PARK TIME!!!!!!!!

Jesus Carries Me

Today my youngest son and I got to do some shopping.  I wore him on my back in our mei tai and while waiting for the bus I had the sweetest thought.  It was like Jesus was sayign to me "You know, while you are going through struggles, I carry you."  I started to laugh out loud as I envisioned Jesus carrying me in a baby carrier and I told my son Zayden  "Jesus babywears me you know. And you too!"  He giggled and hugged me and began to share his insight in his own toddler language. It was such a sweet moment.

Isaiah 40:11 (The Message)

Like a shepherd, he will care for his flock,
   gathering the lambs in his arms,
Hugging them as he carries them,
   leading the nursing ewes to good pasture.

Jesus wants us to be close to Him.  Not only when we are sad and in trouble, but all the time.  Jesus' arms will never get tired of carrying us and even though Jesus doesnt need to be "hands free" because He can take care of everyone at the same time, yet the sheer thought of Jesus "babywearing" me just put a huge smile on my face today I could not help but share. 

Barefoot running and praising

Its finally time to start running again, well jogging..slow jogging, outdoors in Gods creation.  I have 20 lbs to loose, to me thats a number thats so far proven its really hard to do.  But with Gods help Im going to do it.  Last year I was barefoot running three times a week.  I loved it and this year I am so thrilled to be able to do it again.  To feel the earth beneath my feet and to run the way God created my body to run.  Three days ago I went running with sneakers on and it nearly killed me.  I ran 3.6 kms but my legs and ankles hurt so bad when I got home.  I looked at my husband like "well thats dumb!" I have never had that kind of issue when running barefoot.  Yesterday it was sooo beautiful outside that I was able to kick the sneakers off and jog 2.8 km's...Well run and walk.  I didnt want to over do it. 

Regardless of what is on my feet though I have tried very hard to make my running about the Lord.  I make it a time for worship, for prayer, for praise.  Usuaully when I am running down busy streets during the day and there is a lot of noise, I put in headphones and crank worship music in my ears.  Singing along in my head, I have even caught myself with my hand raised up (cars must think I've lost my mind).  But when its quiet, its time for prayer, time to have a moment with God.  To tell Him the things on my heart and to give Him thanks for all He does in our lives.  To hear the birds chirping in the tree's, to spot a chipmunk munchin away on something on the side of the path.  To watch the tree's sway and the clouds move over head.  To watch the river rush past me, faster than I could ever run.  Its all so beautiful.  And God created it for us!!!!!!!!!  To appreciate, to love and to take care of.  Even down to the moss that I cant help but rub my toes on because it just feels so great.  

A Quiet Moment...

Cute faces

It hit 16C today for a while so the boys and I hit the road for a walk and bus ride.  The boys just looked way too cute in this photo taken before we left.  I had to share. 

The air out there

Last night and the night before I pretty well could have slept outside.  The air outside was so amazing.  The crisp cool hair penetrating my lungs.  It gives me a feeling of Gods grace, power, His Spirit, His Love.  How amazing He is to create such a simple thing such as the crisp spring air to bring a moment of peace to His children. Nature has always made me feel closer to God.  To stand in His creation and just reflect on how phenominal He is.  I have every window wide open in my house just taking in as much of this light crisp beauiful springtime atmosphere.  And I can al most gaurantee I will be skippin to Church to praise my Lord for making such a beautiful day!!!!

When God has other plans for me

Without getting into a load of detail this past week God and I had totally different plans.  And instead of relying on Him and waiting to hear what He wants for me.  I just kept thinking of what I wanted to happen.  A few posts ago I talked about not worrying about things.  Well I did sorta stop worrying about the situation and started dreaming of it- thinking constantly about it- putting it before God... and not in a "giving it to God" sense but a "its more important than Your plans right now Lord so I must think about it more than You."
Today I discovered what He wants for me and what I want for me are most likley two totally different things and it hurts. Oh it hurts bad.  I have had to hide my tears from my children more than once this morning about it.  But I know He has plans for me that are far better than what I could ever dream up.  I know He knows best for my life.  Why I still sit here a bit frustrated with God, is beyond me.  But I am.  Im heartbroken.  I know God understands my frustration, sadness and moments of anger, I know He knows my heart.  I need to pray for peace, insight, unity.  I need to be still and listen to His voice and hear why He has let the path go this way instead of the way I would have rather liked.  

I never read really in the book of Jeremiah, but the past 24 hours I have heard so many scripture refrences I figured I must start reading it.  God's timing is always perfect (funny how I can write that even though Im a bit frustrated with His timing this time)  and I find I can hear Him so clearly sometimes in His Word

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."  Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

 "Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good."  Romans 8:28 (The Message)

His Word gives me the strength to not just flip out and get right angry, to crawl under my covers and pout.  It gives me a hope, for what in my future, I dont know.  But I know it will be good because whatever it is it is what God wants for me.  I just need to fully trust Him in all things in my life.