...some days it's hard to think about celebrating...

 Some days it is hard to think about celebrating or fun Valentine projects.

Please allow me to explain.

I've had several friends get sad news and hard news and scary news in the past few weeks...do you ever experience those times when people all around you are going through stuff and you just wish there was something you could do?  But the truth is that all you can do is try and listen and check in and pray.  Here is my encouragement to you if you are going through something hard or scary or sad...

...God cares for you...

...Your Heavenly Father loves you...  

...He wants to comfort you...

...and He wants to give you hope...

...but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint.

(from Isaiah 40:31)

 My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

(ephesians 3:14-19 * from The Message) 

...to my dear friends * I love you and I am praying for you...


xoxo - *laura*