"Just The Way You Are"

Reflections4Life™ May 17, 2020

 “Just the Way You Are.”

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Scripture Contemplation: John 3; Hebrews 6; I John 5…

©RutheMcDonald.

For so many of us, we try our best to always look our best, even when we feel less than our best. There are also times when we try to be someone that we are not, just to be accepted.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. Let the love of God wash over you. Walk into His embrace with the knowledge that God already knows you, and knows exactly what you need.

Why? Why do we do these things to ourselves? Why do we accept less than we deserve just to be wanted and desired by others? Trust me: if you are not being you, your authentic self when beginning a relationship; you are shortchanging yourself. The truth of the matter is that you should be accepted and wanted just as you are. Not for the facade you put on. Sooner or later the truth will manifest. And when it does, then what?

Thank God, He accepts us just the way we are. You don't have to pretend. You don't have to change. You don't have to hide or fake a thing. The Father accepts you AND wants you just the way you are.

Isn't that wonderful? Doesn't that feel liberating? To know that our Creator, when we come to Him, accepts us just as we are; faults, flaws, and all. We don't have to pretend with God. We do not have to worry about looking perfect, being perfect, or saying the right thing. The only thing God cares about is the heart. And that we desire Him.

So many "religious" folk and "church" folk have really screwed things up for people. Their religious pomposity and hypocrisy giving God a bad rap. This is why we must seek and know God for ourselves. To understand that, you cannot get yourself together first; you cannot come correct or perfect; you don't need the perfect garments; you don't have to be sinless, and you don't need money to come to God. You just need a willing heart and a teachable spirit. God will take care of all the rest.  He loves you...just the way you are.

 My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. You do not have to change yourself in any way to be accepted and loved by God. He already loves you and accepts you, and waits patiently for you to show up…just the way you are. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing!

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Happy Mother's Day!"

Reflections4Life™ May 10, 2020

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness." Proverbs 31: 26-27

Scripture Contemplation: Proverbs 31; Ephesians 5...

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, and mothers to be. To all the mothers who have gone on to heaven; we celebrate with joy and treasured memories all the love, lessons, and the legacies you left for us to treasure! We honor you.

This is my fifth Mother's Day without my Mom. Yes. It still hurts, but it is not as bad as it has been years past, and I can only attribute that to the fact that she is still with me. In my heart. In my spirit. In my everyday life. She is here. More than a memory. She is here because her love never left.

I decree that today's Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it to be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration. May your life know the power of a mother's love. Cherish those women that God has bought into your life. Be it biological or surrogate. Take advantage of the gift, and apply the lessons of that love to your life.

If I could choose a lesson my mom gave to her children that has had a profound impact, it would be a strength. My mother showed us every day of her life what love strength looked like. And the power it had to change lives.

This Reflection is dedicated to my Mother. Pastor Patricia Harris.

"Remembering My Queen & The Lessons She is Still Teaching Me from Heaven"

Long title; I know. But simple words and short summaries could never do justice to the woman my Mom was on this earth. And the title is not a misprint—my mother is STILL teaching me lessons each and every day on love, life, prayer, relationships, and so many other things. What I learned the most? Read on to find out...

STRENGTH

This is my Mom. She taught me just about everything I know about being a strong woman. About, coming back stronger after being down for so long. About overcoming obstacles and triumphantly destroying the plans of the enemy. She taught me about prayer and how to pray. She taught me how to forgive and to love unconditionally.

This is my Mama. My friend. My heart. The woman who showed me that nothing is impossible for God. That you can indeed overcome when everyone else has counted you out. To stand in my convictions and not back down. To hold onto what I believed and to go after God tenaciously, and that it is okay to remind God of His promises, and to definitely ask the question why.

This is my Mother. Who loved me better than anyone. Who prayed for me when I couldn't pray for myself. I didn't have to say a word. She just knew. She listened, while I was silent or cried. Afterward, she lifted me up in prayer, not commenting on anything I just shared. She understood, I just needed my mother's ear.

This is my Mommy. Who left this earth too soon for my comfort. I thought, leaving me without my intercessor, my prayer warrior, my encourager, my teacher, my mother, my friend. What was I to do? It hurt so bad. And it still does. But I realized; it was just the flesh that left, but not her love and spirit, nor her strength.

This is my Teacher. Who taught me strength just by being who she was. Her life was a testament of strength and of irreproachable character. She was far from perfect, and she owned it. Never did she hide the truth about who she was and what she did, to the point it felt that I knew too much! But she was honest and wanted you to know, that whatever you faced, you could get through it too.

I hope there is someone in your life that you can always turn to and have a source of strength to glean from. I hope that you cherish every lesson, admonishment, and correction that they have to give. Because it is all a part of teaching you to stand and be strong; becoming the person God has already said you are.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. May your life be blessed with the power of a mother's love. Cherish every moment you have. Take the lessons, apply them to your life, and let the love guide you. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing. 

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"The Best Thing to do is often the Hardest Thing to do"

Reflections4Life™ May 3, 2020

"The Best Thing to do is often the Hardest Thing to do"

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Scripture Contemplation: Psalms 37; Proverbs 3; Jeremiah 32; Hebrews 11...

Throughout our life's journey, we will be met with many tests, trials, paths, and forks in the road. We will experience love, pain, joy, hate, anger, confusion, happiness, uncertainty, and peace. Just to name a few.

There will also come a time in our life's journey when we will have to make difficult decisions. Our hearts will be divided; even heartbroken. However, if we trust God and follow His instructions, we will eventually see we have done the right thing. We are not actually losing anything but gaining the greatest blessings of our lives.

I decree today's Reflections brings encouragement and continued inspiration for your heart mind and soul. When you are faced with difficult decisions and your heart is uncertain; allow God to lead you. Trust Him where you cannot trace Him. Believe that everything is working out for your good because God has already done it!

Sometimes the best thing to do can be the hardest thing to do. Especially when our hearts and emotions are involved. Yet, if we did nothing, did not make a choice; chances are greater that we would lose what we have been fighting to hold onto. Because doing nothing is actually an inactive choice being made.

There will be times when we will just have to walk away and not look back. Put everything in God's hands and trust Him to do what He does best, and definitely, what we cannot do.

Whether it's a relationship, job, friendship, opportunity—we must do what is best, even though it may be the hardest thing to do.

One of the hardest things I have ever witnessed was a parent walking away from their drug-addicted child. Oh, they were there for them in the sense of support, but they could no longer be an enabler. The hardest thing to hear was their child on the phone, begging, and then blaming them should anything happened to them. The hardest thing was to walk away. Yet, it was also the best thing. The separation was heartbreaking, but the deliverance and healing was the sweetest reward.

Yes. Sometimes we will face heartache and pain. We will do all that we can. Then we will come to that fork in the road, where we either continued to do what we've been doing and getting the same results, or we do what is the best thing, even if it's the hardest to do, and walk away; leaving it all in God's capable hands.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Though it may be the hardest thing you ever have to do; always do what is best, believing in your heart that God has you covered, and will see you through. Trust Him. He's right there with you. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"In This Moment"

Reflections4Life April 26, 2020

“In This Moment”

“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” Matthew 6:25-27

Scripture Contemplation: Ecclesiastes 3; Matthew 6; 1 Peter 5…

We are often worried about what happened yesterday, and what is going to take place tomorrow that, we miss this moment. We do not enjoy the gift of today and right now.

At this moment, there are people crushed, literally, and figuratively speaking, by the devastation, this pandemic has caused many lives and livelihoods. There are families saying goodbye tho their loved ones; not even certain why. All they have is this moment.

I decree today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. may it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Be present at this moment. Do not dwell in the past you cannot change, or a tomorrow that hasn’t arrived. Live in this moment with gratitude. Allow God to fill you this moment, so that He can be the one who prepares you for a tomorrow, and washes away the cares of yesterday.

We find so many things to complain about. There are so many things we can come up with that we want to change. But how often do we stop, and be grateful, truly grateful for this moment? The moment we are in right now, breathing, feeling, seeing, hearing, and receiving.

God is a faithful God. He knows our thoughts. He knows our hearts. He knows what we have gone through, and what lies before us. He encourages us to take no thought for tomorrow; about what we will eat or what we will wear. He has made it abundantly clear that He will take care of us.

In this moment, where are your thoughts? What is your focus on? Are you enjoying this new day? Are you taking the time to relish in this awesome gift of today? Or, are you hindered by the mistakes of yesterday and what-ifs of tomorrow? Do not be. Take this time to enjoy the time with your loved ones. Take this time to gain the knowledge you never would have had time to do. Do not be in a rush for things to back to "normal"; instead, determine to do things in a new way. Even the earth recognizes the clock being reset. The animals even sense the shift in the air.

If we could sincerely be grateful for this moment; seeking to do things the way God would have us to do, I suspect we would have minimal regrets in our lives going forward. Enjoy this moment; this time. Be grateful for it. Love with all you have, in this moment.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Live in this moment with the certainty that God has taken care of your every tomorrow. Whatever took place in the past, He has taken care of that also. Do not miss the miracles of today by being wrapped up in things you cannot change. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2020. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.