Looking both ways

Spring is finally peeking out and days are longer and the temps are warming up making it pleasant to go for walks again. I can't express in enough words how enthusiastic this makes me and my daughter to get outside again for walks. Thank you Jesus for this amazing gift!

When walking around the neighborhood it is inevitable to come to an intersection. It is critical to look both ways before crossing the street as sometimes cars are coming from one direction or another. If I only look to my left,  I completely miss any cars coming from the right and may get hit. And if I only quickly look and not really pause, I may also miss something. What if we approached our prayer lives when faced with joyful or even difficult circumstances in this same manner?

 I find it all to easy to look one way when in various circumstances with my own eyes. But, those times that I step out of my own view, pause, and really reflect on God's point of view I gain a whole new perspective. Most often I recognize even more so how perhaps God was protecting or even preparing me with particular circumstances. It is not always easy to do this. There are some things that are so painful to try to look both ways at, but with time and the Holy Spirit's guidance, an unexplained peace and love will come. 

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Lord, Help me to pause and look both ways in all good and challenging circumstances. I know that when I do, I am able to see the big picture of your beautiful masterpiece. Thank you Lord for the amazing and beautiful life you have given to me! Amen. 

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Simply a little pencil in God's hand,
Elizabeth