When we take the time to learn from the struggles that we go through, those struggles get us one step closer to Jesus, a place where we completely surrender.   Our family watched my mother move through struggles daily, for years.  What I found was each struggle brought my mother closer to Jesus.  Each mountain we climb requires us to reach further and deeper into complete reliance on him. I was given the opportunity to help my mom live the last leg of her journey here on Earth.  That journey opened my eyes to how connected she was to Jesus and…

It is much easier to change ourselves than it is to change others.  When I am not pleased with what is going on around me, I look inward to what I am contributing and pray for direction and understanding.   It is rare for someone to change at the suggestion of others.  It is much more likely to create change from within.  What that means is I have to be willing to create an environment around me that is something a particular person or others would like to be around. In most situations, kindness, love, and compassion create change in people…

Life is much easier to navigate when I take responsibility for my actions and words.  I figure I am at least 50% to blame for the issues that arise in my life.  Very often guilty about contributing much more when I am not careful.  There are many issues I create that I don’t even know that I have created until it is too late.  Even worse are the issues I have created that I am unaware of and have few ways to rectify. Included in my prayers is a request to make me aware of areas in which I…

My faith is and always has been a part of me.  I have followed my intended path even when it was not my desired route.   I don’t know how many times I have gone astray, but I sense when I need to regroup and move on.  No matter how comfortable my situation is, I let it go and follow the next opportunity.  Why do I step out in faith when my current situation is going just fine?  Because I have surrendered to Jesus.  I pray to be guided down my intended path.  Once I surrender I am no longer…