Bumper Lanes

I often pray and try to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I want Him to guide me and speak to me about which ways to go and to guide me and correct me in life. 

This reminded me of the bumper lanes that they use for kids at bowling alleys. 

As we steer our lives in one direction God helps us by giving us the Holy Spirit which acts like bumper lanes. As we veer off too much in the wrong direction He gently guides us back down the lane we need to be in. 

I trust You when You say no God and I trust You when You say yes.   

I'm finding the significance of pressing through, getting back up when I've failed, trying again, being resilient, not giving up. Learning and being open minded and solution minded. Seeing the bigger picture. Trusting God. 

It's amazing how much joy comes from being obedient to God even in the littlest things. 

Psalm 23 has really been in my mind and in my heart recently. I wanted to post it. I find myself praying it and reciting it for a variety of situations. I speak it out loud when possible and I think about every sentence and its significance. It's powerful yet peaceful. Let God comfort you and speak to you through His word. 

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalms 23:1-6 NASB)

I have struggled with people pleasing for a long time and God has been so gracious and mighty and powerful to help me come out of it. 

One of my favorite scriptures about people pleasing is this:

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 NIV)

Love defined

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 NIV)