Depending on their start in life, a mature plant can be transplanted to another location with minimal disruption of growth. With proper watering, they will keep growing, right where they’re planted.

As it is with Christians. We should be adaptable, with a servant heart. If God puts us in the mission fields, we should accept the task with awe. If we find ourselves serving at the local shelter, be thankful that God chose you to serve the people.

I have had many titles in my career, worn many hats within my job, home and family, but none has been greater than that of a child of the King.

God knitted me in my mother’s womb. He knew the many trials I would face and the joyful moments I would encounter. He watched me go my own way, but yet welcomed me back with open arms.

Even when I lost hope and didn’t know what I was going to do or how to get out of the mess I was in, He reached down and plucked me out of darkness and planted me where I am today.

God is good and He will place you in amazing places, if you let Him.

Let go and let God do the planting, and if necessary, the transplanting.

Jeremiah 17:7 - “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.”

Facebook has a feature called, “create a story,” which allows you to tell a short story, include photos or a video. It’s a short message to capture your attention.

I’ve always been intrigued with people in different cultures, and those who have lived a totally different lifestyle than me.

After listening to the many stories from the people of Peru, I realized for the first time in my life how blessed I am with material possessions. These people possess more than that, they possess a spiritual awareness. They spoke of how God has brought them out of bad situations into a life fulfilled.

I feel that the more some people are blessed with materially, the less spiritual they are, especially in the United States.

So, what’s your story? Can you sum it up in a few words, or do you have a message behind your story?

The theme of my short story would be, God has never left me and never will.

Some day I’ll write a memoir of my life, giving some insight of the life I’ve lived. One thing will be the theme throughout each chapter, and that is God.

I am so blessed in so many ways and never want to take God for granted.

Let God write your story today.
Daniel 4:2 - “It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signsand wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.”

I found myself mesmerized as I watched my grandkids playing in the sandbox. Their giggles reminded me of something we often forget.

Sometimes we don’t realize that we are given a gift each day. It’s called life.

If you can’t find anything to smile about, try this. Reach out to someone in need. Make a phone call. Write a letter, or place a potted flower at your neighbor’s doorstep.

A simple act of kindness is simple to do. You just have to take the first step.

Someone recently helped me, without expecting anything in return. Wow! It made an impression on me.

I have to smile today when I think of God’s goodness. He puts people in my life all the time, as a reminder, that God is good and He cares for me.

A smile doesn’t cost anything, and a giggle is free!

Let go of your worries. Give them to God. Try a simple act of kindness today.

Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Faith is believing in something, even when the evidence is unclear.

As a new Christian, I was on fire for God. I visited the elderly, volunteered at church, etc. I did all the right ‘churchy’ things I thought I should be doing.

No one really told me what to expect, what’s next. They didn’t really say that this new life requires work on my part. But more than anything, no one told me that I needed to develop my relationship with God. I can’t blame anyone. They just assumed I was seeking God.

If I could give one bit of advice to any new Christian it would be this: Talk to God, like He’s your best friend. Tell Him your desires, fears and what scares you to death.

Take the time to get to know Him. How? Read His story, the Bible.

Soon, you will understand God’s plan for your life. Trust will come, then an unimaginable faith will be birthed within you.

And, even when you fall away and lose faith in God, He will still be faithful to His promises.

2 Timothy 2:13 - “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.”

Jeremiah 20:11 - “But the Lord is with me as a dread warrior; therefore my persecutors will stumble; they will not overcome me. They will be greatly shamed, for they will not succeed. Their eternal dishonor will never be forgotten.

After reading this verse early this morning, I am reminded that I’m not alone in my battles, especially in this challenging year of 2020.

Mixed in with the news reports and social media reminders, I can trust that God is my mighty warrior. Satan may try to add to the calamity of today, but God will cause the demons to stumble.

They won’t win, and we must never let go of this hope. God’s already won the battle, but many of us appear as if they’re fighting this battle alone, every day.

Take comfort in God’s promises and His unfailing love.

The battle is not with other people here on earth, it’s with the demon spirits that are around us today.

Don’t fret, my friends. Claim your victory in Jesus today! It’s yours for the asking and better yet, it’s free!

It says in the Bible, “there shall be no other gods before me.” This is referring to those of us who are making our own gods and putting them first in our life.

I worship God, the creator of the universe, solely. It’s hard not to put other things before Him. Like family, spouse, church, jobs, travel, etc. But, the ‘stuff’ that keeps my eyes on Christ is reflecting on the seasons of victory. The monumental, notable times in my life is when God stepped in and saved me from myself.

These important seasons of my life remind me of the power of the God I serve. They tend to come when I’ve lost all hope; when I’ve exhausted my own futile resources, and when I question God’s presence.

That’s what makes these moments so memorable, so significant.

What about you? Are you going through a chaotic season of life?

If so, trust God with the outcome. His track record confirms His faithfulness.

Wait for it! The victorious reminders of hope and restoration.

Exodus 20:2 - “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

What is invading your thoughts? What keeps you up at night? Does worry ravage most of your day?

Whatever it is, you’re probably not alone.

Growing up, and even now, I never liked to lose. Whether it’s losing my keys, a job promotion. It has never been easy losing a loved one. Losing anything keeps me a little unsettled at times.

As I see it, giving into a perilous outlook on life will get you nowhere. So, why not be proactive and capture those mindless, worrisome thoughts and replace them with premeditated reflection of something fun, exciting and memorable.

Christ calls us as Christians to spread the good news. This is not today’s headlines, but the future promises of God.

You are the only person that decides what you see, what you eat, what you do and what thoughts you allow into your mind.

Keep your thoughts on things above. Think about spending your eternity with lost loved ones, and with the Creator of the Universe.

Start little. Make yourself notes of joyful moments and gradually you'll bring peace into your every day life.

Philippians 4:8 - “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

Life is a series of short stories.

A year ago I was hiking the jungles of Peru. Two weeks before that, I was sitting on a front porch with an elderly gentleman, watching the clouds go by and thankful for my blessings. It’s only been a year, but he’s passed on, and even though I am sad that he’s gone, I feel blessed to have known and cared for such a great man.

Today, I sit with a lovely lady. Once a model, today she faces her days with lost memories of the past. But still, we sit and watch the same clouds go by.

God did all of this. He knows my story from beginning to end. Yet, I have never felt more alive, living and loving life, right where I’m needed.

Life doesn’t always work out as we plan, but we can count on this: God brought us into the world, knew us before we were born, and will never leave us.

God enriches my story every day. What about you? How’s your storyline going? Are you trusting the Author for a great outcome?

Trust Jesus today. Your life-story will never be the same.

Mark 5:19 - “And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”