Rest

Have you ever just been so tired physically and mentally that all you want to do is just go to sleep? I go there a lot. There is another kind of tired- spiritual tiredness. There is so much that goes on in life that we don't understand, don't have control of, and can't figure out where God is going with it. Well I know that I don't have the means to understand how God works and His timetable and that is where faith comes in. I have to rest in Him, and just believe that He is in control. Fortunately He is and I'm not, because I would probably screw things up. In all kinds of tiredness just remember to let God be God and remember Jesus said "Come all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
Until tomorrow, Sandra J

Birthdays

Time, you are a thief
Tiptoeing past
Taking away moments
We want to last

You put gray in the hair
And etch lines in the face
You speed up the world
While slowing down our pace

You race faster and faster
Our children grow taller
And somehow it seems
We just get smaller

Time, you are precious
And once you race past
We can't get you back
But the memories last

Time, I will make
The most of you today
Forget about the past
And meet tomorrow on my way

copyright 2008 Sandra Ward Johnson

Thunderstorms

I've been sitting here listening to the rain coming down and the occasional sound of thunder.
I can't say that I really like thunderstorms, but there is something strangely calming about being at home in bad weather. Just resting in the safety of my home. There are a lot of things that are true about storms that are also true in life. When the storms of life are flying around us, isn't it great to rest in God knowing that no matter what He will keep us and see us through them. And the rain, refreshing rain-washing the world and cleansing it. Everything is greener after a good rain. Isn't that what God does? He cleanses our sins and gives us a new,fresh start.
I pray that everyone reading this knows the saving grace of Jesus. It is free to all who will accept it. All you have to do is ask.
Until tomorrow, Sandra J

Things

"Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field which today is,and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith." Matthew 6:28-30

Though the storms may rage around me
My soul can still feel peace
For when I prayed to Him to calm the storm
The one He calmed was me.
He took my hand to guide me
To a place that was safe and dry
And in the haven of His love
My praise for Him shall rise

He holds us gently in His hands
He lifts us when we fall
He gives us a reason to live each day
And He hears us when we call

You see these trials in my life
That could never count for good
When I turn them over to Him
I see them as I should
Though to the world
I should just give up
My heart, it still feels joy
For from my trials come victories
That show His love to all

copyright 2008 Sandra Ward Johnson

Judging People

Have you ever seen someone pull into a handicap parking space and when they get out of their vehicle to go in the store you wonder why such a healthy looking person has parked in a handicap space? I am guilty of having done this before. Now I realize that you can't always judge a person's health by the way they look. There are many debilitating illnesses that are not easily detected. Unfortunately, sometimes as Christians we judge each other by what we see, and not what God sees. Some of the most dedicated prayer warriors that I know never advertise to anyone what they are doing unless it is a simple "I'm praying for you." God knows their hearts and their actions. Living eternity in heaven is God's gift for accepting the gift of sending His Son to die on the cross as payment for our sins. The reward for those whose works are never known here on this earth will be to hear our Savior say, "well done good and faithful servant." I heard one time that there will be three surprises when we get to heaven-1)There will be people there that you thought you would never see there (2) There will be people missing that you thought sure would be there and (3) There will be people there who are surprised to see you there. Thankfully God is our judge and we are not each others-if we were no one would get to heaven.
Until tomorrow, Sandra J

Unconditional, Everlasting Love

Lonely, sinful, here I stand
Held securely in His gentle hand
Always needing help from above
His unconditional, everlasting love

Jesus loves me, this I know
For His word has told me so
He sends it daily from above
His unconditional, everlasting love

I was once alone and afraid
Didn't know the price He paid
He came down from up above
To give unconditional, everlasting love

Now He sends me out today
To show other people that He's the way
He gives them forgiveness from above
His unconditional, everlasting love

And when this world I have to leave
I've got a home up there that you won't believe
I will live with Him above
Thanks to unconditional, everlasting love
He gives unconditional, everlasting love

copyright 2008 Sandra Ward Johnson