The Power Of Prayer

Although I cannot say I do it as often as I'd like, last summer I began journaling my prayers. I have one notebook dedicated to sermon notes, favorite bible verses, words of encouragement and "prayer months". I love having all of this goodness in one spot because I know exactly where to turn to when I need some reassurance, direction and vision.

When I first started journaling my prayers, I was very short and to the point.

• Lord help my husband while he travels 
• Lord please bless our marriage
• May your light shine through us no matter the circumstance

I found it pointless to go further in detail because I knew the Lord heard my heart, not just what was on paper. Little by little though, I couldn't help but write down my FULL heart. For me, journaling my prayers is a way to intimately talk to God - just him and I. Pouring out my heart on paper helps me feel closer to Him. I feel like I am writing a letter to my dearest friend. 

Months down the road, I love to look back and see what the Lord has done. Sometimes His answers are big, sometimes small, sometimes thought silence and sometimes left in the opposite direction than I'd envisioned. 

Prayer journals help you focus. They help you realized how blessed you truly are. They make you more thankful. They show you that God is the one in control and they remind you what to look back and give praise for. 

This month, my prayer journal was very full. I took down each person that came to mind and wrote my heart out with prayers on their behalf. It's amazing how many situations and circumstances come to mind at the exact moment you are taking time out to pray. God begins to flood your memory with so many hurts, losses, needs and cries to Him. 

Today, I encourage you to take 15 minutes. Grab a journal and go. Six months from now, you will look back and be astonished at the power of prayer. 

The Study of Ruth

For the past 9 days, I have been participating in the #

shereadstruth

Ruth study and have absolutely loved it. I've always been fascinated by the story of Ruth, her dedication to her mom-in-law and her desirable trust in the Lord.

The book of Ruth is a book about real life. A story of a real family. Real hurts, heartbreak and an undying devotion to those that you love. As the study so beautifully put it, "Ruth's ordinary story is a lot like ours, it bears the fingerprints of an extraordinary God. He is the only one who will not perish, who will never leave us, who will provide and who will protect."

If you have some extra time this week, I encourage you to join in on the

Ruth study

. I know you will enjoy it and walk away with many truths on your own life as I did with mine.

Sweet Tuesday my friends!

An Anchor For My Soul

As I sit at the kitchen table, I am reminded of the Lord's beauty. From the soft breeze blowing, to the rays shinning through the shutters. Take a look at these succulents for example..how can anyone doubt the existence of a perfect creator? God provides abundantly more than we deserve. 

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Matthew 6:26

Today I want to take a moment to be extra, extra thankful. How many times do we go about our busy lives and forget the many blessings all around? Each new moment, idea, opportunity, conversation should remind us of how blessed we truly are. Take the time to notice the small gifts. Make a difference in the life of another.

Thank you God for being the greatest creator and for making us in your image. Your creativity inspires me everyday. I feel happiest when I am able to create ideas, plans, pieces, beauty just as you do. Thank you for giving us a beautiful canvas to work from. 

Thank you for turning my ashes to beauty. 

Great is thy faithfulness.

"All things work together for good for those who love Him."

 Romans 8:28