

WOW! God really guided my youth Sabbath School yesterday. The topic was prayer. I really felt compelled to take some smooth rocks with me. Three times I thought I wouldn't need them, yet something encouraged me to bring theme...and some candles. After a good discussion, I lit the candles that were sitting on a table in the center of the circle. Then I thought I should hand each of them a rock. And I said that this represented something heavy in their life...a burden, something that was holding them back. After silent prayer and gazing in the candlelight; I encouraged them to lay the stone on the table signifying the giving of it to Jesus. And leaving it there. Most all of them got up and laid down their rock. It was a special moment. And God told me what to do at just the right moment.

Just spent 5 glorious days with my sister and her family and my brother. Such a relaxing, fun time....

The Tyranny of Time.
Trying to not let time control me. I rush, and press, and hurry through my life. Missing beauty, a potential quiet moment, or a special connection with someone. Why do I run. The Bible says, "the race is not always to the swift." I want to Remain in the Present. To see. To be. To not worry about "what's next". My new goal.
Being.

I saw this quote on someone else's blog and it really made me think about choices and habits....
Dear Self,
To stand up has never been so hard.
To do what’s right in spite of what you want
To see how it affects the futures of me
To speak the uncanny words “Maybe it’s not meant to be”
To stop before it goes too far
However to stop is too hard
But I will not remain sitting in the chair of uncertainty
A chair that feels like home to me.

Contentment

"I have searched frantically for contentment for so many years in so many ways, and all these acquisitions and accomplishments--they run you down in the end. Life, if you keep chasing it so hard, will drive you to death. Time--when pursued like a bandit--will behave like one; always remaining one country or room ahead of you, changing its name and hair color to elude you, slipping out the back door of the motel just as you're banging through the lobby with your newest search warrant, leaving only a burning cigarette in the ashtray to taunt. At some point you have to stop because IT WON"T. You have to admit you can't catch it. That you're not supposed to catch it. At some point, you gotta let go and sit still and allow contentment to come to you. Try dropping your drivenness and chasing; instead let God fill you up with Himself!" Liz Gilbert

Wouldn't you love to be laying out here...

I feel like going to the beaches or the mountains today...think I'll try one of these...

Inspiration!! Try out a rock for tomorrow!

Feeling light and free today...just a relaxing, content day. Went to Starbucks with my family...good times.
This woman depicts the joy and freedom I feel today....

Had the best time in Sun River with my hubby and kids. Laughter, walks in the snow, painting pottery, cooking Christmas dinner, a puzzle making race, and connecting. Family is the best!