"Storms make trees take deeper roots."-Dolly Parton

Choices all have consequences.  That is how we learn.  Babies take small beginning steps and fall down.  But they eventually learn from each experience of falling down.  They learn what works and what doesn't.  They get stronger.  They experience success because they learn as they don't give up.  If as a parent we constantly caught them before they fell-the learning would not be the same.  They would walk later but the experience has not taught them about themselves or their abilities.  And they most certainly will not feel the same level of accomplishment.  A parent who is there constantly to catch their child before the fall does not love their child more.  In my opinion they just want to keep that child attached to them   Even mother birds need to let their babies leave the nest-but that is when they fly!  Growing roots after a storm will hurt.  The benefits outweigh the pain.  Fly! Peace.

"Often God delays purposely, and the delay is just as much an answer to your prayer as is the fullfillment when it comes"-Emilie Barnes

We pray and we pray and we pray.  But we don't get what we asked for.  What does that mean?  Sometimes we think it is because God has abandoned us.  I believe He is right there-holding our hand with a look of sorrow and tears on His face.  God does not want to say no-just as a parent does not want to say no to his/her beloved child.  But with God-He sees what is next on the road ahead of us.  He knows that either what we want is not good enough for us, or we have a better route ahead, or maybe we just aren't ready for what we want.  Trust.  Wait and see the goodness.  Peace.

"What looks like Plan B to me may be God's Plan A all along."-Mary Tunison

I do feel that we are on a journey and often come to a crossroad.  We have a choice to make that is often made during stressful times so we are not always listening to our heart.  So we make a wrong choice-notice I said wrong not bad.  But I believe that God just says- okay they aren't ready yet- they have more to learn.  And HE lets us learn those lessons and then our path will eventually lead to where we need to be anyways-where our heart resides.  The choice is ours but all works out as it is suppose to work out every time. Peace.

"Hectic lives don't permit one to hear the heartbeat of the soul"-Emilie Barnes

We need to take time to listen to our heart, our soul, Spirit, God-to just be one with who we are created to be.  If we don't take time to look within ourselves then how can we do the job we were put here to do?  How can we know if we are on the right path?  How can we learn lessons to help others?  BE SELFISH!! Take time to reflect and LISTEN.  Peace.

"I don't hold to the idea that God causes suffering and crisis. I just know that those things come along and God uses them . We think life should be a nice, clean ascending line. But inevitably something waunders onto the scene and creates havoc with the nice way we've arranged life to fall into place.... Stuff happens."- Sue Monk Kidd

I keep going back to the idea of trust.  We were talking to friends this weekend about why bad stuff happens.  I do believe that God does not make it happen.  Bad happens because God has given us the gift of choice.  Bad happens from Bad choices and that has a rippling effect but because God loves us he tries to turn the bad into a positive life lesson for us.  We can't control life.  Trust comes into play.  It is so hard to come to that cliff and just let go but I believe that is how we will fly- trust that God is with you no matter what.  Peace!

"Never worry about what anyone else is doing...Just swim your own race."-Dara Torres

I love this saying!We do need to stop worrying what is happening to someone else and stop comparing. What is happening to them is important for their journey and has NOTHING to do with our journey!  If we are always looking over at another road-we may not see where we are headed and miss so much.  Enjoy where you are!!Stop competing.  Stop comparing.  Your life will be amazing too but it will be YOUR life.  Peace!

"...you are happily participating in God's vision for you.... We move from the driver's seat to being a happy passenger, one who is still allowed to make helpful suggestions to the Driver. We are...living in our own unique soul as never before...and taking our place in the great and general dance."-Richard Rohr-Falling Upward

I love this selection because when life pressures me, it brings me such calm.  Let go, Let God.  I can still talk to God but I know He has my best interests at heart.  He knows my place in this journey and the plans that go with it.  I can choose.  But I NEED to choose peace and joy! Peace.