Do Not...

Do not take your presence from me oh God...may I live and breathe and have my being with the Hand of the Father in all things. This morning I bake for a small event here in my sleepy lil town and as I prepared and enjoyed the smells of sugar cookies baking in the oven, I reflected on the now, the real, the present moment...each morning I take stock, I check in...some mornings I check right back out, that's the hard truth dear treasures. Some days we are more present, living in the moment, wringing joy and laughter from each moment...while others we find ourselves just bathing in the peace and comfort of a home free of strife, of chaos, of rage, of evil.

Each moment free is a gift...each minute we live free is a win dear friends. Each day we live out from under the control and manipulations of a master in his own mind is a day of victory.

The wounds lay deep dear hearts...they lay beneath the surface waiting for their moment to be viewed, spoken over with love, with compassion before laying it to rest once more...scars form, tear, re-form, to become stronger, better, more...we do the work my friends, and some days it cuts us to the quick while others the pain is flicked from the shoulder with disdain, with pride in the work already accomplished.

Each day we build up our repertoire...we lay brick after brick of foundation to sustain, to maintain, to continue in this life with grace, with mercy, with love; understanding that as we move, as we bend and pluck the weeds from the path and toss them into the rubbish, we gain our footing, we gain confidence unlike any we've had before.

Change is messy...growth is dirty, nasty, sweaty, blood and toil to reach the top...however...we do this for us, for ourselves, and so our loved ones have us completely, entirely, in tact and ready to live, to breathe, to laugh, to give out and watch it come back a hundred fold.

This morning I lay in bed a little longer than normal wanting nothing to do with the chill in the air....with a sigh and a barrel roll out of bed into the absence of heat I did the tiptoe dance while dressing and donning the layers necessary to brave the arctic freeze outside my door. Kindling cut, firewood gathered, ice in layers over the ends of my hair I hotfooted it back into warmer air and got the fire raging once more.

Some days my friends, we do the work as routine, as part of our daily grind. Satisfying work...I take care of myself and it is a good feeling...I CAN do all those things I was told I couldn't or at the very least, sucked at.

Dear hearts...we are infinitely capable creatures...do something enough we get really good at it until it comes with little to no thought. Hooking up a massive trailer...loading up, strapping down...easy...now. It took work and while in the midst I often had the stray thought to the men in my life teaching me little, showing me nothing in the hopes of keeping me in the 'helpless' category, thus easily criticized, look down upon, judged. Belittled for the very thing they refuse to help you learn.

Thankfully I had a coworker who took the time to teach what I wasn't sure on, or felt completely unable. I went in with a little skill, a little knowledge and have walked since in confidence, in abilities I didn't know I had.

This is our light in the world...the building of skills equalling a building of confidence...

We walk taller, stronger, straighter...we begin a small knowledge of worth until it comes as easy as breathing. We have much to give dear treasures. Much.

Live in that knowledge....know your worth....you have something to give in any given situation, something to offer that no one else can. Uniquely you.

May God richly bless your day and each day ahead...with grace, with love, with confidence and strength. You got this...all of it...all day, everyday...worthy and able to do all things.