Good-bye Spring, Hello Summer

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

As one season comes to an end, a new one begins.  Spring is over and summer is almost here. Every spring I work at a living history camp (Rock-N-Water). At this camp I pretend I'm from 1854 and teach kids about the Gold Rush.  This year was my fourth year working at this amazing place.  To me Rock-N-Water is a ministry because each day I am able to teach others about God and serve God in such a fun and unique way.

Even though I'm sad the camp is over, I'm choosing to be happy for all the fun I had and all the lessons I learned.   Memories are an amazing thing and I choose to treasure them. There's a huge smile on my face because I know that God is so good to me and He has blessed me so much through this camp.

Now as the green grass slowly fades to brown, and the temperatures begin to rise, I'm reminded that summer is here again.  To be honest with you all, summer isn't my favorite season, mainly because of the heat.  Who enjoys the heat?  I'd rather have cold weather.  But there is nothing I can do, summer has arrived once again.  

Do I have any summer plans?  I wish I could give you a list of things I am planning to accomplish this summer, but I don't. And, you know what, that's okay.  Each day comes and I'm learning to trust God in the uncertainty of the future.  I'm learning to live my life day by day, step by step.  The truth is that it's okay to not have a long list of summer plans and accomplishments.  I know God has great plans for me and I can't wait to see what He will teach me this summer!

Do you have any fun plans for summer?  

Here I am, Lord, Send Me

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?' Then I said, 'Here I am, send me.' " - Isaiah 6:8 

Hello!  I'm back.  It's a new year! I wish I could say that it's going to be a better year for my blog and that I will be posting more regularly.  I promise, I will try. But one thing I'm learning is that I have no control over each day.  I make plans, but it is God's plans that ultimately succeed.  It's already halfway through January and this week is the first week in a long time that actually feels normal.

I am beyond blessed in so may ways this new year.  This morning I had a wonderful quiet time with God as I read Isaiah 6.  Lately, I have been struggling with my morning devotions.  But God was very near to me this morning as I studied His word. Isaiah isn't the easiest book to understand but with the help of a commentary God revealed to me so many little nuggets of truth from His word. I just have to share.

It was with a humble heart Isaiah willingly cried out to God, 'Here I am, send me.' He was ready and willing to do whatever God would ask of him. But it was only after Isaiah realized how unworthy he was and after God cleansed him that he was ready to serve God in this way.

Just like Isaiah, we need to be humbled before we can be used by God.  God isn't looking for mighty men and women who are capable of everything and never fail.  God wants the willing, the humble, the weak.  He wants sinners saved by His amazing grace.  Each day I am in awe at how amazing God is and disgusted at how unworthy I am.  But God loves me even though I fail Him everyday.  And God loves you no matter how far you think you have fallen.

God doesn't look for those who are equipped.  I love the saying,  'God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called.'  God is looking for volunteers, not robots.  When we humbly cry out to God with a willing heart God hears and God answers.  God wants to use you.  He wants to use me. But we need to be willing to go wherever it is that God will take us.

 Oh, may that be my cry also, "God teach me to be humble. Thank you for saving me even though I don't deserve Your love. Fill me Lord with a willing spirit that longs to do Your will. May I cry out to you each day, here I am, Lord, send me."

My True Home

I cannot describe to you the joy that fills my soul when I hear the waves crashing against the shore and feel the wet sand beneath my feet .  A huge smile spreads across my face.  I could stay here forever.  The ocean is home.

Yet, as I stand on the beach taking in the sights and breathing in the fresh sea air, I am reminded of my true home.  No, not my home here one earth, but my heavenly home.

"And I am going to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 14:3

Standing on the beach, with the ocean before me I can't imagine a better place to be.  The glories of heaven is a mystery to me.  My human mind cannot imagine it.  But I know one thing;  My king will be there and He is all I need.  

I'm challenged each day with a new goal in life.  To live for Jesus and to keep my eyes on the things above and not to follow the ways of the world.

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". 2 Corinthians 4:18

Jesus is becoming my everything.  He is my joy, my comfort, my peace, my protector, my friend and He is my Savior.

One last time  I gaze out at the ocean, this time with a new perspective. I know that God's love for me is deeper than the deepest part of the ocean. With each wave that hits the shore I am reminded of the great promise God has given me.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16