Get Out of the Fray!

(Read a review of my book and then order a copy for yourself - The review is at 

http://www.eyesofyourheart.com/joy-dance/ )

^“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Are you in a battle? The days after Christmas and beginning the New Year can be quite difficult. Before Christmas, activity is at an all time high with travelling and shopping and cooking. And then it’s over.

The enemy of our hearts swoops in at this time, commanding Discouragement and Depression to attack. As they hit us with whispers and lies, we find ourselves in a battle. Believe the lies or live the truth.

Some battles that may result:

I can do All things through Christ versus My life is nothing special and never will be.

I can rise above my circumstances and live in God’s presence versus I am sick and therefore I cannot live in victory.

I can change my life versus I am fat and no resolutions will ever change that.

The last one is my battle. One I’ve fought for almost 30 years.

This year, I am looking at this battle a little differently thanks to the Word of God and encouragement from some friends. In the past, fighting this battle has meant rising up and gathering all my will power and engaging the enemy. I’ve prayed hard, used the Word of God through reciting memory verses and I’ve reached deep within to find the strength to persevere.

All of these tactics are good things. But they say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So this year, I am looking at the battle differently.

A counterintuitive paradigm shift.

Now it is all on God. He is the Warrior. He fights. I remain still. My losing weight is His problem. Doesn’t mean I sit on the couch and eat ice cream. It means I don’t try to will myself to exercise or eat right. Instead I lean into Christ.

In Ephesians 6, where Paul teaches us about the armor of God, He instructs us to put on the armor but not to fight actively, but to STAND FIRM. Stand. That’s it. Be still and know that He is the Warrior, the God who fights for us.

So what does this look like? My friend Hilary Beebe, in encouraging me, wrote the following:

For me, as long as I focused on my diet and exercise and weight and measurements, I failed. Every single time, every single day. What God began to show me was that I had to focus on Him and let go of the weight loss goals. Really let go. Sounds counterintuitive, I know, but there are many instances in Scripture where God wins a battle for His people in a counterintuitive way. So I finally "gave up" trying to lose weight and I just sought God. Hard. Whenever I felt bound by food, I prayed. Whenever I felt bad about myself, I prayed. I consciously moved my obsession from food/weight to Jesus. It didn't happen overnight, and I stumbled a lot, but again, there was no condemnation, just a Holy hand to help me up every time. The closer I got to Jesus, the more He worked in my heart - first and foremost - and the more the food issue began to dissolve and the weight began to come off. But it HAD to start with my heart, not my head. Not "I'm obese, I need to lose weight" but "I need Jesus to be everything to me. I need Jesus to heal my heart." 

Thank you, Hilary. After reading her note, I did a study on God fighting for us. Over and over again, the Bible teaches that God wants to do the fighting. He wants us to just rely on Him and be still.

Be still.

Whatever your battle, I encourage you and me to get out of the skirmish. As bullets fly and bombs explode in our minds and hearts, let’s get out and find a spot away from the war and ask Jesus to be everything.

And be still. 

Don't Forget to Laugh

“A cheerful heart is good medicine…” Proverbs 17:22

My compliment of the week:  “Robbie, the thing I admire about you is you’re not afraid to humiliate yourself.”

I laughed and laughed. In context, it was a compliment and I took it that way. But the way she put it was so funny.

This last week has been difficult for all of us, in different ways. It is too easy to watch the news and fall into despair. So I have chosen laughter. I have looked for reasons to laugh.

Last night, when my friend gave me this compliment, I agreed with her. We were talking about the gym and my attitude of just being me there. It’s difficult enough for an obese woman to go into a gym, but if I add insecurity to the mix, it is excruciating. It helps that I’m 50, because I truly care less now about other people’s opinions of me more than ever in my life. Freedom is the result.

When I first met my personal trainer, this was our conversation:

Me: Do you know CPR?

Mona: Yes.

Me: Have you ever done it?

Mona: Yes, and we have a portable defibrillator here.

Me: Have you used it?

Mona: Yes, last year an elderly woman’s heart gave out and I worked on her until the ambulance came.

Me: Did she make it?

Mona: Yes.

Me: Where do I sign?

I think having no fear of humiliating myself comes from the choice to laugh at myself. In my life, I’ve had plenty of practice.

I went to a bridal shower once and didn’t know it was a lingerie shower. Everyone’s gifts were beautiful negligees and such. She opened up my present to find an electric knife.

I was the guest of honor at a banquet once and I sat between my date Larry and the entertainment Gary. During the meal, I got to coughing and threw up. In trying to flee, I threw up on both Larry and Gary.

Two weeks ago, I went to a parent teacher conference at Noah’s Middle School. We walked around the cafeteria to different tables each teacher occupied. At one table, I sensed my chair was a bit squishy. In mid-conference, my chair collapsed and I hit the ground. I was embarrassed but decided to laugh at it. Afterwards, I kept saying in a Jerry Seinfeld voice, “It was the chair. They had a squishy chair!”

I chose our Christmas tree this year. We got a new type of tree that promised excellent needle retention. However, although I’ve watered it consistently, it has suffered a pre-mature death. So day after day, I sit in my living room looking at a dried up Yule bush. It is pathetic and I keep stopping myself from assigning it some symbolic meaning. The year of our dead Christmas tree. “Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how dried up are your branches.”

Friday is the end of the Mayan calendar and the end of the world, “they” say. I don’t believe this for one second, but as a dieter I am always sniffing out justifications for eating treats. Can there be any reason more tailor-made for me than the world is ending on Friday? Sigh.

So as you can see, fodder for laughing at myself is a plenty. And laughing at life is a gift we can all give ourselves, especially in times when the enemy of our hearts wants us to live in hopeless despair.

Today, I hope you’ll look for a reason to laugh. When you find it, enjoy it and relish it. The Great Physician will use it to soothe your soul. 

My book, Joy Dance, is here!!! You can order it right here on my blog. Click on the Buy Now button to your right and I will send it to you this week. Let me know if you want me to sign it and I will!

What's Your Word?

A few years ago I came upon the idea of choosing a word in December for the next year of life. It’s just a way of purposing your year. Kind of setting a goal or a vision and praying God’s blessing on it. Last year I chose the word ADVENTURE. I look back at 2012 and the word fit. I drove across country with my husband and my mother-in-law in January, became a mother of a teenager in February, landed in the hospital for three days in March, lost my agent and attended a writing conference that God used big-time in my life in April, started menopause in May, took a three-week fantastic vacation in June, became a second time grandma in August, turned 50 in September, and self published a book in December. It will come out next week! (I will send you an email and let you know how to order it if you want.)

So what word for 2013?

Recently I asked some folks to pray for me in my weight loss/get healthy journey. I’ve realized that it is much more than eating well and exercising. It is a spiritual battle. I want to fully step into what God has for me and that means dealing with my obesity. Truly committing myself to this and the pain that working out brings is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.

One of my friends and one of the most interesting people I know, Cheryl Velk, sent me a note about persevering. She always mentioned the word PUSH. She said “It is partly pressing through, but it is partly delivering what God is wanting to birth in us.” And she gave me a wonderful passage of Scripture.

Romans 8:14-15 and then 22-28 from The Message

“God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?".…All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”

My word for 2013 is going to be PUSH. During those moments of pain, I need to lean on God and push. During those moments of waiting, I am going to choose to push. And like an expectant mom, I will be rewarded with whatever God is choosing to birth in me this year. A new way of life!

So, think about this. What’s your word? 

Coming Soon....JOY DANCE, the devotional!

In a couple of weeks, my book Joy Dance, will be available for purchase! Stay tuned.... 

Pots Tea Café & Market

8100 S Quebec St, Centennial CO 80112 • 303 771 4832

Mon thru Fri 7-6:30 • Tue 7–4 • Sun 8–5

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Celebrating the Start of the Holiday Season
with…     A Show of Words & Art  

Sun, Nov 18, 2012 • 11-3

Artists and Authors Scheduled to Appear…

Artist and Author Pam Roth O’Mara.
Pam creates ThumbPrintPlays™, visual works that begin as written pieces. Pam, who writes each piece in the shape of a thumbprint from the outside in, says of her work, “The process of creating a ThumbPrintPlay results in a very focused bit of verse.” www.thumbprintplays.com

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Photographer Paul Teigeler: PicTropicals.
Paul creates his PicTropicals with a unique eye for scenery and events. Candid or posed, his work carefully focuses on the subject and environment resulting in unique sets of photos cherished forever. www.picTropicals.com

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Artist and Author Judith Haynes.
Judith conveys her passion for the coastline, appreciation for floral perfection, and her talent for portraits through her watercolor paintings and note cards. www.watercolorbyjudith.com

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Author Jude Randazzo.
Jude will be signing recently-released novel, The Omen of the Crow, complete with all the elements of a thriller— plane crash, a stalker, and … well, you’ll just have to read it yourself!

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Author Robbie Iobst.
Robbie's stories have appeared in several compilation books including Chicken Soup for the Soul; featuring Devotional Stories for Mothers and Devotional Stories  for Tough Times. She is a regular contributor to The Prairie Times and a frequent speaker for Women's Groups. www.robbieiobst.com

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Discounts • Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sunday, Nov 18…
All Loose Teas 10% off
Reserve Your Holiday High Tea
Now to Get the Best Spot

Order Your Premium Tea Gift
Baskets Before the Holiday Rush!

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Pots Tea Café & Market

Premium Teas and Accessories

Sit, meet, catch up. Enjoy premium teas, coffee, fresh baked scones,

brownies, cookies, and muffins. Yes, we sell Coffee!

8100 S Quebec St, Centennial CO 80112 • 303 771 4832

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Jesus Loves Me, This I Know - But Do You?

“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.” Isaiah 43:4

When I was 25, I lived in San Diego, California and drove a maroon Chevy Chevette. I remember clearly driving around the city, wondering if Jesus really loved me. The words of the song “Jesus Loves Me” were etched in my mind, but not my soul. I yearned for a boyfriend or a husband – someone to love me. Passion filled me as I drove and I yelled, “IF YOU LOVE ME, LET ME FEEL IT!”

Fast forward 17 years. Still lived in San Diego. I’d met the love of my life and married him and I’d given birth to a sweet boy. After 19 years of teaching, I’d “retired.” My dream was to write and speak.

But at first, transitioning from full time teacher to unemployed writer felt like stepping off a treadmill after walking for miles. I felt like I was still in motion, but I wasn’t.

I sat in our apartment and asked, “What now, God?”

He told me to sit at His feet and just listen for instructions. So I imagined myself at the throne of God, just sitting. As I sat there, visions filled my mind and heart. Jesus asked me for my hand and helped me stand. Like in one of those old Superman movies (only better) we started flying. He laughed and I laughed and it wasn’t like we were joking about something particular, we were just enjoying each other’s company. I enjoyed the presence of God. He enjoyed me.

I felt His love for me. Really felt it.

And it gets better all the time. Once we were hanging and I was meditating on Isaiah 43:4 (above verse.) In the middle of it, Jesus asked me to dance. You might think He only does Jewish dances, but when we danced He did everything. Two-step, hustle and talk about twisting! The Son of God can twist.

In the middle of this, I felt He was going to throw me in the air like those folks who swing dance. But my insecurity popped up and I said, “I’m too heavy.” See, at my weight, I’ve never been picked up. Not since I was a kid.

Jesus picked me up and threw me in the air and I did these incredible flips and then He caught me.

He said, “Robbie, you’re light as a feather to me.”

I felt His love for me. Really felt it.

We are all different and I know that God does not communicate this way to everyone. Some

folks really feel His love when they walk through nature. Some feel His love for them when they hold their children or grandchildren. Others get that incredible love when they create something.

But sadly, many of us don’t feel it, because we haven’t taken the time to ask for it and listen for instructions.

The last few weeks I’ve listened to many people passionately express their love and fear and hope for our country. On Facebook last night, my news post filled up with extreme sadness and extreme joy for the election results.

I admire passion because it moves us to act.

But today I encourage you to passionately seek the Lord. Get quiet and listen for instructions.

Meditate on His word. Ask Him to let you FEEL His love.

He adores you. He’s not angry or disappointed in you. He cherishes you. He looks at you and gets a kick out of you. And it has nothing to do with your behavior or your political party, your passion, or as in my case, your size. He just wants to hang out with you and rescue you.

And maybe dance with you.

Jesus loves me, this I know! Not just in my mind, but in my soul and in my dancing feet.

5 Reasons You Should Buy and Read Jen Turano's A CHANGE OF FORTUNE!

Last night, I finished a great novel.

The basis of Jen Turano's A Change of Fortune:  The aristocrat and English Lady Eliza Sumner disguises herself as a governess in America in order to find and catch the man who stole her fortune.

I won't write out a summary of the book. If you want to know it, go to Amazon.com and check out the back cover copy.

What I will tell you is my honest thoughts about this debut novel, written by a lady who lives in Parker, Colorado, not far from me.

LOVED IT!! :0)

Here are 5 Reasons You Should Buy This Book: 

1) I finished it in a week - This is not common for me. I am a slow reader and only keep reading if I really enjoy what I am reading.

2) At times, I felt I was watching a lovely old movie or a musical. The main character is Eliza Sumner and I could almost hear her English accent, reminding me of some great movies like Sound of Music or My Fair Lady. 

3) At times, I felt like I was reading a story from Jane Austen. Yep, that's right. Jen Turano has a delightful sense of humor and it reminds me of Austen's - a little quirky at times with a whiff of sarcasm. A couple of her characters had me laughing out loud more than once, including the arrogant Lawrence, who reminded me of Mr. Colllins from Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

4) At times, I sensed a bit of a comedy of errors plot line, which, once again, is charming and kept me guessing.

5) THE STORY!!! It is a good story and isn't that why we read? I liked the romance of it, I like the historical tone of it, and I like the humor behind it.

So, there you go. Go now and order A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano!

I give it two thumbs up!!

A Tiny Tweak - A Huge Change!

“As for the saints who are on the earth,
They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight.” Psalm 16:3

Have you seen this common picture representing a perspective or paradigm shift? If you look at it one way, you see an old woman; look at it a different way, you see a young lady.

It’s a tiny shift in your brain, a tweak in the way you see the picture.

God has tweaked my theology this past month. He’s given me a paradigm shift in how I see myself.

A while back I heard someone pray, “Lord help me, a black-hearted sinner.” I liked the phrase and began using “black-hearted sinner” to describe myself. It fit.

In fact, last year I wrote a piece called Grace – it is Amazing! In it, I wrote this line: “Grace is treating each other as if we are all saints, even though every single one of us is a black-hearted sinner.”

My friend Paula Moldenhauer, /www.paulamoldenhauer.com) a huge encourager of my writing and an incredibly Godly gal, wrote me and told me she loved what I wrote.

But she also told me her thoughts on that one line:

Here’s how I see it: I’m no longer a sinner saved by grace. I am a saint. He has made me completely new. Paul talks many times about the “new man” and how it replaces the old.

It’s just a slight tweak in my theology, but I find that if I look at myself as the new man, completely remade, I have more resilience in overcoming sin as God conforms me to the image of His son. We’re all black-hearted and broken sinners, but when God comes He gives us a new heart - a tender heart of responsive, tender flesh, not hard stone. He moves in and makes us beautiful from the inside out. The LORD showed me I have a new, tender pink heart: it is no longer black.

I filed her remarks away. This month, God brought them back to mind as He has showed me more of how He sees me. I memorized Psalm 16 and whenever I’ve recited verse 3 (see above) I’ve always thought it applied to King David, Mother Theresa and well, people like Paula.

Not so. I am a saint!! If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior and Lord, you are a SAINT. Do you still sin? Yes, but because of what Christ did on the cross, you are not labeled as a sinner, but you are crowned as a SAINT!

It’s a tiny tweak that produces an amazing change in outlook. Think of that picture. No longer am I an old woman; I am the beautiful young lady. I am a victor, not a victim.

When I see myself this way, the confidence of God rushes in my soul and forces those insecurities hidden in the corners to get OUT! I am a SAINT!

And His delight is not just in King David, Mother Teresa or Paula….it’s in ME. And YOU!

Pray for those in Sandy's Path using God's Word!

Praying God's Word ushers in the power of God. It's HIS words, right? I put some verses below in italics and then I prayed the words in bold. Join me in praying for our fellow countrymen

facing this Franken-storm.

But let all who take refuge in You be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread Your protection over them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You. Psalm 5:11

Father, Spread your protection over the East Coast today. Cause them that know you to rejoice in You and those who don't to cry out to you.

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. Psalm 20:1

Father, Please be with those in distress due to Hurricane Sandy. May the Name of the God of Jacob protect them.

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

Father, You are the hiding place that those in fear today can take refuge. Protect them from this storm and surround them with songs of deliverance.

Do not withhold Your mercy from me, LORD; may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.
Psalm 40:11

Please, Father, do not withhold Your mercy from those in the pathway of Sandy. May your love and faithfulness protect each one of them.

May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint Your love and faithfulness to protect him. Psalm 61:7

God, I pray those who are inside worrying about this storm will sense YOUR presence. Appoint your love and faithfulness to protect them.

I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of Your name, the name You gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11

Protect them by the power of Your name!

Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked. Proverbs 3:25

Lord God, please give PEACE to those in this disaster. Please wrap them up in Your Love.
In the name of Jesus, Amen!!

Nothing is More Beautiful than...

Nothing is more beautiful than an old woman dancing


With face upturned to her God.

Years of turmoil and joy blossom into elegant and crooked fingers reaching

For the sky,

For her home, sooner than later.

Her sway is gentle. Old bones and joints need not speed with the

Rhythm to communicate joy. Her body has walked and ran and crawled and inched

And stooped and stretched many a time. The ease of her pace is gentle and well earned.



Nothing is more beautiful than an old woman dancing

With eyes closed and hands raised.

Her white hair a crown, worthy of respect from all. Her smile, the diamond that

Lights up her countenance. That light is a reflection of the Christ who has lived in her heart

For years. He has loved her through battles, disappointments, fears and moments of sacred bliss.

She dances in gratitude, every wrinkle a story.



When she claps her hands to the beat of the song, I want to leave my seat and go to her.

I yearn to thank her for the portrait she’s painted for me.



A masterpiece of hope.



Maybe someday I will be an old woman dancing.

What's Cooking?

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  Ephesians 4:15

You know when you walk into a house and smell something wonderful baking? Take that thought and attach it to a memory and you’ll suddenly be in your Mama’s kitchen or your Grandma’s living room, mouth watering as the aroma tickles your taste buds.

I’m experiencing this sensation, but what’s cooking isn’t banana bread or peach cobbler. It’s me.

Growth comes in tiny centipede steps, unnoticed and stealth-like. But sometimes, you and I can recognize it. It smells like the expectancy of deliciousness for dinner and tastes like a new food you’re trying at a swanky restaurant. It sounds like a distant song a neighbor is playing on their stereo, one you can’t quite place but you know you’ve heard it. It feels like my Chihuahua/pug’s fur, smooth and comforting attached to responsibility.

And it looks like a fogged up mirror. Not quite clear but hinting of possibility and reflection.

To grow means to be intentional about movement in mind, body or soul. It takes purposeful prayer and an open heart. It takes time.

Most of all, it takes desire and willingness.

Too many of us live lives of complacent stagnancy.  And it has nothing to do with occupation. You can be a vibrant and growing mom of young children or student or banker. You can also be a stagnant mom, student or banker.

Realizing that growth is happening is a joy in its own category.  Wonderful and simple.

Want to grow in Christ? Maybe you want a fruit of the Spirit to ripen in your life – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Maybe your heart’s desire is to learn a new skill or develop a new habit. You may have an inkling that you need to grow in your understanding of the Bible or in your service of others.

GROWTH IS POSSIBLE!

Here’s a prayer you can start with:

Lord, grow me to be what You want me to be. I don’t want to be the same today as I was yesterday. I want to reflect Your Spirit and love more and more. I want to grow and I am willing to do what it takes. Here I am. Grow me.

We celebrate milestones of growth in a baby’s life. Let’s celebrate together as we grow in God’s love.

So what’s cooking in your life?  :0) 

He Could've but He Didn't...

It's Five Minute Friday and I am blogging on the prompt "LOOK" suggested by the Five Minute Friday leader Lisa Jo Baker. Interested in knowing more and joining the gang, go to  http://lisajobaker.com/2012/10/31-days-write-story-day-5-five-minute-friday-welcome/

I walked my dogs early this morning. I looked up into the Denver sky.

I wondered.

He could’ve made the earth a planet that never moved, but He didn’t. Because of His design the stars are always in different places, each night a new painting on a black velvet canvas.

He could’ve made ants stoic, lazy little creatures, but He didn’t.  They teach us about work and persistence. Ant hills are intricate designs of efficiency.

He could’ve made everything one color, but He didn’t. His creativity demands the joy and variety only teal and chartreuse and burnt orange can evoke.

He could've made weather stagnant. One season all year, but He didn’t. Through the alterations in temperature and precipitation, He reveals to our souls how transformation works so when change happens personally, it’s not as shocking. We understand it as part of the process of living.

He could’ve made us with no freedom of choice, but He didn’t. The moments we choose to love Him and to honor Him as Creator and Friend are moments He cherishes.

He could’ve made me organized, solid, and analytical, but He didn’t. He made me the way He wants me, as an individual. Flighty, emotional and creative.  

And deeply in love with Him. He could’ve made His Son to die for my sins and He did. He made a WAY.

I looked up into the Denver sky this morning and I believed. Again. 

Is Your Laundry Basket Half Full or Half Empty?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 5:3 (the first of the Beatitudes)

Noah’s laundry basket philosophy is a mystery to me. The other morning, we had this exchange:

“Mom, I need some clean shorts. Will you do my laundry today?”

I looked at him incredulously. “Noah, it’s Monday. We did your laundry this weekend. There is no way you have worn all those clothes.”

“Apparently I did because I don’t have any, except what I’m wearing.”

Off he went to school, confident that once again, his mother was clueless.

I walked to his bedroom in search of dirty clothes. Sure enough, his laundry basket was full, crumpled up dirty clothes on top. I pulled up the dirty outfit and underneath was a pile of shorts, all neatly folded, yearning to be put in their respective drawers.

I giggled and sighed. “Lord Jesus, are you seeing this?”

Noah and I have this wonderful, painful, difficult, fulfilling relationship. I need him in my life right now to provide joy and lessons on following Christ. God uses him often to teach me about both the tenderness and the pride in my life.

Noah needs me to provide joy and lessons on following Christ. And to provide clean laundry or directions to finding clean laundry in the basket.

We need each other, don’t we? But here is a better question: do we need God? Really need Him?

It’s a question that goes directly to the core of our struggle. Am I self-sufficient? I mean, do I really need God to live?

Many in our country would say a resounding NO.  God is a fairytale, legend and myth.

Many would say YES, but only in dire straits and or in sickness or unemployment. Only when

hopelessness consumes.

  

Both of these are sad answers; they reflect a world where God is not part of everyday life. When I invite Him to eat breakfast with me, walk with me or go into Noah’s room to look for dirty laundry, HE BECOMES REAL. His strength fills me up over eggs, He gives me goals and dreams as I walk the dogs and He laughs with me when I find neat clothes under dirty ones.

I need the Lord. To be “poor in spirit” is to know we are lacking in our soul. It is to understand my need for God and to ask Him to rescue me from my self-will. Then I allow Him to be real in my life, every day and every moment. Remember the part of the Lord’s Prayer that says “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we realize how much we NEED God, we allow the kingdom of heaven, His Will, to be part of our lives right here on earth.

Noah, who I need so much, came home that day and found his basket full of neatly folded shorts. “Mom,” he called, “thanks for doing my laundry!”

I felt needed and it was lovely. Did I tell him what really happened? Not right then.

Instead I focused on God and heard His laughter in my heart.