Author: neeserisms

Jesus Follower. Coffee Lover. Proud Auntie. Vinyl Collector. Work in Progress.

The Gift of Presence

by neeserisms

At Christmas time we talk a lot about presents, what people want, maybe what they want Santa to bring and we add these wanted items to our shopping list, but God has been chatting with me about a different kind of present, P-R-E-S-E-N-C-E.

If there was no Jesus, there would be no Christmas.  His presence in this world, Him coming to the scene, being born so He could die for us means everything.

“Therefore, the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name, Immanuel.” – Isaiah 7:14

Jesus’s presence and arrival on this earth is the very reason why we celebrate Christmas. His name Immanuel, means God With Us!  God with you and God With Me!  God gets the importance of presence!! Continue reading “The Gift of Presence” →

I Thank You

by neeserisms

Father God,

For family and friends around me, I thank you.

For love and laughter that is best shared, I thank you.

For grace and mercy that is so undeserved, I thank you.

For your abundant blessing and provision, I thank you.

For your faithfulness in all seasons, I thank you.

For joy even in the midst of pain, I thank you.

For sunshine and rain, I thank you.

For beginnings and endings, I thank you.

For answers that have come and those that I wait for, I thank you.

For your Word that instructs me, I thank you.

For shining your light in the dark places, I thank you.

For knowing me and loving me still, I thank you.

For forgiving me and setting me free, I thank you.

For allowing me to be a part of your great plan, I thank you.

For accepting me as I am and seeing all I can be, I thank you.

For being on my side and wanting what’s best for me, I thank you.

For your love that never fails, I thank you.

For all these things and so much more, I thank you ❤

 

 

 

 

In ALL Circumstances

by neeserisms

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

All circumstances?  I mean, many of us aren’t thankful in favorable circumstances, let alone ALL.  All includes, the messy circumstances, the frustrating circumstances, the painful circumstances, the trying circumstances and yet as you can see God’s word states that it is His will for you & me to be thankful in ALL circumstances.

We may not be thankful for the circumstance, but we can be thankful in it.   We would not choose difficult circumstances for ourselves or for those we love, but there is so much to be thankful for right in the middle of the mess. Continue reading “In ALL Circumstances” →

Tender and Grateful

by neeserisms

As I begin to write this, I’m not sure you will ever see it.  Honestly, sometimes I refrain from writing because what I think is likely to come pouring out of me is so raw and real that I’m not sure if I’m ready to look at it let alone willing to fling it into the “universe”.

I’ve had a rough week.  Sometimes I am at a loss to express what I’m going through, maybe because I’m not quite sure myself and I feel that if I do share, no one is going to understand the battle I’m facing, so why waste my breath trying to explain when I’m already exhausted to begin with?  So, I sigh and say it’s fine and keep it moving; which leads me to my next train of thought that may be responsible for derailing me.  No matter how trying it is, I’ll just try more, try harder, longer, faster, smarter and guess what?  It’s never enough and well, that’s a real bummer. Continue reading “Tender and Grateful” →

Feedback

by neeserisms

FeedbackHow are you at handling criticism?  I wish I was great, but I’m not. I tend to take it personal.  Doing things well matters to me so when I get the feeling I’m not meeting expectations, it can be a tough day for this girl.

Recently, at work I decided to ask for some feedback from those that I lead.  The questions centered around my leadership ability, problem solving skills, communication, interpersonal skills, etc…I made sure this survey was set up anonymously so staff would feel free to share honest feedback with me. Continue reading “Feedback” →

I Just Wanted You To Know

by neeserisms

Thinking about youAs I sit down to write, I think about you.  I think about each one who will read.  I think about what you might be facing, about your unique personality, about what your journey is like and somehow I figure that despite what may be different about us, there are likely many things that are the same.

If you’ve lived long enough, you’ve likely known failure, me too.  If you are breathing, then I’m certain you’ve experienced heartache, me too.  Your years have undoubtedly brought some joys and moments worthy of big time celebration.  I bet you’ve cried and laughed and lost and won.  I’m sure you’ve had doubts and fears and that you’re holding on to some hopes and dreams.

As I think about you today, I just wanted you to know.  I wanted you to know that you are not the only one.  Continue reading “I Just Wanted You To Know” →

Perspective

by neeserisms

PerspectiveI know it’s not most people’s favorite thing to think about or talk about, but do you ever think about when you die?  I don’t mean how you’ll die or when, but after you are gone from this life, what do you want your legacy to be?  What do you want people to be confident in when you are gone?

Now, I hope to live a long life and I hope you do too, but I’ll tell you I think about this every now again. You know why, because nothing brings proper perspective like the finality of death.

She made the most of what was given to her.  She loved well.  She was generous.  She was a servant.  She made me feel special.  She encouraged me.  Those would all be wonderful impacts to make on those around me. Continue reading “Perspective” →

What Are You Worth?

by neeserisms

What are you worthI recently returned from a weekend away at beautiful Lake Tahoe with an even more beautiful group of women.  I shared something during our weekend together  that God dropped in my heart while I was preparing what I would be sharing with them and I’d love to share it with you as well.

This truth nugget comes from a story in the Bible that I don’t recall ever spending a lot of time focusing on over the years and had my brother not done some sort of college video project with a ministry group that went by this name, I don’t know that I would have even recognized it. Continue reading “What Are You Worth?” →

The Power of Confession

by neeserisms

ConfessionSo I have something to confess and that’s this……umm…I don’t like to confess.  It’s true.  I find it tough to tell the truth sometimes.

I think of all the reasons why I shouldn’t.  I run all possible scenarios of how my truth-telling could go wrong.  I imagine what awful things others may think of me and then I stay quiet.

I don’t just save this struggle with confession to those around me, I also struggle with telling the truth in my relationship with God.  He knows you and I completely and loves us still and yet I struggle with confessing the truth of where I’m at, of how I’m feeling.  Anyone else? Continue reading “The Power of Confession” →

Little Bird

by neeserisms

little birdYou were created a unique one of a kind creation.  From the very beginning I knew your journey in life would be difficult but although small I made you strong so you’d be able to handle the winds of change, so you could soar above the stormy clouds, life would surely bring.

You’ve lived in different nests and I hope they’ve taught you about yourself and about Me.  I have been with you on every flight and every landing and wherever your journey takes you I will always be there.  There is nothing you can do or say to get rid of me, we are flight partners for life.  Continue reading “Little Bird” →