It’s a Beautiful Day?!!

Whatever you are struggling with today, large or small, widely shared or yours alone, may you have hope.

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Early on Tuesday morning, lives were lost at the #sydneysiege.

While I slept, others slipped to life beyond. Leaving many to mourn. Lives were changed, now always marked. How changed, no one can grasp.

As I slowly went through the routine of my morning, deep in thought but not thinking, the familiar tune of my childhood came, as if on cue. To remind me that in the middle of this tragedy, there are still blessings and small mercies.

"It's a beautiful day

And I thank God for the weather, ohh

It's a beautiful day

And I'm living it for my Lord, ohh ..."

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“How do you do it?” Someone asked me once not too long ago, after a tumultuous week with many setbacks and disappointments. (If only he knew of others more serious that I had to contend with!) “How do you bounce back each day?”

"It's a beautiful day

And it's just going to get better

Living each day

On the promises in God's word."

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Three motherless children. Why?

A family without brother, son, friend. How does one go on?

#prayforsydney (And closer to home, for three fatherless children.)

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How do  I go on? How can I welcome each day, a brand new day? How can I say, day in and day out, “It’s a brand new day!”

Because my eyes are set on eternity.

God promised and I anticipate his promises each day. And because I do, I notice that even in the middle of life’s storms, there are still many things to be thankful for. Not least of them, hope.

'Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.' Psalms 23:4,6 

'When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 
In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. 
What can mere mortals do to me? ' Psalms 56:3-4