One day this week a relative and friend reached out to me asking what scripture comforts me during grief. Within seconds this verse from Rev 21:4 came to mind;
“”He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””‬‬ In this world we all experience suffering. Sometimes we see it through disease and sickness. But we don’t always know when someone is suffering on the inside. This scripture gives me peace and comfort knowing that Jesus has not only loved us so much that He bottled up every tear but also that the person is no longer suffering.

This same relative and friend felt guilty for questioning God. Within seconds this song; Why God by Austin French came to mind. We are all God’s children and just like a child who asks a lot of questions, it is not for us to understand everything. It is ok to ask why!

I know this is an unusual post for Finish Friday but I know there are others grieving. I love this saying; “God is greater than the Highs and Lows”. No matter what your grief is, God is greater. It is ok to rely on God for His strength on this Friday and everyday.

Heavenly Father, Thank you for being greater than any high and any low than we have experienced. I lay all those that are grieving and surfing at your feet. I ask for your love, peace, and comfort to overwhelm them as they ask why. And when they don’t get a response or maybe the response hurts, hold them in your presence as you bottle up their tears. Give them the strength they need to process their grief today and always. In the name of Jesus Amen.

Often you read and hear Deborah and I talk about journaling our gratitudes. How about counting our miracles? In this song; Million Little Miracles by Elevation Worship & Maverick City, the miracles are so abundant they can’t count them all.

Miracles can be little things we take for granted; breath in our lungs, clothes on our backs, or food on the table. Miracles can be big events; salvation, healing, or opening doors. We tend to forget over the days, months, and years.

Some of the lyrics this song sings; “I hope I never get over what you’ve done”. In this verse from Deuteronomy, we must never forget to praise God for all the million little miracles performed everyday.

I encourage us all to journal our many miracles. Like this flower went from a seed to a bud, in a journal we can make a timeline of events that we can count and never forget.

Last Friday I had the joy of putting my toes in the sand. It is amazing to stand along the ocean in view of its vastness. There appears to be no end as the ocean meets the sky. I am always in Awe of God’s creation, especially when I take time to be still and enjoy it.

We are all Water Walkers when we stand in awe of God. On this Water Walking Wednesday imagine yourself standing at the shore line and worship with Hillsong United in the song, Stand in Awe

Yesterday as we were walking my daughter pointed out the blue ceilings on porches. She informed me that it helps keep birds and wasps from making nests. This makes me think about how we need to be proactive and not leave room for the Devil to make nests in our lives.

On this Transformation Tips Tuesday I encourage us all to stay guarded in God’s word. Take inventory of the sin that easily entangles us. Let’s not give the Devil a any footholds today.

“and do not give the devil a foothold.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Why are Mondays always so hard? Just like my dog Oreo, it would be nice to sometimes cover our faces rather than face the day ahead. Yet, God has commanded us to be strong and courageous no matter if it is Monday or another day of the week.

How will you approach today? With a covered face? Or a courageous spirit? On this Mindset Monday, let’s lean into God and ask him to equip us to tackle this Monday.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” Josh‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As I was standing at Dunkin Donuts waiting on my order, I read this paper bag here and laughed. Seriously think about our days, especially Monday though Saturday. It is easy for us to get off track, to get away from God. Just like these sprinkles get shifted in transport, we get shifted in life. Thankfully we read in Psalm 139:7; “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”

The best part, God already knows when and where we will shift and yet he loves us anyways; “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Ps‬ ‭139:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This week, will you get shifted for God or shifted for the world? As we go to our places of worship today, let’s ask God to sprinkle us with his Holy Spirit so that we may shift towards Him.