What is one of the biggest things you discovered during the 1st week of 2025?

Picture taken while Elizabeth & I walked around during the snow Friday 1-10-25

I love when it snows. I heard on the news recently that we (Upstate SC'ers) get snow about once every 3 years. That's not too terrible at all. One of the best things is, is that it's gone in a day or so. I say it's one of the best things, because we don't have the infrastructure to maintain the side roads which can often lead to accidents. Being from Ohio, I'm no stranger to the snow and the beautiful blanket of white that covers everything. Everything looks clean, and the quiet that accompanies the snow fall is peaceful. It reminds me of a fresh start. One day, it's a white background then as the snow melts, it starts to reveal all the color and more defined variations of the landscape.

God, through His mercy, provides a similar picture every morning that He wakes us up. The Bible tells us in Lamentations 3:22-25 'The Lord ’ s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him. '

This is a Scripture that I've been thinking about this year and the snow reminded me of the blank canvas that each of us is supplied with every morning. If I'm honest, I often overlook the beauty of the blank canvas that I've been given every morning. This year, one discipline that I've resolved to practice daily, is to appreciate that daily blank canvas more. To not take it for granted. To take the first moments of the day and acknowledge that it is a blank canvas to which I can paint whatever I'd like to. I can participate however I want to. Identifying this, I want to paint a beautiful picture each day that I'm given. One that is without regret, one that is beneficial to me and to others. I like to identify that the time that I have on Earth is my only opportunity to invest in eternity on this side of Heaven. I want to adhere to storing up treasures in Heaven, not on Earth. (Matt.6:19-21) https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MAT.6.19-21

How do I do this? I can do this by appreciating the blank canvas I am given every day and deciding that I'm going to try to paint a beautiful picture that benefits others and myself. By being determined to approach the morning in gratitude for all that I have, not focusing on what I lack. By maintaining a posture of forgiveness towards others and myself. By shining the Light that has illuminated my path to make it to this day and every day that I am given. The easiest way to benefit others and myself is to identify and practice what glorifies God. If I do that, everyone else, including myself, benefits.

I recently read a post from someone that said;

"Rules for 2025"

"Spend time with those who spend time with me"

"Call those who call me"

"Do for those who do for me"

Etc, etc., etc...

It saddened me when I saw this because it comes from a place of "Do unto others as they've done unto me". I would like to ask this writer, how anything is gonna be better from what we've experienced in the past when we continue the patterns of the past? We should always have the posture of "Doing unto others as you would like done unto you". https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MAT.7.12

You may ask what covers the gap of always giving and not receiving? Forgiveness. We've got to learn to lead by example, not by the example set by those who give when given to. To love one another, hope for one another, and pray for one another until we all get there. Our Creator's design says that we are to be one race, one blood, one purpose. A person divided within themselves can't stand, a family divided can't stand, and a nation divided can't stand. We may fool ourselves for a time, the family may fool others for a time, and a nation can fool the world, but only for a time. https://www.bible.com/bible/100/MAT.12.25

When we are legitimate, it doesn't matter when we are visited because it's not a show. We live in freedom because we're not concerned with being found out. The only thing to find out is how we can consistent, have integrity, show forgiveness, and give without needing something in return.

My prayer for each one that reads this is that you may be encouraged to love your neighbor as yourself. To live a sacrificial life that is sustained by the grace that has been given to you. Not because you first gave it, but because God first gave it to you and anyone else who wants to accept it. So that you know what it looks like and can show the same grace to others by forgiving them. https://www.bible.com/bible/100/ROM.5.8

We're all trying, none have arrived, so let us help one another and end doing unto others as they've done unto us.

If you enjoy the content that I share, let me say I appreciate it!! It comes from my heart and is never generated by AI. Over the past few years I've decided to stop being quiet concerning the things on my heart. It has led me to steward the resources God has given me by farming, cultivating the soil on our property to produce nutrient dense food, raise poultry in an environment that reflects our Creator's design, and attempting to stir the soil of the hearts of those that listen when I speak. If you are one of them and would like to hear more content from myself or others that stirs your heart and is encouraging,

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Make it a beautiful day!!!!