Drip, Drip, Drip....

You know that terrible, annoying sound? You've finally crawled into bed at night, laid your head upon your pillow, closed your eyes, ready to sleep, only to find, your spouse left the water on just enough to create that "drip, drip, drip" noise.

I had a bit of "drippy" day yesterday. My family has been sick, and I've been annoyed at how much I've been having to do for them to care for them while being sick myself. Lets just say my attitude was less than pleasant, and my heart less than pure as I walked around my house being that "drip" in my husband's ear.

"ironically" the Lord led me in my quiet time to Proverbs 27, and I should've known that when I came to Him with my stinky attitude, He'd want to adjust it. And no sooner did my eyes fall upon this verse I realized my folly:

"A quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping on a rainy day..restraining her is like restraining the wind, or grasping oil with the hand.." vs.15

and:

" As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." vs19

Two things to take away here...when I am acting with the heart of a quarrelsome wife as I was all day yesterday, it reeks havoc on my life, my husbands life, and the joy of my home. When the verse speaks of "restraining" her, it's not the "wild, free heart" that you first think of, it's a drip of a faucet that rings annoyance into your life, and chaos into your home.

And, as I walk around my house, stomping, and complaining to myself about "how bad I've got it.." the evil that's in my heart is reflected on my face.

To drive my point home let me tell you what my four year old said to me yesterday in the midst of my little tempter tantrum/pity party for myself... "Mom, make a happy face, not a sad face..."

Doesn't that just break your heart? Now I know we all have bad days, but it's all about where we run to when we have bad days, all day yesterday, I ran to myself...and listened to the lies of the enemy that were so easy to believe. I lived in that funk for quite some time and made myself, and my family quite miserable. My children had a terrible day yesterday, and so did I.

Now, what do we do when we are tempted to respond the way I DID yesterday? What ought we to do? RUN to the WORD OF GOD. Open your Bible, and wait, and watch as the refreshment of the Lord pours down on you. I only had to get 2 verses into my first chapter of His words before the comfort of the Lord poured down upon me.

Isaiah 46:4

"I AM HE, I AM HE WHO WILL SUSTAIN YOU! I have made you, and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

A couple big things in this verse: whenever He uses repetition, it's to drive home a point, and whenever He uses the "I am" term, it's to show His authority. He HAS the authority to sustain us, because He made us, He knows us, and He has the power to carry us.

Anyone feeling better? Anyone feeling more empowered and encouraged? I AM!

Yesterday as I walked about my day in my stinky attitude clothes, I left an unpleasant fragrance wherever I walked. That does not have to be the case. God knows that we are not perfect, and He does not expect us to behave perfectly all the time, but He gives us an opportunity to lean on Him, and gain strength from Him so that when those stinky situations in life arise (that most certainly will) we have more strength, and we are sustained by Him in a way that we could not be on our own.

God knew I was troubled yesterday, He knew I was worn out. He knew I needed encouragement, and so He met me, RIGHT WHERE I WAS AT. And that is what He does for each and every one of His children...who of you is feeling down today? who of you are feeling burdened by life's troubles? Who of you need to feel the warmth of His embrace? Who of you long to be held, to be cradled as a child in it's mother's arms? Lay your head upon His chest, listen to His strong heart beat, and let Him, let Him comfort you. So that we no longer "drip" through our pain, instead we are refreshed by Him, and in turn, refresh others as a big long drink of fresh crisp water does on a hot day. He is water to our dry and thirsty souls. Drink deep today, instead of dripping.

Whats really going on?

Have you ever felt like there is something looming? Something that your missing perhaps? Like, everyone is walking around knowing the whole picture but you? It's that movie that has so many levels of meanings that you feel like your constantly missing something, and your continually asking your friend, if..."they get what this means?"

I saw a movie like that recently, (that I'm not sure I'd recommend) but the story took place on one level, and by the end of the movie they were three levels deep into someones dreams. (not sure what they were smoking as they created that story line) but needless to say, it really made you think, and it made me constantly question, "am I missing something?"

The book of Isaiah is a bit like that my friends. Most of the time, I'm intensely confused, wondering, what does this prophesy mean? What is Isaiah really saying here? But what I am finding is this: One thing is said via Isaiah (but really from God) and years later, somehow, someway, what Isaiah said comes to pass, prophesy is fulfilled and God's word stands true.

Revelations is a lot like that as well. God tells us of many things to come, many signs to look for of the "coming of the age" but no real black and white answers..

I've often wondered, "why doesn't He just say it like it is? or "why not just say this plainly so we don't miss anything.." Well...He has said much of what we need to know quite plainly.

"I am the way the way the truth and life, no one comes to the Father except through me.." (John 14:6) one might think, "well that seems rather intolerant..!" But if there were many ways to the Father than the death on the cross and the ultimate penalty for sins would not have been needed, and if the ultimate penalty for sins was not needed than we would not be in such great need for the Savior to save us, and if we did not need the Savior to save us, then we would be self sufficient, and if we were self sufficient, then a little thing called "Grace" would not exist.

We friends, were saved by grace so that we could escape the trap of Hell. And here is where I get to my point...whats really going on here? Why are we here? I am not claiming to have answers to all of life's questions or to fill that great void you may feel. But what I can say, is yes, there is very much going on behind the scenes. Most of us would like to act like life is mainly about us, we are basically good people, and in the end, we live happy lives, and die fairly peaceful deaths. And for some, this may be the case, (at least the happy life, peaceful death scenario) but none of us are basically good and let me tell you why I can say this with such confidence.

If you had a choice that would benefit either you more, or your friend more, what choice would you make? You love chocolate, she loves peanut butter, and you can't mix the two choices. The server tells you to make the choice, and you know you hate peanut butter, what are you going to choose...? Chocolate right? Yeah, me too. We are at the core, selfish people, we are at the core, mostly focused on ourselves, and these are not qualities of a person who is "basically good."

Let me bring this home.

IN the end, we need a reason for living. If we are going to go on with any ounce of purpose each day we need to know why we are here, who we are living for and where we are going when we breath our last.

If you are here for say, your job, your family, your hobbies, your passions...and if you are living in such a way to fulfill those to the max, then the purpose of life, dies with us.

However, if we believe that there might be a greater purpose for our existence, perhaps, God sized purposes then our life takes on a different shade of color. Everything looks a little brighter when you know that even though you are simply "scrubbing toilets and changing diapers" you have an opportunity to do it in a way that is pleasing to God, and knowing full well, He rewards those who earnestly seek Him in all they do..? My toilet scrubbing just got a whole lot more important.

Why choose to believe there is more going on? Because this world is yucky. This world is full of pain, sin and trouble us. Each day holds something new to upset us does it not? (this is not me looking at the glass half empty, this is me facing reality)

But I can face trouble if I know there is something deeper going on, and God has a greater plan, perhaps three dream worlds deep...:)

(who knows how deep heaven is?)

My purpose is to be apart of His deeper purpose...His deeper plan. I am only flesh and blood on my own...easily conquered by death. But in Christ, I am a soul that lives on beyond this world. I know it sounds like some sort of a harry potter movie, but it's all written in the pages of Revelations. This world is full of sin, and that sin is inspired by Satan, acted on by our sinful natures at heart. And I want to claim there is more than midst the eye, more than what we can see so that there is more than what I know death brings in the physical sense.

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with price, therefore, honor God with your body." ( 1 Corinthians 6:19,20)

Why that scripture? Because what we do here matters...it matters because it affects where we go...after.

I live today, in His strength, for His purposes so that I know when I die, I go where He is. To another place other than just the grave, saved by grace because I know I am basically not good, and He has a bigger plan for me here on earth other than just existence. SO if you run, run for Him, if you work, work for Him, if you die, die for Him...for in Him there is purpose beyond what you, beyond what I, see. Make sense? Sort of? Well, that's the way it should be. If we had it all figured out, than there would be no reason to seek, search and learn! But I know I am His, my body is His temple, and each step has more purpose because of that very fact. Do you agree? Is this where you are too? Give me feedback! Better yet, give HIM feedback! He's waiting to hear from you on this so that your life can take greater shape, greater purpose and have more depth than you could ever imagine!

the only good obsession

You know, there is something, perhaps many things that we all obsess over every day. Some may appear good...but I would venture to say that most of what we obsess over is bad. ( Appearances, worries/fears...things we are mad about, people we are mad at, pains, trials, and the list goes on)

As I sat and obsessed over my latest worry/fear I suddenly had this thought: what if every time my fear came into my mind and the enemy whispered to me "that now would be a good time to obsess over my fear again" I countered that fear obsessed thought with scripture and the truths of Christ? What would happen? So I tried it. And do know what happened? It got easier and easier to push the fear obsessed thought out of my mind and move on to things that really mattered. Amazing how it worked....Now I battled those thoughts almost every minute and sometimes I'd forget that I had to push it out with His truth, and I ponder my obsession for a moment, but it only took a seconds before I realized what I was doing again, and out I would come with my sword of truth and breastplate of righteousness and once again, combat my fear with truth. So I began to think about this in context of what I titled this blog as: Is there a good obsession? Is there any one thing in life that I can "O D" on for lack of better terms and still be OK? Even too much a good thing becomes bad. Too much exercise results in bad things, too much spinach gives you a tummy ache. (seriously...Ive tried it) too much exposure to the sun leaves you burned, too much chocolate and your in trouble in more ways than one...:) but seriously friends...is there such a thing as a "healthy obsession?" There is. Only one though. And it is being obsessed with Christ, His truth, His will for our lives and His plans for us. It's the obsession of chasing after the things and ways of Christ. Immersing oneself in scripture will leave you emerging a better person because you cannot help but be changed when you read the words of Christ day after. "Ancient words, ever true, changing me, and changing you, we have come, with open arms, so let the ancient words impart..." -song lyrics I love....

I love those lyrics because there so true...."7 days without prayer makes one weak...." that statement is so true as well. I've tried it, and it's true.

I know that on the days that I'm "too busy" to spend time with my Savior, I feel a little sad, a little lost and little helpless when it comes to my daily trials. I have no food and ammunition for my day...and by ammunition I mean, no way to fight off the devils schemes to attack me. (not shoot people who bug you. :) ) <----there is a solution for that in the word too and goes a little something to the tune of "love your enemy as yourself..." (I had to use that one yesterday as I was out shopping with my three children and dealt with unhappy fellow shoppers who were annoyed with how slow my children walked. Oops.)

Let me bring this home for you friends...Anything, anything , anything, that you divulge yourself into other than Christ is going to leave you running up dry and empty, anything that consumes your mind other than Christ is only going to clutter your thoughts and leave you feeling lost. I'm not saying you can't have other passions or hobbies! By no means! They just cannot be the thing that steals your obsessing. Think about the time you put into obsessing over the finances...or the problems going on around the world...or your weight...or the well-being of you child...really those things tend to take most of our thought life captive and that is not a healthy place to sit! All those worldly/earthly things only cause us to fear more when thought on in excess! Christ however, is something we can search, obsess over and dig into with a passion of a fool in love and we will never be left wondering we ought to do, or how things will work out.

God has a way of revealing His truth about us, about our world, about our fears/concerns/passions and cares when we dive in head first, and swim deep into His breath of life, and bread of life, and His way of life.

The Bible.

If you don't believe me, if I have any skeptics reading this, I challenge you: Read the Bible for 30 days every day and see if you don't find something/anything in it, that encourages you more. It is filled with wisdom, strength for weakness, encouragement for the meek, food for the hungry, water for your thirst and solutions to your pain/problems and fears.

It's loaded. And it is at this point still available to any and all who come. I say at this point because there may come a day where we can not freely read the Bible as we do now, but as long as we have it now...let us do so...write His words on our hearts.

"COME TO ME ALL YOU WHO ARE WEARY AND BURDENED AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST." Matthew 11:28

Go ahead...obsess over His greatness...His Peace, He Redemption, His greatness, His forgiveness, His ability to make us content, and His salvation once and for all. Go ahead...you will not be sorry you did.

Fear or Faith?

As a Mommy...fear is huge on my list of things to overcome. I am fearful in many situations, regarding all things that surround my children, their health, well being, and protection.

The irony is this: God is not a God of fear. He has created us to fear one thing only, and that thing, is Him. He is in control of everything, God over all, more powerful than anything we fear, and still...I fear a possible unseen catastrophe more that the creator of all.

In these days, our world is most certainly in uncertain times. Wars wage everywhere...and at times, it seems as though the very earth is groaning. Bricks practically crumble beneath our steps, and foreign lands are coming apart at the seams.

I will not stay on this war-path of description for long, my intention is not to drag your thoughts down, but to center them on what's important. God, and His power.

His power is this: when we take hold of Him, trust Him, focus on His greatness, His strength, His abilities, and His powers, our fears of all things smaller than He, should pale.

I know the Lord is sending me a message for everywhere I look, read or listen, God is giving me messages of "Do not fear, and Do not be afraid..."

As I read through Isaiah, this is the message that the prophet is giving to God's people, and it's as true for me, as it was for them. God is always victorious, and with God first in our hearts, so are our lives.

I want to center my very being on that ground. In Him alone can I rest. In He alone is there peace, and In Him alone does fear disintegrate. There are many things on earth that can try and ensure us peace. Things like, alarms for our homes is case a stranger breaks in, 911 on the phone to dial for help, insurance policies, medical help, medicines, and the list goes on and on. But when all is said and done, and we stand before the fear that looms, do those things really help us? What if we can't get to the phone in time? What if the stranger gets in before the police arrive? really friends...what if...and you fill in the blank. The possibilities are endless, and there our fear itself breeds more fear to the point that we can become a shiftless ball on the floor.

Let me share with you how God is challenging me to pick myself up off the floor of fear, and look to the horizon of His protection, and really, His sovereignty.

God is in charge of all things. Good and bad. When a fearful situation presents itself to me, I KNOW with-out a shadow of a doubt that God is going to uphold me with His righteous right hand. That He will guide me through fearful situations when they present themselves. Why? Because He created me with the ability to put my faith and trust in something bigger than myself, and my own abilities to solve my dilemma. I was created to depend on Him. That's why I'm always looking to something for provision of safety, for myself and for my children, I was created to depend. I just need to put my dependence on the right person. My husband is strong, but when push comes to shove, man can be overpowered. My children are well cared for, but when push comes to shove, disease can strike. My walls of my home are strong, but when the earthquake shatters, so can my walls. What am I saying here? God is stronger than anything. AND when the walls DO fall, and child is sick and the thief does break in, God is there. And when the light of Christ is shining through us, fear does not stand a chance. Of course, we may have moments of doubt, but I have had the opportunity of watching some friends walk hand in hand with God through some pretty fearful circumstances, and my statements of proper placement of trust are ringing loud and true through them. They fear God, more than they fear their fearful circumstances, and God is bigger than their circumstances. He is holding them true, and strong through the mighty storms of life. I am humbled by their trust. And a world is watching and putting their faith in the God THEY serve because of it. God is bigger my friends.

This has been a lifelong lesson for me my friends...and I know God has much more to teach me, but it's a concept I want to learn because I realize our world is not going to get more stable...only more unstable...
"1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Selah) 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. 6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah) 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord; see what desolation he has brought on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire. 10 "Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth." 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Selah) " -Psalm 46

Anyone feeling more hopeful? SO lets recap...God is the only one we ought to fear...and if God is our refuge, who has our best interests at heart, then the fear we have for the Lord is a fear (fear in the sense that He is bigger than fear itself) built on love, protection and peace. Suddenly, I feel so safe...so held...and I recognize my needs will be met, my children will kept, and my life is His. So rather than being fearful...I am left with the faith that Christ is bigger, truer and more faithful than anything on earth or in heaven. That's the God I serve... and He's pretty amazing.

GOD KNOWS

I've had this idea for this post circulating in my mind really since middle of last week, but it seems like each day God teaches me a little more about this concept, and I decide to hold off on writing anything so that I make sure I write you all the whole picture. Had I typed out my post last week when the thought first hit my heart, well I would have only had partial truth to share with you. The whole idea behind this idea is this: Much of what happens to us in our lives is probably not what we would have chosen for ourselves if we had been given the chance. Let me talk you through this, we may have a "plan" or and "idea" of how life is going to be, we make great steps towards making these dreams come true for ourselves, (right college, right spouse, right timing for children, right job, right....you fill in the blank) and then out of the blue it seems comes life's curve ball. You know, the event, the circumstance, the situation that changes everything. All then, our best laid plans slip right through our hands.

I am not saying this to depress you, for my hope is by the end you will have much hope in your current "Unplanned" circumstance that you most likely are living in as we speak. (or type)

I had, (have) many plans for myself, and as I blogged on before, that God obviously had different thoughts on for me...and I'm still wrestling through that, and most likely will be for some time. I know that God's plans are best and I give Him lip service in this, but getting my heart to match up with my words is proving to be more difficult that I had ever imagined. We want what we want...and it's always hard when we are told, "No..."or sometimes worse..."wait." Sometimes just getting a strait up "yes" or a "no" is easier!

From Isaiah I derived some feelings of hope as I read through Chapter 40, God gives His people a wonderful talk on how He will uphold them and great encouragement on how everyone who puts their hope in the Lord with soar on wings like eagles! This comes when we HOPE in the Lord. This hope isn't the kind of hope that says, "gee, I really hope that happens..." No, rather this is the hope that says "I have confidence and I will WAIT on the Lord."

That's where I want to be, with that type of hope.

It is said that God's ability to understand every situation and the needs of His people is unfathomable.

Which to me, means this: God knows what is going on in my life, and not only does He know, He's in charge of it, and if we were to be in God's place, seeing what He sees about us, and what He knows about our future, we would do to our own lives exactly the same things that He is doing in our lives right now. If only we saw as He sees. Crazy thought isn't it? But He sees so much more that we see, and really, what God knows, and does, is unfathomable to us.

Here is what I am finding for myself, if I truly believe all that I shared with you thus far, that who am I to question what I going on in my life? And with the amount of Love that He has for me, could I dare to imagine that He would bring something into my life that is not of His good purposes? And by good, I mean, best.

It's hard to believe that when things are difficult in our lives, and trust me, if anyone knows difficult it's the people whom Isaiah was preaching to in Isaiah chapter 40 in which I am referencing. Those people have almost been to hell and back, (most of it caused by their bad choices) but as they are running back to the Lord, who is being so faithful to them despite all of their sin (sound familiar?) and He takes the time to send them the message of hope. Because those who hope in the Lord will run and not grow weary, even young men stumble and fall He says to them, but those who's hope is in the Lord, those who wait in the Lord will rise up on wings as eagles. I love that picture. To someone who runs, the idea of "soaring" is amazing. Running, walking, enduring, all those things are good, but soaring...now that's more like it. And that is what He says we are going to do...when we hope in Him through our difficult circumstances, through our uncertain times.

Now I know this is all well and good to say, but to endure in hardship is very difficult. But let me tell you one more thing that Isaiah told His people to give them strength...you know at night, when the stars come out, and they pop out seemingly one by one to fill a big dark sky with light? Well, it says in Isaiah 40:26 it says this:

"Lift your eyes to the heavens: who created all these? He who brings the starry hosts out one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing!"

When I read those words let me tell you what comes to mind in light of my current struggles: He knows it all. He created it all. And He knows each one of the zillions of night star's names. He call them out one by one...and I still dare to think that I know better for what should happen in my own life? I know nothing. He knows all. I have to wrap my mind around this, and then say which being is more likely to do the best thing for me...I who knows nothing, or He who knows how many hairs I have on my head? I think I choose the latter.

It's not easy. I know. But it's where God has taken me and if I am to be hopeful in where I am going, (that which I do not know or understand) than I am to trust in one who is greater than I can comprehend.

Knowing also, that there is a time for everything as well...there is a time to dance, a time to mourn, I time sow and a time to reap. And God knows when each one of those should take place, and does so accordingly. Who are we, that you should mindful of us? Who are we, that you should even look our way? But He does, because He loves us. He loved us first and He will love us in the best way. And in the end, His plans ARE perfect, and as we trust Him, follow Him, Hope in Him, we have a life that is not only pleasing and glorifying to our maker, but also the most fulfilling for us. (not in mans terms of man's idea of fulfillment, but God's, which is better)

If any of this rings true for you today, run to Isaiah chapter 40 and be encouraged my friends... He has great words of hope to speak to your heart. And if your sitting there and saying, "YEAH, that's fine for you but you don't know MY circumstances..." Let me lovingly tell you this, I do not know your circumstances, but God does. And nothing, nothing, nothing, is too big, OR unbeknown to Him. He does in fact, have the whole world, in HIS hands. And I am so thankful.

Don't take my joy...

There are so many situations in life that try to steal our joy...they threaten us with thoughts that seem to overwhelm, cloud and almost make our joy completely invisible.

I have been wrestling with the evil that wants my joy...and I'm pretty tired of fighting the battle! Everything in life poses a possible situation that can cause us to stress, worry and take our eyes off of the blessings at hand. Cause us to complain (either outwardly or inwardly) and ultimately make us feel sorry for ourselves...depressed...and anxious. I understand that there will be dark days in every ones path, and that in the midst of those dark days it's hard to turn our face towards heaven and smile, but God is always there, longing to encourage us in the midst of our dark.

I am not in dark. I have no reason (other than daily pressures and stresses) to not have joy...I do admit that I have been overwhelmed lately, but there is nothing dark about my life except the darkness that I choose to run towards in my sin. Darkness of jealousy, darkness of discontent (to fathom that I can even type "discontent" with all the blessings God has given me is disheartening) darkness of self-love, darkness of distraction (and distraction is anything that takes our eyes off of Christ)

I keep finding myself thinking that just plain old living in dependence daily on Christ isn't that fun...hmmmm...I sense much flaw in my thinking here.

Whatever happened to the joy of just being saved? Just knowing I've received eternal life and redemption? What happened to the joy of answered prayers? (big prayers, big answers) and the joy of knowing that I do not walk this road alone? Unfortunately, when I put my eyes on my circumstances instead of on my Savior, that joy is stolen away...

I have Jesus...that is all I need. I need to keep reminding myself of this, because everything else ultimately, come and goes. Relationships, food, health, homes, possessions, everything tangible, except for Christ.

When He is the reason I have joy, rather than circumstantial joys that fade with setting of the sun, I can be joyful even when the sun goes down, and the world falls apart around me.

I remember watching a clip from a movie about a family in the great depression, it was so influential to me because as I was watching this movie I thought to myself, "How is it that these people could still smile, still have peace even though they had only little slab of meat to eat for their whole family" The only answer that makes any sense at all, is that Christ was their everything. And so it is with me my friends...spiritually, many of us are in the great depression but we have a wealth of all the stuff we don't need to make us joyful. We've got all kinds of stuff and great circumstances, but no Jesus...

I was sitting in my home last night, staring at my kitchen. I have a kitchen. That's more than what half the world has. I have children. That's more than what half of women have. I have a husband who loves me...that's a miracle in and of itself! I could go on and on my friends...but instead of feeling blessed and joyful at the end of the day, I find myself feeling stressed and discontent because my house isn't as clean as I'd like, and I didn't find time to shower that day! (not because I don't have a shower, but because I was too busy to do it.

I know I'm rambling a bit here friends, but I'm trying to paint a picture for you...what I have, is huge...and yet I still go on to feel sorry for myself, and ultimately, allow darkness in my life instead of rejoicing over what God has given me, and finding my ultimate joy in the fact that I have Jesus.

Do you know this song..."Jesus, Jesus, your the answer, to all I'm searching for..."

Well, it's true. He is what I'm searching for, but I keep looking in the wrong places. Instead of opening the word, I go everywhere else first. I repent of that.

In Him alone will I never thirst again. In Him alone will I be able to lay my head down at night in ABSOLUTE PEACE...In Him alone will I rest assured that all my needs will be met.

I can't remind myself enough that although I may lie to myself or believe the lie that others tell me that joy can be found in other things, I am wrong. The world is wrong. In Christ alone is there perfect joy.

Today I am telling myself and praying that the Lord will show me, how to take my eyes off of me, and put them back on Him. "Eyes on me..." He says. For when my eyes are locked with His, I can't help but notice the whole rest of the world disappears.