Camping out in this verse for a season: Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the one who makes me who I am. –Phillippians 4:13
The clouds move in. The sun breaks through. The cross stands. A window I walk past often becomes a symbol of Hope and Trust and His Love.
And I am resting too on this verse: “I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.” Phillippians 4:12
Somedays some of the ingredients in the recipe are missing.
But if I look Heavenward and in His direction and rest on His promises my hands remain full.
Just as a feather has dropped from wing of bird and he’s flown on, so the pressing on
begins or continues.
As sand and sea and salt refresh and renew, so does gazing on all His Glory.
All the possibility of more than just small remnants of Joy becomes clear.
Even as I pen this post, discouragement and frustration wait to pounce. 
But I marvel at His Glory and seek His face. And fix my gaze on all He has created. This replaces doubt. This replaces discouragement. This builds Hope.
And I identify that which I need to return to him. To lay on the altar. To offer back to Him.
Release back to Him. Give that which I was shepherding back to the Shepherd. Lay it down.
And Marvel at all of His wonder.
“…Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” –Phillippians 3
And continue to count the gifts.
Opening up to receive and count them all. Looking expectantly on the day for all that he’ll do and all that he’ll bring and all that he’ll pour out.
Amazing Grace. Grace so Amazing.
Expectantly living. Expectantly looking. With gratitude for all that there is and has been.
Praise God from Whom all blessing flow. And they do.
*a bedside chat with my happy girl. The perpetual joyful one. She shines a spirit of joy in my world daily
*An email from a teacher praising something good. The gift of taking time to point to what was good and worthy of praise.
*A kiss on the forehead from the Patient One before he leaves, for days.
*A son who arrived to a place of sun, safely and soundly.
*A cheerful face who consistently brightens my Mondays. Always. Consistently brightening my world with her smile.
*Midweek plans with friends
*Re-connecting with friend for dinner
*Beautiful music in worship yesterday and my daughter whispering in my ear, “I love this song momma” and I said “So do I , so do I”
elizabeth w. marshall 
Thank you for these words of grace!! You are amazing.
You are a gift. Soak up the blessings in this day. Love you my friend!
I like your blessings and images.
Oh thank you so very much. And thank you stopping by. So blessed by that and by your kind words. The sea is a beautiful thing, especially on a winter day when the sun is shining down on us. His creation is always magnificent. I am glad I could share the beauty with you and others. Blessings this Eastertime.
Hope you’ll stop in again sometime and visit again. Or you can scroll down to the very bottom of the blog and sign up to receive new posts via email. God bless.