Summer is almost here!

Hi.  I haven't dropped off the planet.  I have gotten my gardens going this year and I put in two hummingbird feeders so there wouldn't be so many fights.

Also, I have been riding my horse with a dear friend and it's been so much fun!

Here's me before we actually go out.

 Anyhow, I was recently asked how I manage to keep smiling with all the work I do volunteering at church.  I think the key is to ask God how much you are supposed to do and only do that amount.  I'm having to get better at saying, "No."  And no means no.  No guilt trips will move me.  If God's not in it I don't want to do it.

Too many people get burnt out at churches with the work load and then they don't want to do anything.  I don't want to get to that point.  When I struggled with saying 'no' to people in authority over me I got a book out from the library about boundaries and how to enforce them.

You can only do so much!   It's not your responsibility to keep their world turning!   So make sure you take your day off a week and keep your relationship with God your top priority.   If you expect your reward from God you are doing well. If you are expecting promotion, recognition or opportunities from your Pastor etc. you might be disappointed.

Clear concise communication about what you can and can't do will help to avoid conflicts down the road.  It's so important.

I hope what I shared helps you to keep your priorities straight.  There's absolutely no point in getting so busy that you don't have time for God.  You can't replace that hour every day with him.  That's how the growth happens.  We think we're waiting on God to do something and all the while He's waiting for us to come away and just spend time with Him. It's tragic how easily the days slip by!

I am reminded of an acronym that Gloria Copeland uses...

S = Satan
C = Constantly
U = Uses
D = Distractions!

Therefore, let's keep scheduling in our time with God before the day fills up.

Bless you!
Big hugs,
Brenda Gale Thompson

Horses and Seeking the Lord

Hi there.  In this pic we are trying out our winter legs. Our horses are pretty skittish in the winter.  They love the cooler temps and want to play around-- not the safest thing when you are trying to ride them.  It doesn't help that they haven't been ridden in a few months!

Here we are making our way into the crusty snow.   The other horses are about 20 meters away so she's being pretty good.  The compost pile has caught her attention.

You would wonder how I have time to seek the Lord, go riding and still get everything done that I need to do.  It's amazing, but somehow the Lord gives back the time.   He helps me prioritize my day, tells me when to call people, when to do things and I get so much accomplished!  It's a new miracle every day.

Here is one last pic of us getting ready to ride.  I am checking out her attitude and stress level to hopefully ascertain if it's safe to ride on the driveway.  Winter riding with all the icy conditions is always interesting. The riding ring and round pen where I would usually ride are in deep snow.   I don't want to go without  angelic protection-- that's for sure!

Thanks for reading.  I am working on some video clips from church footage that will encourage you.  Check out my youtube channel "beloved4evr" especially during the winter (less work on the farm equals more time for video clip making). 

Bless you!
Brenda Gale Thompson