God is in everything...

Happy Good Friday! This day started off sunny and then it became overcast and started raining. Now, I see the sun trying to pop out again. As soon as the rain stopped, I hear the birds chirping. I love spring! It is so unpredictable but yet beautiful. As I've said before, I think God has a sense of humor with the weather. So many times, our attitude depends on the weather that day. However, God shows how something that seems like a torrential rain in our lives can change to sunshine, if we allow it.

We often times stay in the rain and emphasize what is not going right, rather than focusing on the beauty of the birds or the positive things that are going on around us. Our expectations of what is beautiful (Hollywood) and if our day is sunny is so overrated that we find it is hard when searching for true inner peace. Inner peace does not come from having material things. It does not come from outward beauty but from the beauty inside. God formed us in HIS image. We are at one with ourselves when we try to be more like HIM.

The Bible does not emphasize Christ's beauty but the relationships, healings, and the miracles. We are how God made us to be. We should always try to look and be our best but should not view ourselves as less because it appears that someone has something we do not have. Our teens suffer from depression because the "normal" Joe/Jane no longer exists. We emphasize beauty and talent over most other things. When we aren't up to par, we begin to question ourselves. Ever met someone who you might have felt didn't have the outward beauty but had a knock-out personality and just made you want to be around them?

Some of the most popular guys in school were the guys that made you laugh. The core of who we really are is what is inside and when it is being fed, we are at our happiest. Ever see a couple who look like they have it all but they are both so miserable because they have focused on the wrong things to make them happy.

My sister-in-law sent me the following e-mail this morning and I loved it! It is about when we've done all we can and we let God into our lives, then we are at our strongest. I know I no longer lean on the Lord, I just turned around and sat right down in his hands and said, "here I am Lord....lead and guide me". I've never been so happy.....!!!! :-)

> > > > > A Quilt of Holes> > > >

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.

Before each of us was laid out our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult--the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together threadbare and empty - like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up for the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.

My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes, but I had love in my life, and laughter. And there had been trials of illness and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now I had to face the truth: My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image,the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through! God determines who walks into your life, and it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go. When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

Everyone, have a safe and wonderful weekend!

Love to all,

Leah