A Secret

Do you want to know a little secret I have learned?

A thankful heart changes everything! It draws your attention away from all the things that aren't going so swell in your life and helps you keep moving forward with a joyful heart... And eventually you might even find that all the things you thought were so bad are actually little blessings made just for you!

"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul with boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together."

Psalm 34: 1-3

... Q&A...

Where have you been the past four months M.Rau?

I haven't really been anywhere, I just haven't been posting on my blog. I never sit down long enough to get my thoughts out.

What has been happening since your last post?

Goodness... a lot one might assume, almost four months have passed! I am still working at the lovely Paper Affair, selling paper and managing the ladies. Haven't traveled as much as I would like. I guess last year was my year to travel and this is my year to rest. Resting is a blessing! I turned 28, and boy does it feel good to be on an even number again! Had one of the best birthdays ever... The Lord has certainly turned my mourning into dancing and my darkness into light!! [if anyone out there was worried about me, I'm doing excellent, thank you!]

Do you plan to ever write again?

Why yes, yes I do! I just need to force myself to sit down and let my thoughts out through my fingers.

Is there anything you want to say to your five readers out there?

Thanks for hanging with me! I promise to come back and tell a really good story!

ooxx,

M.Rau

Thought and a card for the day!

Love Lost

Who would think in losing love one might actually find it?

I must admit I never thought it to be true. How in the world could you find love when your heart is breaking? But I am learning first hand that love can be found, even in the midst of heart-breaking loss.

I'm not sure how to even explain it... I'm still walking through it and sorting it out. But this is what I'm finding: The pain may still be there, the sense of loss remains, but in the midst of all the hurt and tears love finds it way in. It just comes in different ways. It comes through friends loving you, even when you're sad. Through sweet people speaking truth into your heart and life, reminding you of God's love for you. And in a funny way, the loss of love seems to only leave room for more love, not less. I'm seeing a whole new dimension of love in this process. And really I'm not just seeing, I'm feeling it!

"the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalm 34:17-18

A Journey to Love

I'm not sure who still reads my blog these days. I've been terrible about writing. I miss it in fact.



Love has been on my mind a lot recently. Love gained, love lost. What does it really mean to love someone? What does it look like to love God and in return love others. Why do we love? Really, "what is love?" has been my biggest question.



On my search to find love I've in fact found God. He is love: plain and simple. I wonder how I've missed that all these years? With Him there is nothing greater. Everything He does is a reflection of His great love for me. Love is the measure of all things. It is the beginning and the end. And I'm beginning to see why. God is the beginning and the end of all things. He is love.



I can use the two words interchangeably. Love transforms me. God transforms me. Love moves me. God moves me. Love sustains me. God sustains me. God is the perfect love. He alone is what my heart needs. With Him I can love and be content.



God has been SO faithful to me in my all my searching and questions! This is what He is all about: love. The more I search for love the more I find Him. Isn't that amazing! Isn't that sweet!



I'll end with this passage:



For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God... (Ephesians 3:14-19)



More to come...

Accept

I am tired, Jesus accepts me.
I am worried, Jesus accepts me.
I am heavy burdened, Jesus accepts me.
I am silly, Jesus accepts me.
I am joyful, Jesus accepts me.
I am sinful, Jesus accepts me...

Whatever you may be feeling or going through remember that Jesus receives you with open arms. He accepts you just the way you come to Him and loves you!

Walk out boldly into the new year knowing Jesus knows right where you are and is right there with you holding you and loving you every step of the way!

"Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep"

...Maybe you've heard that expression before... It is a good one for sure!

I was reminded of it yesterday [and boy did I need it!] I'd like to say the sheer fact of it being Thanksgiving brought my focus to thankfulness and blessings but I'd be lying if I did. I've been trying to muster up some thankfulness in my heart for the past week or so. Frankly, it's been hard. I know I have much to be thankful for, but pain and worry seemed to be the thoughts that radiated in my mind and permeated my heart.

So yesterday, after lunch and a long rest my grandma and I decided to watch White Christmas, to help get us in the Christmas spirit. And as surely as he does every year, Bing Crosby sang this little song:
When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings.

Which reminded me to count my blessings... instead of worrying. Which I know will turn my pain and worries into a thankful joyous song!