"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.  I will advise you and watch over you.'"  (Psalm 32:8 NLT)

How are you at following directions?  Reading a map?  Following where the technology "map" gives the directions - "in 1/2 mile turn right onto _____"?  Or... are you like when all else FAILS look at the directions, map or use technology?  It can be interesting especially when trying to find a new place or try something else new.

This particular verse was a part of my morning God time this week.  I keep returning to it because God keeps God's promises.  Sometimes, when going through something difficult (like regaining strength after surgery) it is easy to get discouraged and frustrated.  Thankfully we can rely on the routines that have been long established - like morning God time - to show us, remind us, of God's presence with us.

A long time ago..... as I was trying to follow where God was leading.....  I thought of "guidance" as "God U (and) I Dance."  Something to think about........

"but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles;  they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."  (Isaiah 40:31  ESV)

Renew?  What do you think of?  A library book?  An insurance policy?  A membership with/for something?  Maybe even a friendship when you haven't seen each other in a while?  Or vows made -- wedding or baptism come to mind.... 

When I am tired, under stress, trying to figure things out I go "back" to my friend Isaiah.  This time the verse is referring to strength.  We don't know if it is mental, physical or emotional strength but God is promising to renew it.  As I am slowly regaining strength one of my favorite pastimes is to sit with praise music, my needlework and watch the birds out my window.  No, there are no eagles, at this time, but there are LOT of birds (our neighbor has bird feeders) to watch from small sparrows to woodpeckers to pigeons.  I can watch them "mount up" and take off.

Thankfully there is not "running" but strength means "not be weary" AND I can walk without being "faint."  Yes, it is taking a while.  Yes, I wish it went faster.  At the same time I can "praise You anywhere" (the song playing right now) because God's strength IS with me.  Something to think about......