Happy Wednesday! (Or whatever day you're reading this!) I don't know about you but it's been a long week. I can feel colder weather starting to settle in and it's making me ready for lazy days with a cup of tea and a nice warm fire! I think we could all use a little pick me up now and then! Thank God we have Him by our sides to do so, whenever we ask!
I was beautifully reminded of Paul and Timothy's relationship with each other this afternoon. How they are so encouraging to one another. In reading 2 Timothy 1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201&version=NIV (link here if you'd like to read it for yourself)
As Paul is awaiting his death he writes this beautiful letter of encouragement to his dearest friend Timothy. He starts in verse 2 with "Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father..." this verse just filled my soul. Have you ever prayed over a friend and just wished any of these things for them. It is so calming to pray these things for a friend or for yourself...every morning I pray for 4 things (some may call it a manifestation) I just call it prayer. One of those things is peace. I pray for peace...inner peace, to bring peace to others, peace on earth...all of it...just peace. If you're reading this and you're in need of peace, I pray that for you too. What a beautiful way to greet an old friend: with Grace, Mercy and Peace.
Paul goes on in verses 3-5 to say "I thank God for you." In the last several months, since my divorce, there have been so many people whom I can say "I thank God for you." So many encouraging words, uplifting thoughts, phone calls, gifts, and just times of encouragement from others at just the right time. Imagine if we had the kind of relationships with those around us that we say "I thank God for you". Another thing I pray/manifest for every morning is healthy relationships. A work in progress :) I've had so many relationships grow over the last few months that all I can think about when I think of them is "I thank God for you." I can't wait to grow more relationships like that with my dear friends and I can't wait to be that kind of friend when they need those things from me!
Verses 6 and 7 really spoke to me because that's where I am in this season...figuring out my gifts! Paul writes 6) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. I just love these verses! Fan your flame! Make it bigger! Take up space in this world! Live loudly! God didn't make us timid, He gave us a spirit of power! A spirit of love! And a spirit of self-discipline! That tells me you CAN do it! Whatever your "it" is! God gave you the gift, let the world see how amazing he made you!
As you finish the second half of your week I wish you grace, mercy and peace!