Embrace this time. One sunny morning this was what I heard from the Holy Spirit at a moment where I needed to make a choice. Read on to hear the whole story. The sun is shining and the weather is just perfect. Finally, the kids can get outside to play. Analiah and Caleb raced to the backyard and started playing. I headed for a patio chair with a book in hand. I put my feet up and settled in to read. The next thing I heard was “Mommy, can you push me on the swing?”

Do you enjoy driving on snowy roads? Or does just reading that question add stress to your life? I am not a fan of driving on snowy roads. My hands ache from holding the steering wheel so tightly. Over the years my fear has lessened. I am always thankful when the winter is done though. I much prefer clear roads.

How do you respond when someone gives you a gift that was unexpected? Do you respond with a simple thank you? Or are you like me who responds with “Thank you, but you didn’t have to.” God is teaching me the importance of receiving. He has endless resources and longs to bless and encourage when we need it the most. I believe that sometimes we get too caught up in our busy lives that we miss how God is looking out for us. God showed up in a powerful way not too long ago. He just wanted to remind me that He loves me.

What does your prayer life look like? Do you take time daily to pray? Maybe you pray throughout the day. Do you look forward to your time talking to God? Over the years my prayer life has changed. As I take more and more time to pray, I have learned time and time again of the importance of talking to my Daddy.

Do you like to play hide and seek? Maybe you always try to find the best place so no one could find you. The challenge to be the last one found was one I loved. I would work hard to find the perfect spot. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. But you can bet I always tried. Psalm 119:11 which is our key verse for today reads “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” As I read this, I am reminded of my hide and seek days as a kid. This verse challenges me. Do I see it as a challenge to hide God’s word in my heart? How do I think creatively and do all that I can to hide God’s word in my heart? When I hide God’s word in my heart, I win every single time. In what ways do I win in life? The three ways that I win when I hide God’s word in my heart are conviction, comfort and challenge.

After lunch the other day, I decided it was time to take my seven helium star balloons down off my chair. They were starting to look droopy. I started by cutting off the ribbon attached to the chair. Next, I cut the bottom of each balloon fully expecting the balloons to drop to the ground but that was not the case. There was enough helium left in them to get to the ceiling. As I tried to catch each one and flatten it out, I missed two of them.

What are your goals for today? How about this week or maybe even this year? There are so many things I want to accomplish in life. As I thought about my long list this morning, I had to check myself. Too often I get so wrapped up in what I want to do that I forget the ultimate goal in life. I need to keep my eyes on THE goal. I need to be in the position to reach out for Jesus every day, throughout the day. How do we do this? It’s really all about our focus.

What a mess! There are about 7-8 loads of laundry that need to be folded. The very full baskets are behind a door but they still mock me and tell me I am a failure. The kitchen sink is full of dishes and we are about to make more of a mess with our breakfast. The house is overall messy and I have not kept up with things like I have wanted to. Our traditions have not been the same this year. I am sad and disappointed because things have not gone the way I’ve wanted.

“My cookie is broken” pouted Caleb, our 3-year-old son. He held up his gingerbread cookie and showed my husband and I. We were at our older daughter’s school for a Christmas luncheon. The dessert was iced gingerbread man cookies. The leg of Caleb’s cookie was broken and he was very sad. I offered to switch my whole cookie with his. Caleb instantly lit up and happily traded with me. All was right in his world.

When is the last time you really, really wanted something? I mean REALLY wanted something. You spent time dreaming about where it would go in your home or how great you would look in that new outfit. Or maybe you spent time imagining what it would be like to finally have someone in your life. Whatever it may be, we have all really wanted something in our life. Here’s a story from Mathew 20:29-31 about two men who really wanted something