God gave us

God gave us eyes to search for the good in things,

 He gave us ears to listen too.

God gave us a voice to speak kind words, 

He gave us the ability to find the good in others too. 

God gave us the gift to ignore all things bad,

 the ability to see all the good. 

If we look we can see the world through grateful eyes and a caring heart too.

God gave us opportunities, the chance to try all things.

 He gave us friends to walk along life's path, 

God gave us family to guide us through life too. 

God gave us the gift of love, He gave us the gift of laughter too. 

God gave us the gift of happiness, He gave us joyful moments too.

God gives us times of sorrow,

 He gives us strength to make it through too.

 God gives us times of trial 

He pulls us through it too.

 God walks along my side each day and He walks along yours too.

Life is a gift to be cherished,

 enjoy it while we can.

 Because each day only comes once 

and we are never promised tomorrow.

I am thankful for the gift of life,

The trials and sorrow too.

For each day of our life teaches us

How to be strong and live life too.

Written by: Chelsea Nienaber

The Cross of Hope

Because God loves us, He gave us life.

Because God loves us, He created the world for us to explore.

Because God loves us, He gave us eyes to gaze at His creations.

Because God loves us, He made all things beautiful.

Because God loves us, we always have a friend.

Because God loves us, He always does what's best for us.

Because God loves us, He gave us many talents.

Because God loves us, we are uniquely made in His image.

Because God loves us, He gave us many opportunities in life.

Because God loves us, He is always faithful.

Because God loves us, He protects us from harm.

Because God loves us, He is strong when we are weak.

Because God loves us, He walks by our side each day.

Because God loves us, He carries us through our darkest days.

Because God loves us, He gave us hard times to make us strong.

Because God loves us, we can count on Him for anything.

Because God loves us, He calms the storms and takes away our fear.

Because God loves us, He carries our burden when we can't go on.

Because God loves us, He suffered so that we might live.

Because God loves us, He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins.

Because God loves us, He came down to give us the gift of eternal life if only we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.

Written by: Chelsea Nienaber

The cross is the promise of hope for eternal life. Have a blessed day everyone!

A beautiful dream

One night when I was fast asleep in bed I had a very real dream. A dream I've kept secret to this day until you read this. It was a dream of someone who is very near and dear to my heart but what I failed to see is what I thought was just a dream turned into a surreal picture of the reality of life and death. What happens to us when our souls depart from this earthly world and we leave our body behind.

I hardly ever remember the dreams I have at night but this one in particular has never left my mind. When I think of you which is often, I think back to the night I had this dream and my heart is at peace because I know you are happy. All I ever wanted for you was happiness without struggle.

In my dream you were in a beautiful white silk gown wearing the most beautiful crown of flowers with a glow around them that lit up the sky. You were not in your wheelchair which struck me as odd but instead you were standing there twirling around in a garden of flowers without a care in the world. You were so beautiful all I could do was smile when I saw you standing there in the middle of all the flowers around you.

I can recall you spoke your words were so clear as I heard you softly whisper I will always watch over you. I remember thinking what does that mean because I didn't know or understand what any of this meant at the time but I am beginning to realize this dream I had was no coincidence now.

I had pleasant thoughts afterwards with such a strange sense of peace I wondered where it was coming from but I know not to question and just go with the flow of things. I kept thinking of you so much since that dream actually you were a constant thought but I still didn't think anything of it until I read the email on your birthday. I remember thinking to myself after having the dream I have been watching way too much Touched by an Angel.

It is very clear to me now in your own way you were letting me know you were at peace in the presence of our loving God. As I began to wake from my dream I felt a gentle touch upon my cheek as you entered into God's Kingdom to continue your journey in your eternal resting place in heaven.

I think even in our dreams God will allow us to see a glimpse of what we as believers have to look forward to when our time on earth is done and we are called to our heavenly home.

A picture worth a thousand words

I've heard people say a picture is worth a thousand words and I have recently found that to be true.

We have pictures all around our home as I am sure many, if not everyone has pictures of special events, vacations you have been on and your accomplishments throughout the years.

Our pictures tell a story, a story of how we were raised and the things we have been through in our lifetime. They tell those we invite into our home about us and our lives. Who we are as people.

I find myself looking at our pictures often and I think back on everything we have been through in our lives. I am reminded of how incredibly full of love and many blessings our life has been - our home has been.

We often get sidetracked caught up with our busy schedule that we don't take the time to live in the moment. We rush through the motions not stopping to appreciate what is right in front of us.

Sometimes I miss the good old days - the days we all lived so close to each other and were together more often. I miss our laughs together - laughter is the best medicine and we have had so many wonderful laughs together. When we are together it's like nothing has changed our lives have just taken different paths and moved us in different directions.

I miss the closeness of family right next door to each other. The security of knowing someone you completely trust is right next to you. I miss everything about the memories we have created throughout the years and wish we could go back to relive them.

I take comfort in the fact that as we move forward it gives us a chance to keep making memories strengthening our family bond even tighter. We may never know what our future holds in the coming years but I do know that as long as we have our faith and each other that is all we need to survive. We will be okay.

Sometimes even through something as small and simple as a picture we are reminded of our blessings, to be thankful for all we have and to give of ourselves to help one another make the most out of the life God gave us. 

The beauty in our existence

There is so much beauty in our existence, it is fascinating to me to know that we have a reason for being put in the places we are today. We have so much to give and so much to offer the world around us if only we are given the chance to shine the light that God gives within us.

Each and every person on this earth who has been made by God was made differently for a purpose that only God himself will know to reveal to us and to show the world at His right time. God made us to fit in to the world and we are all beautiful in our own way. God put in each of us talents and abilities so that every day we could serve the purpose God has for our lives to make a difference in the lives of others and in the society we live in today.

The longer I live the more I see it's true that some of us might think that if we have challenges that it is the end of the road for us, that we could never amount to anything unique and special and that the things that challenge us will hold us back from enjoying life. It's the outlook society puts on those who have to work a little harder to accomplish the ultimate goal they have set for themselves and I myself have been guilty of thinking this way a time or two.

In the many years of my existence, I have learned that with age comes the wisdom and the knowledge that people who don't understand can tend to make us feel unworthy of anything or less than because they don't take the time to give us a chance to show them the greatness God knows we have in us to offer this world. I guess if you wanted to you could choose to believe them, but why not rise above it and enjoy every day you are blessed with? Why not do all that you can with what God actually gave you?

It is true that you may not be able to run, you may not be able to jump, you may not be able to talk, you may not be able to see, you may not be able to hear, you may not even be able to walk but that doesn't make you less of a person. We all have our own strengths and weaknesses to make us who we are and that is ok.

Speaking for myself, I was beautifully made without the ability to walk but I know that God has a plan for my life. He made me this way to serve His purpose and in my opinion I think the same goes for each one of us. Maybe it's to teach others to look at life in a positive way and see the good side of things.

I don't think anyone really knows the purpose for their existence until God is ready to reveal His plan to us as we live life each day but know that you as a person are a very important part of this world, your existence is so precious because in God's eyes you are the most beautiful being. You are wanted, you are needed, you are adored, you are loved.

So, as I continue to go on in life until I know what is up His sleeve, I am going to sit back and enjoy the beautiful life He gave me to live to the best of my ability. Have a great day everybody!

God laid a thought on my heart that I just wanted to get off of my chest today. It's really important to show our loved ones we care for them and to tell them that we love them as often as possible because life is entirely too short and we never know when or if we will ever get that chance again.

Life is a precious gift never to be taken for granted because God never promised us tomorrow. Life could pass us by in the blink of an eye so it's important to make sure we have our ducks in a row. Get yourself right with God and spread His unconditional love to everyone you know through every corner of your life so that we have the hope to be reunited in Glory some day!

I'm reminded of an old song I heard in church before, "I'm going home to Jesus in the twinkling of an eye I made my reservation for a mansion in the sky I may not know the moment or I may not know the day but I know that i'll be leaving when He calls His church away." Book your reservation today my friends! Have a blessed day.

The gentle hand of God in every day life

There is so much that can happen in a years time. Honestly, if you think about it a lot can happen in a day or within hours or even a few minutes. We are never guaranteed a life without speed bumps and sometimes with no way to avoid it other than to face them head on.

I think changes from the ordinary day to day are a reminder of the precious gift of life given to us by a loving God or a way for God to help us see the blessings we have every single day. Life itself is a teacher, it helps us to take notice of the important things that mean the most.

I see the hand of God move in a great way on a daily basis. A way we could only explain as a direct move of God. Divine intervention is a beautiful thing. God will never leave us or forsake us in the middle of the chaos on our journey of life.

Miracles happen all the time if we look for them. You woke up? That's a miracle. You have air in your lungs? That's a miracle.You have a heartbeat? That's a miracle. You have vision to see God's beauty? That's a miracle. I could go on but I think my point is clear.

So my friends, I encourage you to count your blessings today. God is real. God is love. God is faithful. God is there to listen to every need or desire of our heart in prayer.

Today, sit back enjoy the adventure and get ready to see God's blessings move into your life and knock your socks off right in front of your eyes! You will see things beyond your wildest dream if you look for it!

A little something to think about as we begin today.

We can be the one to touch a person's life if only we are willing to be the smile for someone who cannot smile at the moment.

If we choose to uplift everyone with a kind word or a prayer of encouragement. Be an ear for others who need someone to listen to the desires they have on their heart.

Walk in their shoes because theirs have gotten too tight. Be a light to shine God's love in the path of all we know on our journey through this world.

If we try just a few of these simple things we may be surprised to find life's load a little lighter to make the world we live in a more enjoyable place full of love for everyone.

Don't miss an opportunity to spread love and encouragement wherever you go today!

Have a blessed day everyone!

I Wonder Why.

There is so much going on in the world today and I wonder why.

I wonder why there is suffering.

I wonder why there is pain.

I wonder why there is anger.

I wonder why we are fighting.

I wonder why there is so much pride.

I wonder why there is entitlement.

I wonder why there is sadness.

I wonder why there is hate.

I wonder why there is fear.

I wonder why there is violence when there should be love.

I wonder why we can't feel safe every time we leave the comfort of our home.

I wonder why parents have to fear to send their kids off to school when school should be a safe place. 

Where is love?

Where is kindness?

Where is compassion for others?

Where is safety and security?

I am only one person I know I don't have all the answers. I remember when I use to think change started with us and there is still a lot of truth to that but now I also realize we have to turn our hearts to God in prayer. When we trust God only then will we feel peace on earth. All I know is to give our life to God. I believe He will take care of us.

God bless you all for reading my thoughts today.

The Gift Giver of a beautiful Life.

In all the hurry to understand the meaning of what life is all about, sometimes we forget to celebrate the fact God gave us the gift to be alive and well at all at this very moment. The more we know God, the more we have to celebrate every joy God can or will bring to our life and all the greatness God wants us to share with others who are in our life.

God is the source of everything in front of us in life and we need to celebrate the fact God has taken such an interest in us and all that was created for us to enjoy. I pray the good things always outweigh the bad in life with God's strength and guidance to fulfill His will and purpose for each of His precious children.

I celebrate each moment of life. I celebrate the people I have met along the way who help me to become more than I would ever be without them. I celebrate the grace God gives us every single precious day. Thank you God for the gift we have to share all the ups and downs of life with family and friends today. I am forever grateful for God's unfailing love.

Ya know, I have learned so much in my life, one of the things I have learned is that sometimes it's a good thing to share your heart with others. It's good to open yourself up and just maybe encourage someone who needs a lift in their spirit.

I wanted to share a little of my heart with you all and encourage you to do the same with someone you know today. You never know who you could reach out to and encourage to keep moving forward in life.

I spent some much needed time in reflection this morning, in doing so I have realized that everything I am, everything I have become, I am because I have been loved and cared for every step of the way. I truly owe all that I have to God and everyone He has placed in my life.

Every person serves a purpose to everyone you meet and although we may not know exactly what that purpose is in the moment, I believe that without a doubt God placed you in that persons life for a reason. I do not know right now the reason you are in my life, perhaps one day God will reveal that to me but for right now, in this moment I want you to know today and every day that I thank God for your presence in my life. Your love and the encouragement each of you give me keeps me going and it is the reason I can continue to smile every day.

I have to say that when I think back on my life, I feel so incredibly thankful and blessed. God has been so good to me and I pray He has been good to each one of you too. Thank you all for being such a blessing in my life. God bless you for reading this and have a wonderful day!