My mom and I are getting ready to go on vacation. Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are on the agenda. Consequently, we’ve been planning and preparing for quite some time. We perused travel brochures and picked specific activities for each state. I’ve wrote notes on cities we plan to visit, downloaded train and ferry schedules, and checked prices for the tours we wanted to take. On top of that, we booked an amazing hotel. I even checked the area weather and we packed our suitcases accordingly. How’s that for being prepared? (The Boy Scouts would be impressed!)
Here’s a question: how much do we prepare for our day? Most of us hit the ground running in the morning. We take a speedy shower, grab a quick breakfast, and run through the door. Basically, we hope for a good day. However, there’s another way to prepare for our day-by asking for help. “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:2, NIV) God’s help is available every morning . What’s more, He will support us, give us wisdom, and give us peace during the challenging moments of our day. After all, “God’s kindness and love will always be with me each day of my life…” (Psalm 23:6, CEV). Last but not least, tomorrow morning, we’re going to make some changes to our morning routine. We’re going to ask for support, because God’s help is available every morning.
Things to do today:
- Ask God to help you throughout the day.
- Read a similar blog called ‘We Can Ask God for Help’ and listen to songs ‘Fighting for Me’ and ‘God I Look to You.’
My family spent a fun week camping at my brother’s-swimming in the pool, fishing and tubing on Lake Erie, and visiting Kelly’s Island. My nephew Ben participated in every activity. Because of this, I learned a few simple lessons. Ben took his floatie off in water over his head so he could try swimming to his mom and grandma.
I recently went to 
Burnt rolls, undercooked roast beef, and runny casserole. What do they have in common? They happened in my kitchen, when I was cooking. Although up for debate, my biggest blunder happened when I was a preteen. My family was going to be surprised with my chocolate chip cookies. I was pretty impressed with myself as I took the cookies out of the oven. Proudly I carried them into the living room to share with my brothers and they enthusiastically grabbed them. However, their groans, cries of distress, and strong words, (I am deliberately leaving those words out), caused me great confusion. Apparently, substituting salt for sugar in a recipe is a bad idea. Who would have thought a cup of salt could make such a fuss? I guess I should have been paying better attention to the details.
Recently I saw a movie that had God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as an integral part of the storyline. They each interacted with the main character, (Mackenzie), and supported him in his heartache and pain. Many scenes gripped my heart and sent my emotions on a roller coaster ride. But one scene in particular continues to visit my thoughts. Mackenzie steps out of a small boat and literally walks on the water with Jesus. Later, when he tries it again, instead of walking on the water, he sloshes through it. He looks back at Jesus in confusion. Jesus lovingly says, “This always works better when we do it together, don’t you think?” (Good point to ponder.)
Sometimes it seems like everyone I know is fighting a battle. Most of the battles are fierce, knock-down, and drawn-out fights. I have a friend who is battling a rare form of cancer, one who is caring for an ailing mother, and another one who is grieving the loss of a parent. Unfortunately, there are so many others who are stressed in one way or another. Within these struggles, we can feel lonely; no one really understands our heartache, our worry, our pain. Sometimes we feel like we are standing alone on the battlefield and the enemy before us is too big. That’s simply not true. We are never going into any battle alone. Ever.