What would happen if we all...?

I usually do not share my prayers online. But I chose to for this one, only because I wanted to share the results.

While gathering stories for Positive News on my other blog, I must sift through countless other stories, filled with war, violence and sadness. After reading a slew articles about the shootings from all parts of the world, from civil war in Syria, to war-torn parts of the African continent, to another school shooting in the US (all in yesterday's news), I was ready to weep. :*(

At 3 pm, I paused in my workday to say some prayers. I had the printed prayers in hand, but instead I felt directed to put them away. "Share what's on your heart, daughter."

And I did. I asked for all this gun violence to stop - even if just for 24 hours. So caught up in this prayerful request, I found myself with my head down to the floor. It was a desire from deep within. Not that I hold anything against the shooters, for they truly are not in their right frame of mind, heart and spirit when they kill another human being.

Just please, end it ... even if for a day.

I just wrapped up my news search a few minutes ago. While I wish I could have reported there were no fatal gun shootings - there WAS A SIGNIFICANT drop. An Isreali military man shot a Palestinian woman. A cop in the US shot his wife, child and self. One other US shooting reported. While each of these is sad, that was all in the news for the past 20 hours. Worldwide.

That impresses me. God does listen. God does care.

• What if we all prayed that the gun violence ends?
• What if we all prayed that all violence ends?
• What if we all prayed that the hungry would have food?
• What if we all prayed that we treat each other with love and kindness?

How much can we change the world, if we all just prayed?

Five Words

Near the end of the workday today, I was tired. I was tired of this illness I cannot shake, tired of the monotony of my day job, tired of not knowing if I should continue Positive News, tired of wondering if I will have a job next month, tired of not really knowing anything, nor what to do about it all...

When I get cranky, I reach out to Yeshua, seeking some comfort and confirmation that I am still on the right track. It's something a little sister does with a trusted big brother. :)

The response was five words: "Let me see your hands."

Sure enough, my hands clutched past (including all petty things of the day) and future (with all its worries, hopes and fears). In a sense, I had bound myself trying to remain in complete control of my life.

When I acknowledge that God is better qualified to differentiate the valuable and inconsequential, my mind and spirit become calm and confident.

When I show God what is in my hands, rather than stubbornly insisting I can handle it myself, I invite God to help me. I am placing my life in God's capable hands. What better place is there?

When I heard, "Let me see your hands," I smiled and opened both hands wide. The tiredness dropped from my mind and body in a heartbeat. I may still sniffle, but my soul feels much lighter now. My emotions are calm and my mind is at Peace. I smile.

I LAUGH!

What is in your hands right now?

Will you let Him see too?

Practice

I know it's WAY too early for Easter, but this image seemed to fit my thoughts today.

For little over a week, I hunted down news stories that spotlight goodness, Light and Love in humanity, as well as accounts of Miracles and Wonders.

Going through the news feeds for these isn't too different from Easter egg hunts...

I originally began the Positive News series on my other blog in response to all the negative news issued by the media and many blogs, recounting all the "sins" and evils of the world.

Uhm... Was I just shaking my fist at the fist-shakers? I think so...

But, as I mentioned previously, God may have a purpose behind this. I think I just discovered one.

Listening to negative news, we become wary of our brothers and sisters. We may be fearful or see them as duping, goading or leading us to "sin." There may also be a "get them before they get us" mentality.

While I strive to find Light and Love in the news stories, there is also Light and Love in each human being ~ everyone!

So for me, this is becoming a daily practice to peel back all the layers and see what shines - both in terms of stories and within each and every individual person.

I need to stop,

Look past the headlines

And see the REAL story underneath. :)

Little Love Notes

It's amazing how many different ways God tells us we're Loved.

While gathering stories this morning, the following was in my inbox.

Eyes of the Father: God does the unexpected

Gainesville Times
Yet in doing it, I showed my child how much I loved her. My actions also brought her an immense amount of joy.

That is how it came in, copy and pasted right from the email. If you choose to follow the link, you will see there is story. But for a moment, I read only the words above.

In that email God showed me Love, and it DID bring me joy - in an unexpected way.

May you find these little love notes in your life too. :D

Sharing the Positive News

On my other blog (here) I've started posted collections of positive news stories - daily. It takes hours to search, format and compile these. I've wondered if it was worth it...

Yet, at the same time, I cannot help but feel I'm being guided to do so. 

Fortunately, the time has gone down this week from sixteen hours for the first post to a mere four hours for today's post. Yeshua hints that by the end of January my skills will have that down to roughly an hour per day.

Originally my thoughts were that I would find maybe three to seven stories in a given 24-hour period. Ha! Go over to the other blog and see. It's a far cry from that. I will admit, the number of positive stories surprises even me. There is still much Light and Love shining in this world. Where stories are reported, there are thousands that go unmentioned.

By Thursday, I questioned if this was something God wanted me to do. After all, I haven't tweeted inspirational rhymes since I started "Positive News" on my blog... While I searched the last few places, I noted that I was quite shy on "Furry Friends" stories. Then I got an email, just as that thought crossed my mind. It contained four really good animals stories to share. Was the Divine Editor listening to my thoughts?

While it's quite a bit of work, in the end I really don't know how many I will touch with "Positive News." From peeking at the stats, they are actually my most hit blog posts - ever.

The truth is that I won't know many of the results of my work until the end of my time. I also know that what I do is nothing compared to the remarkable things God does with it. I've only caught a few glimpses of the "behind the scenes" work. Sometimes a person is led to read something at "just the right time" or will get an idea from my posts and do something remarkable.

Who knows how far it goes.

I just know I need to Trust,

And place all in God's hands.

Pari's Lap

I woke up early (3:30 am) and spent time with Yeshua and Pari (God ~ see here for more). Mostly it was a time of Peace and a chance to reflect what some of the underlying thoughts were (see Mental Yoga).  I was surprised when a particular thought rose to the surface. I turned to Pari and asked, "Am I ugly?" I originally thought of this body, but I also realized that my mind included my spirit and soul in this question...

Immediately hordes of memories dating from recent years to as far back as very early childhood sprang to mind - all indicating that this was the very reason I was outcast all these years. I have learned to recognize this prompt. It was not from Pari but from the Adversary through my ego. It was designed to make me feel small, insignificant and worthless. For the moment, it was working...  ... only for that moment.

Since I was already in contact with Pari and feeling a bit more bold, as I could feel Yeshua's comforting Presence akin to arms around my shoulders, I took a trembling step (allegorically) toward Pari and asked for help. I could not get past this barrage of negative images and feelings alone.

The response that came back surprised me even more than the question that started this mess. "Climb into my lap." Say what!? But all I got was affirmation that I heard correctly. I was asked to climb into the lap of God. I argued at first that I didn't know how. But the answer returned that I DID know how, as every child of God knows, but I could not do so as I was holding myself back. I swallowed a bit and asked for help in NOT holding myself back, if that makes any sense. I felt a hand, as though someone physically present but unseen in the room had gently cupped the back of my neck.

All doubt was gone. The answer was there. Just simply will myself into Pari's lap. I did and I was there. I didn't even need to stir the blanket that was wrapped around me for warmth.

I forgot what this is like; it's been over four decades since I last crawled into a parent's lap. Things look a LOT different from there. My perspective, introspectively and extrospectively, CHANGED.

I was warned that this would be only temporary, but the purpose was to give me some insight to take with me. I am not ugly - inside or out. I am a beautiful creation of God. So is everyone else. What an amazing insight! The lies will still be out there, but I was given the proof that they ARE lies. We are all beautiful children of God, and when we see from God's perspective, we are equally beautiful to each other. Sometimes we just need to climb into our loving Parent's lap and have a good look around.

Even when we are lost, pulling ourselves away, or frightened, we are still beautiful. When we are exhausted by our struggles and - at last - surrender ourselves to God's Care and Mercy, we are as lovable and adorable as a pack of puppies that desire nothing but unconditional Love. And God WILL take us into arms that never tire of holding children, no matter how we may squirm. :)

Open Hands

Of the things I've learned recently, this is quite practical. Any time I struggle (mentally, emotionally, even with physical pain), I empty and open both hands.

In one hand is the past - all that I learned, all that I have acquired and possess, all the past experiences, connections and grudges that influence me. That must be emptied and opened.

In the other hand is the future - all that hope for, all that I dream, all my plans, all my worries. That too must be emptied and opened.

When both hands are empty and open, my focus is on God and the present moment. It's then that God takes my hands and REALLY helps me, including ways I have yet to put to words.

The struggles cease.

Peace flows in.

Mental Yoga

I haven't written in a while, but I needed to do some mental yoga. Mental yoga...?

Yup! I twist my mind this way and that way to learn from where each thought comes. It may not involve sun salutation or downward dog, but I did run into child.

Rather than riding my thoughts and first impressions as they gallop out my mouth or through my fingertips, I learned to follow them back to the roots. There's a lot of garbage back there. It's time for a yard sale!

Does anyone want any rejections I've experienced in childhood? Going cheap!

How about "It's not fair" feelings? I've got a stack to clear out.

Oh, and here's a great find: iEnvy! "What is iEnvy?" you ask. It's the feelings of low self worth and jealousy because I don't have the latest tech-toys. Not even a smart phone. Well, my hubby gave me a solar powered dancing flower from the dollar store. Does that count?

Over here there's a whole trunk of "I should have done's" - all those things I wished I had done when I had a younger body and few responsibilities. Maybe I should start a bucket list instead...

We all have knots that influence our thoughts and perspectives. There are ties to the past that sometimes need to be undone.

We are also interconnected to each other, sometimes in ways we never imagine.

When we trace these thoughts and feelings back to roots, we can be surprised by what we find - good as well as bad.

We are also given an opportunity to clear out what we don't want and work on weaving our thoughts and perspectives around positive influences in our lives.

What we can achieve is far more beautiful than we now conceive.

Lastly, while weaving our life, sometimes we find ourselves at the end of our rope.

That's when we need to be like this kitten - tie a knot and hang on until a new strand appears.

Don't worry.

It will.

:D