The sight of soft lights.
The sound of soothing waterfalls.
The smell of lavender lotion.
The taste of cucumber water.
The feel of tranquil, relaxation.

I recently experienced my first all-day spa experience.  I had a massage early in the morning and then enjoyed the amenities for the remainder of the day.  I didn’t know what to expect or even what was included in a day spa.

But let me tell you….it was like a little heaven on earth.  Quiet.  Peaceful. Lounge chairs everywhere to rest by the relaxation pool that included an indoor waterfall.  Hot tubs on each floor.  Sauna.  Steaming room.  Water and healthy snacks at every turn.  All while being clothed in this soft, white, comfy robe.

As I relaxed and enjoyed my day, I started thinking about how all of this reminded me of Jesus.  He clothes us in His robe of white.  He wraps His arms around us to make us feel safe and secure.

His life is living water and He continues to offer it at every corner.  He wants us to come to His table to refresh and partake in the elements that are reminder of all He has done for us.

Even though the spa was quiet, there were always employees checking to make sure you were doing well.  Just like Jesus, He is with us, quiet and peaceful, allowing us to have free will to do our own thing but there to remind us that His ways are better; they are the only way.

This spa is designed to rest and relax.  In today’s crazy world, we need more of that.  Jesus says, “come to me and I will give you rest.”  We must find ways to relax and allow His Spirit to rest in us.

At the end of the day, I was so refreshed and ready for a new day.

That’s how spending the day with Jesus feels.  Rest.  Renewed.  Revived.   Regenerated.

Even though I would love daily massage treatments, I realized what I really want is a spa day with Jesus every day.  Quiet time.  Rest.  And clothed in a robe of white love.

My daughter got a kitten.
She’s wanted a kitten for a few years so we told her she could certainly adopt one… when she got her own place.

Texas became her home and Riggins found his home with her.

He’s a sweet little kitten.  All black.  Male.  Soft.  Long and slender.  Out of control tail.  Chill but feisty at the same time.  Loving.  Adorable.  Playful.

But this kitten was not what she was looking for.  In her plan-ahead mind, she had a gray and white kitten.  Female.  And her name would be Phoebe.  Yes a care-free, Bohemian-dressed, friendly cat named Phoebe.  (#1 F R I E N D S show fan here!)

When we saw Riggins, she loved him instantly but kept looking.  We looked at several other shelters, wondering along the looking area, oohing and awing but no other cat seemed right.  She fretted and contemplated pros and cons of getting Riggins.  Not because she didn’t love him, but because he wasn’t what she thought she wanted.

Each day she kept coming back to him.  He had crawled into her heart and now was preparing to crawl into her home.

I was talking on the phone to her today and she said, “you know, Riggins is not what I was looking for.  I thought I wanted a gray and white, female cat.  But he is absolutely perfect for me.  I’m so glad he’s mine.”

How many times do we end up in the same emotional boat.  We ask God to answer our prayers in our way…our timing…our location.  We have it all mapped out in our mind.  But then He comes up with a better plan…in His timing…His way…and His location.

In Isaiah 55:8 God says, “For your thoughts are not my thoughts neither are your ways my ways.”

WOW!  From who we marry, to the jobs we get, to the places we live and the animals we adopt, God has a hand in it all.  We may not see it immediately but I guarantee after a while, we will come around and eventually see His ways are always “purrfect”.

I’m back.
It’s time.
Back from a pretty deep pit.

I know I haven’t written for a while and have been pretty much absent from social media all together.

But I believe God has restored me.  Actually, this morning, I almost felt as if He was being a cheerleader, deep down in my spirit, saying “you can do this.  Get in there and write again.  I believe in you.”

The last six months or so have just been tough.  My father-in-law passed away.  My oldest daughter became a Michigan resident.  My youngest daughter moved to Texas to start her career.  I lost two wonderful friends – one to cancer and one to ALS.

My job was very stressful.  My husband farms and with the weather…well enough said about that.

The devil was having a hay day with my emotions. There were some days I could hardly get out of bed.  Other days I don’t even know how I drove to work or functioned.  My house went from clean and organized to piles of papers and just doing the next thing – whatever had to be done.

I let my enjoyment for fashion-fun slip to the wayside and I just looked for anything in the closet to wear to work.  I felt unworthy to speak or write.

But in true “God fashion”, He kept giving me speaking opportunities.  More than I have ever had.  Several a month.  And what that did was keep me focused on Him.  It kept me writing my talks.  It kept me in the Word.  It kept my worship going.  It kept Him in front of me.

He knew He had to keep me going.  It was during preparation for those speaking engagements that He showed me who He was.  I never dreaded speaking at an event.  I get so excited when I get those opportunities.  I somehow always had energy for doing His work.  And for that I am so so thankful.   God is so much smarter than satan.  😊

I tell you all of this not because I want pity but because I want you to know that everyone struggles.  It seems the harder we try to live for Jesus, the harder the devil tries to keep us from it.

I Peter 5:8-9 – Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I allowed him to get in my head and take away my desire to write.  God called me to do it.  It’s time I put on my “Big Girl” pants and get back to doing what I’m called to do.   Through Christian friends, faith, prayer, staying in the Word and some holistic techniques and counseling, I have overcome!!

Romans 16:20 says “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet”.  And crushed he is.

If you are going through struggles, just know that the devil wants you to stay down but God wants to lift you up.  I Peter 5:7 – Cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.  Cry out to Jesus.  He is a Savior.  He is King.  He is real.  He is comfort. He is God.

Crawl out of the devil’s pit and into God’s light.

It’s time.