I am no scientist so when I saw these frozen puddles I was interested in the patterns I saw. When I took these pictures, I was thinking all that had to happen for ice to form was for the temperature to drop below 32 degrees. However, there’s much more to it. In other words, water transforming into ice is not as simple as it looks.

My quick Google search revealed “Water turning into ice is not as straightforward as just getting cold. Other things also affect water freezing including dissolved solids, water density, pressure and movement.” (sciencelearn.org)

In other words, water freezing is a process. This explains why not all the puddles in my yard were frozen. Some of the variables must have been different in them that caused those puddles to remain liquid.

Just like the process of water freezing, transformation in ourselves is dependent on so many variables. The one constant is the steady hand of our Lord. No matter where you are in your journey of transformation, Jesus Christ is there to guide and direct you. No matter how many times you may fall and stumble, God will continue to help you get back up and travel further.

“though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In the words of Julie Andrews, “Perseverance is falling 19 times and succeeding the 20th.” My tip for you on this Transformation Tip Tuesday is, get back up! The transformation journey is not easy and you may fall, but keep getting back up, keep putting one foot in front of the other and keep relying on God to uphold you with His hand.

This past Friday and Saturday our area had a winter storm that produced freezing rain. While the icy conditions are not ideal, we did have pretty scenery. As I left church yesterday, the shrubbery around the building caught my eye. As you can see, the branches of the bush were encased in ice. While it appears to be strong, you and I know differently. As soon as the temperature rises and heats up, the ice melts away revealing a twig that can easily snap under pressure.

As we begin this Mindset Monday, let’s resolve to be different than the frozen bush. Let’s tuck the promise of this Psalm in our memory.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭73:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today, and in the days ahead, when things heat up around us let’s find strength and courage in Christ. Let’s rely on Christ so we don’t snap under pressure like the twig.

Last weekend I had the pleasure of going to Kiawah for a short get-away with some college friends. As I was leaving the island, I snapped this picture from my car window. Just as I did, I realized there was a parking area on the side of the road that I could have stopped for a few minutes and gotten a better picture, but instead of stopping I hurried on my way. I let my desire to stay on track with my schedule keep me from what could have been a beautiful and inspiring stop along my journey. Needless to say, the picture I took is not so good with the edge of the car and a road sign in it. This has made me think about the story of Martha and Mary in Luke.

“As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭10:38-42‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How often are we like Martha? How many inspiring opportunities pass us by because we make “staying on schedule” our priority?

On this Spiritual Sunday let’s be like Mary and sit at the feet of Jesus. Let us soak in all He has to teach us and allow the words of Christ to saturate us. Let’s stop on the road side and take the better pictures!

Today is Finish Friday. Are you embracing the day? Are you relishing the moments that make up your day? Yesterday on my way to work I heard an older country song titled “You’re Gonna Miss This” by Trace Adkins. Take a moment and listen to the words.

You’re Gonna Miss This

I share this today, not to have you mourn the past but to embrace today. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is beauty and blessings around you to behold. Live in the moment today and don’t let the day pass without thanking God for today. If we are always looking backwards or forwards, we will miss what is around us now. Don’t miss this!

Some of you know that I have been at home having to quarantine. My son tested positive for covid right after Christmas. Eventually the other 3 of us were sick at some time or another. This was not how I planned to end my winter break. Thankfully, our symptoms were relatively mild. Nonetheless, I remained at home for 2 weeks and today I get to go back to work!

This Thankful Thursday I am counting my blessings. I am thankful we are all healthy and back to “normal”. I am thankful for my job and that today I am able to return to work. Despite the circumstances, I am thankful for the opportunity to remain at home. During my time at home I was able to make the most of my time by accomplishing some tasks on my ongoing to-do list as I cared for my family. I even read 2 books which is usually a luxury that I am only able to partake in when out of school for the summer. Needless to say, my time at home was an unexpected and unplanned time of rejuvenation and for that I thank God.

How about you? Have you recently found yourself at work on tasks different than you planned? No matter where we find ourselves, there is work we can do for the glory of God. For that, let us give thanks!

Have you ever thought about what the weather was like the day Jesus and Peter walked on water? Was the wind blowing or was the water smooth as glass like in this photo by Ray White? Was it cloudy, rainy, or was it a clear evening. Was it perfect water walking conditions? What are the perfect water walking conditions?

Today is Water Walking Wednesday. The name of our blog is Water Walkers. Our hashtag is #waterwalkinggirls. Does that mean Julie and I have mastered “walking on water”? NOT AT ALL.

Julie and I have prayerfully chosen all the different parts about our blog over time. Whether intentionally or not on our part, we each have always pushed the other to step out of our comfort zone and “walk on water.” Our blog is a way to share our journey with you.

I realize that I often think the conditions were perfect when I have been brave enough to walk on water. In reality, the environment was usually less than perfect. In fact, that’s part of walking on water…stepping outside of the boat, or your comfort zone, despite the conditions around you.

What is God calling you to today? What is your Creator asking you to do? When you look out of the window, are the conditions calm or stormy? Either way, I pray you will remember the faith of your forefathers and step out in faith, despite the weather around you.

“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

Today’s picture is not beautiful or polished but it is real life. Look closely at the middle of the picture. Can you tell what it is? Yep! It’s my contact stuck to the bathroom drawer.

One morning, while getting ready for work, I dropped my contact. I looked for it directly below me, in the sink, and on the floor to no avail. Since I didn’t have my contact in my eye, my vision was blurred, so after a few minutes of searching I gave up and opened a new pair of contacts. The next morning while getting ready for work I noticed the lost contact when I reached for the drawer handle. Needless to say, by the time I found the contact, it was dried out and unusable.

As we go through our lives, we sometimes wander and get lost. Even as Christians, we may slowly stray further and further from walking our path with Christ at our side. Unlike my contact, it is never too late for you and I. We are never too lost to be found.

This Transformation Tip Tuesday I encourage you to prayerfully consider writing down and/or memorizing a scripture that can be your go-to scripture in times you feel lost. Below are a few to get you thinking.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:8-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And my prayer for you:

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:13‬ ‭NIV‬‬