Sisters

It's 4:10 pm.  Yes, I should have left 10 minutes ago.  But, I have so much to do...
And, then thanks to one of my youth who loves to change my ring tones, "Stop! It's Hammer Time!" blasts from my phone.  It's my sister- who is just as busy, or busier, than me.  She called to tell me she was on her way to my "happy place", our family's happy place.  We grew up spending time at our grandparents in the National Lakeshore- the woods and trails, the beach, bonfires, family, friends, the epitome of love.  Now, the house is gone and the land is back to the National Lakeshore.  But, to my family, it will always be "our place".
So, when my sister called and said she was going to be there on her way back from a trip, I jumped at the chance for some time with my sister.  With children and jobs and everything in between, I can't remember the last time we spent together to just hang out- just the two of us.
So, as I drove down the highway headed to my happy place to spend time with my sister, I had the sunroof open and "Oh How He loves us" played over and over on the radio.  And, I thought to myself, yes He does!
So, where did I see God today?  He was in the phone call, the music, the trees, and everything around me!  He gave me a great gift before I was even born- a family that loves me and loves God.  And, that lives on in that place and all the memories that surround it to remind me of His love for me.
Blessings,
Jennifer

Miracles

Sunday night, we watched an amazing movie about miracles.  I started thinking about the daily miracles that happen in all of our lives.  Sometimes, we receive healing or safety from a near tragedy, but I think even more important are the daily miracles we experience.  But, the key is to realize that we experience them!  Looking around, I see beauty in the trees, the flowers, the sky...I see friends laughing, hugging, consoling, and I see people walking, talking, playing...I see God's love!  The daily miracles help us function in the world, but not just function, thrive!
I spent about two years writing about my miracles- my God sightings.  And, through that time, I grew closer to God because I became so much more aware of His presence.  Seeking ways to see Him daily became an amazing journey and I am grateful for it.  But, somehow, as usually happens, things start to fade.  And, as time went on, my blogs became fewer and fewer and although God was and still is ever present in my life, the daily miracles go unnoticed more often.
There are those times we wear blinders.  Often we don't see them for what they are.  We become immune to the wonder and amazement of the little things.  We get so bogged down with life that we can't see the daily miracles.  We're too busy thinking about what's wrong, too busy trying to fix things, too busy wishing things were different...just too busy!
Our culture tells us to go, go, go!  But, sometimes God gently reminds us to stop! That, to me is sometimes the miracle!  Today, that's where my miracle began.  (Check out my next blog to hear that story!) And, I realize God has been gently nudging me to stop...to take time to focus and look for His presence, to hear His presence, and while I'm at it, talk to Him!  It's a gradual journey that has been twisting in a new direction lately, slowly finding my way to a quiet place where I can rest, a Sabbath time.  And, I think I'm finally ready to arrive...at least one hour a day and one day a week!  The rest of the time, I don't doubt life will be go, go, go.  But, for some time each day, I'm ready to stop!  God sightings, here I come!
Psalm 41:10 "Be still and know that I am God"
Blessings,
Jennifer