His grace transforms. His love changes. His peace sustains.
Yet His message in much of the church today has been diluted and distorted to put the emphasis on us. On our efforts. On our behavior.
God knew we could never be enough, could never measure up to Him.
He didn't expect us to. He knows that we are not perfect- The One Who is perfect recognizes our frailty more than any other.
And blessedly He loves us so much He took care of everything.
Think of that statement.
He took care of everything.... every thing. Jesus paid the price, made the way, and then ascended to be our Advocate at the Father's right hand.
Is there anything more glorious or encouraging than that?
He did it all.
So we don't have to.
We can rest. We can be still.
We can enjoy life- the gift of our Father.
Praise Him!!

Praying and seeking God about healing.. this was today's devotional from Joseph Prince Ministries, and I am so thankful for His Truth being explained so clearly, and ministering to me at exactly the moment I asked. God is so good, and I love that He shares His wisdom freely. I also love that His Word is always good and always encouraging... too often the church has not had a real understanding of it because of lack of knowledge, tradition, or poor translating. When clarified, however, it always brings comfort and the assurance that it is ALL about God... never our efforts beyond believing and relying on our Good God. He has done all the work. He is God. ~ Kelly

Meditate On

…Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

If You Can Believe

When a poor demon-possessed child was brought to Jesus, the father of the child, obviously desperate, said to Jesus, “…if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus’ replied, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:22–23).
Now, many of us have been taught that Jesus was saying that as long as you have the necessary faith, all things are possible for you. In other words, if you can produce the faith, you can have your miracle. But is this what Jesus meant?
If you study the Greek structure of this verse, what Jesus was actually saying was that all things are possible for Him who always believes. Jesus is the only Man who always believes, who always has perfect faith. And because He is Lord, all things are possible for Him!
My friend, simply hook your limited faith to the perfect faith of the Son of God. Just believe that He Himself has all the faith for your miracle. Even when you are faithless, believe that He remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). When you rest in His faith that NEVER fails, you’ll see His faithfulness bring your miracle to pass! ~ Joseph Prince Ministries

I have prayed.
I have fasted.
I have rebuked, bound, loosed, prayed crying, prostrate on the floor. I have recited prayers, written prayers, quoted scripture, and surrounded myself with His Word.
I have carried my Bible to every appointment, clinging to its presence for comfort.
Yet I still felt alone. So alone, and so confused.
I know my God. I love my God.
He never leaves nor forsakes me. He holds me in the palm of His hand.
He delights over me with singing and rejoicing.
So what was going on? Where was He?
He was there. He always was, and always will be.
He went before us, preparing the way for us to be blessed, even when we doubted and didn't give Him the praise. (Forgive me Lord- You are SO good to us!)
He was the nurse who shared her faith with us. The friend who texted randomly to pray for us.
The acquaintance who texted through a long night, lifting me up and reassuring me.
He was the sun rising after another sleepless night, and the stars that pierced the darkness when I escaped alone to cry out.
He was the glimmer of hope each new day.
His mercies are new every morning.
He is Emmanuel. He is with us. Always. Sometimes we just feel His Presence in ways we don't expect.
Thank You Jesus. You are worthy to be praised. 
I'm so thankful that you truly never leave nor forsake us, and are more Present than we could ever imagine. Emmannuel.

Two years have passed since I last posted here.
Two years of life that I mostly want to forget. When I last wrote here, Cailin was a junior and Cassidy a freshman. We had high hopes for the year and the girls were eager to accomplish big things.
Instead we began a journey of concussion recovery, hopelessness, isolation, fear, rebellion , anger doubt.... any negative emotion you can name, we have had it. Multiple hospitalizations, doctor visits far too numerous to count, specialists in areas I never even knew you could specialize, and a seemingly never ending battle with pain, in all forms.
But I miss writing, even just for myself to reflect back on. I miss recording God's faithfulness, so I can be reminded when all looks lost, that He has carried us before and He is carrying us still.
He is never changing, He is ever faithful. He is God. He is Good. He is Truth.
I need to remind myself that the journey is far from over; He is still writing our story and He is still faithful to fulfill His Word- that His plans are for us to prosper, and not falter, that He has goodness and mercy for us all the days of our lives. That He promises favor and redemption.
So I write. And remember.