His grace & love...

I should go for a walk or clean up the laundry room for the repairman that's coming tomorrow but first... I feel I need to share some things that God has been showing me lately. I have hesitated to post anything just because I have really been seeking to hear GOD's voice. Tonight, though, as I was waiting for my husband to pick me up after my class I felt that I should sharing and that it was time for the "word of my testimony" to be spoken. 

Probably one of the biggest things has been a simple little verse I read one morning just a few days ago...

You go before me and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Psalm 139:4

I remember pausing at this verse that morning, struck by what those words we saying. He goes before me and He follows me, I have read that before and could feel once again, His presence in that simple statement. What seemed the most powerful to me though was the next sentence, "You place your hand of blessing on my head". In that moment, as I closed my eyes to soak in the words and the meaning, I felt His Hand settle gently on my head. I recalled the stories of where the father's would bless their sons or grandsons in the Old Testament and the power that was behind those blessings. Words that were spoken prophetically over their lives and the lives of their descendants. In that moment I felt the Lord uttering blessings over my life, for that day, for that moment but also for my future days and moments. I knew... I could tell that this wasn't just a one time deal... He goes before me and follows me on a daily basis and daily He places His hand of blessing upon my head. Each day before I leave the house for work He places His hand of blessing on my head. It was amazing to me.

As I sat there and pondered on these things I took a moment to go back again to the first verse of this Psalm and I could hear the Lord saying these things to me as a blessing:

"Bonnelle, I have examined every part of your heart. I know everything about you. Every detail and every thought. I know when you sit down and when you stand up. I know your thoughts even when they drift off to far away places. I know and I see you when you travel whether it be to work or to the store. I know when you're resting at home... I love to watch you sleep and I especially love it when you nestle in and rest in My arms. I know everything you do and I know the words you are going to say even before you speak them. Bonnelle, I go before you. Each step you take, I am with you. I go before you and I follow you. I hem you in with my love and protection. And each day... I am blessing you. I bless you with My love and My favor. I bless you and speak words of promise in your ear. Yes dear, I do have a plan and a purpose for your life. Yes, I have great plans and you are following in the path I want you to take. Hold onto My hand and I will lead you and guide you and show you the next step. Follow my lead, wait for my timing and you will see... everything I have promised, will come to be.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, it's too great for me to fully understand and comprehend! 

God is so good... He is just so kind to me. I am so thankful that He's patient and always so faithful. He truly is amazing to me. 

thoughts...

Again it's been awhile since I last posted any thoughts. This is largely due to the fact that I have been praying and seeking the Lord a lot lately. I have felt an increased desired to hear from Him... to just hear HIS voice above all others. I find at times I'm easily distracted and long to be more focused on Him and all that He desires for me.

I have a friend named Kate who is on this amazing bike ride/trek... 240 miles over the next 5 days!! Please keep her in your prayers because it's hot where she's at also! Then my friend Renee Swope - her husband just ran a marathon. I've been pondering on the "art" of running and training for these great accomplishments that these people I know (through the blog world) are participating in... and discipline and perseverance it takes to accomplish these goals. I'm impressed by their dedication and at the same time... wishing I had that kind of perseverance, discipline, dedication... stick-to-it-iveness...

Lord, help me to keep my eyes focused on you. You are my goal... You are the one that I want to finish strong for. You are the one.... cheering me on along the way. You are the one... who's always there... even when I fall. Please help me to stay focused on Your voice and to keep my eyes trained on You. I don't want to become distracted by anything because nothing in all this world compares to You.