Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Hey There!

You may have heard the saying “Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” which means that time away from someone or something makes you miss its presence. In the midst of these hard times with COVID-19 and shutdowns across the world, I want to encourage you to focus on the good things before quarantine. Think of all the fun activities, time with friends and family, and other enjoyments that make you happy. I don’t mean to make you dwell on them and discourage you, but to show you all the benefits and importance of them. 

In this unexpected and uncharted season of life, I’ve had a lot of time to do some thinking. Reflecting on the past, on my relationships and friendships, on my inward self, and most importantly God’s promises. Through all this thinking, there have been times of sadness and missing what was before the shutdowns – but there have also been times of peace and relaxation due to not going anywhere, which surprised me. I guess what I’m trying to say is: quarantine doesn’t have to be bad if you don’t make it. Focusing on creative ways to stay busy has led me to try some hobbies that I haven’t touched in a while, and to test some new things. I’ve learned the importance of resting when I feel my body needs it, and the importance of staying active and being physical. 

Through these times I have come to understand and root myself in God’s truths, and I am constantly being reminded of Romans 8:28:

“And we know that all things work together for good, to those that love God.”

I know that this quarantine happened for a reason. We can’t appreciate what we don’t have, but we can learn to appreciate what we do have. I think this tough situation is a blessing in disguise: time away from our family, friends, and activities can teach us the importance of them. It can also teach us the importance of friendships, and show us how strong our relationships are. Looking back on all the things that are cancelled can be disappointing, but when the world is reset back to normal, we are all going to appreciate what we have a whole lot more. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder. ❤

 

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Forgiveness

Guilt. We’ve all been there. But God’s forgiveness covers all the sins you have made, are making, and will ever make! It’s incredible, once you accept that truth. Everything you’ve ever done wrong, forgiven.

If you were just in an argument, and are mad at the other person, forgive them. Go up and tell them you forgive them! Because when someone else forgives you, it feels wonderful: everything that happened is past you now.  J.K. Rowling’s character Dumbledore says “It’s far easier to forgive someone for being wrong than being right.” I think there is truth to that. But think about forgiveness. Dictionary.com defines forgive as: “To grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.”  Next time you are in an argument, try to keep your head: attempt as hard as you can to not scream whatever mean thing pops into your head, because

words have power.

I know that can be REALLY hard to pardon someone when all you want to do is cry and be mean right back to them. But when you pray to God, ask for the capability to forgive others more easily, to be more graceful, and to show God’s mercy and be kind. Because forgiveness feels wonderful. ❤

Here is a prayer for forgiveness, and being able to forgive others.

“Dear Jesus,

Please forgive me of all my sins. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I pray that you would hear me and have mercy on me, LORD! Please help me to forgive others and be gracious to them, Father in Heaven, because I want to forgive as You forgive. Thank you for giving me life.

In Jesus’ Name I Pray,

Amen.”

 

Bible Verses about Forgiveness:

Matthew 6:14-15

 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will

also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Colossians 3:13

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Luke 17:3-4

 “So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

Isaiah 43:25

“I, even I [Jesus], am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

© Chick & Co.

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Psalm 118

” Give thanks to the LORD for he is good; his love endures forever.

Let Israel say:

‘His love endures forever.’

Let the house of Aaron say:

‘His love endures forever,’

When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD; he brought me into a spacious place.

The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

The LORD is with me; he is my helper.

I look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them down.

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.

Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous;

‘The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high;  the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.

The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of the righteous; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

LORD, save us!

LORD, grant us success!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us.

You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

Psalm 118: 1-21, 25-29

 

 

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

The Wave

Sitting on my bed

with pillows to surround

I hear a voice in my head,

a voice that resounds.

It says “Do not worry”

it says “Do not fear”

it says “I am with you,

whether far or near.”

And a wave washes over me

that closes my eyes.

I am not alone, and His love makes me free!

A comfort so near

I can feel His hand

holding mine so dear.

My God is great

greater than all

His Majesty is wonderful and changes my fate.

Amen.

 

 

© Chick & Co.

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Hope

Hope is something that we can not see, can not touch — but we can feel it inside. When God plants hope in our hearts, it spreads throughout our entire bodies, making us feel alive.

The Bible talks much about hope, and says that “We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.” (Psalm 33:20) If God is our help and shield, and we are saved, shouldn’t that be enough? Shouldn’t we be unafraid of whatever the enemy may throw at us? Sometimes it just isn’t. It seems so simple: God has saved you, there is no need to feel guilty or ashamed or afraid anymore, and yet we still feel those dreadful emotions. How do we fight them? If we hope in the LORD — and I mean really place your hope in Him — nothing feels impossible: because nothing is impossible. Hope makes us alive and happy. With God’s incredible hope, we can move mountains! “He said to them, ‘Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.’” (Matthew 17:20)

I challenge you to see God’s blessings in your life, even if they seemed painful at the time, and to realize how incredibly fortunate you are that an incredible Father in Heaven has kept you safe. He has kept you safe this far: why wouldn’t He continue to protect you? Place your hope in God, and He can do wonders in your heart and you will soar! ❤

 

© Chick & Co.

 

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

 

A Psalm Of Praise

 

A Psalm Of Praise

We Praise You, LORD,

in your sanctuary;

we Praise You, God,

with all our hearts!

You life us up out of trouble,

Your Saving Grace comforts us.

When the enemy pursued us,

we called to You; You saved us

with Your Mighty Right Hand!

Praise be to God for ever and ever!

Your love frees us; and we sing of

Your wonderful deeds.

We Praise You, LORD,

in Your sanctuary;

we Praise You, God,

with all our hearts!

Amen.

© Chick & Co.

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Mighty To Save

“Savior: You can move the mountains! My God is Mighty to Save! He is Mighty to Save! Forever: Author of Salvation! He rose and Conquered the Grave! Jesus Conquered the Grave!” Mighty to Save, Laura Story

God is a god of Kindness and Love. He died for our sins, so He could be with us! How amazing is that? Words can not describe it.

When you are in a bad mood: when the bad days come, and the irritating people, and the no-good just-plain-stinky moments arrive, trust in God. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Be still and know that I am God. Be still. That is all Christ is asking of us: to be still and let Him be in control; to submit to Him. Whenever you feel bad, just pray and talk to Jesus about it. He can help, trust me. I know: I’ve experienced His Saving Grace time and time again! Once you are able to talk to God like nobody’s listening — whether you are praying out loud or in your head — then you find the true comfort that God can offer! I’ve had MANY days when I feel irritated or depressed for no apparent reason, but when I pray and release it all and vent to God, I can feel his Saving Grace wash over me: and nothing anyone can do will ever change that.

God can save you from danger: danger does not mean just physical pain, but emotional, mental, and spiritual pain. He can save you, if only you let Him. I know for me, sometimes it is SO terribly hard to let go of something: from a heartache to something offensive someone said to you.

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end.” Psalm 48:14

He will be your guide through life’s unfair and unexpected twists and turns: He is your GPS, your map, and your Savior. Why not let Him be so much more than you ever thought he could be?

© Chick & Co.

 

Chick & Co.

Living the Sweet Life

Psalm 46:1-3

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

Psalm 46:1-3