The last two mornings we have awakened to rain, thunder and lightning. Both mornings, soon after opening the front door, the glass storm door has become fogged up and covered with condensation. I imagine that as people drive by they can not really see inside. Likewise, my view to the outside is blurry and distorted.

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, the facade I present to the world is also blurry and distorted. I want to be liked, please others, and keep the peace. Therefore I may remain silent and not speak up. Or I may pretend everything is perfect when actually everything is a mess. How about you? Do others see a true picture of you or is it blurry? Are you hiding weakness behind a foggy door? Scripture tells us that our strength in Jesus is found in weakness.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬
This Water walking Wednesday I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone by wiping away the haze on the front door of your life. Let others see your vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Allow Jesus’ strength to shine through. Today, let’s all allow others to see that, “when I am weak, then I am strong.” Weakness may be our strongest testimony.

Again today I will encourage you to examine your focus. Yesterday, as I left my house to go to an appointment, I was feeling a little down about the end of my summer break drawing near. However, as I crossed this bridge I was overwhelmed by the beauty around me…a God wink. God reminded me to see the beauty around, enjoy it, and be thankful. This week in Vacation Bible School we are teaching the children to look for God Sighings, aka God Winks. My prayer for each of us is that we transform our thinking and our focus. May each of us keep our eyes open today for all the ways we see God winking at us. Let’s keep our focus on “things above” instead of the worries and cares of this earthly world.

Our travels last week also brought us near this old covered bridge. It is no longer open to vehicles but we were able to walk through it. As you can see, even as we approached the bridge and began to walk through it, we were still unable to see what was on the other side. The inside of the tunnel was dark and the light on the other side was our guide. Are you walking through a dark tunnel today? Are you uncertain about what lies ahead? On this Mindset Monday, focus your mind on the promises of scripture.

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 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, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:14-21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

No matter what is ahead of us, Our God will light the way and can do “immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.”

Last Sunday evening we were at a ball field. Look closely at the top picture of the smokestacks in the background. While watching the game we were also able to witness the smokestacks disappear due to rain and clouds. A little later the rain cleared and we were left with a rainbow.

Often in our lives we witness much of the same. We walk through our days and suddenly find ourselves engulfed with clouds and rain. During those times we must rely on the faith we have been building along and along to carry us through. On this Spiritual Sunday, spend some time examining the weather around you. Are you currently walking through sun, clouds or rain? If so, are you focusing on the storm or on Christ? Are you spending time in devotion and prayer to strengthen your faith? Refocus your attention today so you can see God’s everlasting light and the rainbow in the distance.

Yesterday I came across this tree with huge leaves. It was a large, healthy, strong tree. Then I began to think about how old the tree may be and all it has withstood. As we finish this week, let’s all commit to being “planted in the house of the Lord” so we can flourish. I encourage you to read all of Psalms 92 this morning and pray about what you can do to ensure you continue to grow healthy and strong. Let’s Finish Friday by flourishing.

P.S. What kind of tree is this?

Today is Thankful Thursday. Be intentional today about thanking God for “every good and perfect gift “. This beautiful sunset was a blessing to me last night. I snapped many pictures and this was one of the last. As I watched the sun set, I gave thanks to God for being a Master Artist. Look today for all the beauty around you. No matter what we face today, we have much to be thankful. Tell the Maker how thankful you are for new mercies.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.””
‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Summertime in the south brings nearly daily storms. It’s not a question of if there will be a storm but what time of day the storm will occur. Likewise, storms occur in life at a moments notice. Storms vary from short to seemingly never ending. How do you handle the storms of life? Do you worry, stress, or become consumed by the storm? Or do you hunker down in prayer and devotion, trusting that God has already overcome the world?

On this Water Walking Wednesday I encourage you to examine your responses to storms. Does life’s thunder and lightning scare you? Are you leaning on Christ for strength and courage? Are you stepping out in the rain and allowing God to guide your steps? As storms approach today, hold on to this Biblical promise.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬