strength for the journey

A Strong Woman

knows she has strength 

enough for the journey, 

but a woman of strength, 

knows it is in the journey 

where she will become strong.

---C.S. Lewis (shared by Jo Alice Walker)

No Worries!

Matthew 6:25-3425 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink;

 nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

In today's language...No Worries! God is in control.                                                                                                                 --J.Jones

Trusting the Story Weaver

The Story Weaver

Story Weaver

My life's threads, a jumbled tangled mess of colors, needing your touch.

I hand you my soul's fibers,

Let your healing hand mend the frayed edges, please make me new.

I give you my brokenness,

Remind me that the black threads of life's trials will be a glorious pattern when YOU are finished.

Please abide with me,

Let me know that the threads of gold you weave come from your exclusive storehouse of grace.

I give you my struggles and insecurities,

Give me courage to trust you to weave the story of my life-- until it becomes a tapestry for YOUR glory.

May I appreciate the emerging canvas for it's unique blend of light and shadows.

May I forever give you praise,  for YOU, Jesus, are my hope, my God, my Savior,

My Story Weaver.   ---  J.Jones



My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

-----Author Unknown

Courage

My 7 year old daughter Sadie stood trembling, on the top landing of a 425 step trail that descended to the base of  a breathtaking waterfall.  We arrived after completing a rigorous 1.5 mile hike up the mountain. We decided to return to our starting point a different way. This included the 425 stairs next to the rushing waterfall. Frightened, Sadie clenched my hand tighter.  With her face buried in the side of my coat, she refused to budge. My own stomach lurched as I gazed through the metal slats of the massive stairway as it spiraled downward.  It was going to take a lot of encouragement to persuade Sadie to take the first step. (Not to mention me-- finding inner courage for myself!)  I was hoping we would make it to our car before sundown.  My husband stood behind us as we took our first step.  He reassured Sadie that he wasn't going to let her go.  He took her left hand, as her right hand already had a death grip on mine. We started our journey down the mountain.  Each step we took was accompanied with a word of encouragement and a whispered prayer. ("Lord please get us through this!")

"You can do this, Sadie!"

"We've come halfway."

"Just a little bit further."

As we approached the last step, she relaxed her grip. She made it! We made it!

On my way back to the car, God started speaking to my heart.  Sometimes we are in a spiritual mountain climb--going up or coming down.  Fearful, we view the crisis before us. Moments of despair leave us clinging to the rail of life, desperate for answers and rescue. We falter. Our stomachs churn with fear, doubt and hopelessness. It is at these moments Jesus wants to come beside us and take our hand. He wants to give us hope and courage.

I don't know what crisis you have faced or are facing today. Foreclosure papers served? Sickness surrounding you? Have loved ones passed away or left your side? Is depression or loneliness covering you like a dark cloud that won't go away? How do you brave the storm and have courage to live? It's easier to pull the covers over your head...and give up.  However, defeat is NOT God's plan for your life. He has promised that He will never leave you nor forsake you. He wants you to have hope and courage. Remember--one step at a time. One day at a time. Let God hold your hand. Give this day to Him. Talk to Him. Let Him talk to you. He loves and cares for you. Have courage. With God's help YOU can make it! ---J.Jones

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:9 KJV

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV

"What time I am afraid , I will trust in thee." Psalm 56:3