Easy Access

Where do you wish you could go? How often would you want to go? How easy should the trip be? What I'm thinking of right now is easy access to my neighbor's house! There is one common neighbor's backyard separating the two of us and in the summer we can walk through grass and a few stray bushes and within a minute, we can be sitting together over iced tea and hilarious conversation. I love it. It's like an extension of  my own yard and the years of friendship are evident to both of us. But in the winter, deep snow and lately, perilous ice, have prohibited easy access for both of us. I really miss that! I can still walk down the driveway, follow the sidewalk, and climb her driveway and there I am, but that easy access in the backyard has become the norm. Easy access may be something I will continue to seek the older I become. But think of the easy access we have to our Father-all year long. Deep snow, perilous ice, pelting rain, nothing matters. No backyard extends our access and with a repentant heart and faith in Jesus as our newborn Redeemer, God is accessible every minute of every day. It couldn't be easier. Remember to "access" Him this busy season. He doesn't get too busy for us and longs for us as His children. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored. Merry Christmas. Barb

Path of My Prayers

The path I cut with our snow blower takes nothing more than a pull of the starter and a little gas and oil. No pleading or communication needed. The conversation I have with my cousin after not speaking to her in person for months, requires no effort because our relationship consists of one long conversation with very long pauses. But what about the path of my prayers? For me, that takes a little effort and some words; very specific words that will clear the path and open a way for my words to make their way to God's ear. Clutter falls into my life and chokes out goodness and forgiveness leaving behind the litter that will stand in the way of the petitions and thanks I am trying to pray. In order for my prayers to be acceptable to God, even with my Precious Savior interceding for me, I need to clear out the clutter and debris that is in the way. That means I start my prayers with confession. I ask the Lord to reveal to me any unconfessed sin that is in me so I can confess it. I declare my forgiveness for others so I can be open to His forgiveness for me. That begins to open the path of my prayers so I can present my thanks, praise, and petitions and nothing will be standing in the way to stop my prayers. We are in a season full of reasons to pray often and love much. Keep prayer paths open. We don't want to miss one thing the Lord has in store for us. Be blessed by the Lord and highly favored.
Barb