Have you done a heart and mind check lately? In order to finish Friday strong we may need to evaluate what we are letting in. This could be through yes’s. Remember not everything is our assignment. This could be what we take in through social media or television. We need to remember who we are and who we belong to. We are all children of God.

I had the privilege of seeing this bird take a bath in this fountain. This bird seemed carefree and to be having fun. Let’s remember to have fun because it’s Friday and we need to finish strong. Let’s remember to guard our hearts and minds today for only what God wants us to take in. In Proverbs 4:23 NIV we read, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

Even in stressful situations we can stay calm knowing God is with us! Equanimity means mental calmness, especially in a difficult situation.

Last night walking home from our neighbors house we were blessed with the light of this beautiful full moon. Seeing a moon like this always reminds me of a book my parents gave for our twins after they had moved four hours away called; “I See the Moon and the Moon Sees Me” by Jonathan London. No matter how far we are from our loved ones or even our God, we are all looking at the same moon. Just like the the Magi followed the star to Bethany in Matt 2:9, God is always guiding us. On this Thankful Thursday I am blessed with the reminder that God is guiding us always. We won’t hear an audible voice but we know He is saying, “This is the way; walk in it”. Although He may seem distant at times, we are looking at the same moon. In my childlike mind I giggle with a thought. What if our loved ones that have gone on before us are looking at the same moon from their heavenly home? It’s a thought that brings me Joy. I hope you all can find something as big or small as the moon to be thankful for today and always!

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”” Isaiah‬ ‭30:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Watering our plants has become a part time job with little to no rain lately. Last night as I was watering, I was thinking about how I needed to buy a sprinkler to cut down on my labor. I reminded myself that I do enjoy watering, especially when the sun is setting. I thought about how my faithfulness was starting to show in the flowers that are blooming and the plants that are growing. Just like the plants, God is not going to leave us sun-scorched. We may want to find the easy way out, but our obedience to keep walking the walk and talking the talk will be rewarded. On this Water Walking Wednesday we must remember how God’s faithfulness never fails us. I pray we can all be strengthened by God’s word today!

“The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭58:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Today is Transformation Tips Tuesday. Just like birds, we tend to use body language to communicate. My family likes to laugh with me at my facial expressions when I am relaxed or in deep thought. One good thing about COVID, when wearing masks we don’t have to worry about fixing our facial expressions.

Let’s try to be intentional today with how we act and react, with and without words. Is our body language Christ like? We can’t control how others interpret but we can control ourselves. I would love to know what this bird is trying to communicate.

“A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭16:30‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is Mindset Monday. We can choose to see the light of the moon or the darkness of night. We can be open to seeing God’s word light our path or we can be closed minded to worldly views which may cause us to stumble. In Psalm 119:105 NIV we read; “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Is there a scripture that God has laid on your heart to help guide you?

A scripture that has been close to Deborah and I over the last several years is from Isaiah 43:19; “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Don’t miss out on seeing God today! Will you perceive it?

We have had some beautiful evening sky’s this past week. I’ve been enjoying them from my porch. I was thinking that too bad these ugly power lines are in the picture. Then I thought about the ugly scars we carry and God’s Grace. He will make something beautiful out of them if we allow Him to use is us for His glory. In the song Scars by Mandisa she sings, “They teach me that my brokenness is something that you can use”. Each of us have access to the power of God when we allow him to use our brokenness. Let’s finish Friday strong knowing we have God’s power resting upon us.

“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.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NIV‬

“Scars” by Mandisa; https://youtu.be/7Gvt__r9EU0

As difficult as it may be, I am thankful that my Heavenly Father cuts off the branches that don’t bear fruit and prunes the ones that do. As most of you know my word of the year for 2021 has been “refine” and my mantra has been to “be a fruit bearer”. Looking back on my WOY blog post, I can see areas in my life that God has been refining me. I’ve had to learn to give myself grace in the process. I can also see areas that I have been fruitful, specifically with my joy and peace. I can see areas I still need to work on, like self-control.

As you read these verses this morning, can you find something to be thankful for? “”I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” John‬ ‭15:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

To recap, her is my word of the year blog post; https://waterwalkers29.wordpress.com/2021/01/08/mywordfor2021-by-julie-wicker/