Yesterday I was able to enjoy the sun’s reflection on water and revel at the beauty. As I basked in the warm glow, I observed how bright the reflection of the sun was compared to the rest of the water. Notice how the reflection bleeds out into the water, but the further away from the reflection, the darker the water gets. This reminds me to examine my own reflection. The more time I spend in prayer and devotion, the brighter I shine for Christ. Likewise, the farther I move away from Christ, the less I reflect His light in my words and actions. Read James 1:22-25 below and then spend some time examining yourself.

Do you spend time “hearing” God’s word? Do you hear the word and then fail to follow through in your words and actions? Are you reflecting the love of Christ?

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1:22-25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Below is a link to an older praise song, “Shine Jesus Shine.” Prayerfully listen to the songs as you examine your own reflection.

https://youtu.be/0RAJhTEWi8E

Max and Abby take resting seriously. In fact, Abby follows me around waiting for me to finally sit down so she can lay on my lap and rest. Most days, when I get home from work, I am on the go nonstop preparing supper, cleaning up from supper and then preparing for the next day. However, on Sundays I try to make time for rest. The picture above was actually taken last Sunday.

Rest is important. The definition even says the purpose of rest is to refresh oneself and recover strength. The Bible tells us that even God rested.

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Spiritual Sunday. I encourage you to keep this Sabbath holy by spending time in worship. While you worship, rest in the presence of your Maker. Then after your time of worship, be still and cease work. Allow time for yourself to relax, refresh yourself, and recover strength. Rest. God said so.

Some Fridays feel like you have come to the end of traveling a long rode. We are back to adapting which means to adjusting to new changes. Have you been in survival mode this week? How can we finish this Friday strong? God says all we have to do is come to Him in Matt 11:28-30 NIV; “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

I love the response to the question, how do you eat an elephant? “One bite at a time”. I encourage us all today to take it one minute, one bite at a time. May we all lean into God to carry us through to our weekend.

On this Thankful Thursday I am thankful for my church. I love that I get to worship in God’s house, fellowship with fellow Christians, small groups with friends, and oh how I miss the potluck gatherings.

Did you know that we as Christians are the church? Our bodies house the Holy Spirit. We are God’s temple. I am especially thankful for our Run for God group. We get to talk about God, take care of our temples, and fellowship with one another.

I encourage you to evaluate how you are caring for your temple. Are you taking time for yourself? Both mental and physical health are so important. I would love to hear what your routine is. Maybe it’s walking, yoga, or riding your bike.

On this Thankful Thursday let’s thank God for the opportunity to get active for Him! I am also thankful to get active with family. Below are pictures of me running with our twins and riding bikes with my husband.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:19-20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My daughter and I spent an hour at the beach this past Sunday. I enjoyed watching the birds walk around the sand. We talked about how calming it was to hear the waves as we read our books. Life can be complicated and a trip to the beach is a simple way to in complicate our minds and get soul rest.

One of the simplest scriptures comes from Micah 6:8; “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬. If life feels complicated today, remind yourself to simplify it with God’s word.

On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s humbly walk, one step at a time like this bird on the beach. Let’s remember to show love and Grace to those around us, especially those closest to us. Let’s remember in our actions and our reactions to act justly, even if it means pausing and counting to 10. Let’s go be a Water Walker for His glory today.