Greetings, Dear Friends!

And to those visiting I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my purpose is to bless and encourage you along your way.

This morning I was talking with a friend and we were both recalling the ways God has affected us, even changed us. My friend made an observation that affirmed me greatly. She said, "Susie, God has clearly done a work in you. You are accomplishing far more now than you ever have; and you're doing it with less effort and more peace."

Her words stopped me in my tracks. I looked back over my shoulder and recounted the times and seasons when striving was my middle name and straining was the way I played the game!

At some point along the way, I realized the error of my ways. I began praying by faith, "Lord, I thank you that there's no striving in me because I know that you are God!" The more I prayed this prayer, the more peaceful and rested I felt.

One day when my task list was greater than my ability to accomplish it, I was especially tempted to worry. But I did something else instead. I said, "Lord, it looks like I will need a loaves and fishes day today. No matter what, I refuse to worry."

At that very moment I was filled with peace and I knew I had awakened the Lord's pleasure. I felt His smile over me all day long, and believe it or not, I accomplished everything on my list and still had room in my day to clean my house and go biking on the trails! You know, it's really not so much about what we accomplish but rather the heart with which we accomplish the things God gives us to do. He is good and He is for us. And when we look to Him, He strengthens us out of HIS riches, where there is no lack.

Since that time, I've discovered some tangibile ways to walk in peace, provision, and power, and to thus awaken the sweet pleasure of the Lord...

Believing...

Jesus knows that you have circumstances screaming at you, taunting you to be afraid, to worry, and to look down. So when you turn your back on those things and choose to trust God instead, you awaken His pleasure. He knows this is not easy and it means everything to Him when you believe Him over what your eyes see. Believe Him today and picture Him smiling over you.

Obeying...

As you go through your day, you'll be faced with countless opportunities to go your own way or obey. When you're tempted to be rude, but you're kind instead, that's obedience. When you pray first and speak second. That's obedience. When you love the unlovely and give when it's within your ability to do so, that's obedience. When you walk away from an opportunity because Jesus is clearly saying, "Not yet", that's obedience and it will surely be rewarded. We awaken God's pleasure when we trust Him enough to obey Him.

Forgiving...

As the love of the multitudes grows cold, we will have many opportunities to forgive. By choosing not to forgive, we put ourselves in prison. But when we cherish our one-ness with God over our desire to see "them pay" we awaken the pleasure of God. Forgiveness is costly, yes. It cost Jesus everything to forgive us. Our lives will be anointed and blessed as we follow His lead.

Loving...

He loved us first and we awaken His pleasure when we recieve that love without shame. We need to tip our head back, stretch out our arms and say, "Thank you for loving me, Lord! I don't deserve it but I receive it!" We cannot give what we don't possess. We can't communicate what we don't have a handle on ourselves. That's why it is important to remind ourselves of His love for us...many times a day. Our willingness to receive His love, awakens His pleasure. And when we are so saturated with His love that we drip, we will be a source of refreshment for many.

As my mentor always says, "When we let God have His way in us, doing the things He asks us to will no longer be an 'ought to' or a 'should do'...they'll be a 'get to.'"

Make the conscious choice to walk in His presence today.

You know, I posted last week about Bubs the stray dog we've apparently adopted. Well, we still have him and I have fallen in love with this dog.

What's funny is that even though he's old and has arthritis, he still does this little leap thing when he gets excited. And do you know what gets him excited? Doing a good thing. Every time he obeys he starts leaping and looking up at me for my smile and assurance.

Not that we're looking for God's approval but it's good to be aware of His smile.

He sings over you. He dances over you. And when you take the leap of faith to believe that your choices matter, He puts His hand over His heart and He smiles.

Amazing love.

Until next week...