Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. My mood matched the weather this morning as I stepped out onto the front porch with my coffee in hand…a little cool…a little cloudy…a little quiet…but with the potential to be incredible no matter what. After my time with the Living God this morning, I know that He will be keeping “my path straight” and I know that He provides “my daily bread.” I know that the “boundary lines will fall on me in pleasant places” and I know that He will “keep my lot secure.” Cool, cloudy, or even quiet doesn’t change my Purpose at all, and the Sunshine in my Heart will override the clouds in the sky all day long as I do my work for Him. Isn’t that the way your life is too?

I wish I was as brave as some people think I am, but it’s not bravery they see. I wish I was as confident as some people believe me to be, but it’s not confidence they see. I wish I was as bold as some people think I am, but it’s not boldness they see. I wish I was as creative as some people give me credit for, but it’s not creativity they see. I wish I was as knowledgeable as some people believe that I am, but it’s not knowledge they see. I wish I was as carefree as some people think I am, but it’s not carefree they see. I wish I was as resilient as some people think I am, but it’s not resilience they see. When people look at me and “see” these Characteristics, it’s not “me” that they see at all. What they see is a Life that has been Surrendered to the King and one that is driven by His Spirit. They see a Willing Vessel and they see a Joyful Servant. They see what a weak woman looks like when God is running the show. They see the results of answered prayers and they see Characteristics beyond my flesh. THEY SEE HIM.

I wish I’d never stumble and lose my way, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never do something wrong that I’d later regret, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never lack compassion, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel like giving up, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to pull the covers over my head, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want to shut out the world, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel fear, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never felt hurt over the way I’ve been treated, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never feel alone in life, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never need a good cry, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never question God, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never want for things that I don’t have, but sometimes I do. I wish I’d never disappoint another, but sometimes I do. When I’m feeling any of the things that I wish I didn’t feel, I know that this weak woman has gotten a little too far away from the Living God, and those Characteristics that can usually be seen in me have dimmed…so it’s back to the source of my Strength all over again. Although I am “only human” it’s not okay to live that way…and if I draw everything I need from Him, it shows.

I may have begun this new day feeling cloudy and cool and quiet and I may have been inclined to let my mood follow that path all day long…but it’s an entirely different story after my time with Him. Today I’ll be Strong and I’ll be Unstoppable and I won’t be walking through this day like any “weak” woman you’ve ever seen in your life. If I stumble today, I’ll make it right as fast as I can by asking Him for forgiveness and strength. And if my stumble is a bad reflection of my Faith in someone else, I’ll be making it right with them too so that others may see what humility looks like. There is no good thing in me apart from Him…all that I am…all that I do…it’s all for Him. When you live like that, it shows – and if others can see Him in me, I pray they want to know Him and love Him as I do. That’s the goal.

How about you?