faith – Apples of Gold Encouragement

ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE By Lori A Alicea

This scenic view looks all too familiar.

While sitting here, I find myself drawn to this picture of home I’ve saved in my memory; a hidden haven, nestled and tucked away off an old dirt road where only birds and squirrels know its whereabouts.

A place of hospitality where you’re welcomed into the arms of peace and tranquility, a neighborhood of Christmas evergreens, with old oak trees and acres of flowers growing wild in every color the eye can dream of.

A place where the sun tip-toes quietly in the morning when life is just beginning to yawn and stretch with their eyes barely open, rising and greeting through the kitchen windows on a husband and wife who share a cup of coffee at a table set for two.
Yes, this scenic view tempts and draws me to sit for a while to savor the choir of birds and critters serenading an audience they are unaware of.
Remembering a place called home in the country where childhood memories were lived and made for our kids and grand-kids enjoying their two-acre playground for almost eighteen years.

Though truly content in whatever address we currently call home,

As Home is wherever I am with you.
We secretly long for another hidden haven, nestled and tucked away off an old dirt road where only birds and squirrels know its whereabouts.

Yes, this scenic view looks all too familiar.
It was the year of 2017 and we had moved again after packing up our quiet life among the wild flowers and evergreens.

Our journey from our home in God’s country found us at a fork in the road where the next step could be about us, or about our parents. We chose to move one street over from them to assist in their care.

No, we didn’t move to the home of our dreams, but we did move to the place of honor according to God in Exodus 20:12,

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Three years later, David and I were packing again; my mother’s home as well as ours.

Bittersweet are the years as just when you are getting used to the idea of your surroundings, life changes again.

My step-father Roger went home to be with Jesus and mother’s health forced an address change to a nursing home.

The reality of our age is setting in as good-byes to loved ones become an unwelcome guest in your life.

After selling our home before finding another, David and I inquired of the Lord in a Motel 8,

“Where to next Lord?”

I was looking out our hotel window and in my journal penned these words dated August 3, 2017:

The first leg of our house hunting journey has us parked at a Motel 8 for the next two weeks.

While this is not the Hyatt and the only amenities are a mini fridge and a microwave, David and I couldn’t be any happier.

The fridge has enough room for a few days’ rations which is fine with us.

We light a candle and enjoy our frozen dinners for two.

Oh and yes, we have our own coffee pot, coffee and cream; couldn’t leave home without that.

God is so good because if our room had been located on the south side, our view would have overlooked the parking lot and all the surrounding businesses.

But we were placed on the north side so when you look out the window, all you see is God’s creation.

Being on the second floor the wind is given permission to blow through the open windows of our room, allowing the eavesdropping of conversations that critters were having at night.

We are camping without the tent.
Yes people, we could be depressed staying where you dare not take off your flips, or be ever appreciative of the view God has prepared in advance for us.

It’s your perspective; it’s what you choose to see.

God’s got all the details.

We truly are enjoying the adventurous ride.

Yes, Home is wherever I am with you.
After four moves in total, our picture of home among the wild flowers and evergreens off an old dirt road still remains tucked away and close in our memory.

We’re always asking and could be packed in a moment’s notice,

“Where to next Lord?”

As God has been our mission coordinator and traveling companion for twenty-nine years, sending us into neighborhoods where broken hearts need mending, where marriages need hope, where lonely ones need company, where discouraged need encouraged, where sick need assistance, where lost souls need Jesus, where streets of addresses need a lamp-post to shine His bright light and love.

We’re ready and willing Lord…

Until then…

We’ll hold tight to contentment and carry our dreams wherever we go.

But trust that God’s dreams for us are bigger and greater than we could ever imagine….

No matter the place we live.

Because it’s all about perspective.
It’s what we choose to see.

GOD WITH US! By Lori A Alicea

The double doors of 2022 are soon to be drawn and the lights will dim to darkness on the past twelve months of our lives.

green christmas tree with string lights — Photo by Jeswin Thomas on Pexels.com

Standing still in the doorway while looking over my shoulder one final time as the past three-hundred and sixty-five days of the calendar bid their good-by, I find it a gift to close my eyes and seal into memory the joys and the sorrows, the victories and the trials, the wins and the defeats, the highlights and the lowlights; remembering after retracing the steps of another year, I traveled not alone, but with Immanuel, God with us.

Photo by Leeloo Thefirst on Pexels.com

When the clock strikes midnight to a brand new year, and celebrations all around the world transform into snow globes of confetti and balloons; yes, there’ll be cheers, hugs and kisses around the room to those which we love in great hopes of new beginnings; and after those years which proved to be difficult, we all can believe and hope, can’t we?

USE Cinderella Goodnight Princess hugging girls goodnight

Photo by Juliana Stein on Pexels.com

Which is why when the unknowns of our itineraries are handed out for the year with the mountains still standing before us, as do the valleys, the road blocks, the detours and finish lines; we fear not because we forget not, we travel with Immanuel, God with us.

Peering thru the Christmas windows of my life in 2021, and continuing into the hallways of the New Year’s festivities of 2022, I had to fight feeling alone when I was sick and by myself during the holiday month of December and into January, with my husband fighting for his life in the hospital alone.

The calendar reminded me about dinner during Christmas that year of 2021, where our children and grandchildren should have been seated around the table with us. Yet God was with us still and took his seat around each of our tables, regardless of the miles which separated them.

God was with us during those weeks of telephone calls, midnight text messages, groceries left at the doorstep and grandchildren peering thru my Christmas windows with their smiles of cheer.

Yes, we celebrate God in the good times because our memories dare not forget, and bring to our remembrance His nearness against our tears in the difficult ones.

There were tidings of great joy this Christmas of 2022 when David and I found our seat at the holiday dinner table once again. While our December season together has been a winter wonderland of ornaments and white lights in every room of our house, there have been moments when we’d shake the snow globe blizzard from a year ago in our conversations, though counting and naming our blessings thru the valley with Immanuel, God with us.

Photo by Merve Sultan on Pexels.com

My calendar of 2023 is a blank slate where God will begin to pencil in divine appointments, opportunities for reaching neighbors, reminders to call that someone you’ve been putting off.

coffee notebook pen writing — Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

There’ll be fishing and sledding dates with our grandchildren regardless of Papa’s hip, craft time with my glue gun and glitter, coffee dates, cousin camp for those who still want to come, gym time with my circle of friends, and Friday night dates with my love.

Let’s not forget those hours set aside to dream new dreams and dust off old ones still vying for my attention, remembering also to reserve time with myself for pampering, resting and window shopping my goals.

Most of all, might my mornings be blocked and penciled in with appointments of prayer and reading his Word as God awaits us in the early hours of our tossing and turning and inability to sleep; His way of starting the coffee and setting an early table for two, where His presence is near, and sensed in the seat close beside…God with us.

photo of flower vase near coffee cups — Photo by NastyaSensei on Pexels.com

DESTINATION ADVENTURE By Lori A Alicea

There it was…

Catching me off guard…
Stopping me in my tracks…
So strangely out of place…

Getting my complete attention the minute
I opened the doors to this church I was visiting.

An old Volkswagen towing a surfboard parked inside the foyer for reasons I was intrigued to know why.

A mystery God wouldn’t reveal until months later, but revolved around the reason I was speaking at a ladies conference that Saturday morning in the first place.

The story began months prior and finding me minding my own business and perfectly content, serving God behind the scenes as a writer and blogger.

But then over coffee with a longtime friend, God was about rustle my comfortable nest and thrust me into the winds of the unknowing, testing my wings of faith when my trusted sister inquired if I’d be willing to speak at a conference she was hosting.

My answer is found in an excerpt of a former blog of mine…

When Opportunity Comes
By Lori A Alicea

Among the lively conversations shared around each table that morning at this local eatery, privately I was having a Moses moment with God, reluctantly responding as Moses did when God presented an opportunity long ago,

“Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent (of speech)…”
Exodus 4:10 NIV

It’s easy to hide behind these written words of mine, a wall of personal security.

Though, while I’m not afraid of testifying God’s Word before others, I tried to justify “my lack of eloquence” to my friend.

In my scarcity of confidence, I questioned if I had anything worthwhile to offer, yet I am encouraged by Author and speaker Lisa Bevere’s words…

Offer God whatever He has placed in your hand – whatever is in your care or control. Offer it up for heavenly purposes and see what God will do. As we release what is in our hands, He releases what is in His.

Then I am reminded in the quiet time of my prayers…

God hath need of thee, to multiply my life’s message and feed a room full of hungry people; if only I’d be willing to offer my ordinary lunch to Him in my “yes”.

_________________________________

I SAID YES.

One Saturday morning the alabaster jar of my testimony was broke open and poured out over a room full of ladies and men; a hillside of wild flowers and fragrance wafted to the heavens as an offering of praise to our Lord.

The healing waters gently flowed through those hearts and tears of ones hurting during a conference titled, “Beloved.”

All glory to an almighty God.

Then I returned back home to my comfortable nest…

Or so I thought.

I couldn’t shake that old Volkswagen and surfboard waiting for me when I arrived at the Beloved conference.

I continuously inquired of God its meaning.

This scene was personal and gripped my emotions upon first glance.

As a child, our driveway was a parking lot full of Volkswagen’s awaiting my father’s mechanic hands to fix them.

Our military son and family living in Hawaii, all love to surf.

This personal scene is an illustration to the story God is about to unveil and read from the next chapter written for my life…

Destination Adventure.

From one who always played it safe…

Pastor and Author Richard Foth reminds…

We were meant for more than a safe ride when God placed us here. Any part of this life that offers more, requires more, or asks more of us than we are used to is an opportunity to grow more, dream more, and be more than we are now.

This personal scene was a setup from God, who knows me intimately and sees those hidden heart strings tied to His daughters emotions.

God was asking more of me.

To dream more, to risk more, to stop playing it safe.

“But what would I offer Him this time?”

Pastor Erwin Lutzer said, “A faithful God does not expect you to do what you cannot. He supplies the needed strength.” As we faithfully serve God, He gives us the strength we need for the tasks He has placed in front of us.

So go in the strength you have…
Judges 6:14 NIV

God wasn’t asking me to barrel the big waves.

No, He was only asking a child to take those first few steps in the shallow, finding herself in the deep waters one day in the future.

Looking close inside this Volkswagen is a silent greeting of aloha, a lei welcoming me to this adventure.

Looking even closer, you notice the Jesus license plate, our faithful Lord who goes before us, leading the way.

Life is a wilderness, but when we invite Jesus to be our Guide, all bets are off.

Any way you slice it, those things spell adventure.
Pastor and Author Richard Foth

It’s time to stop playing it safe and jump into the unknowing; whatever the unknowing looks like.

Destination Adventure is God’s personal book for me I recently opened, where Chapter One only instructs me to take the first step, to jump and take a risk.

If you don’t take the risk, you forfeit the miracle.
Pastor and Author Mark Batterson

And to get excited for the unknowns of Chapter Two and beyond…

Another excerpt from…

When Opportunity Comes
By Lori A Alicea

My friend stirred up the excitement in me through a song written by Pastor Mike Jr; excitement I stir up in your opportunities as well; that God’s getting ready to move…and it’s going to be BIG…

Song BIG
By Pastor Mike Jr.
….

You ought to declare that over your own life

That it’s my time
And I can feel it.
Breakthrough is in the room.

God’s getting ready to move.

Listen, you ought to declare this over your own life, say it
For I know my God is working miracles just for me

And it’s going to be BIG…

WHEN GOD STEPS IN! By Lori A Alicea

If it matters to us, it matters to God.

Whether it’s a child’s sick goldfish, a health challenge, financial crisis, business deal in jeopardy, a wayward child or a heart’s desire in waiting;

If it matters to us, it matters to God.

The surround sound of Heaven amplifies the cries of its people.

Our Daddy hears and answers before his children finish their sentences.

Before they call I will answer, while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Isaiah 65:24 NIV

This God who never sleeps nor naps can be reached at any time, day or night.

Our calls to Him are never dropped, screened, or sent to voice-mail.

God’s children have speed dial access to a good Father who steps in when we least expect and in ways never imagined.

God loves to hear his children ask of Him; and so we did.

My husband David and I found ourselves in a quandary, when after committing financially to hosting, decorating and catering a benefit event months earlier for our dear Pastor, David without notice found himself unemployed.

Overwhelmed… anxious… deeply concerned.

What to do?

Taking on such a leadership role in itself was an act of faith on our part as we are followers by nature; giving and serving behind the scenes.

Yet, when our Pastor running for office inquired of those willing to host a benefit in his honor; God quietly nudged a husband and wife to trust Him with our “yes”.

Invitations were ordered.

The venue was secured.

Our guest list determined.

Table decorations envisioned.

Speakers selected.

Entertainment secured.

Excitement is building.

The word had already gone out to save the date.

Now here we are…unemployed.

Our Guest of Honor would have easily understood our financial plight with compassion.

We could have walked away from this commitment without any questions asked.

But the nagging tug of our hearts reminded we had heard from God to trust Him with our “yes”… and so we did.

Only God knew the words written in our diary of uncertainty; those pages hidden under lock and key to our Guest of Honor.

Yet our Daddy hears and answers before his children finish their sentences.

“Trust me with your yes.”

We continued to trust Our Faithful God with the impossible.

God loves to hear his children ask of Him; and so we did.

Then, the amazing happens when God steps in while we least expect, and in ways we never imagined.

Keeping a close eye on our checking account balance which was dwindling by the day during this unforeseen unemployment, I realized an error had occurred after noticing a large deposit not our own was posted.

Immediately calling the bank regarding these misappropriated funds, my heart skipped a few beats to learn that monies owed to me years ago had been intercepted and deposited into our account.

More exciting, monies in the same amount would be deposited every other week for the next six months; enough in total to fully fund our benefit with enough left over to deliver our candidate / Pastor and family to his event in honor.

God had made a way when there seemed to be no way in our finances.

God steps in at just the right time with the exact monies needed; restitution I had long given up hope to receive.

Interestingly, these deposits ceased once the event had taken place.

David also started a new job that following Monday.

Sure sounds like God stepped in for us.

Yes, if it matters to us, it matters to God.

Give Him a call.

PURSUIT OF A PERSONAL BEST By Lori A Alicea

I once read…

When you find your why,
You’ll find your way.
John C. Maxwell

You’ll find your way in the why of your purpose…
Your why in the fine print of your birth certificate…
Your why in the reasons to get up in the morning…

These whys are God’s plans to conquer the ground of our purpose; while armed with our gifts and our talents.

Gifts and talents perfectly fitted for each purpose.

Gifts and talents perfectly fitted for you.

But how often when we face the mirror of comparison do we feel God packed the other guy’s tool box of gifts and talents more generously than ours; overwhelmed in our inadequacies for His plans.

Facing that same mirror with my writing and event decorating skills, I stand here just as guilty.

Lost in the words of other authors I question my own words.

The allure and breathtaking decorations of other events play with my mind of measuring up.

Yet, God did not call us to compare our talents.
God called us to trust Him in our gifting;

That a pursuit of a personal best in our gifting;
Will find us prepared to find our way in the why of our purpose.

We must strive for gold in pursuit of our personal best.

We’ll find our way in God’s word for our personal best.

Study to show thyself approved…
2 Timothy 2:15

Oh, that our falls and our fails be those lessons which teach us and keep us from giving in to giving up.

Sometimes you win,
Sometimes you learn.
John C. Maxwell

When the challenges are over our head,
Just close your eyes and do it afraid.

Do it afraid.
Joyce Meyers

Be your own person.
Improve your personal gifts.
Improve your personal talents.

Pursue a personal best.

You never know who’s watching?

Keep your aim towards that pursuit of God’s purpose.

Eventually, you’ll hit the mark.

Remembering…

If you aim at nothing,
You’ll hit it every time.
Zig Ziglar

If God was giving out medals for personal bests,

He’d slip them in the purses of grandmothers,
And hand them out through her.

Such was the awards ceremony between me and my grandson Hollis.

Moving into a neighborhood where little boys learned to ride a skateboard first before learning to walk on two feet; my grandson took to the sport at a great disadvantage.

But it never showed in Hollis’ confidence.

Though awkward and unbalanced at times,

Hollis’ unrelenting tenacity to “try again” around the local boys his age who mastered their jumps and moves already, found this grandmother digging in her purse for medals of best attitude, best spirit, best attempts, and all-round personal best.

If this grandmother directed movies instead of decorating tables and authoring blogs,

I promise you a cartoon of neighborhood skateboarders would be encouraging other little boys and girls on Saturday mornings.

There’s a stage for every gift.

A man’s gift makes room for him…
Proverbs 18:16 NKJV

You don’t need big talent to make room for you,

When you have a big God who has talented you perfectly for the stage He sees you taking.

But before that moment catches you unaware,
We must be in pursuit of our personal best,

To be prepared and ready for that day,

When your name is called to take the stage.

Yes, if God awarded medals through grandmothers,

This neighborhood boy,

Would take the platform and be highly decorated for

Personal heart,
Personal courage,
Personal joy and,
Pursuit of his personal best.

The world is his stage.

God can always do what we on our own cannot.

We just have to see ourselves in the mirror this way.

OUT FROM NOWHERE By Lori A Alicea

God is always speaking.

God’s voice leaps off the pages from His written Word.
God’s words are echoed through the beauty of nature.
God’s thoughts are heard as an impression placed on our heart.
Our loving Father even speaks in an audible voice.

But we must be willing to listen…
In a posture of stillness…
In a state of patience…
In a intimate time to receive.

Yes, our God is always speaking.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27 (KJV)

While travelling down a country road one summer morning with my husband, this cornfield caught our attention, though a familiar sight in the state we reside.

We pulled off to the side of the road and realized God was delivering a small sermon from the fields of this outdoor church.

Facing the first few rows from where God spoke, we sat in
Stillness from the church pews of nature’s sanctuary, to catch a message from the canvas’ He taught from.

Listen in on God’s sermon already in progress…

Out from nowhere there it is.

Attitudes we believed we had buried…
Fears we thought we could hide…
Disappointments kept to our self…
Worries we wrestle with in the dark…

And yet…

The fields of our lives are an open field
To those seeds we have yet to surrender to God.

Seeds which germinate and reproduce each planting season until our Father is granted permission to plow up the ground of our heart and cultivate a new thing.

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
….
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

Those dreams you sowed in seasons of yesterday…
Dreams you dared to have dreamed…
Dreams between you and God that seemed to bear no fruit…
Dreams still waiting their turn for a harvest…

And yet…

God says, “Look out at the fields for which you’ve planted.”

“The roots of your faith have watered those dreams and kept them alive even when the seeds of your dreams appear to lay dormant.”

Yet are springing forth…

Be confident in me…

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Luke 1:37 (KJV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

In the distance you barely recognize the crops your garden grows…

From far away, unknown hands have been cultivating and preparing fertile soil for you to receive, to be fruitful in the things of God, planting this heritage from generation to generation on their knees and watering in tears those…

Fervent prayers from your parents…
Prayers of God’s promises from your grandparents…

Don’t you see the answered petitions of the generations springing forth?

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

One generation commends your works to another;
They tell of your mighty acts.
Psalms 145:4 (NIV)

Out from nowhere there it is.

Don’t you see it?

A picture of fruitfulness…

When we die to ourselves daily…
Death to our attitudes…
Death to our fears…
Death to disappointments and worries.
Dying to self that Christ can live and be fruitful in us…

Through our dreams He has dreamed for us…

Through the seeds of promise we plant and water for the next generation…

…unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;
But if it dies, it bears much fruit…
John 12:24 (ESV)

Behold, I will do a new thing;
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall ye not know it?
…
Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

FAITH SEES FARTHER By Lori A Alicea

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Faith sees farther than the natural end of the road.

man walking in the forest — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Faith hopes.
Faith believes.

Faith doesn’t get discouraged when the “end of the road” is a mirage to the “bend in the path” ahead,

A traveler’s bread crumb in the forest reminder that the “substance of things they hoped for” is still a journey away; when the evidence remains to be seen.

photo of an empty dirt road between trees — Photo by sirpa jyske on Pexels.com

Faith sees farther beyond the sun’s lamppost illuminating our slow travels of “one foot in front of the other”.

green leaf tree surrounded by green grass field — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Because Faith Hopes in God’s gifts and promises.
Faith Believes in His perfect timing.

Faith doesn’t grow weary when the seasons change guard with the other, seasons handing over the spring months of peace and tranquility, to the fall barrenness exposed to those unexpected bumps in the road and delays.

autumn autumn colours brown countryside — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Faith doesn’t give up when our travel burdens become seemingly too much to carry.

road walking cute young — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Because Faith Sees Farther ahead to the still waters where God is waiting, to quench our thirst for another drink of His love, to refresh our souls for the miles which remain.

clear body of water between yellow and green leaved trees — Photo by Inge Wallumru00f8d on Pexels.com

Faith Sees Farther to those mountains of adversity, and travels with pockets full of mustard seeds.

When your mountain refuses to step aside, double-dog-daring you to stand up and fight,
A childlike faith clinches one small seed in his raised fist of defiance,

If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,
“Move from here to there, and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 NIV

Photo by Athena on Pexels.com

Photo by Leah Kelley on Pexels.com

Faith believes God sees us and trusts He hasn’t forgotten us.
Faith remembers God knows us each by name,
Just as He does for every bright star shinning in the midnight sky.

silhouette photo of trees during night time — Photo by Miriam Espacio on Pexels.com

Faith Sees Farther beyond what eyes can see because nothing is too hard for God.

Faith sees answered prayers even when the trails of our journey detour through the roughest terrain. Faith hears the knock of the prodigal’s return. Faith testifies the dry bones of a dead marriage come back to life. Faith rejoices over sick bodies healed.

Faith sees provision for lack.
Faith sees a way out of a difficult situation.
Faith leads us to those lush green pastures of peace.

Faith hopes.
Faith believes when God doesn’t make sense.

Faith Sees Farther because:

Faith is the substance of things hoped for,
The evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1 KJV

agriculture clouds country countryside — Photo by ge wang on Pexels.com

CONSIDER HOW… By Lori A Alicea

A Greeting Card for Faith…

Consider how the wild flowers grow.
They do not labor or spin.
Yet I tell you,
Not even Solomon
In all his splendor
Was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field,
Which is here today,
And tomorrow is thrown into the fire,
How much more will he clothe you—
You of little faith!
Luke 12:27-28 NIV

Consider How…

Consider how the flowers grow,
Among these meadow fields.
Consider that they labor not,
Or toil their fragrant yields.

Consider how and where they came,
Each wild bloom bouquet.

As Heaven’s Gardener paints for us,
A masterpiece display.

Consider how the eyes they please,
This secret garden place.

All burst forth from the heart of God,
No earthly hands replace.

Consider how the grassy fields,
God clothes with blooms born wild.

Much more desires to do for you,
With faith, a little child.

They toil nor spin beneath the sun,
The splendor of this view.

Though God He tends these garden fields,
Much more He cares for you.

Consider how we doubt His heart,
No song of faith or choir.
Consider how the flowers grow,
A child’s faith require.

EYES TO SEE By Lori A Alicea

Ever wish there was a special pair of glasses that’d give you
Eyes to see
What God is doing behind the scenes of your life?

We’ve all had those days where we’ve longed to pull the curtain back exposing the hidden wonders God has waiting for us in the west wing of His appointed time.

There are those days our inner impatient child begs for even a small glimpse, a preview, a trailer or sneak peek into “what’s next” to calm the waters of our wondering; well, for at least a day; let’s be real.

But God is always up to something good; really good.

While there are no
Eyes to see
or earthly minds to conceive,
to articulate,
or even imagine
what God has prepared,
brace yourself to be overwhelmed.

What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived, the things God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV

In the natural, I truly enjoy a good surprise.

I love imagining the thought behind those wrapped gifts chosen or made especially for me.

During both of my pregnancies, my baby’s genders were revealed at their birth. Nine months of ecstatic waiting was worth the mystery of the suspense. Grant it, doctors didn’t order sonograms back in the stone-age like they do today.

Unlike my grandchildren or adult daughter who will pry out any information with a crowbar of begging related to their surprise, I muffle my ears to any revealing hints.

There are those days though during a long extended silence of God’s voice I find myself praying,

Lord,

Give me eyes to see.

Lend me those special glasses that I might be able to trace your handprint, follow your intention and map out the direction of your heart concerning mine.

Lord,

Illuminate the unknown.
Expose the hidden.
Unwrap the gift of “what’s next”.
Oh, that you’d allow my “wondering”
Eyes to see.
Jesus notices when we need
Eyes to see.

He cares when we doubt; when we tip-toe the line of unbelief.

Jesus noticed when His disciple Thomas also longed for eyes to see.

Doubting the resurrection, Thomas needed to see and touch the nail prints in His Savior’s hands first before he believed.

Jesus displayed his compassion to Thomas’ doubt with these words:

“Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
John 20:27 NIV

But after allowing Thomas to touch the outstretched hands of his Lord,
Jesus in his amazing love encouraged Thomas and us to a higher place of trust with these words…

…blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.
John 20:29 NIV

God has given every one of his children
Eyes to see
When we look through the lenses of faith,
Believing for what we cannot see.

By putting on our special pair of glasses of faith,
There is confidence in what we hope for.
There is belief that God is faithful to His promises,
Faithful to His word.
Giving us perfect vision,
Giving us eyes of faith,
Giving us
Eyes to see.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for,
And assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV

CHOOSE TO SEE By Lori A Alicea

Choose to see His blessings flow,
God’s promises to keep.
Still see His tidal wave of love,
When waves are ankle deep.
Choose to see from where they sit,
Advantage of their views.
To understand them, take and walk,
A mile in their shoes.
Choose to see a father’s love,
In hugs and kisses gives.

His thoughtfulness revealed in gifts,
His life for you he lives.

Choose to see and stand with strength,
Your hero lives within.

You’re capable, you are enough,
Your story waits, begin.
Choose to see and learn from those,
Your generation past.
Their wisdom gained, experience,
This sea of wealth is vast.

Choose to see a child’s joy,
Their laugh, a medicine.
Choose to see you’re beautiful,
The outward and within.
Choose to see the little things,
The ties that bind love tight.

A walk, a talk or sweet embrace,
Or close beside at night.

Choose to see their will “I can”,
Though that their size is small.
Release them to the tallest wave,
Or scale the mountain tall.
Choose to see and celebrate,
Uniqueness’s inside.

For those who choose a different course,
Another wave to ride.

Choose to see your confidence,
You’re born for this you know.

So step out in your destiny,
Set free your dreams to grow.
Choose to see how fast time flees,
Like wind, her curls blow.
From morning rise to evening set,
Your little girl will grow.
Choose to see the house you live,
Four walls for where you sleep.
As home, a special place reserved,
For all the hearts you keep.
Choose to see how big God is,
He longs to hear His name.
Our restlessness His waters calm,
His beauty doth the same.
Choose to see His promises.
Fulfilled though wonder why.
Yet wait in hope His promises,
Are written in the sky.
Choose to see that love is strong,
As ocean waves that flow.
Aloha bids a sad good-by,
Yet greets a sweet hello.

Choose to see the love you share,
Who set your heart aflame.

And cherish every smile of theirs,
Who call you each by name.
Choose to see when difficult,
When eyes are blind to thee.
Find hope and confidence in faith,
As this is how you see.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for,
and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Tag: faith

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