Dear Jesus...

Dear Jesus, You alone are God and I wait upon you LORD to show up. I wait upon you God to show us your glory through Isaac's present health issues....

The other day I was really broken. I felt muted. I can't pray, I can't sing. I can't read. I can only cry. When you are sleep deprived and extremely exhausted it is so easy for Satan to sneak in and try to tell you lies like:

"Where is God now?" 

"If the LORD loves you, why has He not done something about this?"

"You have asked many times for 'help' and it has only gotten worse"

I can pray and use Truths to defeat the lies. You know those fancy "anti-virus" softwares that detect viruses on your computer? That is what God's Word does. When you hide His Word in your heart He easily puts up a radar "Virus detected! Do not stop praying or believe that lie. God will never leave you nor forsake you. Keep praying!"

The Holy Spirit is the Helper and "lie-detector."

Feeling extremely depleted I knelt down to pray and first felt very strongly I need to play some worship songs. 

I put one worship song on that was on my heart.

Then for the second song I really just wanted to worship Jesus and not ask for anything.

I put on "Oh Lord You're Beautiful" by Keith Green.

This song is one of my favorites.

If you play the "live" version you will enjoy hearing him share his heart in the beginning....

He talks about how the other night He wrote the LORD a letter. He didn't know where to mail it so he put it in his Bible.

I worshipped. I wept. I literally imagined myself wiping Jesus' feet with my tears. At that moment, I was swept away and remembered how very Holy God is. I too felt like writing a letter to the LORD like Keith Green said. 

There is a show Olivia used to watch: "My Little Pony." This Netflix series is not the original one from the 80s, it's new and she was devoted to watch each and every episode. There was one part I always remembered. It appeared in every episode. You would see a pony vigorously scribbling writing a note. She would write to her mentor saying "Dear Princess Celestia...." and she would share her heart and things going on in her world.

Keith Green poured out his heart to Jesus in a letter. That is exactly what our lives are. They are living epistles read by all men. 

Then, I realized something....

My entire life has been a "Dear Jesus" letter.

The Bible encourages us to pray without ceasing. I think for many this verse seems intimidating or even impossible. 

However, when your life is a "Dear Jesus" letter, it is not so scary to think about praying all the time and with a genuine heart of love for Jesus.

I have been talking a lot to Jesus about Isaac. A LOT. 

Many people already know he has autism. However, there are seasons when autism seems louder than others (that is how Chuck and I describe it anyway).

Lately, autism has been very very loud.

First, special education shut down due to COVID-19.

Second, church, ABA therapy and other gatherings/outings he is used to are shut down due to COVID-19.

He does not understand social distancing or the reason for the shut down.

I genuinely think he was depressed as he would wake up excited and say "School?" Not today son, school is broken I would tell him. I even took him to his school on a week day to show him that it was closed.

Heartbreaking.

Third, he is a pre-teen during puberty. During puberty I have been warned autism gets harder because in stead of rolling his eyes, or smacking his lips or talking back when I ask him to do a chore or talk to him about something, I get pinched, my hair pulled or a bite on the arm. He has been much more aggressive during this summer of COVID-19. 

Fourth, Isaac had his first seizure on July 4, another seizure on Aug. 15, and BAM the MRI discovered a cyst on His brain.

Dear Jesus, Dear Jesus, Dear Jesus...

You see I love words. I have always written little note cards and post cards. I loved to write notes and leave them in Chuck's lunch bag. I would write in my journals at church during Bible study. I write verses that minister to me. I mail a card with a verse to someone who is hurting. I write a thank you note to someone who blessed me. I even felt led by the Holy Spirit to leave a note on a stranger's car with a verse, an invitation to church and a "daily bread." I have written letters to a relative in prison and to friends on mission trips. I want you to know letters are special to me!

There is just something about a letter....

Emails are great. Texts are nice. But a letter specifically hand written for you- sealed with love and a prayer that I believe God uses in my life most.

I now realize my life is a "Dear Jesus" letter. Like Keith Green said. He wrote a letter to the LORD, He didn't know where to put it so He put it in His Bible. 

My Dear Jesus letter (my life story) is full of tears, prayers, woo-hoo praises, highs and lows, and the best part is the story is not over. (Phil 1:16)

At Loma Linda Hospital, all alone because of COVID, just me and my boy in the hospital room, (the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit), I asked God- is this the crescendo? Is this the peak of our story? A cyst on his brain? How can this be a part of Isaac's story and mine (and Olivia's and Chuck's life story) Is there a climax here? A build up to something unusual and amazing? Is there a special turn of events in store for Isaac?

When I asked God this question I did not hear a response.

What I am now hearing is "wait."

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 "You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart. 

Dear Jesus, I do not know what you are doing, but I humbly ask for a healing for Isaac. Your mija, Laura

My Neck Hurts....

 July 28, 2019 on a Sunday (bam!) we were rear ended. 

...Might not seem like a big deal for a California freeway but the impact on my body has still not recovered.

My neck hurts.

I have done everything.

Doctor, chiropractor, acupuncture, etc...

This week I realized something... 

Having neck pain affects my prayers. 

I love to bow my head over my Bible, or sit in the backyard and bow to pray.

I have realized now after the 1 year mark of the accident, Satan hates prayer and through this car accident injury my prayer time is more of a challenge than before  ...

When I think on this I become very sad and discouraged. 

However, it has NEVER been about my body (posture) when I pray. Never. It’s all about the One I talk to.

 El Elyon - Almighty Infinite God

I realized my neck hurts and I shouldn’t aggravate the injury by bowing down with eyes closed in prayer as I usually do.

God wants me to look up. Way up!!

Bowing your head is a beautiful symbol of humility. Looking up to me is a symbol of praise, adoration and hopefulness. 

It hurts to bow my neck.

Crazy! 

We must not let any pressure, any health problems, mental distractions, outward circumstances stop us from praying!  

Lessons from Isaac's iPad

Isaac has been using an iPad for years.
One day we noticed something strange.
We would install various apps and he would smile and squeal and play them.
Then suddenly....all of the apps would be gone.
For some reason (remember he has autism and has many many quirky unusual behaviors) he would press the app down, wait for the little "x" in the corner of the ap and then delete the ap.
Then he would get frustrated because we would have to take the iPad away to "re-install" the ap which often takes 5 minutes or more to re-install the ap.

Add the ap, delete the ap, reinstall the ap...
We went on this cycle for a while until we realized something...We could "disable" his ability to delete the aps.

The LORD reminded me how he does this for us. He can both enable and disable things like a parent can monitor a child's use of an iPad.

I cannot navigate trials on my own. I am completely "disabled." The strength ap is deleted when I go through heavy trials and I need help from the administrator.

Jesus is my IT administrator and He gives me a much-needed helper- The Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I often say this to the LORD when I am going through emotional turmoil. "Jesus I feel like mush. Help, Jesus please help!"

God is not distant from my cries. The LORD is not distant from your cries either. 

He knows you need Him to press the "enable" button and implant not something but SOMEONE - the Holy Spirit- to help you in your desperate times of need. 

When I feel so down and defeated I realize I am trying to "endure" and run this race without the Holy Spirit. I feel disabled for good reason. I need the Helper- the Holy Spirit to enable me to work properly. 

During this COVID19 pandemic, you may feel disabled. You may feel completely shut down and weary...I literally told my husband the other day "I am not running on full bars." 

Sometimes you need a Holy Spirit time out where you reboot and get alone with God and listen. 

Listen to the LORD. I confess this is the hardest part of my prayer time with Jesus. I talk and talk and talk and talk and plead and confess and talk and praise. However, it is hard for me to shush and listen. 

The other day I did just that. I cried out to the LORD and I heard Him. He said to my heart "This is your special assignment. Holdfast." The next day He gave me the word "endure."

You see, I need my Abba Father to hold me. He can help me holdfast. I need to listen like Moses to God say "Stand still. Let me fight for you"

"The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14

As Mandisa sings
"You're an overcomer

Stay in the fight 'til the final roundYou're not going under'Cause God is holding you right nowYou might be down for a momentFeeling like it's hopelessThat's when he reminds youThat you're an overcomerYou're an overcomer"
The only way to be an overcomer is to allow the Holy Spirit to "click" the enable button in your soul. We need the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit we are toast. 



Today I heard an awesome encouragement regarding the word "worry." The word "worry" comes from the British dialect meaning to choke or strangle. 
Another definition of worry means to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat. Finally, to worry can mean to assail with rough or aggressive attack; or to worry means to afflict with mental distress or agitation.

Satan is literally trying to "choke" us with worries.
No! In the Name of Jesus, I give you Jesus power and permission to click the enable button on my heart. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and fight these battles for me!

What a precious lesson from Isaac's iPad and from the Word of God!!! 

Dear Governor Newsom...

Dear Governor Newsom,
I am sure you receive a lot of legal correspondence. Thus, I am also quite sure hearing from yet another disgruntled California attorney does not bother you nor sway your opinions. However, this letter is more for me than for you.

I must share my deep concerns regarding Isaac Gonzalez, a California resident.
First, not only am I an active practicing attorney in the beautiful state of California, but I am also a special needs mother. I am an advocate for my son, Isaac Gonzalez who is a 12-year-old student with autism spectrum disorder.

Please note, I fully understand the concerns for the health and safety of others during this world-wide pandemic and your decision to not allow children to return to school in August for the 2020-2021 school year. My son would have started 7th grade in the special education autism program in a local middle school.

It was recently determined that he qualifies for a very much needed 1-1 aide (or temporary special needs assistant)

The decision to not allow special needs children to attend school is actually hurting them more than the virus or threat of obtaining the virus. In fact, everyone in my household is dramatically impacted by Isaac's requirement to stay home. He is anxious, more aggressive, stressed and he even had a seizure. Our hearts are breaking as his school routine truly helps him thrive.

You see Governor Newsom, there is an "r" word that we fear in our home. The "r" word is regression. Isaac takes several steps back every time he is out of school for any extended period of time. In fact, he was required to start special ed pr-school for children with autism at the age of 3. He is encouraged to attend ESY, Extended School Year (also known as "special ed summer school").

Isaac already regressed from the school shut down in March 2020. He lost skills and he has suffered from severe anxiety. His regression is not due to the pandemic or the threat of the coronavirus, but from the abrupt and now continuous halt of all his public education. His school routine is like medicine for his autism disorder.

I am one person- his mother. In school, Isaac has a personal aide, his specially trained/credentialled teacher, 3 aides to every 1 child in his class, a school psychologist housed at his school site, an Adaptive PE teacher, a speech therapist, an occupational therapist and many other administrative staff to ensure Isaac has all the support he needs.

I am sure this letter will go into your "junk" email box, or correspondence pile to be responded to by a Berkely student intern, however, I felt in my heart I needed to let you know two things.

1. Special education students need to return back to school immediately.
2. You need Jesus as Savior.

Although I am an attorney and an autism mom, neither of these roles define me. My primary identity is as a Christian. I pray for you. I am asking God to reveal His truth to you and for you to realize Jesus is the only vaccine able to cure a sin-infected soul.

This pandemic has affected everyone in California. However, for the California native developmentally disabled children who cannot speak for themselves, I am requesting you consider allowing special ed students back on campus with their teachers and aides and learning supports. My child cannot successfully learn via "zoom" computer sessions with a teacher. 

Regarding my second point, I cannot emphasize this enough: For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life. These are Jesus' words, not my own.

I prayerfully consider you to think about my concerns not only for my son's well being but for your own well being as a man created by God.

Sincerely,

Laura E. Gonzalez (California resident, attorney, autism mom, and Daughter of God)

The Virus in Me

The LORD taught me in the pandemic/COVID19 season that even if there was no such thing as the Corona Virus, there is still a virus in me- sin. 

Yeah but didn't Jesus deal with sin at Calvary's cross? 

You are a Christian aren't you?

I mean- your blog name is laura_jesusfreak.

How can you say you have a virus inside you?

Sin was dealt with at Calvary's Cross...

Yes, I still struggle with sin, but I am no longer a sinner...

I am saved by grace.

Hallelujah for that!

However, there is always the "sin issue" or the virus inside me.

During this pandemic/Corona virus stay in, Chuck and I were talking about this virus and how it is causing a lot of fear. The virus is also causing a lot of people to groan and grow weary (yes us included) and many people are saying "when can we just go back to normal?"

Here is the thing...

What is "normal?"

Is normal going back to church, kids going to public school or private or home schooling (and social gatherings) and shopping at Costco with no mask and people working 9-5pm jobs with long commutes and shouting out loud or via Instagram "it's Fri-YAY" because it's finally the weekend?

What is normal?

Chuck and I have the privilege and very challenging job of raising Isaac (as you know, he is now 12 with autism) so for a long time we have realized that our life is far from normal. It is not normal to still help your 12 year old put on slip on vans. It is not normal to have to explain to people that he has a fear of dogs which is why he almost ran into the street out of sheer fright, it is not normal to have to miss out on a graduation party or wedding because only a trained professional and few family members know how to care for Isaac, it is not normal to cry yourself to sleep because it is back to school and you have yet another 2-3 hour long IEP meeing where the teachers and therapists and professionals tell you "he did not meet his goals, again, and yes he still qualifies for special education" it is not normal to crave a date night, but you do not know if the caregiver is available on such short notice, it is not normal to have to soothe your daughter because her brother pulled her hair, it is not normal to have a teacher with a welt on her arm brusing up and going to the doctor after school becauase "Isaac bit her and would not let go" This was at age 11, just last fall....

We can go on and on about our life not being "normal"

However, we don't camp there- we camp on Jesus.

Chuck and I have a little saying to each other we say 

"I need Jesus bad"

This is such a humble cry that we acknowledge, we cannot handle autism, we can't handle this abnormal life and we certainly cannot live without our daily bread -our daily dose of Jesus. 

We need Jesus bad.

One day my sweet daughter Olivia explained it to me so perfectly...

She said "Mom, I get it. Some people are happy with just a little bit of Jesus. But we need a lot of Jesus. We are all about Jesus all the time"

Yes my daughter - A TO THE Men. 

We are not super saints. 

We argue. 

We say mean things, then apologize. We bicker. We get frustrated about Isaac's autism we get frustrated with him. We give in to the pain and forget God holds our tears in a bottle. We numb ourselves with TV or eating out or watching basketball or a variety of other leisure activities  (not bad sinful things.... for the record)

But there is no "closing the door" on autism. 

We can't put Isaac in the junk drawer because he is certainly not junk. Isaac is not like a key ring, pen from the dentist, or battery. Isaac is our son and he has many many challenges.  We face 'Not Normal" every day head-on...so we learn to let Jesus take the wheel. 

Why share this Laura?

Well the other day Jesus reminded me that I have a virus inside...

Even if Isaac did not have autism, and even if life went back to "so called" normal and even if life was all fine and dandy like Happy Days or Wonder Years...

 

I would still need to fight for joy EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I would still need to ask God for forgiveness EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I would still need to pray for the lost EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I would still need prayer and the scriptures as my daily bread and water EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I would still need Calvary. 

I would still need to behold the Lamb.

I would still need the hope that only Jesus gives. 

I would still need the promise of Eternal life because this messy life CAN'T be the end of the story.

I would still need to feed on His faithfulness.

I would still need to praise Him in every season because He is above the season.

I would still need Jesus BAD because He is my everything and without Him I can do nothing. 

NOTHING (yes all caps)

The virus inside me is also a longing for heaven/a longing to fit in. 

It's not just the "sin" problem as scholars call it. It's the heaven problem. 

I am in a foreign land. 

Do you ever feel like that?

Like you do not quite fit in anywhere?

You go to church, but you do not quite fit in...

You go to work, but you are not quite like your co-workers. 

Even in marriage (if you are married) your spouse doesn't quite get you like you wish he/she would...

Your best friend does not always understand...

But JESUS.

He gets you.

I mean really really gets you.

Jesus is the Creator. He made you so naturally, He understands you best.

So the longing for heaven maybe not a "virus" per se....but it is a tug...a longing...an ache you can't shake, a longing to fit in  (like Pastor Levi Lusko calls it)

We need to not crave to go back to normal...

That's like the children of Israel craving to go back to Egypt. 

God wants us to live for Him totally dependent and yes America will open up again to a "new normal" but inside...deep inside...you will never be normal until you get to heaven, until you are free from this sinful world and enter into the resurrection with Jesus.

Oh I can't wait!

If we long to go back to normal are we just missing "easy?"

or "easier?"

Maybe...

I have played this fantasy in my head far too many times.

If Isaac didn't have autism life would be easier.

I could go run errands with no problem

I could go on dates with Chuck.

Olivia would have a sibling she could connect with and vice versa.

We could ALL sit together in church together. It would be so grand so wonderful.

But he does have autism, so why dream about it? Why play a painful fantasy in my head?

Well I choose not do participate in this "fantasy land" thinking because it is not reality...

But I do sing along to the MercyMe song I can only imagine...

I imagine being in heaven with Jesus and Isaac singing praises to God.

I imagine Jesus telling me well done...

I imagine singing and singing and bowing and worshipping and splashing in the river of water of life that flows from His throne...

I imagine standing in awe of God's throne and seeing angels for miles and miles and miles.

I imagine saying "what autism? what tears? what pain? as it all melts away into the wonder of His love"

I imagine seeing loved ones who got there first...

I imagine a heavenly city...I try to picture it the best I can with an earthly mind and I just stand eager to meet the one who died for me and died for you.

To me, that's normal...

One day, Jesus will come (or we will pass) and then we will enter into "normal."

Until then, we pray. 

We wait on God and we trust in His timing...

But dare I say it..

Don't crave normal because we all have a virus inside. 

Yes, Jesus died for our sins once and for all...but until we get our new heavenly bodies we will fight the flesh, the world and Satan and it is not a pretty fight. Satan fights dirty.

One day, there will be no more viruses, no more disease, no more death or decay or divorce or disability or frustrations or masks....we will be home. 

We will be normal - the way our Creator always intended us to be....

Sunday Church

Sunday-Church

Isaac is the only person I know who asks all day long on Saturday “Is it Sunday?”

He says 

“Sunday church ?”

“Sunday church ?”

“Sunday church?”

He says it over and over again...  

I tell him “No son, it’s Saturday. Today is Saturday.”

“Then Sunday church he says” 

He knows it’s coming soon...

He is not excited so much about the worship songs or Bible teaching... 

He is excited to see Miss Victoria.

He is excited to color pictures.

He has autism.

(I know many reading this  already know Isaac has autism, but for those do not, I share it again)

So we can easily write it off in a conclusion:

Isaac has autism.

He has special needs. 

He likes coloring.

He isnt really excited about church, he is excited about coloring.

  ..... maybe....

Nonetheless, I have learned something from Isaac’s obsession with Sunday church. 

Isaac is excited for church because he is expecting something good! 

He is expecting something great! 

He looks forward to church with excitement, joy and enthusiasm!

This is greatly convicting to me. 

Am I waking up on Saturday eager, enthusiastic and ready to hear from the Lord?

Or do I go to church as a routine? 

Sometimes I have a heavy heart and I am eager to worship with uplifted hands and surrendered heart. Other times, like during Easter I am excited about celebrating Christ’s resurrection.

I don’t see church as a routine or obligation- but maybe, sometimes I do.

Isaac taught me this today.

If I flashback to the days I was dating my husband, I would eagerly wait for our dates.

We would discuss what we planned to do and enjoy each other’s company.   

It was the highlight of the week “date night”

After 20 years of marriage, dinner discussions are more like this

“Chicken or fish”

“Or left overs?” 

We still date and look forward to alone time, but that’s not the point. We can get too comfortable in relationships and we can get too comfortable with God.

Let’s ask:

Am I eager, enthusiastic, obsessive even over the fact that I GET to attend church?

Our brothers and sisters in China can be arrested for worshiping Jesus corporately...

I am not trying to put a guilt trip on anyone..

I am simply pointing out that with the SAME enthusiasm kids have about opening gifts on Christmas and the same eager relentless anticipation Isaac has about coloring at church, we should have this same enthusiasm about meeting with God on Sundays.

Sundays are not just for a “tune up” to our spiritual motor.

Sundays are a day set aside to focus on God, meditate on God, think on Him, read God’s Word, attend a Bible teaching church, pray, praise, cry, serve together and yes greet your neighbor. 

Church is not a perfunctory have to, it’s an enthusiastic GET TO.

So once again, my sweet almost 12 year old special needs boy taught me something. We should hunger for these precious appointments with God... whether it’s a corporate Sunday meeting or midweek service, or EVERY day Bible reading ... We should celebrate these moments and relish the opportunity to praise, confess, give thanks, lay burdens down and learn of God.  

Wonder or Wander?

Wonder or wander 

One of Isaac’s favorite worship songs is “God of wonders” 

The song writer states: 

“It's beyond our comprehension really – this notion that the Creator, not just of our world, not just of the Milky Way, but of ALL the galaxies in the universe – wants to share an intimate relationship with each of his children. When I call His name in the night my savior will recognize my voice! 'Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart' (Psalm 37:4). 'The Clouds are the dust of His feet' (Nahum 1:3). 'God of Wonders' is a celebration of unfathomable divine truth and love." 

He truly is the God of wonders.

Sometimes God gives us a message so clear so simple... 

God of wonder vs. wander

Wonder or wander?

There is only one letter difference between the two and yet the difference can mean life or death. Peace or strife.

When we wonder at God or wonder at the Cross, we have childlike faith.   

Jesus said, 

“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven”

Matthew 19:14

Notice Jesus wisely says:

“Let the little children come to me”

Not let the grown ups come to me...

Of course Jesus loves adults too... but remember, in the eyes of a loving Father we are ALL His children.     

Children wonder- A LOT.

Look at a child’s face, especially the eyes, while looking up at clouds, or holding a bug or a flower... Children wonder at the stars or the lights at Christmas... Children wonder at the cozy arms of a grandparent.

Children are happy to be alive, and if they are young enough, they don’t often complain...

Adults are different. 

Adults have responsibilities, bills, aches and pains, annoyances, troubles, worries and unforgiveness towards people who may not even be alive anymore... 

The hymn “Come thou fount of Every Blessing” explains it perfectly...

“O to grace how great a debtor

  Daily I’m constrained to be!

Let Thy goodness, like a fetter,

  Bind my wandering heart to Thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,

  Prone to leave the God I love;

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,

  Seal it for Thy courts above.”

So why is it children wonder and grown ups are prone to “wander?”

How can we get back to the place of wonder? 

First, we must acknowledge our tendency to wander... 

 “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

We are prone to wander because we are sinners in need of a Savior. We need to always see the need inside...

We (falsely) think we can handle life on our own...

So just like a child on a boogie board at Huntington beach, he starts at lifeguard 7, and the waves slowly take him shifting further away, almost a mile. Drifting. It happens slowly... but we are all prone to wander so we need to guard against it!

But how?

We need an anchor. An anchor prevents the drift.... The anchor helps us to stay put instead of wandering aimlessly. 

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain.

Hebrews 6:19

Jesus is our anchor.

This is one reason why I love communion services. The bread and the cup remind me of Christ’s sacrifice, it brings me back to center, it brings me back to my lifeguard tower and keeps me from wandering away from the Good Shepherd.     

Remember, all other idols are NOT God. 

Children tend to enjoy living in the moment... living in wonder of it all.  Grown ups tend to look at yesterday or tomorrow and get grumpy about life.

Christ is the same, yesterday today and forever...

If my eyes are not locked with the Savior, I will wander... it is a fact- Exhibit A - David. 

He got his eyes off God and God’s plan and gazed at Bathsheba... 

you know the rest...

(2 Samuel 11:1-5) 

Wondering or wandering is all about the eye, Jesus and contentment... 

What are you looking at? 

Look to Jesus. You will not lose your wonder.  And if you do... you can simply redirect your gaze to Jesus and be home again.  

Guard against a wandering heart. 

Don’t focus on things that don’t matter.

Don’t lust after things or people.  

Be like a child...

Laugh...

Be silly once in awhile... 

Don’t take this life so serious because the God of wonders will come again to take us home...  

Enjoy God and His creation...

enjoy simple pleasures like walking barefoot on grass, put your toes in water, walk and breathe in His goodness, forgive someone for breaking your toy or your heart...  

Look at roses and smell them, look at the beautiful symmetry of a succulent or spider’s web...

Linger in your devotion time... don’t jump up to do your chores... enjoy Jesus and ask  Him to help you never lose the wonder....