I read “The Little Engine That Could” to my students the other day. They loved hearing the story, and talking about the many things they could do, if they tried.

“Try, try, try, even when it’s hard”, is an expression I often use in class when the children say, “I can’t!” We don’t often express these words,but clearly understand their meaning when we're frustrated, and doubt we will ever be able to accomplish goals which seem impossible…

“I can’t” prevents us from attaining new skills. “I can’t” denies us opportunities to embrace a grateful heart. When we believe we can’t, we build false perceptions of ourselves, and doubt in the abilities God has given each of us who have been filled with His love.

Have you denied yourself opportunities, even though you know God has provided the way? Have you closed a door before it was opened? Human weakness does not always allow us to understand, God has given us strength to do all things…Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (NIV) God can show us what is inside each one who is ready to faithfully move ahead, as we learn to trust in Him.

It was the littlest engine in the book who tried the hardest to pull a train full of toys over a very big mountain. She did not have as much steam as the other engines, but she tried her best, and was able to deliver toys to children who needed them.

God gives us strength! We must believe He will carry us over the treacherous mountains we encounter in our lives. He reminds us we can do everything when we trust in Him, even when we are weak, and not certain we will be able to carry on.

God reminds us He is near when we seek Him, and call on Him to help us move ahead in our lives. We cannot continue to stay where we are, if we want to do His will and accomplish what He has lovingly called us to do…

If you become available to God, you will know what He is trying to tell you. He will lead you to a place where you can finally embrace the reward of a grateful heart…

Four little words motivate twenty four children who are learning new things… I hope you will remember them too, the next time you hear God tugging at your heart to follow Him…

”I think I can“ do everything through Him who gives me strength! I hope you will think about this today, and pray about the many opportunities which are waiting for you to discover when you “try, try, try, even when it’s hard!”

God is near and He loves you,
Nan

As we race through hurried moments of our lives, we are often frustrated and wonder why life has become so predictable…

We often become stuck where we are and don’t understand God has equipped us to move ahead, in His time and for His purpose. We wake each day to the same routine and long to discover true joy, which is ours if we choose to accept it.

God gives us abilities and allows us to understand He can do all things. He prepares us to find joy through purpose He has chosen, but often it is hard to understand where to look.

We must be willing to look to God, and allow Him to work in us as we become open to His will and aware of His presence in our lives. God prepares us for His greatness, and shows us when we will be ready to receive all He will provide.

There is purpose in reflecting on something my sister often says; “If it is to be, it is up to me.” I love that phrase! It reminds me that although God is in control, we must not forget to use the tools He has given. He lovingly prepares us to leave our comfort zone and trust in Him. Sometimes that is not easy, but God wants us to embrace the opportunities He will provide.

God can do all things. He can change our hearts. He can change us. He can create confidence, and nurture our longings to find joy we have never known before.

Is there something God is preparing for you? He knows the plans He has for each one of us. He knows when you will finally begin to see His purpose fulfilled in your life.

A friend recently wrote, "God is waiting for you to arrive at the place where He is taking you." I hope you will consider these words and allow God to fill your heart with hope for your future. He already knows where He will take you. When you arrive, God will reveal what He has prepared you to discover, and I hope you will understand why it was well worth the wait!

GOD IS NEAR,

Nan

As my sons grow older, I often take time to remember special moments when they were small. I remember when our youngest learned to walk by himself. He let go of my hand, raised his little leg, and kicked a Soccer Ball. He took baby steps to retrieve it, then repeated the whole process, finally walking on his own.

As I watched my son that day, I saw him fall several times. But,each time he worked harder to stand and follow the ball, which motivated him to move ahead.

Sometimes we need to take baby steps when we try something new. Often there are obstacles which make us “fall down” and require us to pick ourselves up, and try again. We become impatient and wonder why we cannot move ahead.

Life requires perseverance and brings great challenge. Sadly, at some point in our lives we will fall. But, perhaps as we lay in the deep, dusty rut of what consumes us, we will finally begin to see the one who can reach down, and save.

Imagine that God can extend His arm, and lovingly raise us where we will once again clearly see what is there, waiting to be discovered. He is the one who gives hope to situations that seem hopeless. He is the one who gives strength, when we need it the most. He is the one who knows what He has planned for our future, and He is the one who knows what we need.

God prepares us to realize we are who we are becoming. Think about it… We are who we are becoming, isn’t that true?  God isn’t finished with us yet. He helps us realize why we have not been able to walk on our own, and He fills us with His peace, as we begin to understand His will.  

God may not move us ahead, until He has prepared us for the falls which will come. He skillfully prepares our hearts to feel His loving presence, as we learn to trust in Him, and follow the path He lays before us. He takes care of our needs, and carries our burdens, as we follow Him.

What is motivating you to move ahead? Are you moving on, or are you stuck, afraid you will fall? Can you learn to trust in the one who is ready to teach you how to let go? Can you step in faith, and let God show you how to get there?

You will eventually discover your reward, if you ask God to walk with you every day. He will give you strength you have never known before. But, you must do your part and realize when God has prepared you to move ahead.

Baby steps are God’s way of reminding us, we must take our time to get where we are going. God will bless you, as you walk slowly, and allow Him to lead you toward His will for your lives.

God needs time to ready our hearts for what we will find when we follow Him. When we arrive, we will look back and realize what was needed along the way, to prepare us to stand on our own two feet, and finally let go…

We will fall. And, when we do, God will catch us. He will lovingly put us back where we belong, as long as we trust in Him and  persistently remember where we are headed.

God is near,
Nan