A couple of quotes...

I've had a couple of days that feel mundane and remind me that life sometimes feels like I'm just going through the motions.
A friend of mine sent me an email today...perfect timing. Here is the link to his thoughts for me- which he had no idea were exactly what I needed to hear. Hmmm. Maybe Someone was stirring in his heart.
I have been reading through one of my all-time favorite books for the past 5 years now, called Heaven, Your Real Home. I read it frequently, because I know the best thing for me to get back on track is the reminder of where I am going. As my dad once so eloquently put it, "Keep your eyes on the Horizon {meaning God} and you can never be shaken, no matter how rough the waters of life get from time to time." I sometimes need gentle reminders in my life. Not that anything earth shattering is going on- but precisely at times because nothing earth-shattering is going on in life- is often when I need to stay more focused. I have learned this all too well. And I find that focusing on truth, and eternity, and what truly matters in life keeps me going...in the right direction.
In my devotional today, Joni Eareckson Tada writes,
"Suffering always drives us deeper and up higher.
Always onward and upward into the heart of heaven.
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today. Take heaven. No peace lies in the future that is not hidden in this precious little instant. Take peace. The gloom of the world is but a shadow. Behind it, within our reach, is joy. Life is so generous a giver, but we, judging its gifts by their coverings, cast them away as ugly or heavy or hard. Remove the covering and you will find beneath it a living splendor, woven of love and wisdom and power. Welcome it, greet it and touch the angel's hand that brings it."
She closes the her thoughts with this quote:
"Everything we call a trial, a sorrow, a duty: believe me that the angel's hand is there, the gift is there, and the wonder of an overshadowing Presence. Lif is so full of meaning and purpose, so full of beauty beneath its coverings, that you will find earth but cloaks your heaven. Courage, then, to claim it, that is all! But courage you have, and the knowledge that we are pilgrims wending through unknown country on our way home." ~Fra Angelico
I needed some good quotes today. Speaking of good quotes, one of my other all-time favorites is "Happy Birthday to you!". Sending birthday wishes, love and hugs to Chip's dad today. Happy birthday, Grandpa John! From Chip, me and all the kiddos...and of course, your little Angel Teagan too!