Choices... Every second we are making them. Some easy... some hard. Some right.... some wrong. Some come naturally, like brushing your teeth and some unnatural... like saying "no" when "yes" is so much easier.
Standing at the crossroads...

One road paved with fear and doubt...
The road of denial...the one taken because it provides a quick fix, instant gratification...the easier road to choose yet always leads to a dead end.

And the other road paved with trust and faith.
The much harder one to take...in the moment.

So why would I want to walk down the more difficult road?

Because "... wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
BUT
small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Traveling down the broad road always brought me to the same destination: one big mess.
Today, when I am at the crossroad...I choose the narrow road because my Lord promises to be with me...

"When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;" (Isaiah 43:2-3)

No matter what comes into my life, I can face it with the Lord by my side. I have nothing to fear because I have someone that I can trust. The road of fear and doubt is no longer an option.
I have faced some bumpy roads... And some I have avoided.... wishing I would have taken the " road less traveled" first... but what is so cool is when I have chosen the wrong road Jesus was always right there...to pick me up and wipe me off... with his forgiveness...
And then He pointed me back to the right road...and walked with me. He has done it....and will continue to do so... every time I take my eyes off of Him and wander down the wrong path.

With scuffed up knees, I will continue to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus...who stands at gate of the narrow road...so I will be able to walk through life with peace and joy, no matter how bumpy the road appears to be.
May your day be a smooth ride as you travel down the narrow road, hand in hand, with your Savior.

Peace to you,
Joni

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:2-3

This morning, three black crows decided to take a bath in a huge pothole at the bottom of our driveway. One flew in, and was splashing around...another crow spotted him and waddled (yes, waddled) over and jumped in with him....then a third. All having a grande 'ole time...in a pothole.
Taking a "bad" thing and using it for good. Something which causes a bumpy ride in my car, is providing a spa for birds.
It made me smile. It made me think about those things in my life which I allow to steal my "smiles" ...my peace, my joy. Those potholes in my path as I journey through life.
How is one to bathe with joy when these “disruptions” come? (a pothole is defined as” a disruption in the surface of the roadway”…interesting)
Just as this hole is serving a purpose for the birds, the holes in our life are also serving a purpose.
All things happen for a reason. God uses all things...for His purposes. Most of the time, we have no clue what is going on, and question why would God allow such a trial, an unexpected "bump" in the road....
With our every question, He has an answer…because….
" … we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)
God always working behind the scenes, putting together a puzzle in our lives...using all things...even a pothole in the street...
That hole...has shown me peace. That hole has taught me patience. That hole has made me smile.
Thank you God...for the birdbath at the end of my driveway.
God has filled many of the holes in my life. If it wasn't for the holes, I would never had needed a “hole filler”. Anything that I give Him, He fixes and fills with His love. He has everything that is needed to fill whatever holes are in our life.
No hole is too big for God.
These are opportunities to bring me closer to my Lord...where He grows my faith as I lean on Him and allow Him to "pave" my way.
The crows have left, and a little sparrow just came and drank from the pothole.
The annoyance in my life is an oasis for the birds.
Now when I drive out of my driveway, and my coffee spills all over me...because of the pot hole in the road...I will smile....knowing that this "bump in the road" is being used for good…. a resort for the neighborhood crows.
May you find joy in then midst of whatever bumps in the road are in your life right now…as you lean on the Master "hole filler".
Peace to you,
Joni
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 8:12

His Shining Light

My search for the "perfect" sunrise....waking up early, rushing down to the beach with my camera so I could capture the most amazing picture of a sunrise. Day One....cloudy, no sun. Day Two...Too foggy. Day Three....one speck of orange...and the Days continued...no perfect sunrise. Trying to get the perfect sunrise to depict the perfect Savior. So....no picture, no perfect savior??? What a wake up call for me.
How the clouds or the fog get in the way of our experiencing the sunlight. What we can't see behind those clouds...is that there is that circular orange ball, shining always...even on a rainy day.
Our Savior...Our Jesus....sent to earth to shine in our hearts. God's "Son"...the light of the world....born to Mary, so He could die on a cross for me, for you..for everyone. As I have been waiting for the sun to rise, I seem to forgot that the Son did rise. He rose so, I can live...so I could experience love, joy and peace...like I have never experienced before.
May His light pierce through any clouds or fog that may be in your life right now.

Bask in the Lord's words below...as you allow His Son to rise in your hearts...so you can experience the perfect "sonrise" every morning.

"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



Peace,

Joni

"Trust God. Wait Patiently. Watch Expectantly"