What's Your Routine?

I broke all routine this morning, and it actually was really good and enlightning.

I woke very early for the first time in a while, I had enough time before leaving for work to actually cook a good breakfast; however, once downstairs I came to find that I had no bread, the eggs had expired and no milk (With only myself home during the week I have not been purchasing many groceries). So, after starting laundry I decided I would go find a Tim Horton's and order oatmeal and a tea.

From the moment I entered this Tim Horton's I was in observation mode; this is not a regular thing for me to do first thing in the morning, but what a busy popular place it was; and definitely part of many a person's routine. It started with a pleasant greeting from the front girl, however, obviously her regular shift was afternoons or evenings as she greeted me with "good afternoon, how can I help you?" I simply responded with a "good thanks". She then continued her regular routine with taking my order and even though I made no indication that I wanted the order to go, she put it all in a "to go" bag. As I sat down at the table with my breakfast, she made a small comment about her being out of her regular routine, and that she is typically on drive-thru where everything goes in a bag.

As I sat journalling and thinking about the events of the last couple of days, it became obvious that I had sat in someone's "regular" seat. After wandering for a little bit he found another table; but I was struck at how routine we as humans can become. And, when events seem to mess with our routines, we are a little "off" with what to do next. It sometimes takes some time to become focused once again.

I can't help but wonder how things could change if we made sure our "routine" always began with saying good morning and acknowledging Jesus and His presence in our day? What if we became "off" if we missed our initial morning prayer? or daily feed of His word?

I am not suggesting that we need to be under the law of "the day doesnt begin until you go to the throne"; however, how better equipped would we be, if we were actually aware of how equipped we were with the very life of Jesus? What if we got to the point that our day just could not go on until we stopped to have a conversation with our true life source?

So, I challenge you to think about your routine, and ask yourself where in that routine do you stop to acknowledge Jesus and dwell on His word and presense in your day.

Til Next Time

Jacqueline

Words

It is a well known fact that words have the ability to build up or to destroy. Years ago I sat listening to a devotional about the tongue, and it has stuck with me.
The tongue is sharp and can cut like a blade (and now a days we don't even have to say the words, we can hide behind computers and internet access and not have to look the person in the eye). Once the words are out, yes they can be forgiven, but they are not easily forgotten. I have been hurt by words often in my life, and yes, I have spoken (or typed) words that have hurt others as well. I am aware of the damage that words spoken in haste, defensiveness, hurt or anger can do.

The words on the wall in my office are "May the words of my mouth be pleasing in your sight ..." Psalm 19:14. That is my desire, for because I am aware of the possible damage, I want to be constantly reminded to seek Father before I speak.

I have also been thinking about the meaning of some "little" words. When I read the Bible I have learned to pay close attention to the "little" (yet powerful) words. Take Romans 8:31 "If God is FOR us, who is against us?" or, John 10:10 "The thief has ONLY come to seek, kill and destroy"; 2Cor 5:17 "If anyone be IN Christ, they are a new creation..."; Rom 8:38,39 "For I am convinced that neither death NOR life, NOR angels, NOR principalities, NOR things present, NOR things to come, NOR powers, NOR height, NOR depth, NOR any other created thing shall separate you from the love of God...". I could continue but you get the point; there is power in words; whether big or small.

If one little word can hold such impact when reading the word of God and His promises to us; just think about how much of an impact our words have on people?

Father, speak truth through me, but remind me to stop first and lean on you for YOUR words.

That's all for now

Jacqueline

The Value of Words and the simple things we take for granted!

This will be a shorter blog today: I am thinking on the value of words and simple things that we take for granted. It is with words that we can build up, and it's with words that you can tear down.

The other day I was working through some things and someone took the time to say a few words to me that have left me thinking.

The words spoken to me were "I will fight for you, I am on your side"

I am going to spend the rest of my life remembering those words, but also remembering to tell them to my children often!

Father God loves us and will always be fighting for us. Out of that love, He has also placed others in our lives to speak words of love to us.

The simple things that we often take for granted:
- ears to be able to hear the words of love and encouragement spoken to us
- eyes to read the Word of God, and look into the eyes of our loved ones to search for the unspoken feelings
- eyes to watch children playing and their faces lighting up when they receive a gift
- a mouth to speak and make our thoughts and feelings known
- a voice to sing praises with
- arms to hold and to be hugged
- hands to play piano, hold a book
- feet and legs to get where we want to go

That's all for now: take time to be thankful for all you have and are because of Father!

In Him

Jacqueline

Give Me Words To Speak ...

We have all been on both ends of the spectrum of hard conversations. Either we are hearing something we don't want to hear, or having to tell someone something they don't want to hear (and sometimes we don't want to be in the spot to have to say the truth either).

Words have the power to heal and to hurt. To build up and to tear down. To encourage and to rip someone to millions of pieces. The old rhyme - "stick and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me". Really? words people have said to me years and years ago are still engrained in my memory, and yes theydid hurt. Do I still let them have the same effect on me ? no. But, it is foolish to think that words we hear, or words we say to others, don't have the ability to hurt and to cause damage.

Father, when I speak, I want to speak only the words from you, AND in your perfect timing! When I speak words of truth, may they be through you, in love - not simply correct. May the words I speak, be to encourage, to edify and to build up.

May the words that WE say Father, be pleasing to you - Amen!

Just something that was on my mind.

Til next time,
Jacqueline