I'm back from my trip to Tennessee. It sure is beautiful there! Everywhere you look there are trees and grass. There are some beautiful birds in those trees singing a love song from God to everyone. I enjoyed visiting with my son and I enjoyed getting a chance to relax. I really haven't had a vacation in quite a few years.

God was always with me while I was on vacation. Like it says in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." God was even with me in those crowded planes. I felt His presence and His love for me. What a comfort it is to know that I am never alone.

What a thrill it is to feel God's love for me! Most of my life I was looking to humans to fill the craving I had to be loved. All that time God was pouring out His love on me and I never knew how to receive it. I never put my mind on Him and waited for Him to show me the things He had for me! I feel like such a fool! I was the loser. Now I am the winner! Hallelujah!

At first when I started doing this Bible study it was easy for me to come up with this part of the page where I kind of talk about things that are going on and thoughts I have had. These past few months it has been more difficult because a lot of things going on in my life are not things I am free to share. So, until this roller coaster evens out a bit I apologize for any shallow chatter you may have been finding.

Just in case you are wondering, my son who lives in Nashville was unscathed by the tornadoes that hit there. Some of the places we went to see while I was there are damaged now. It was so beautiful there, it hurts to think of it being touched by something like that.

I guess I can give you a little insight to one thing that has been happening. I have discovered some gifts God has given me that I didn't even know I had! I am thrilled about it, but also in a state of confusion. I am diving deeper into my Bible to find out how to use these gifts fully. He is preparing me for something that involves these gifts, but I am not sure what yet. He is working on my pride and attitudes so they don't get in the way.

All my life I have had a fear of failure as well as a craving for recognition. Those things would stand in the way of my being used fully. I want to be able to be used by God for edification of the body. I want to be able to die to self so I can avoid the pride that could arise if God uses me in a big way. I sure would appreciate your prayers. I am sure I will be able to fill you in on more details at a later date, but that is all for now.  

I am continuously faced with decisions that have to be made. As a mother, I have to make a lot of decisions on a daily basis. As a human, I cannot always tell which decision will have desired results. Wouldn't it be great if there was an instruction manual that came with every baby? It could have a list of punishments so you would know what is appropriate for what crime. It could give guidance on how to know how long a child can go to certain places with which people for what things and whether adult supervision is necessary.

Well, there isn't such a manual. The Bible has some great instruction such as not provoking your children to anger, but for the everyday decisions you are basically on your own. I have found great comfort in handing my sons over to God. After all, can I protect them every minute of every day? No! Can God? Yes!

I continuously pray for wisdom. Then I know that the decisions I make are the best ones possible and I have no regrets. The Bible says we just have to ask for wisdom. James 1:5 says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." God is not willing that we carry all burdens alone. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus tells us, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

He will give you rest if you do your part. Your part is to learn of Jesus and take his yoke upon you. What is a yoke? It is a device that hooks two draft animals together so they can both work together. Do you want to continue barging on ahead alone or are you willing to team up with someone that will give you rest in exchange for a light burden? Hmmmm.....

Well, what kind of week did you have? Did you learn something new about God? Did you learn something new about yourself? If the answer to those questions is, "No," then you may have missed opportunities that were there. Don't fret, though. It's not too late to learn new things this week. Put on your reading glasses, open your Bible, hold your nose, and dive in.

Sometimes I wonder. . .why did God create weeds, flies, and teenagers? I can't figure it out!

Well, I guess Spring has sprung! We've been getting 80+ temperatures. Before, it was too wet and rainy to work in the garden. Now, all of a sudden, it's too hot. Sheesh. On the other hand, I might be looking for excuses because I don't feel like working in the garden. Hmmm.....

If you feel lonely or unloved then you are looking in all the wrong places. God is right there in the room with you. He has been patiently waiting for you to look to Him for your needs. He waiting to pour His love out on you. Are you ready?