Tag: trusting God

Posted on in Being Gracious, Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Finding Grace #432

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Bee Insect photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was fairly normal. I am feeling better for the most part, with only a random slight cough. My voice is back to normal, so I am grateful for that!

Work went well, and I was able to for all five days! 🙂 I was also on-call this morning but didn’t have to go in. Instead, I just had some quiet time waiting for my phone to possibly ring… all while Lydia slept in. Perfect!

Lydia has been practicing her viola for about twenty minutes a day. I’ve heard a few soundbites of Ode to Joy, Mary Had A Little Lamb, and Jesus Loves Me. She even sent a clip of Happy Birthday to her cousin, Alex, on Thursday for his fourth birthday. The coolest part is that she is playing all that by ear!

Yesterday, I took Lydia and one of her friends to go see the new movie, Inside Out 2! It was a good solid movie. It could even help improve us chat in the future, since we have a common reference.

After the movie, I took the girls to the mall, and then we also got a treat before we all came back to our house to ‘chill’ and have pizza. It was a fun afternoon and evening! Lydia kept telling me, “Love you, Mom” and “Thanks, Mom” for hosting her friend.

Today, we made a couple of dishes and mostly just spent time together. 🙂 Later, another friend came over to hang out. Whenever Lydia walks by she gives me a big smile. I’m grateful for impromptu gatherings with friends!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Personality, Wisdom

Books and Blessings

Not too long ago, I went to the local library to renew my library card. It had been quite awhile since I’d been there as it is a bit of a drive to get to the middle of town. It’s a nice area, but I don’t get there often.

I love to learn; sometimes, my curiosity is off the hook! Just about any topic is fair game, and I have been known to get lost diving deep into a subject. Indeed, I love books, being around books, buying collecting books, and reading. I even have a Little Free Library in my front yard. I used some birthday money one year so I can encourage my community and neighborhood to read!

It only took a few minutes to renew the card, so I decided to stay and look around. I went up the stairs to the adult section. I saw the fiction and nonfiction sections, as well as audiobooks and several computers. Some books were highlighted according to themes, such as graduation and college prep, immigration, politics and elections, and gardening.

I stood in the aisles and skimmed several books before choosing three. I picked one on nutrition for gut health, which is in my usual genre. I grabbed a book on writing skills and prompts to get my creative juices flowing. Lastly, I found a cool book on walking with fun strategies for building healthy habits. I promise it was insightful!

Free Library Books photo and picture

I asked a few questions before checking out. Turns out, I could get up to fifty books at a time (50!!) and keep them for three weeks. I could renew them twice for three weeks each time. So, that’s potentially nine weeks of enjoying the books. With Interlibrary Loan, the options are endless! It’s also a bonus that I can return the books to the smaller library branch closer to where I live. And, the library card is good for five years. What a deal!

Seriously, I was giddy as I walked around the library, totally in my element! I get like this at the bookstore, too, but the library is free (though I do pay for the services with my taxes!). I kept thinking to myself, “I can’t believe I have access to all these books!”

When I got home,  I started to go through the books. I was a little sad I hadn’t taken advantage of the resources, but will try to do so more often. Libraries are great for the community beyond just books! And, I also saw a spiritual parallel. We have access to God’s infinite knowledge, wisdom, grace, and power. But, are we using them?

There are so many spiritual blessings, tools, and resources, and it’s a shame to miss out on all God has given us. First, and foremost, we have the gift of our earthly life with potential for eternal life through the gift of salvation through Jesus’s death and resurrection. We can access His power to live out our God-given purpose. We have God’s creative and resurrection power in us, special gifts from the Holy Spirit, and the mind of Christ. We have the use of prayer and fellowship with God and other believers.

Ephesians 1:3-14 says it best:

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Wow! God is so good. Let’s make sure to take full advantage of all He has to offer! There is so much at stake.

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all the spiritual blessings You’ve given us! Give us wisdom and understanding so we can take full advantage of them. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you visit your local library often? How are you stewarding the gifts and resources God has given you?

Tasks: Make a list of all the benefits God has given you – in your life and spiritually, according to the passage in Ephesians above! Then, praise God and use them!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #431

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was odd in that I was sick for most of it!! I started to feel “off” on our way back home from vacation (Saturday). On Sunday, I woke up with a sore throat and headache. We stayed home from church and tried to rest.

On Monday, I still didn’t feel well, so I missed work. I went to the walk-in clinic, and they ran some tests, which all came back negative. That means I don’t have Strep, RSV, COVID, or Influenza A/B. Whew! 

The next two days, I went to work. I was still not feeling 100%, but I was comparatively better. On Wednesday, I started to lose my voice while teaching a class. Soon, I developed a cough that perpetuated overnight.

One positive aspect of going to work this week was noticing the gorgeous peonies back in the healing garden. I intentionally park across the street so I can walk through there twice a day and notice all of God’s handiwork!

Thursday, I still felt poorly with a froggy voice and cough (by this time, it was my asthma flaring up). So, I called in sick and mostly stayed on the couch. I used a blend of allergy and cold medications, along with my inhaler, some Chloroseptic, and Vick’s Vapo Rub. To kill germs, I managed to wipe down a few main surfaces but otherwise rested.

On Friday, I made it to work for my usual half-day. I prayed about what to do—see my patients or cancel and do paperwork. The more talking I did, the worse my voice sounded. Strangely, each of my three patients was very understanding. One didn’t care how much I coughed (he also had a cough), another said he also was hoarse, and the other hardly noticed because he was hard of hearing. God is so funny!

Lydia had a really exciting week, however! She had a blast volunteering at a friend’s church during VBS. They helped with some of the art projects. Later in the week, they had a sleepover, which also happened to be helpful in my recovery.

Today, I am intentionally resting after a long week. 🙂

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Travel, Wisdom

(Not) All By Myself

This past week, Lydia and I met my family in Myrtle Beach, SC, for a fun getaway. Out of fourteen family members, some flew from North Dakota and Arizona, while the rest drove from Florida and Illinois.

My older sister and youngest brother carpooled overnight with their spouses and two little ones. My nephew, Alex, and niece, Lily, did very well on the sixteen-hour road trip and slept much of the way. 

As they rolled into town, my sister and crew were running errands to get a few groceries. The little kids tagged along. Lily is a perfect blend of sweet and sassy. She has a small voice, but she’s very clear on what she wants. She is a couple weeks shy of turning three but is already fairly independent. At one point, Lily climbed up into her car seat. She confidently proclaimed, “I can do it all by myself!“

However, because Lily had been sleeping earlier, the car seat was still reclined further back than usual. Thus, her short little legs were left dangling in the air. My sister giggled as she relayed the story to us. Especially when Lily quickly realized, “I can’t do it all by myself!”

Yesterday, I talked with a Veteran who is unwilling (or afraid?) to ask his family for help. I am grateful that my family is close and supportive, but not all families are!

The problem is that this Veteran could use a lot of help beyond what his healthcare team can provide. He is paralyzed with limited ability and resources. I encouraged him to request help grocery shopping, but he is determined to drive his electric scooter 45 minutes one way so he doesn’t have to bother anyone. Thus, he is limited in what foods and how much he can buy and transport, further impacting his health. I support his desire to be independent, but it seems his stubbornness is making it more difficult. 

Whenever I think back to Lily and her legs flailing around, I smile. But she has a good point. God doesn’t want us to do it all by ourselves. We were never meant to go through life solo, trying to make it all work out in our own effort. And, just like someone swooped in to help Lily into her car seat, God is eager to help us.

Sometimes, we move too quickly without thinking through the process. Or, we make poor decisions and are too proud to admit our mistakes. But if we get ahead of God, He is still able to help us figure it out. However, we have to humbly admit we need His help!

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God, thanks for always coming through for me. I’m sorry for the times I ignore You, thinking I can do Life alone. Forgive me and draw me close. I need You every hour! In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you standing strong in Jesus or flailing about on your own? What will it take to let go and let God?

Task: Bring your weaknesses to Jesus so He can be your strength. Be willing to ask for help, and be willing to give it!

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Praise The Lord!

Well, we made it past May 15th, and now I feel lighthearted again! Whew! Thanks, Lord! Suddenly, it feels like all is well. I can smile and sing a little more freely, and I can focus on other things again. 🙂

In other news, Lydia and I are making good progress reading the Bible chronologically in a year. We came across some of David’s last words in 2 Samuel 22, though they are also represented in the Psalms. It reminded me of a fun song I learned at a Christian summer camp as a kid.

I started singing the song, and had to share it with Lydia. Of course, I had to do the motions too, which happened to make us look like ninjas. It made her laugh so much, which I love. Maybe she will share it with her friends at camp this summer!

It’s funny how God’s Word and music can change our emotions and help us work through tough moments (or months, in my case!). Our emotions are indicators (signs) not dicators (telling us how to feel or think). God’s Word is Truth, and it has the power to change our lives.

We don’t have to live by our emotions! We don’t have to live in fear, stay sad, or harbor anger. We should allow them space so we learn from them, but then we can keep moving forward and let them point us back to Jesus.

Our emotions come from Him, and we can express them in various ways. All of them are valid, but they are only helpful to a point. If we offer them a place to stay, then they may take over. Instead, let’s see them as dear guests, just regularly passing through. Then, they can come and go freely.

Jesus, on the other hand, well, we can build our lives on Him! Our songs of praise and acts of kindness toward others can illuminate His goodness, grace, mercy, justice, peace, joy, etc. He is so good and worthy of praise!

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God, You are so worthy of all our praise! Thanks for all the ways You bless us. May we turn all our emotions over to You, and help us live for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are your favorite songs that put you in a good mood? Do you tend to hold onto your emotions or do you release them?

Tasks: Sing, dance, laugh, talk, cry… it all counts. Praise the Lord!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Staying Power

Today, Lydia and I are celebrating eleven years of Dave being in Heaven. As you can imagine, the month or two leading up to this day can be a little heavy. I try not to think about it much, but I can’t help it. I know it’s coming.

I tend to get a little emotional, which might show up as a soft, sensitive heart or with a short temper (not my usual!). I might get fired up or not care at all. It kind of depends on the day and the circumstances.

Typically, I am known for being steady and reliable. The one who shows up and follows through. But, during this brief period, I tend to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

Generally, that means pulling back from unnecessary activities to focus on what is. ‘No’ is a wonderful word! I used to apologize and try to explain, but this year, I have allowed myself not to worry about it. It has been a relief to show up as I am that day and be present.

It is funny how that has turned out. I have more energy, which has led to more courage to speak up about what matters and wisdom to let the other stuff go. I have been in tune with Jesus and have come into more of my own. His joy is my secret weapon and strength!

Reflecting on all this, I am grateful for all God has done. He has caught me, carried me, and sustained me. Right away, I knew I wanted to stay in Fargo, at least until Lydia was old enough to understand what happened. Moving is a lot of work, and I also wanted her to have closure.

Moving closer to family would have been easier, and maybe we will someday. But, for now, we are here. In the meantime, staying has meant asking for help and seeking God’s provision. He is the faithful One draws us close. There’s no place I’d rather be.

Years ago, I was inspired by various widows, such as Elisabeth Elliot and, later, Huldah Buntain, a missionary to India. When their husbands tragically died, they chose to stay where God had planted them, offering themselves to His work. I had my own reasons, but I have also seen God’s blessing in and through my life. I am so glad we stayed.

Staying put has helped me stay in-step with Jesus. This means going at His slower pace, not racing ahead or dragging my feet. As I wait on Him, I know when to move and when to rest. I have to lay aside daily distractions to ensure I can hear His voice and understand where He is leading me. After all, He holds me together (Colossians 1:17)!

While we often miss Dave and talk about him, we rejoice for the time we had with him. We are grateful that God has us in a good spot. Work is going well, and Lydia is thriving in school. We don’t know the future, but we know the best is yet to come. As we rest in Jesus’ presence, we rely on His staying power to see us through.

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God, thanks for Your grace and faithfulness all these years. You are so good to me, my All-In-All, always protecting me and providing for me. Help me keep moving forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Whose power are you relying on? How is that working for you? Are you living in your own limited strength or relying on the infinite, unmatchable power of Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe?

Tasks: When you want to run away from your emotions or problems, run directly to Jesus. His name means Salvation. He can handle all the craziness, but you have to bring it to Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #427

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Northern Lights Aurora Borealis photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This was a good week. I am grateful it was a fairly normal week of work and school.

The weather has been absolutely perfect this week. We were able to take some walks together. We noticed some pretty flowering trees, bunnies, birds, and more. I enjoyed hearing Lydia’s chatter about all she has been thinking about lately.

Work went well, and I had a bit of downtime this week. I had a couple of cancellations and used that time to chart and catch up, which was nice. I also took a short walk outside a few days during lunch. Taking those breaks helped clear my mind, and I felt more productive in the end.

My house projects are still in process, but my neighbor came to help remove the screens so I can replace them. It looks fairly easy, but I might need Lydia to give me an extra hand.

This week, the biggest surprise was seeing the Northern Lights (the picture above is from Pixabay, an online repository, not mine)! Last night, I stayed up late and went out to the countryside for the best lightshow in twenty years. I had never seen two colors before. Glorious! Lydia was at a sleepover but sent me some of her pictures, too. I’m glad she thought they were cool!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

A Secret Weapon

The last couple of weeks have been a bit…maddening. I’ve lost my temper once or twice and been a little grouchy. Some of it could be subconsciously being aware that the eleventh anniversary of Dave’s death is next week. But really, things have just built up.

At home, unexpected issues have popped up, including trouble replacing my screens after getting egged and picking up a ton of dog poop from my yard (though I don’t have a dog). Then, the fence at the edge of my property fell again (after a two-year fight to get it put back up). It’s just been a lot lately.

I’ve been tempted to have a little pity party, thinking things would be easier if Dave were still here. While that may be true, I know life is full of problems, so even then, something else would likely happen unexpectedly! I can be grateful my problems are not worse, and I know many people are facing greater trials.

Work has been busy as usual, too. Good, just not much downtime to think straight. LOL Thus, my patience has been a little short, but I have been trying to bring all these things to Jesus. I talked with my mom yesterday, and she reminded me that His joy is my strength!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

I recently heard Jesus was the most joyful person who has ever lived. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)! But He also had a very difficult life. He was born to suffer and die at my expense (and yours!). If Jesus can have abundant joy despite His circumstances, so can I.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means He wants to grow that in me. The seed has been planted, I just need to cultivate it. This goes for love, peace, patience, etc.

Fruit is meant to be shared with others, to refresh and encourage them, similar to grace. As my mom pointed out, God wants people to see Him in us, so how we display the fruits of the Spirit matters. This is a good reminder to keep looking for ways to serve others and take the focus off myself.

Here are some questions to consider: Do I show joy or grouchiness on my face? Do I bring love and peace to a situation or chaos? Am I loving, kind, and patient even when I don’t get my way? Do I call out the good in others? Do I speak gentle words or bring wrath? Am I faithful even when it costs me? Do I show self-control when life flings out of control?

While I don’t expect my house issues to suddenly disappear, I know they will all work out in time. And I can choose to enjoy life in the meantime. I can find fun and creative things to do, or at least look for ways to bring joy into small moments of my day. Joy is my secret weapon as I stay close to Jesus, for therein lies my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

When things feel out of control, I will take them to the One who controls the Universe and cares for me infinitely (1 Peter 5:7).

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God, thanks for the fruits of Your Holy Spirit. Specifically, help me cultivate more peace, joy, and patience as I work through these challenges. Thanks for all You do for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Out of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, which ones do you need to cultivate the most right now?  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Task: Next time you feel bent out of shape, consider why. Do whatever it takes to protect your peace and joy. Remember, people are looking for Jesus in you!

Posted on in Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

Finding Grace #426

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Sparrow Flowering Branch photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was a little humbling. It went well overall, like usual, but there were a few things that made me take a second look at my heart.

I won’t go into all the details right now, but let’s just say I lost my temper a couple of times. I spent several hours doing several house projects and yard work. I mowed the yard, set out my deck furniture, swept the garage, and more. I am capable, but this is really not my preferred area of expertise. It all takes a lot of effort and emotional energy.

I also had a challenging meeting at work. I faced a situation where I did my best and did it very well. But, it was suggested I do something else to go in a different direction, which I pointed out really made no difference. It seemed nit-picky, and I was frustrated because there are so many “actually important” things to focus on, like patient care. It turned out well, but afterward, I did a heart check anyway.

I questioned my motives and wondered if I was just having difficulty accepting feedback. But I don’t think that’s it. After some prayer, I realized why I was bothered: I am trying to move away from perfection. So, trying to improve something that really doesn’t need to be fixed seemed futile (there was nothing wrong to begin with!). In all, it was eye-opening for me, and I am glad I spoke up.

This week was also a big week for parenting. Just normal things, nothing too crazy. Lydia is a great kid, and I enforce good boundaries and respect. I am so proud of her and work to shaper her character, which sometimes takes some big discussions and discipline.

Today, Lydia and I put out a few items on the curb for “clean-up week.” A lot of it was good stuff but just not worth keeping or selling. It’s fun to see which items are already gone before garbage day next week! Lydia and I also threw some other items in the attic. She thought the space above the garage was so cool!

Needless to say, it feels like a long week. I took a nice bath and am watching a movie tonight. Thanks, Lord, for Your mercy and grace!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom

Stubborn

I recently had similar conversations with two people about stubbornness as a character trait. Of course, we talked mostly in generalities, not identifying ourselves as stubborn! 😉

We all agreed that stubbornness can be a positive or negative trait, depending on the context. One form of stubbornness comes with perseverance in trials, where one simply pushes ahead and refuses to give up. This may include certain military leaders, parents fighting for their children, or someone seeking justice. (Stubbornness does not mean staying put in an abusive situation. Do what you can to leave and get help!)

That said, sometimes, stubbornness is a refusal to compromise or work with others. In that sense, stubbornness can hold one back. The Bible refers to stubbornness as rebellion. The Israelites rejected God and were referred to as a stiff-necked people! Yikes.

Naturally, someone can be stubborn and experience both situations at different times. In fact, many character traits can be strengths or weaknesses depending on circumstances. For instance, confidence taken to an extreme can become arrogance!

After those two conversations, I kept thinking about stubbornness. How do you tell if stubbornness propels you forward or holds you back?

The first thing that comes to mind is… your heart. Are you seeking the benefit of others? Are you standing on strong principles? Are you willing to compromise if certain conditions are met? Or, is your heart hardened by fear or pride? Are you stalling for personal gain?

I’m sure there are some other factors to consider, but for the sake of brevity, I encourage you to start with those questions above. If you are dragging your feet, maybe consider why and work through it with Jesus.

Jesus made you for a purpose. Whether or not you are stubborn, He already knows. I guarantee He has good plans for you. He can use all of your personality traits for His glory and your good! Don’t let resistance or quirks keep you from Jesus!

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God, thanks for making each of us unique. Help us understand our strengths and weaknesses so we may bless others and bring you glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you consider yourself to be stubborn? Why or why not? How is this a positive, and when does it become a negative?

Tasks: God gives each of us time to get to know Him, but He will not wait forever. If you have not chosen to submit your life and heart to Jesus, now is the perfect opportunity. Don’t wait!