Balance...

Balance...Have you ever been off balance in your life and in your daily walk?

First, I called on the angel standing with sword in hand and wings spread to the heavens to receive God's energy and love.  She is my warrior angel, who represents strength, power, courage, endurance and the power of God's ever present love.  And this week I had to call on her on more than one occasion.

Life brings what it brings...Some days joyous, other days challenging.  We all get them. But what do you do with your challenges?

We can grumble, complain, kick the dirt when we our angry or frustrated,  which by the way really works for certain situations. It's a physical release that sometimes allows you to once again become quiet and still.

This week I asked for help from both angels. I had good news, sad news, and frustrating news from all sides. One day I was down on my knees like the lady with hands gently held together, eyes closed in quiet repose, and wings lying still to receive God's energy and regain peace and balance.

Each angel represents what I am striving for every day...Balance, strength, endurace, humble gratitute for what God has done in my life. I need the strength of one and the peace of the other. I remind myself to let go of bitterness and self doubt and to put my trust in God and know that what He has for me must be something amazing.

If you only say one simple prayer today let it be "thank you."  It sounds so simple, but it remains so very powerful. By remembering to say thank you for whatever you have and not grumble about what you don't have  He will continue to bless you.

Continue to find your balance everyday and the peace you seek will come from the one who gives it to you...yourself.  Peace comes from within and in the knowing of God. Continue to seek and you shall find.

Bitterness is like cancer. It eats upon the host. But anger is like fire. It burns it all away... Maya Angelou

I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. (Epi. 6:10).

Ray of Life...

Photo by: Hollye Schumacher
"The meanings behind the doorway are many.  For one, it is a optimistic symbol for the life benefiting opportunities that organ and tissue donation can afford.  The ray of light ready to take over the dark corners of the room implies an abundant amount of hope and altruistic goodness that pours through the hearts of organ recipients and donors.

This image also alludes to the idea of the unknown. The long waiting lists and unknown outcomes of surgery often leave organ recipients in a fragile balance between untimely death and a healthier prolonged life. This precious balance between light and dark is so intensely related to the emotional life or death experiences that organ donors and recipients face. It is my goal in this image to show that highly contrasted struggle between good and the bad as well as share an image of hope for the outcomes of that uncertainty."  Hollye Schumacher

Speaking to a friend the other night we reminded each other about living on borrowed time. It's a reality we life with each and every day. We don't dwell on it, but it lurks in the back of our minds. I think we have learned to push that to the side and move forward.

Lori has had her kidney/pancreas transplant for 14 years, I have had my kidney transplant for 8 years.  Instead of embracing that as negative energy or fear we have learned to live a total and complete life. We each have our own bucket list and attempt to cross things off our list every year. For another year is a blessing and we always embrace our birthdays with such joy, another year past, another to look forward to.

We all are living on borrowed time ours is just a daily reminder that we have been afforded the opportunity to give back, share our stories of hope and let others know the importance of donation and its positive effects for those waiting ...waiting for the gift of life.

Speaking for myself I have learned how important peace of mind is, how much love there is to give and receive and to live each day in gratefulness rather than fear. And for me the best way to say "Thank You" for God's gift is to use it.

Won't you consider being a donor? For those of us who have received we say thank you.
You can contact by clicking on http://www.donatelifeaz.org/ or call 1 800 447 9477.


Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 
James 2:15-16NIV

Honesty is such a lonely word...

I picture myself walking through the door into the warm afternoon sun. The smell of the salt air fills my nostrils and the cool mist softens the worries on my face. Filling my lungs with the sweet fresh air, I can hear myself sigh. The sigh of peace.
I want to talk about honesty today.  I think that until we are honest about our own selves, that we may become dishonest in our daily lives.
What do I mean by that?

Aren't there times in your life when you want to ask an honest question, have an open heartfelt discussion or a discussion filled with new ideas that may not comply with your own?  We become so centered on what others think of our ideas that we truly let ourselves get lost in our own dishonesty. We let go of our values and beliefs because other may not agree or like us. It is most important we tell the truth.

In the big picture is it so important that others love us so much, or is it more important that we love ourselves enough to be free with our own words and allow others to be honest with you without you condeming them?  How do we lose our way? Many are filled with ego, wordly thoughts and things. It will be none of those things you will take with you when you move on into God's world. What you must have is love, honesty, an open heart and an open mind. It is wise if we practice honesty and truth while we are here.

So work at being honest with yourself and soon it will be easy to be that way with others.  And in kind they will be honest and truthful with you. Then you can relax in the easiness and the flow of true friendship and love.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom...Thoman Jefferson

...as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's  conscience in the sight of God.- 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 KJV

Yes or No...

Faith is seeing God's providence when He says yes and seeing His love when He says no. You see, it takes a lot of love on the part of God to say no to you. Why? Because He risks your love; He risks your faith in Him; He risks your hope in Him.  If you are asking for something and it isn't for your good, His love will say no. But if you are asking for something that will bring about good, His providence moves events in your favor and the Lord allows it.
Taken from the Little Book of Life Lessons by Mother Angelica...

So before you pray for something you want, be ready for God's answer...Whether in your favor or God's keep your faith in tact and remember to live in the present moment.  Don't look back, because in order to look back you have to stop moving forward.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me. (Acts 27:25)

Keeping in Touch...

                                                       How do you keep in touch with God?

The book and pen remind me of my own writing and at times I sit and write a prayer to God. Today is one of those days.

I think we all can be out of touch with God. Sometimes emotions, or life's trials can and does overwhelm us.  I forget sometimes that God is just sitting there watching me struggle and trying to figure things out on my own. When all the while I know He is right there just waiting for me to ask for guidance and reassurance that I am on the right path.

So my prayer today is:  "Father, help me find my way."  It is the simplest of prayers, but I think God has a sense of humor and reminds me that I don't need a lot of words to express what I need, I just need Him.

So I send up this prayer and know that my God will answer me in the same timely manner as always. And I will thank Him in advance for his unconditional love, my continued good health and his grace and mercy.

Blessed is the Lord, who daily loads me with benefits. (Ps. 68:19a KJV)