This morning, my friend sent me a beautiful picture of an owl. She knows my love for owls, I collect them like other people collect Precious Moments or dishes or Willow Tree Angels. It’s funny how one little picture can turn into such a blessing. It made me feel loved/happy to know she thought of me when she seen it and took the time to share it. What made it even more special was later in the day, something reminded me of it again. I’ve stayed in for most of the day, its been drizzling rain on and off all day. While out, getting some lunch… for the first time all day the sun began to shine and I noticed a rainbow. It felt nice to get out of the house and then to be blessed with a rainbow…I thought of Noah and even though he didn’t see the whole picture. He trusted God and built the Ark even without a drop of rain in sight. Still yet, I’ve not got to the reason for mentioning the owl picture my friend blessed me with. For a fleeting moment today, I thought of Gods blessing from so long ago (Ark and the promise God made with the sign of a rainbow), only to come straight back home, gazing out the window…watching the rain start sprinkling down again. While gazing, I noticed two hawks in my back yard. I know what you are thinking, hawks aren’t owls… but the moment I saw those two hawks together weathering the rain that was falling down upon them, I thought of the owl also.  Weathering the storm, not worrying about tomorrow, just facing what is in front of them.

(The picture my friend sent me this morning) What a blessing this picture is. Weather the storm… Rest in the sunny days…God is in CONTROL!

As I began to start this blog entry, I still found myself gazing out my window… only to notice two little birds perched on my back deck. God wanted my friend to send me the owl picture this morning… without that picture, I don’t think I would have ever noticed the hawks or the two other little birdies. It made me start reflecting back on this year… the trials and the blessings. God was there with me during both. With His strength, I weathered the rain just like the animals do, because under His wings I find refuge… And I sang Praises to Him during the blessings. He promises never to leave or forsake me!

It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Remember ye not of the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:18-19

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Oh, how I thank you Father… for where I have been to where I am now. Through You, former things have passed away and you make things new. Your Word says, everything works for the good of those who love You. Oh, how I love You. I am so blessed. With a new year comes new opportunities to share Your Word… new doors to be opened to invite people to accept your eternal gift… and more days to love people like you do Jesus.

A new year… every day is a blessing from you… Thank you.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow… and I know who holds the future, and life is worth the living just because HE LIVES.”

I am so thankful your mercies are NEW every morning… that old things are gone and you will do a new thing even in the wilderness… and you make all things new.

God never promised we wouldn’t have trouble in this world… “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Yes, He has overcome the world. Glory to Him.

I hope you all find the time to share blessings of Gods love to others like I got today through a picture of an owl.

Happy New Year to Y’all. May you look each day for a blessing from God. May you be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. May you always see Gods blessing in the middle of the storm and praise His Great Name. May you all be of good cheer.

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

*Blessed*Betsy*