
California has many lakes and beauty scenery. Driving from San Francisco through the Napa Valley that continues to lead to Clear Lake. You can see the mountains, the beauty sky and a lake so bight. The sun upon your face and the journey is one of beauty.
My Aunt Pearl had a Cabin near the lake. I was only able to go there one time with her and my uncle. During that one time, I remember going fishing, sitting by the lake and laughing. It was so much fun and great food. My mom was always scared that something would happen to me and wouldn't let me go again. It was my one adventure at Clear Lake that I would always remember.
ONE EXPERIENCE ~
One the flip side to my story with my aunt. I grew up realizing how much fear lead my mom's life. She was afraid something would happen to me. She wouldn't let me play outside as a kid either. Her reasons would be, you could get hurt. Maybe I never grabbed the complete story or even knew her real fears. I was thinking this morning of how her mother died when she was 5 years old. She was passed around from sisters houses or brothers houses. Maybe she never wanted me passed around and maybe should was afraid I wouldn't come back. I don't know that answer but I know this in scripture. Please read:
Isaiah 41:10 New International Version (NIV)10 So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
ONE EXPERIENCE ~
When I gave my heart to God, I began to learn to let go of things I was afraid of in life. To hold tight to scripture and his promises. Verse 10 above tells us ~ do not fear, I am with you..... I find that when someone is with us, we are not alone and we are face things together. I am completely sure when I am writing on fear today, but God knows who needs to read this. Fear comes in and that opens our minds to doubt and wonder. God comes in to give peace and comfort to our souls.
Psalm 29:11 (NIV)
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
My story continues with my mom trusting God and she would go to church when I was a kid. I usually stayed home with my dad, because it all seemed a little crazy to me. My point is this, my mom trusted God and yet let fear rule her life. She was young and didn't grow up in church. She was still learning and growing. At some point, she stopped and fear alway stayed. I am not judging her today, I see how the devil comes in with fear and wants us to stop believing God can make all things news.
As I look over a beautiful picture of Clear Lake, things become clear to my soul. We must grow at our rate in God, but we can not grow without surrender. Surrender of our own thoughts, fears, doubts and believe that a new day is here for reasons. Yesterday is gone and now we will face things with our memories, hopes, desires and a thankful heart. I had grown from own mistakes in life. I've asked forgiveness and I've moved forward. People come into our lives and people leave our lives.
Let us take a few seconds to recall a great memory today. One of joy and peace. My moment is the story above of my aunt taking me to Clear Lake. A story of a little girl who never had been there before and I saw how beautiful a lake could be. I saw the joy of my Aunt Pearl as she taught me to fish, get into a small boat and so many laughs. As she rest in Heaven today, this little girl inside of me will always remember the clear picture of love and kindness.
Little kids grow up and remember the kindness and the hurts. I am choosing today to see the blessings of a clear view of Jesus and his amazing love too. As I teach my grandchildren, I teach about love and how JESUS LOVES THEM and never forget that. We might not always see the complete story, but I am positive they will remember the kindness from one Grammie's heart and one PA Honey Bear who loves with all our hearts.
I never knew my grandparents growing up, but down deep inside, I believe they prayed. I just feel it and I will believe that all my life. Praying aunts, uncles and other family/friends too. We never know who prays for us. I write this blog daily and pray daily for you, your family and friends. I don't know your name but God does. God has brought you to this blog to see yourselves clear today. Clearly God created you for greatness and believing big in him. Turn all your thoughts over to him and give thanks for a clear day and know that you are important!
Surrender, takes us to a new level in life. Forgiveness really happens and our lives can be grand. Purpose this day a good day and my prayers continue. It is clear that God has purposed me to write and I love sharing time with you daily. Blessings to all....
~ Sparkie