The Lord's strength

I took a 20 minute nap today and I seem to be falling into that habit more and more. I don't know if it is the warm summer days that we are having that make me tired or if it is just age related! I do know that I find myself relying on the Lord's strength and help more and more. There are many scriptures that refer to the Lord's strength and I find them helpful to recall when I am feeling weary and need his strength. Some of them are: Ps 46:2 God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in distress. Ps105:4 Look to the Lord and his strength, seek to serve him constantly! Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, I am your God, I will strengthen you, and help you and will uphold you with my right hand of justice. Nehemiah 8:10 Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always. Exodus 15:2 My strength and my courage is the Lord.

I love the song that sings of the joy of the Lord and it has one simple line that you sing over and over and it goes like this: The joy of the Lord is my strength, The joy of the Lord is my strength, The joy of the Lord is my strength, Oh the joy of the Lord is my strength! If you are feeling tired on these hot summer days, call upon the Lord and He will strengthen you for it is a promise in scripture!

Special Times

Recently my husband and I attended our first grandchild's wedding and I must say it was so very beautiful! Everything was done exquisitely and took many months to accomplish the final results. I am very happy for the bride and groom and this new beginning they have embarked upon. I couldn't help but reflect how life cycles come and go. We had the joy of planning and celebrating our children's weddings and now we sit back and observe with amazement our children helping plan their children's weddings. I am so thankful that I am still alive and able to be a part of these celebrations. I say celebrations because our first grandson will be marrying this fall also. Weddings are a beautiful time for families to come together and enjoy being together. It was so heartwarming to have my family all here celebrating this very special event. I am also wondering if our going home to be with our Lord is a bit like a wedding celebration. Our loved ones that have gone on before us all joining together to welcome us home and celebrating our being together. Life is full of many celebrations and gathering together and I am so thankful for these special times. I believe it is love that binds us together and gives us the joy we encounter when our loved ones come home to be with us. I thank God that He is all love and has such tremendous love for each one of us. As we draw close to Jesus we receive His love to share with our family and friends. I also believe that it is love that heals the broken relationships that were stolen from us. Jesus tells us to "Love one another as I have loved you" Good words to remember each and every day!