"...the gaze of God receives us exactly as we are, without judgment or distortion....Being totally received as we truly are is what we wait and long for all our lives. All we can do is receive and return the loving gaze of God every day, and afterwards we will be internally free and deeply happy at the same time. The One who knows all has no trouble including, accepting, and forgiving all. Soon we who are gazed upon so perfectly can pass on the same accepting gaze to all others who need it. There is no longer any question 'Does he or she deserve it?' What we received was totally undeserved itself."-Richard Rohr

Such a feeling of love came over me after doing this reading.  It is so easy to get caught up with the blame game but the truth is that God loves me no matter what as He does to ALL people even ones who hurt me or mine.  There is no need to feel negativity, jealousy, or competition.  God loves us all and wants us all to be happy-no matter what. Peace.

"Isn't life glorious! Isn't it grand! Here-take it-hold it tightly in your hand; Squeeze every drop of it into your soul. Drink of the joy of it, sun-sweet and whole! Laugh with the love of it, burst into song! Scatter its richness as you stride along! Isn't life splendid-and isn't it great. We can always start living-it's never too late!"-Helen Louise Marshall

Sorrow happens.  And when it does it seems impossible to imagine joy.  But at those times more than at  any other times-we must not lose sight of joy-of hope.  Even after a dark night of pitch-black skies comes the beautiful light of day.  Light=hope=joy!  Joy is yours to have - you choose it.  No one can take it from you because it is inside you hidden deep where no one can steal it.  Even if all seems lost-look around and you will SEE something however small to feel joyful about.  Even our hardest lessons hold the promise of learning and moving forward.  Be joyful and at peace.

"I need to slow down and I'm asking the Lord to help me do it. I want to move slowly enough to be aware of all the joys He has hidden for me. I want to slow down enough to grow as He wants me to grow. I want to be quiet enough to hear His voice. I need His wisdom to know how to spend my time and how to order my days."-Kathryn Hillen

Sometimes we are so busy trying to get to our destination that we forget to look around at all the beauty and joy that is available to us every day.  I feel so blessed to be retired and can finally have the courage to slow down my life.  What was I trying to prove?  I have a "To Do List" but it is okay to not do it all today!!  It is okay not to have instant gratification!  It is okay to wait and ponder and grow and learn.  Thank you for all the joys today and every day-from small to big.  Peace.

"I do believe there is a good chance that with the loss of someone terribly important, you grieve till you die. And yet you are perfectly capable of embracing life and what you bring to it and vice versa. I think that is the positive side of understanding that how we accept death is very much about how we accept life...."-Yvette Nachmias-Baeu as told to Faye Trafford-in Grace magazine

I think it is true about all situations that happen to us.  We have a choice.  Even through our darkest moments, we must trust.  We must have faith or how would we endure?  I believe as this writer does-it is about how you live your life.  Why would you choose to be miserable?  Choose to endure-power through.  Peace.

"You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work at it, however."-Richard Bach- "Illusions"

We are given dreams for a reason.  I believe they are nudges from God to do the work we are meant to do as only we can.  We can't give up even if it seems to be taking a long time.  I think it is just a way for us to grow into our dreams.  When the time is right-it will be.  We have to believe and trust.  It will happen but you have to work at it or you wouldn't appreciate the joy that will come as your dreams are realized. Peace.

"Joy is a choice-a deliberate, conscious choice. That choice is available to us each day. Our joy isn't controlled by others or by outward circumstances. Joy comes from a deeper place, a place of security within ourselves. It's an attitude, not a transitory emotion. Remember to be kind. Remember to be loving.... But most of all, remember to be happy."-Journey to the Heart-Melody Beattie

I believe that gratitude and joy are a couple that need to go hand in hand.  You can't feel one without the other.  I read once that joy feels good and if you don't feel it you feel bad.  Feeling negative takes more energy so being joyful is easier.  Sounds good but I think we have learned such bad habits that it is natural to switch from joy to a negative emotion whether it be resentment, anger, distrust, or jealousy to name a few.  It is work to remind myself to REALLY feel grateful and thus the joy that goes with it.  I have to practice it daily.  It sure does feel good!  I wish you joy and peace.

"A coincidence is a small miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous."-Unknown author

I believe that coincidences- or miracles- are like little nudges or love taps from God on our journey through life.  I believe it is His way of saying that we are on the right path or need to adjust to the right path.  I believe and have seen many times where everything works out just the way it should.  Those are not coincidences-they are miracles.  Those are times where we say-WOW!  It is amazing how it all worked out.  Miracles before us indeed.  Stop and realize how many miracles happen each day and be thankful for them all.  You are loved. Peace.