We have a Crape Myrtle tree in our front yard. Recently I realized this is a popular tree in my neighborhood. Some are short shrubs, while some are tall trees with lots of blooms, or very little blooms. Our tree has very little blooms. If you walk around the back of the tree and look up, you will find beautiful flowers.

Like these Crape Myrtle’s, we tend to compare ourselves to others. God made us each unique. On this Transformation Tips Tuesday, we need to accept how God made us. The way we are shaped, if we are tall or short, and the gifts God gave us. Each of us are fearfully and wonderfully made. If you tend to struggle with acceptance, remember to look up. Through God’s help you will find beauty.

Like this salted peanut butter and chocolate snack, life is both sweet and salty. As I was eating it Saturday, I noticed the message on the wrapper for the first time. The brand is Perfect and the massage says; “Have a Perfect Day”.

Is life sweet or salty for you today? If your answer is sweet, make sure to take time to thank God for your blessings. If your answer is salty, ask God to help keep your chin up with a positive attitude.

Our Christian walk isn’t promised to be perfect everyday, however we are blessed to have a path that leads us to a brighter tomorrow. We might as well enjoy a little chocolate along the way! Let’s go forward with a positive Mindset Monday that God has perfected just for us.

Today on this Spiritual Sunday, we celebrate our independence. On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. The document written by Thomas Jefferson went through an editing process. There were 86 changes made to the original writing. We started celebrating this day annually after the first public reading where bells were rung and music was played.

As we go to our places of worship and throughout our day, let’s rejoice because this is the day the Lord has made. We have the freedom to ring bells and play music for God everyday. We get to live out our edited lives, blessed that through God’s Grace we can keep writing our story. Thank you to our men and women who have served and continue to serve our country so that we can live in freedom.

I took this picture yesterday on my run. It is the flag pole that was donated to Herbert Memorial Untied Methodist Church in Memory of JL Plexico. Both the American flag and the Christian flag are flying.

Look closely at the picture. I made a mess with glue. This wasn’t the first time I made a mess, nor will it be the last. I could have been discouraged and quit when the glue spilled, but instead I kept working and finished the project I was working on. Have you made mistakes this week? Have you stumbled? Take comfort in the promise that your Heavenly Father is holding your hand and will keep you from completely falling. Trust God and keep working hard. I like the words in the Message version of this scripture:

“Stalwart walks in step with God; his path blazed by God, he’s happy. If he stumbles, he’s not down for long; God has a grip on his hand.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭37:23-24‬ ‭MSG

If you stumble today imagine God’s grip on your hand, get back up, and finish this Friday strong.

P.S. I am not allowed to use glue at my house because I am notorious for making glue messes. 😂

I encourage you to read the context from which the pictured scripture comes 2 Corinthians 9:6-15. In this scripture generosity is encouraged. Today look around for those who have been gracious and generous and be thankful. Then look down the road of life and find opportunities for generosity. How can you show your thankfulness by being generous to others? Where can you share your gifts? On this Thankful Thursday I am looking down the road of life and thanking God for the beauty ahead. I look ahead with hope and faith trusting that God will continue to bring goodness and mercy. I too will seek ways to be generous in my thanksgiving. And may we all give glory to God for the indescribable gifts ahead.

The school where I work is undergoing a transformation this summer. In order for the floors to be replaced in the classrooms and offices everything had to be packed up and all of the furniture had to be moved out. Then the old flooring must be removed prior to new flooring being installed. All of this is hard work. However the result will be worth all the work. Do you have some hard work you need to do this Transformation Tip Tuesday? Examine any areas of your life that may need transformation. Choose one area to focus on today. Start the process of packing up and moving anything that needs to be moved out before the new can be moved in. Read the scripture for today and replace the words to personalize it. Then roll up your sleeves and get to work!

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on me; establish the work of my hands for me— yes, establish the work of my hands.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭90:17‬ ‭

As we begin this week we do not know what the path ahead holds. We could be filled with fear, worry and anxiety about what lies ahead but instead let’s choose to follow the advice of the song by Cody Carnes, “Run To The Father.” Let’s trust God’s plan and when worry creeps in let’s pre-decide to run to Him instead.