March 14, 2026

Mexican Rice (with a secret ingredient)

February 3, 2015 by

Intrigued?  What is the ‘secret ingredient’, you ask?  Cauliflower.  Yup! Cauliflower makes a great stand-in for traditional rice.  Oh yes, you can google cauliflower rice…but you better be prepared for the many-many-many recipes, healthy-living blogposts and articles that you will find!

2015-02-02 20.41.17

Cauliflower ‘rice’ fits so perfectly into our healthy-but-oh-so-yummy POV.  (Click here  to check out some nutritional facts about cauliflower.)  And here are links to a couple of articles I found so interesting…they will surely expand your vision of some of the myriad ways that you can use cauliflower as a substitute in some very appealing recipes!  Check ’em out!

How-To Substitute Cauliflower Deliciously….

25 Of the Best Cauliflower Recipes on Pinterest

Here in our home we have enjoyed <really enjoyed!> ‘riced’ cauliflower as the pinch-hitter in fried rice, rice pudding, Cauliflower&Veggies and, most recently, in Mexican Rice.  This Mexican Rice would be a nice side dish to the recipe Dana shared with us last week… Veggie Burritos.  Season this ‘rice’ dish in the ways that your family would enjoy…toss in some finely diced jalapenos or add a can of chipotle in adobo or simply add a tiny bit of crushed red pepper for some spiciness!  Enjoy!

Mexican Cauliflower Rice

2015-02-02 20.47.44

ingredients:
1 medium-sized head of cauliflower, “riced” **
2 tablespoons olive oil (or fat of your choice)
1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), diced
1/2 onion, diced
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (I use jarred)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
2 teaspoons chili powder (I used chipotle)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup broth (chicken or vegetable)
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes (I used Rotel brand)
assorted toppings: diced avocado, sour cream, shredded cheese, guacamole

directions:

** to make “riced” cauliflower, break the head of cauliflower into florets cutting off large stems (save for soup!). place the florets in the bowl of your food processor and pulse until it breaks down and resembles pieces of rice (this only takes 10 or so ‘pulses’). or you can simply use a cheese (box) grater. always process the cauliflower for “rice” while it is still raw.

  • heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat
  • add onion and sauté for 5 minutes
  • add diced peppers and continue to saute for additional 5 minutes
  • lower heat and add chopped garlic and seasonings; stir constantly for 1-2 minutes
  • add in the “riced” cauliflower and stir to mix all veggies and seasonings together
  • stir in the tomato products and broth; raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil
  • cover and lower heat to a simmer
  • cook ‘til liquids have been absorbed (20-25 minutes)
  • taste (carefully!) for additional seasoning

♥  ♥  ♥  ♥  ♥

God loves you!  ♥  (Don’t ever forget that!)

♥  coleen

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Faith and Forgiveness

February 3, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
“My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:5 NLT

faith: reliance upon and trust in God
– Lexham Bible Dictionary

“If prayer is the hand that opens the door of blessing,
faith is the hand that receives the blessing,
and not for itself merely, but for others.”
– F. E. Marsh

Sometimes our faith dwindles and we wonder if it can sustain us.  Isn’t it wonderful when friends step out in faith for us?  These four knew they could not help their friend…but they did know Who could.  And though they were not exactly correct about what kind of help was needed, they knew Who had the answer.

James 5:15 (NASB) tells us “…and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”  And in Hebrews 6:1b (NLT) we are reminded of the “…fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.”

Faith is the key.

In this one verse (Mark 2:5), Jesus makes it abundantly clear what is most important.  It isn’t our physical well-being, our monetary wealth, or our social status.  It is the state of our soul, our spiritual well-being.  Our greatest need is for salvation.  One of the greatest miracles is God freeing us from the power of sin because of faith.  He is the only One who can truly set us free. Four simple words—”Your sins are forgiven.” No qualifiers.  Jesus doesn’t say because you are pretty you are forgiven.  He doesn’t say because you are smart you are forgiven.  No, all that is required is faith…faith in Jesus Christ.  Just like that our sins are forgiven.  Past, present, and future.  Permanently erased.  And sometimes, it is all because someone interceded in faith for us.

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Redeemer

February 3, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning
And Who told the ocean you can only come this far
And Who showed the moon where to hide ’til evening
Whose words alone can catch a falling star

Well I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
All of creation testifies
This life within me cries
I know my Redeemer lives 

The very same God that spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn, and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory

To take away my shame
And He lives forever, I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life He gave
But now He’s alive and
There’s an empty grave

I know my Redeemer
I know my Redeemer lives
I know my Redeemer lives
I know that I know, that I know, that I know
that I know my Redeemer lives
Because He lives I can face tomorrow
I know I know
He lives, He lives yeah yeah I spoke with Him this morning
He lives, He lives, the tomb is empty,
He lives I gotta tell everybody

Singer / Songwriter: Nicole C. Mullen

  *  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Our Redeemer does live!  He loves us so much.  God is the most powerful Person in our lives.  He knows more about us and lives us in spite of ourselves.  He wants what is best for us.  He wants us to love Him and have a relationship with him.  He grants us people who would teach us, inspire us, and show us how to live life to the fullness of His will.

We are to give our selves and our desires to align with what God would have us do.  We, in ourselves, cannot imagine what God is trying to do in our lives.  If we have prayer intercessors, praying on our behalf, and if we are to pray in an intercessory way for others, God will greatly change our lives.  This is because God is our focus and our utmost desire.  Nothing in this world will keep us from following Jesus.

Job is a great example of an intercessor.  He always prayed and offered sacrifices for his children for what they may do wrong.  He was a great father to his children.  We are to offer up prayer today for our kids, asking God to forgive them, to surround them, and protect their hearts and minds from the temptations of this corrupt world.  Each child has their own angel that reports back to the Father.

Let it not seem to you that one of these little ones is of no value;
for I say to you that in heaven their angels
see at all times the face of my Father in heaven.
Matthew 18:10 BBE

Have you ever picked up on this?  (I had not.)  That makes me happy, glad in my heart, to know our children have angels watching over them now and forever.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, thank You for watching over us and our children.  I pray Your grace will fall upon us today as we realign ourselves to glorify You in all we do and say.  Purify us, show us where we have places in our lives that need a cleansing touch from You.  Remind us of how our parents are to receive the honor due them.  We choose to follow You wherever Your path may take us.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Level of Faith

February 2, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof
above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:3-5

The portion of Scripture we have this week describes the level of faith that we ought to have. The men believed that Jesus was the one to heal this paralyzed person…and they did not allow any stumbling block between themselves and the Healer.

Typical of a determined human being who wants to do some investmenting, whenever you know that there is a profit to be received out of a particular business, you strive to get together the capital either by borrowing from friends or through a bank loan, so as it will aid you to the achievement of your profit.

Faith is like a blank check where we need to feel everyday as we live.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 KJV

If you don’t hear the Word of God you will not know what the Word has for you.  These people in Mark 2, had been hearing a lot of things that Jesus did, for Jesus went about doing good.  So, the news that Jesus healed people was all over their cities [Mark 1:29 – 34] and through many testimonies they had been hearing of Him healing many as well as His miraculous deeds.  Their level of faith grew each day by hearing these testimonies and probably many others, too, had followed Him to another place where the miracle took place in their presence.

When you have a high level of faith you can do the extraordinary—this is what we see in our Scripture this week.  Their level of faith did not allow stumblingblocks to the healing of their brother; hence, the opening on the roof.

If we want to succeed in life, we have to do extraordinary things through Christ Jesus.  And so coupled with our faith we shall be given whatsoever we desire (Mark 11:24).  Extraordinary things like:

  • Praying more
  • Meditating on the Word more
  • Giving alms more
  • Loving more
  • More charity, etc.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Our Lord and our Father, hallowed be Thy Name.  We thank You for the measure of faith that was allotted to us when we were being created as Your Word tells us in Romans 12:3.  Thank You that You have also given us an opportunity to grow in this faith by hearing Your Word.  We pray, Lord, for the grace for our faith to grow more and more; so much that we would be able to scale mountains.  We are blessed as we move from one level of glory to the other, in Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jesus In Disguise

February 2, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

Ever get something in your head
It’s nothing you heard
Or something you read

Ever had a cut but you never saw a blade
Brought to your knees
But you never prayed

Jesus in disguise
Jehovah passing by
The burden of a tear
Hanging in your eye
Jesus in disguise
A scar across the sky
You were looking for a king
You would never recognize
Jesus in disguise

Ever feel like you been somewhere before
You hold the key
You know which door

Speak the word your lips have never known
Because your heart
Told you so

So open my eyes wide as I can
Blind as I am, blind as I am

Singer / Songwriter : Brandon Heath

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

{Have you ever had a thought pop into your head that made you go “say WHAT?”  That happened to me as I was taking a walk.  Then I had to literally stop, sit down, and make notes because the thoughts were coming so fast.  I’ve waited two days just to see if this is really what God wanted me to write.  I’m almost certain it is…so here goes.}

~  ♥  ~

What do the following three things have to do with one another?

treasure…hurtful words…the bridge of this song 

Let’s look at them individually then I will put it all together.

Treasure

When treasure is spoken of in the Scriptures it is referring to our time, our talent(s), our motives, and our money.  Matthew 6:21 (HCSB) states “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Luke 6:45 (NASB) says “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.”  A quick review of how we spend our time and our days, where we put our talents to use, where our money goes, and why we do those things  should gives us a pretty good idea of what our treasure is (and where our heart is, too.)

Hurtful Words

Words can hurt. Criticism (constructive or otherwise), gossip, even words spoken in truth, hurt.  There is no doubt about that, especially if they are aimed towards us.  But take a look at these Scriptures:

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear….
James 1:19 ESV

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
Proverbs 12:15 ESV

Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 19:27 ESV

Perhaps words that hurt are designed to help us.

“So open my eyes wide as I can…Blind as I am, blind as I am…“

“Blind as I am.”  Oh yes, I can be blind, deaf, AND dumb when it comes to some things.  Sometimes it is because I am truly unaware.  BUT…sometimes it is because I choose to be blind.  Galatians 3:1a (KJV) asks “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…”.  What keeps me from recognizing the Truth?  Often it is pride or wanting my own way.

Now, here is how God has put all of this together for me…. Perhaps hurtful words are meant to be seen as red flags—and our pride keeps us from seeing.  When I hear the same type of comments from multiple sources over a period of time, I first need to examine my motives and my behavior instead of assuming they come from someone who is jealous, bitter, etc.  I need to take those comments to God and ask if there is any validity to them.  Perhaps my behavior hasn’t crossed the line yet…but when words hurt we should be warned of what could lie ahead.

Ephesians 5:10 (HCSB) says we need to be “discerning what is pleasing to the Lord.” So I need to ask some hard questions….

  • Am I doing something to fan the flames?
  • Is there something in my behavior I have missed or am choosing to ignore?
  • Has a relationship crossed the line into unhealthy?
  • Am I putting another relationship before my relationship with God?
  • Has a bad habit become an addiction?
  • Am I following the lead of others instead of His leading?
  • Have I chosen to go my own way instead of His?
  • Am I spending money on trips, or other pleasures, instead of using that money to do His work?

Satan is wily.  He will always have people in place to encourage and support when we stray from Christ’s desires for us.  Satan can whisper “There is nothing wrong with that. After all, Scripture says, ‘Everything is permissible….'” Yet the Scriptures which deal with this issue also include a caveat. Take a closer look at them:

Everything is permissible (allowable and lawful) for me;
but not all things are helpful (good for me to do,
expedient and profitable when considered with other things).
Everything is lawful for me,
but I will not become the slave of anything or be brought under its power.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (AMP)

All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please],
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate,
but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
1 Corinthians 10:23 (AMP)

We must always be willing to take a good, hard look at what we are doing and thinking. And ask these additional hard questions of ourselves:

  • Is it constructive to my character and edifying to my spiritual life?
  • Or have I become a slave to its power?
  • Does my behavior glorify God?
  • Is my life a reflection of Christ?

I don’t want to be blind to my faults…hidden or not.  I want my eyes open as wide as they can be so I am aware of any tricks the enemy might use.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Lord, please open my eyes.  Do not allow me to be blind to anything that is not pleasing to You.  Help me discern if the words of others are red flags to warn me of the danger my behavior could bring.  Let my life be pleasing to You and bring You glory.  Amen – It Is So!

Filed Under: Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Songs Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From Paralyzed to Forgiven and Healed

February 1, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 
Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it
and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 
When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man,
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:3-5

Friends.  What would we do without our friends?  The man in our Scripture today would not have been able to receive his healing had his friends not put their faith into action…and been willing to get help for their friend.  We are not told whether the man had been paralyzed for a long or a short time; we just know that he was paralyzed.

Do you have such love for a friend—in which you would go to that much trouble for them?  If not, then we really need to look at our friend list and see who God would direct us to help.

As we walk through life we will have many friends…those who we went to school with, those we make through work, and those we make through just simply living.  Some of us have friends we have made through our life experiences.  And often, our best friend is our spouse or our siblings.

And then we have those people in our lives who do not make friends easily and keep everyone at arm’s length—who do not let anyone close due to life’s struggles.  That is a painful way to go through life and is not what God intended for His children.  He wants us to love others and bring them into a closer relationship with Him.  This cannot be done if we continue to put people off. We have to learn to trust and use the discernment God gave us to know who to let get close.

Our friends are those who are by our side no matter what the season.  They may not be able to be there physically, but still are there as they pray and submit requests to God on our behalf when we are going through suffering or a time of testing.  We are also to be there for them, lifting them up and being honest with them when needed.

But remember, our earthly friends are human.  They are subject to the pulls and tears of this world.  Our true Friend is our heavenly Father.  He will never leave us, never forsake us…no matter what we have done, said, or thought.  When we confess with our mouth, repent, and turn away from our sins, God is sure to show us mercy through His Son Jesus.

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Father, thank You for Your mercy.  Thank You for Your grace.  Father, teach us to be better friends, better wives, and better daughters.  Teach us to be intercessory prayer warriors on behalf of our family and friends.   Thank You for giving us great examples who we model our prayers after. Thank You!  In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Maker

February 1, 2015 by

psalmshymnsspiritualsongskjv

I see You in the sunrise
I see You in the rain
I see You in the laughter
I feel You through the pain

Everything that You have made is beautiful
Oh, my God, I can’t believe my eyes
But in all of this to think that You would think of me
Makes my heart come alive

Your love is like a mighty fire deep inside my bones
I feel like I could climb a thousand mountains all at once
And I never have to wonder if somebody cares for me
I love the Maker
And the Maker loves me

I see You, You are creation
I see the grandness of Your majesty
The universe is singing all Your glory
I can’t believe You live inside of me

Everything that You have made is beautiful
Oh, my God, I can’t believe my eyes
But in all of this to think that You would think of me
Makes my heart come alive

More than just some words upon a page
You’ve shown me in a million ways
But there is one that stands above them all
Hands of Creation on a cross

Singer / Songwriter: Christ August

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

And God said,”…Let there be light…” (Genesis 1:3) and there was light.  A beautiful sun that rises, and shines and brings such joy.  Whether it is a cold, brisk day with snow falling down or a warm, humid day with white fluffy clouds.  Can’t you see God in the sunlight?  I picture Him just beaming down at us, loving on us with His smile.  Those are the happy days.  Then there are the rainy ones, too.  Where nothing goes as planned, tears may fall like rain, and we may just be sad.  God is there, too.  He is everywhere.  He is our Creator, our Maker.

His art fills this earth.  After He had to send Adam and Eve out of the perfect garden that He had created for them and the first sin tainted the earth, He could have left it dark and dreary because isn’t that what was deserved?  We sin and disappoint yet He created all this beautiful art for us to enjoy.  He paints the sky pretty colors as the sun begins to set each night and wakes us with a gorgeous sunrise for all the world to see.  At night, He placed little white stars for us to enjoy on a black background and all this was because of you!  He had you in mind the entire time that He was making this world.

It’s easy sometimes to tell someone else that God loves them.  Right?  But do you ever say to yourself, “God really does love me“?  Say it now.  Are you smiling…yes?  I am, just thinking about it. “I love the  Maker and the Maker loves me.”

As you continue to listen to this song, I encourage you to close your eyes,  shut the world out, and just be with God.  Just think about how much He loves being with you and how He can’t wait until your feet hit the floor, just so He can spend time with you. Let this encourage you, my friend.

And don’ t keep this to yourself! It’s too good. This world needs lights like you to spread this hope to them!  Who can you reach today?  I leave you with His Words.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
Psalm 113:3

God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day,
and the lesser light to govern the night: He made the stars also.
Genesis 1:16

He is the Maker of Heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them- He remains faithful forever.
Psalm 146:6

*  ~  ♥  ~  ✞  ~  ♥  ~  *

Let us pray:
Dear Lord, You are awesome and loving and so precious.  You are worthy of praise and worship.  You created all of this world with the sound of Your voice.  And You were thinking of us all the time. You had each one of our names on Your hand.  Thank You for the beauty of this world that we get to enjoy.  For the sweet sounds of birds and waves and wind and the warmth of the sun—we praise You.  For all You do is perfect.  And when we are down and feeling low, all we have to do is look up to the heavens and see that all of this was for us…the sun and stars and moon and trees and flowers.  All to show us that You are love.  Thank You for the Cross, the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be with You forever.  We love You…in Jesus’ name, amen.

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I Know Who Holds Tomorrow

January 31, 2015 by

SeekingHimLogo

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.
Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34 AMP

I don’t know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from the sunshine
For it’s skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him
For He knows what lies ahead

Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know Who holds tomorrow
And I know Who holds my hand

Ev’ry step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb
Ev’ry burdens getting lighter
Ev’ry cloud is silver-lined
There the sun is always shining
There no tear will dim the eye
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky

Songwriter: Ira Stanphill ~~~ Singer: Alison Krauss

Filed Under: Seeking Him Daily Devotional Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Veggie Burritos

January 30, 2015 by

veggie burrito

Despite what restaurants would have you believe, a burrito (or taco, for that matter) doesn’t have to be the same boring combo of meat, rice, and beans.  Believe it or not, you can make burritos or tacos with whatever you have.  I have a great cookbook by Rick Bayless, who despite his gringo name, is one of the preeminent Mexican chefs in America.  His book has recipes for mushroom tacos, squash tacos – you name it, you can make it into burrito or taco filling.  Following his lead, I steered clear of the meat-rice-beans set-up and created my own version of the Veggie Burrito!

Of course, you can use whatever veggies you like, and please feel free to add or subtract vegetables from my recipe.  This one features toothy black beans (instead of the heavy refried beans you usually find plastered to the inside of a tortilla), onions, chopped mushrooms and sautéed kale.  Then get crazy with the accoutrements:  salsa, cheese, diced avocado, sour cream (or Greek yogurt in my case).  Need something a little more filling?  Replace the boring rice with quinoa!  You get more protein that way.

If you have leftover veggie mix, you can just heat it up and serve with a fried egg on top for a healthy breakfast, or make a burrito bowl:  veggie mix, quinoa, avocado, salsa – basically everything but the tortilla!

Veggie Burritos (Makes 2 burritos)

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 4 cups chopped kale, washed
  • 8 ounces mushrooms (white or cremini), sliced
  • 1 can black beans, drained
  • salt and pepper
  • 2 tortillas
  • salsa, grated cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped avocado, cooked quinoa – your choice of any or all

Directions:

  1. In a large frying pan with a lid, add the butter, salt, and chopped onion.  Cook over medium for about five to ten minutes to get a little color.  Don’t let them burn!
  2. While the onions are cooking, prepare the kale – wash and spin it.  It doesn’t need to be dry, since a little water will help it steam and get tender.  Slice the mushrooms.
  3. Stir the washed kale into the onions in the frying pan and cover with a lid.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  Then remove the lid and add the mushrooms.  Cook for five to ten minutes, until most of the water has evaporated and the mushrooms are cooked through.  Add the black beans and stir for another minute.
  4. Put the two tortillas on a plate and cover with a damp dish towel.  Microwave for 30 seconds, then fill with a heaping scoop of the veggie mix.  Top with salsa, cheese, et cetera, and fold tortilla to close.

Explore, experiment, enjoy! — Dana

To view even more of Dana’s unique recipe, you can visit her at Frugal Girlmet!

Filed Under: At Home w/ GCH Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

He Is My Rock

January 30, 2015 by

encouragementbloggraphicromans15

I wait quietly before God.  For my victory comes from Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation, my Fortress where I will never be shaken.
So many enemies against one man-all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall or a tottering fence.
They plan to topple me from my high position.
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face but curse me in their hearts.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my Rock and my Salvation.
My Fortress where I will not be shaken.
My victory and honor come from God alone.
He is my Refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
O my people, trust in Him at all times.
Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our Refuge.
Psalms 62:1-8 (NLT) 

I remember it like it was yesterday…my heart is breaking into a million pieces as I watch my husband of 20-something years standing on the steps of the courthouse, seeing our home sold to the highest bidder.  Oh, how I want to change this; but I cannot.  I cannot understand why God did not show up and perform a huge miracle and save us from all this pain.  I shook my fist at Him, “How could You sit on Your throne in Heaven and allow this to happen to us, to my children?  Why did You abandon me?  Why didn’t You at least protect my children from losing their childhood home?”

I look back now and what was meant to destroy me, only made me stronger and more in love with my God than ever before.  What I noticed is that the first thing I did was turn to God, it may have been in anger, but I cried out to Him.  And my life and the live of my children are now beautiful.  We see where He had a greater plan all along.  What we saw as ugly, God made pretty.

Have you ever seen a braided rug?  Or a rug made by a loom?  The undersides of the rugs are not pretty; there are loose ends of yarn dangling all around.  What if we judged the rugmaker by the underside of the rug? Likewise, we look at the underside of our life—the wrong side—but God sees the finished pattern always.  His work is never finished until we leave this earth with Him.  God takes the tangled mess of our lives and weaves it together to created a beautiful masterpiece, a gorgeous tapestry, a breath-taking mosaic.

Today, my family is closer than we have ever been.  God literally plucked us out of our hometown and placed us in another.  He brought us away from all we had known to a place where we only knew Him.  Our lives became simple, and more about His purpose for us instead of us keeping up a image that had to be torn down.  God gave us a church that I love more than I can say…and friends that I never would have met.

And healing…healing…healing!  I know that I am blessed.  And I know that He is worthy to be praised regardless of what I’m going through.  There is always something to be grateful for (even if it’s just that you are breathing today).

God is for you...He only wants what is more than beautiful and amazing for your life…and He wants the glory when you make it through.  Do you need Him today? Are you going through a hard season? I encourage you to seek Him. And if you don’t know Him or haven’t accepted Him, I hope you will pray this with me…

*   ~   ♥   ~   ✞   ~  ♥   ~   *

Dear God, I know that I am a sinner.  I feel so lost right now.  I need a Savior.  I believe that Jesus is Your Son and He died for me, He is my Savior.  I ask that He come live in my heart today and walk with me through all of this.  I want to know more about You.  Thank You for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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