For anyone that has anything to do with the world of education, you know that we have arrived at the time of the year that is the final countdown. Students have only 14 more days of school! Along with the final countdown comes many deadlines and a long to-do list. Anxiety likes to creep in and cause even more stress and confusion.

On this Mindset Monday, as I look ahead at the busy week before me, I am choosing to take a deep breath, not be anxious, and “present my requests to God.” I will give thanks for the busy season and for the blessings that make my schedule busy. Then I will soak in “the peace of God.”

Do you also, have a busy week ahead. Choose to have the mindset of greeting one day at a time, tackle each task with prayer and petition, and bask in the serenity of God’s peace.

A few weeks ago I shared a picture of the hydrangea bloom on the left. Since then I have transplanted the hydrangea from the small pot it came in to a larger planter on my front porch. Eventually, I may plant it in my yard.

Notice the difference in the bloom color. I know that the bloom color of hydrangeas are affected by the minerals in the soil in which they planted. Therefore, if I do transplant it to the yard, the bloom color will likely change again. Nevertheless, as long as it has healthy roots, it will continue to grow and bloom.

On this Spiritual Sunday I encourage you to examine your bloom color. What is the soil like around you right now? Is the soil affecting your blooming? Does your bloom point others to Christ? Do others know you are a “new creation” because of your belief in Jesus? Has your bloom color changed? Sometimes a different bloom color is new, interesting and exciting. New color is good, as long as you are still rooted in Your savior, Jesus Christ.

Welcome to See you Saturday!! Click here and Join me as I talk about stumbling blocks!

Let’s ask ourselves; Am I trying to please people? In this verse from Galatians 1:10 NIV we learn only the applause of one matters; “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Is people pleasing a stumbling block? I know for me it can be. Often I learn the hard way. Two things tend to happen when I people please. If it is not my assignment from God, I get overwhelmed and lack in more important areas of my life. If it is for my applause, I can be left disappointed when I don’t get the approval I thought I needed or deserved.

The truth is, at the end of the day we have no one we need to please other than the creator of this beautiful beach scene. On this Finish Friday let’s not forget to be a servant of God.

As I was running last night, I listened to a Run for God Club podcast. Something that stood out to me was Mitchell Hollis saying; “Humbleness needs to come with graciousness”. Mitchell and Dean had been talking about often with humility we cut ourselves short and don’t give ourselves grace. Could this be a stumbling block in our Christian walk? Being humble, yet not giving ourselves grace? In this verse from Psa 149:4 NIV God gives victory to the humble; “For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

In my picture below I am stepping on a fallen, dead tree branch. I normally choose to be a road runner verses a trail runner because of debris that could make me stumble. On this Thankful Thursday, I want us to wear our crown of victory with humility and grace. Let’s take a moment to thank God for His continual work in each of us to be the best version of ourselves. As we pray, envision God removing the debris that could cause us to stumble.

Let’s pray!

Heavenly Father, thank you for taking delight in me and crowing me with victory. Thank you for the continual work you are doing in me so that I can be the best version of myself. Please remove any debris that could cause me to stumble. Remind me to give myself the same grace you give so freely. Guide me today to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with you. In the name of Jesus I pray Amen
‭‭(Micah‬ ‭6:8‬)

Do you ever let your mind get in the way of what God can do? For me it can be a stumbling block to limit God. Notice in Eph 3:20 NIV, God isn’t just capable of immeasurably more in our circumstances, He is also immeasurably more within you and I; Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,”

In the song “Didn’t I walk on Water”, some of the lyrics sing; Didn’t I walk on the water and I calme the raging sea. I spoke to the wind, it hushed and I gave you peace. Didn’t I run to your rescue, didn’t I hear you when you called
I walked right beside you just so you wouldn’t fall. Didn’t I leave all of heaven just to die for your sins. Searched until I found you and Id do it all again.

Like in this picture, we can make a puddle of water into a raging sea. Good news, God is in our hearts and our minds. He can bring peace to our minds. We just have to call His name. On this Water Walking Wednesday let’s remember this song and know that God can do immeasurably more in both the puddles and the raging seas.

Click Here and let’s worship with the Dunaways!

Yesterday I encouraged us to be intentional with the stumbling blocks that could hold us back from listening, loving, and following Jesus. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday a stumbling block for me is only leaning into God when times are tough or when at a cross road. If you look at this picture there is an arrow pointing to the Half-Marathon and an arrow pointing to the Marathon. This particular day I had to go right. It was hard but I leaned into God for strength and put my trust in Him. If I had the choice to go left, would I have leaned into and trusted God the same? Unfortunately probably not because it would have been an easier road.

Is our stumbling block, only putting trust in God when we are afraid? “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psa‬ ‭56:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God tells us He will be with us wherever we go. This means both to the left or right, easier path or harder path; “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.””
‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I encourage us to remove the blocks by leaning into God for strength and trusting Him at all times. I pray everyone has an easy road to travel this week! Let’s not forget to praise Him along the way.