I'm thinking,  it is probably best not to  write when emotions are running, but I am usually writing when I am feeling something.  So perhaps it is okay to write when I am needing Peace, spirits to be lifted, & my heart to be hugged. I can't seem to find the words, can't put them into place. So I had to go to the Word bright & early because the feelings were growling like an empty tummy.  I can't quite articulate it- maybe it's a little like when you're head of heels in love, or greatly expecting something special.  I guess it is a combination of such emotions, but  only totally opposite.  So I have to rely on the Word;" PEACE I LEAVE YOU, PEACE I GIVE YOU."  John 14:27,  "MAY THE LORD OF PEACE HIMSELF GIVE YOU PEACE AT ALL TIMES AND IN EVERY WAY." 2 Thess 3:16, "TRUST GOD FROM THE BOTTOM OF YOUR HEART ...LISTEN FOR GOD IN EVERYTHING YOU DO, EVERYWHERE YOU GO; HE'S THE ONE WHO WILL KEEP YOU ON TRACK." Proverbs 3:5-6,  "GIVE ALL YOUR WORRIES AND CARES TO GOD." 1Peter 5:7,  I HAVE TOLD YOU THESE THINGS, SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE PEACE." John 16:33
I have to hold so tight to this, like I haven't had a meal in weeks and someone left a plate of food sitting there for the taking. This morning I came across my teenage son's youth group paper. It was Word up- Word loaded.  I took that plate, and I begin to eat what was left sitting there for me.  I took his left overs, but  I know there are absolutely no leftovers in the Word of God. God's Word  remains fresh, life giving, thirst quenching, satisfying, nurturing, specific, individually prepared  with all the nutritional needs for the deprived heart- for the hungry appetite. Thank God there is food we when feel like we're starving. Feel me up LORD. God feel me up with more of You.

KEEP DISCOVERING
Maybe I am writing this to myself, maybe it is my charge-but if you find something here for you, please grab a napkin and take what you need.  ~Blessings, Pamela

BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE! KEEP DISCOVERING hidden roads in your life - secret places in your heart. Speak what you don't feel, claim what's not yet in your possession, say 'Thank You' for what you have not yet received. GIVE THANKS FOR NEWNESS & then start looking ahead for opportunities, for creativity, skills, & favor. Look deep within for hidden treasures of your past, look for jewels at the bottom of your heart space, misplaced ideas in the closed dresser draw of your mind, life giving energy from a flowing fountain in your spirit. The Creator Of The Universe, IS KISSING His creation (you & me) with fresh ingredients, renewed focus, that will water our heart with delicate delights that we've never tasted, felt, or experienced before. Let's share that sweet outpouring with those we love, friends we spend time with, strangers we encounter, even those we don't feel are worthy of our time---surprise them with kindness.  As we find an ease and comfort with these fresh, God given ingredients and focus- we find that the KISSING has blossomed to a courtship, and the courtship is leading to a long and lasting relationship that was always meant to be.  WE WERE CREATED FOR LOVE by LOVE.

Can you recall riding on an isolated road at night or in the wee morning? Can you remember how
that experience felt- especially if you were uncertain of your location or how to get to your
destination. Were you  a little tense, perhaps you found yourself gripping the steering wheel
tightly. Were you checking  to see if anything looked familiar, or if there were  any other vehicles travelling on the same road.  It's something about riding on a dark, country road or a long stretch of highway alone.  Do you turn  on your high beams?  Are you watching for unusual problems-hazards?
Do you long to see something that feels familiar--safe?  Do you hope another vehicle or two will pass by?  Do you avoid looking into the headlights of approaching traffic?  Do you wonder where the other driver is heading?   The whole experience can be unnerving, uncomfortable, and sometimes a little frightening.
I was on a road like that recently.  I told myself stay calm, keep your eyes on the road, focus on the road, think about where you're going.  I reminded myself, that I had let others know  where I was heading- just in case.  I prayed the GPS was sending me the correct way.   And then my thoughts reflected on life situations.  That  we can find ourselves in very dark places, going through challenges we never imagined, feeling isolated, travelling certain roads looking for companionship.
   I begin to reflect on the Creator; that He knows where we are.  He is the ultimate GPS. He knows if there is danger ahead, things that will cause us great harm or pain, things we might need to avoid.   If we are open to hear Him; He reminds us to stay focused on Him, don't take our eyes off Him, don't look into the headlights of oncoming difficulty, don't be blinded or overwhelmed by life altering high beams. And if we do, He will guide us through.
 I have felt His assurance - comfort when moments have seemed so dark.  I have also witnessed that if I keep going there will be others to help make the road less lonely. As  I drove,  I thought that even if I can't see too far- I can turn on my headlights granting a longer view of the road-I can press into The One who knows me,and can help me feel safe in the darkness- protected in the darkness.
 If you keep living you are likely to experience some  dark roads. long lonely highways- lack of direction, hope, loss of... I hope that you will find strength and guidance  from the One who walked a long, hard, dusty road carrying some heavy stuff,  so that we could travel with the Ultimate Navigator--  TOWARD A BEAUTIFUL, PREDETERMINED  DESTINATION.

Refreshing water came this morning-- I took a cool drink of Mercy before leaving the house, and before noon I experienced a pleasant surprise.  As I prepared to teach a 60 minute exercise class, a beautiful soul came in to join the group. She was accompanied by her  daughter, who  shared that  her mother, who  was 102, wanted to try and see what she could do. My mind said mid 80's, but would never have guessed 102.  I thought - life has been good to her and to you. The daughter stood off to the side occasionally encouraging her mother.  At the end of our time together, I took her hands and asked if  I could kiss her cheek.  I had to kiss both for I was certain there was wisdom & strength underneath that tender skin. She shared that she enjoyed the class, and that she could do more once she got her new glasses and could see and follow along better.  As I held her hands I wanted to ask--can I follow you for a little while so I can see better. I wanted some of what she had, I thought now there is open history book.  I look forward to her coming back to class---my spirit wants to read some of the pages of perseverance and chapters of resilience. We talked only a short while, but in that brief meeting I knew that  her 102 years had probably been refreshed by a lot of glasses of Mercy in her life.

I'm trying to find words, trying to walk out this moment, but sometimes we just let the tears fall.
Cleansing, releasing, story- filled tears.  They remind us that we love, miss, and yet hope.Sometimes
it's just good to empty our self,  necessary to empty our self, release it. We embrace the
moment. We empty what hurts, we empty the missing, we empty the quietness of our thoughts, we empty the stinging of our heart. Maybe, just  as a beautiful crystal jar when left in the rain is filled with water---  my heart,  your heart will be filled with Life Giving Water; Pure Life Giving Water that will replenish our spirit, heal the hurt, fill the emptiness, redirect our thoughts, and soothe and regulate our heart. Perhaps there is beauty in the refilling. Certainly, there is no shame in the tears- even Jesus wept.

Sometimes IT'S A FIGHT!  When we feel like we have no fight left in us---WE GET UP, WE STEP in the ring. We sometimes take hard blows, but we keep punching.  Life often presents some of its strongest opponents suddenly & unannounced.  Sometimes they knock us off our feet, we are dazed, disoriented---but there are people cheering for us, hoping for us.  The ring is teaching us some stuff.  We must remember the Referee is in the ring with us, the Trainer is in our corner. The Trainer has studied the opponent-He knows his tactics, but He also knows us well.  With each fight, we build trust with the Trainer. So we keep our chin up, we get back up, WE STAND toe to toe with the opponent (pain, loss, heartache, misfortune, missed opportunities, guilt, regrets, mistakes..._______ and WE FIGHT! <Thursday 10/1/15>