Today, my prayers are for the lost. I should have made this day one. They’re the most important. Their time is truly limited. I can’t wrap my mind around not believing. It’s like, #1) are we here by accident? Then how did we get here? Ok, if you don’t believe God put us here because you can’t understand that, so you understand the science that some people believe in? I’d much rather just think we were created by a higher form. And that he created the Heavens and universe too. I can’t begin to wrap my head around the Big Bang Theory. Believing in the Lord is easy. And if you’re one of those people who look for signs, I am certain you can find plenty. Just like there is beauty in everything, there is God in everything. Because he created it. And #2) You have nothing to lose. Nobody should think you’re weird for professing a faith. If they do, they’re not very open minded, and does that really line up with everything else they say they believe in? I don’t think so. Just believe! I promise it’s a better life. It’s like having someone forever on your side, forever and always. Romans 8:31 tells us that!
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Heavenly Father, it hurts my heart to think of all the lost souls out there. People I interact with often. Am I setting the right example? Absolutely not. Help me to do better. Help me remind them they shouldn’t be looking to me, they should always look to you. We are created in your image but we fail constantly. And that’s where Jesus comes in. And there’s power in his name. We only have to call on him for strength. Show them how easy it is to talk to you, to unburden and know you don’t love us any less. It is the purest kind of love, the easiest. You only need to know we reciprocate, and that we’re trying. All you ask is that we believe. And isn’t that a beautiful thing? We thank you for your patience and your love. We thank you for loving us even when we can’t love ourselves. Especially then. May the ones who don’t know seek you. May they open their hearts and reach to you and know that you are The One. May we praise your name above all others! Most of all, may we spread your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

There are no “right words” to get you in the pearly gates. There are “Sinner’s Prayers” but the main thing is your faith behind your words. Here is a nice place to start if you need help finding words:
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Then will I teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will turn back to You.

But you find your words. You tell the Lord how you are coming to Him, once and for all. He calls you, and you hear him, and the time is now.

For this day, I give up expectations. The best they can do is all they’re capable of. And I can accept it and move on, or I can be bitter and question why the rest of my days. I’m not even sure I would want things to work out the way I expect them to anymore. Seems like the less I know, the better off I am. Surprises are good. Most of the time.

I can’t expect to be understood by fellow man. They don’t know my heart. I can’t expect my neighbors to pick up their trash or stop making a million trips in and out. I can’t expect the people at the store to read my mind and not park their buggy in front of the pickles I want. I can’t expect drivers to stay to the right and let me pass. Because none of us are perfect. I just have to practice my yoga breathing and call on the Lord for help. And that’s not as easy as it sounds, because I want to take control. I want to fix it. I want to correct people and I want my way to be the way. And that’s wrong. I have to let go. I have to let people do their own thing. Sure, it affects me, but not to the point where I need to break out in a sweat or cussing fit. Just relinquish and let God sort it. Because that’s what we as Christians are called to do. Let go and let God.

So, in conclusion, I’m just plugging my ears and dancing to my own drummer. It’s hard to give up judgment. But I try. It’s one of my biggest faults.

Love from Appalachia,

Amy xoxo