Join Me for Tea on Thursday

Grab a cup of your favorite tea, Friend, and let’s settle in for a bit …

It will soon be time to break out those fall sweaters and hoodies. For those of us west of the Rockies, we’re still enjoying a late summer and won’t be doing any of that for awhile. But I can sense it in the ‘air,’ that back-to-school season has swung wide open her gates. School buses are on the move and traffic has begun to interrupt my otherwise peaceful flow on the streets. And with all things, I have that fleeing thought: “Where did the time go?”

And maybe … just maybe … this is how I’m brought to a halt to reflect on how I spend my day. The thoughts that I entertain. The concerns on my list that I’m fighting to stay off the worry zone of my heart. Let me tell you, Friend, the mind is a powerful thing — we must treat it with the same care that GOD calls us to.

Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Romans 12:2 GWT

The best advice I’ve heard — and it originated long before I set my eyes upon it.

It’s no secret that the world we live in is a precarious place to be — especially if you’re old enough to compare it to times past. Changes that we are called to adopt and adapt to — some of which can feel awkward and inconvenient. But when we flex our faith muscles and exercise love for one another, it changes our attitude. The thoughts in our mind are controllable — GOD reminds us that we have that power.

We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

Sometimes it can be difficult to remember to speak things in love and to consider the recipient of our words may not understand our perspective on things; and even if they did, may not agree with us.

As the leaves start to turn and the lush greenery begins to fade into the colors of autumn, maybe this is the season of rethinking how we show love and to let our former ways — those not so good ways (ways where we insisted on living the patterns that made sense to only us and negated the feelings of those less fortunate) — fade into new colors and attitudes of change.

Keep the main thing the main thing: love.

Loving GOD. Loving ourselves (with the respect knowing we are made in His Image). Loving others.

He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ ” Luke 10:27 GWT

If we can do these things, all the changes in the world won’t seem so overwhelming and impossible. When GOD calls us to do something, He gives us the power to accomplish it.

So, if you’re still trying to decide how to make the move into the new season (of change, new habits, new thoughts, new friends, etc.) step into it with the assurance that GOD will help you go there and will walk through it with you. And if you need someone with skin, call a trusted friend and do it together.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary