Summer break is in full swing in our house and we are here for every sun-soaked, sprinkler sprint, swim team stroke and snuggle up to me soft moment of it.
I’m thinking that perhaps your rhythm or routine do a little seasonal bend in your family too when Summer slips in the door at your house?
Around here…we open our eyes a little brighter and eager to the welcomed adjustment of the new lighthearted beat that drops a little more softer now, than during any other time of year.
Seashells make their way to center stage on the kitchen island, utensils slip into a mason jar for easy transport to the patio for al fresco dining, a fresh summer scented candle takes her place and fresh flowers are cut from my lovely neighbors yard.
All four items signaling reminders to flash forward and refresh my mind of just how good God is.
Do you ever find yourself needing those symbolic physical reminders to help bring your breath back to truth when life is a little more hard?
I find that when my heart feels a little achy and confused…the smallest symbols of God’s goodness can appropriately lead my heart to the proper position of praise.
Why is praise so important to our heart health in all circumstances we may find ourself in…especially the difficult ones?
Because…Praise is the password to the presence of the Lord.
The Message translation of the Bible says it like this:
“Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn’t make him.
We’re his people, his well-tended sheep.
Enter with the password: “Thank you!”
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him.
Worship him.
For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.”
Psalm 100:3-5 The Message
When faced with a challenging climate of conditions…instead of coming to God with a breakdown of the latest happenings or handing Him a laundry list of requests in what is essentially a transactional prayer time…I am refreshed to the truth that He already knows everything that is going on.
“You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.”
psalm 139:4 NLT
I don’t need to bring Him up to speed.
Instead?
I need to slow down…pause and praise.
For who He is and who He has always been.
When I come correctly to Him with Praise on my lips…He maneuvers my mind out of the mud and brings the frayed edges into perfect form.
Friend, I am not sure what may be weighing on your heart heavier right now than usual…but I do know that when I come to Him with a purposeful pause and praise instead of forging ahead?
He has a miraculous way of copying and pasting His heart onto mine and in turn adjusts my heart rhythm to match His beat.
“Do you know how God controls the storm and causes the lightning to flash from his clouds? Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?”
job 37:15-16 NLT
Dear friend…our God is perfectly skilled to direct our path.
The key to unlocking His “GPS?”
GPS: God’s Positioning System.
Pause and Praise Him first.
And if you need a little help getting started in the right direction?
Listen to this song.
“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
Psalm 95:2 NIV
The power of praise positions our hearts correctly in such a way that it connects us to the realization we had the power to turn the fear faucet off all along.
Sometimes we just need those small reminders in front of us to help get our minds synched up with the holy GPS in the sky.
Lord,
Thank you for your perfect love.
Give me eyes to see all the ways you provide for me. Help me to fully appreciate even the smallest blessings and tiniest details that you take care of.
Your Word says that you look on people’s hearts, so I know that you know the things on my heart.
Please guide me toward your truth as I praise your holy name.
Amen.
CHRISTI says
Amen… God is good … celebrate the freedoms of our heart, our mind, our soul
Heather Krout says
Amen Christi – Amen. Hugs and love to you all the time. Look forward to hopefully seeing you soon. XO, Heather
Mary from Life at Bella Terra says
Heather, your photos are truly amazing. The one of your daughter and dog should be a painting. I love the ease of summer and you beautifully captured that. Happy weekend.
Heather Krout says
Aw thank you Mary. It was such an impromptu capture – those are my favorite. I was walking into my bedroom and there they were snuggling and enjoying the new rhythm of Summer. Hope you are enjoying your Summer days!! XO, Heather
bob chance says
the view of eve and pup is calmingly beautiful..yes the june beat does drop more easily then February.once we turn the fear faucet off.. and sustain the proper position. of early summer..it is among the best phases of the our hopeful calendar…..
Heather Krout says
So glad we were able to soak in a few sun soaked beach days together.