Dear Ones,
Hope you had an enjoyable weekend. Yesterday we had dinner with a guy who was in our first youth group and heard the story of his faith walk. What a blessing of God’s faithfulness. This morning I went to my exercise class and also  made blueberry Crumble and blueberry muffins that went in the freezer for upcoming guests. 
Devotions from Judy’s heart
Do we want to grow, grow, grow spiritually? We might think it be great if we latched on to a ten-step plan of how to become spiritually mature overnight, but of course that doesn’t exist. We don’t all grow in the same way and at the same rate. I remember when I was growing up, and reading plans of the way we should pray or how we should conduct our quiet time, and I thought I had to do it that exact way; but it doesn’t work the same way for everyone. Some like to pray as they walk and others in their favorite chair in a quiet place etc.  The way we relate to the Lord can also change in the seasons of life. When we lived on the lake, I took long prayer walks alone but now I walk with Al on the Paul Bunyan trail that others use, and my time with the Lord is more hidden in my place of study.  Some keep prayer journals and others do not. Some memorize whole chapters of the Bible and others do only a verse at a time. It is freeing to just let the Holy Spirit direct each of us and the bottom line is that maturity is found in a person and not a plan. 
 As the Lord transforms us into being more like Him, it takes time and our part is not to take charge and figure it all out but to follow how He leads us and obey. In fact, when we keep track of how well we measure up, it is most likely for the wrong reason as we may want to look more spiritual to others, and pride sets in. Our focus is to be on the Lord and he treats us all as individuals and knows us better than we know ourselves. Love has many facets and ways of expressing, and it is not the same from day to day or the same as for others. That makes our relationship with Him, ever new and exciting and satisfying. We never know what each day or moment will hold; but we know that if we don’t seek to control but let Him lead, life in Him is fresh and alive and we grow in our love for Him. He is all that we have been searching for and growth will naturally take place. Let us live today in Him and enjoy the pleasure of His presence.  Then we will put to practice Peter’s words as he  closed his second letter that he wrote to followers of Jesus, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”  (II  Peter 3:18 ESV)
Challenge for today: Take time to enjoy the Lord in a new way today.
Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy