I GOT the power! (but is it plugged in?)

I was playing with my "smart" phone recently. Something I do more often than I should probably....not always the most efficient use of my time....but I digress. The phone had already warned me that it was dwindling on power and needed to be plugged in. The little battery light that I love to see fully green had already been edging downward...and even been red for quite awhile. I ignored it and kept playing around....and then it shut down. The power cord dangled a short distance away. I had just not taken the time to plug it in.

I plugged in the phone and turned it back on. I could even use it right away. Once it was plugged in. Later it was ready to be taken off the charger again and ready to use....until the next time. ;)

Again I was reminded how often I treat myself like I treated my phone's power. I am well aware when my power starts to dwindle. Obviously, I don't have a handy little light showing the draining of the power. I tend to not feel as well. Take less time for me. I get grouchy. I take it out on people I claim to love the most. Eventually, I shut down by going to bed and wanting to stay there WAY longer than I need to. I don't have a power cord to plug in, but I am well aware of what helps keep that little light inside my spirit shining.

It usually sits by my bed....well within my reach. I don't always take time to use it though. I have a Bible that I have the freedom to read ANYTIME I want, but I don't read it enough. I have the freedom to pray ANYTIME I take the time to do so, but I don't do it enough. The Bible and praying are too often my last resort instead of my first line of defense against feeling drained and running on little to no power.

God offers to be my power source. Yours too. Consider this a reminder to not let your spiritual power dwindle so much that you shut down. Power up. Connect yourself to people that keep you charged up. Plug in. We got the power. Use it.

Psalm 20:6 (NIV)
Now this I know:
    The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
    with the victorious power of his right hand.
 
Psalm 71:17-19 (NIV)
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come. 
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?

Go To Hugs AKA the POWER of a HUG

Not sure why this is so heavy on my heart today, but I keep thinking about it so maybe it's for someone.....

When I was at my stressful job, I had a hard time keeping life in perspective. Some days were worse than others. I'm not even sure how the hugs came up or started. I do know they helped tremendously. Knowing I had a person to get a hug when needed even in passing, helped. I was proud of myself that I asked. Sometimes I didn't even have to. It must have been the look on my face.

The hugger I refer to no longer graces our planet. She has moved on to a better place. I pray that she knew the difference she made in my life. "Just" from being a go-to person for a hug when needed.

Do you have a person like that for you? Can you find one? Can you be that for someone else?

We don't get through this life on our own. It is very lonely if we try. Reach out. ESPECIALLY when you least feel like it. It helps. It really does.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.