The gift of forgetting.
Only You could provide such mercy.
Such grace.
Such love.
Only You could understand
The kindness of that gift.
Only You could understand the contents
And the package
Holding on
Until that sweet release of “NO MORE.”
Thank You for the many gifts
You save me from,
Release me from,
Protect me from,
Including myself,
Especially myself.
Thank You for renewing my mind…
Daily.
Thank You for hiding You
In my heart.
No matter what comes or goes,
I have given myself to You forever!
I’m Yours!
For you I walk away
From all that interferes
With You trying to comfort me,
And taking away my fears.
For You I lay aside
All that tries to compete.
You alone
Make my heart complete.
For You I reevaluate
All that’s dear to me.
No more questions linger.
I can see clearly.
For You I pen the end with love,
And know You do the same.
My loving God who loves me.
My God who knows my name.
Life pouring out of a hurting soul.
It trickles as it falls.
A Savior’s blood pours forth to save,
His loving voice calls.
“My loved one I see the pain that drains,
And know all too well.
How it felt to suffer and agonize
When on My knees I fell.
I cried out to My Father to remove My burden,
Yet accepted what He gave.
And in return He strengthened Me
To bare it to My grave.
It took that death to restore that life,
And remove the burden within.
Now I have eternal life,
And will never lose it again.
I gave that life to give you yours
Because I love you so.
The Father longs to strengthen you,
And let your burden go.”
7-18-2019 Thursday
Written by Gail Brookshire Inspiration: The burden my Savior suffered making the sacrifice He made
No greater gift can someone give
Than the gift of their time…
Their presence…
To talk…
Or just to be there.
What love You give us…
That You want from us!
Of course the greatest gift
Of life on the cross
Is still the greatest gift ever given
By our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Talk about a gift of time…
Presence…
And just being there.
Your precious love abides. Your Spirit lives inside.
Your presence pleases me. Your comfort eases me.
Your guiding light leads. My obedience heeds.
Your word instructs. My discipline trusts.
Your hymn lifts my voice. I praise by choice.
Your encouragement cheers. Your tenderness endears.
Your mercy secures. Your grace assures.
Your salvation saves. My humility behaves.
Your insight inspires. My rebellion retires.
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? However old I really am. 😉 If I were able to be how old I feel, I would be 21! It’s the closest age to being a child without having to give up my legal rights. But I have no right to my life. It belongs to Christ. I freely gave it to Him because He gave His for me. ❤ I am the age He has given.
Which is worse, failing or never trying? Depends if God is saying “Do” or “Be still and know that I am God”
If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? Paul addressed that very thing in Romans 7. It’s because we are in the flesh until the day we die, therefore evil is present despite the good.
When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? That depends on God’s will for my life… if God says, “Speak of these things” or “Keep Guard over the door of thy mouth”
What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? That ALL would know and love the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich? God’s will… Lord willing, that would be writing.
Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing? I am doing what I believe in… trusting God with my life.
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently? There are things I would like to change, but I trust I am who I am in Christ by leading the life that God designed and allowed specifically for me.
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken? 0% God has always had control and always will!
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things? They should be the same, but if I am doing God’s will, both are covered.
You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do? Say a quick prayer under my breath as I calmly but firmly point out to the three “friends” their behavior and/or comments, asking how they would feel facing such ridicule and humiliation from a friend. Offering support to the friend being unjustly attacked.
If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be? God loves you! He created you. He loves you, and He always will! ❤
Would you break the law to save a loved one? If we are talking about rushing to save someone in a deadly situation, of course I would not worry about traffic laws or such; but if we are talking about doing just anything to save a loved one from something they should not be doing, and helping would be enabling or justifying a wrong behavior… then no! God is the only one who knows what’s best in each situation. Trust and Obey.
Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity? Yes. In my writing. Not by my doing, but by His.
What’s something you know you do differently than most people? I go to God about every single thing in my life, regardless of how trivial it may seem. If God says, “No” when the world says, “Are you crazy? Everyone does.” So be it! If God says, “Yes, absolutely!” when the world says, “Are you crazy? No one does.” I don’t care! If it bores, annoys, or offends that is their problem. It is not my desire to do those things, but I ought to obey God rather than man!
How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy? Well the things that make me happy are God, so anyone who does not care for God will not be happy with Him. Everyone finds happiness in different things.
What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back? Fly! A passport, money, opportunity, fear, anxiety, God’s blessing.
Are you holding onto something you need to let go of? It’s always possible. I trust God to let me know, or have me just let go.
If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Australia! God has placed so many friends in my life that are from Australia, and He uses Lovely A and a few others to keep that hope alive!
Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster? Of course. Slightly. It doesn’t “push” the elevator but it does encourage the sensor that is waiting on a set time before the door closes to detect a need to close. I learned this from some electrical engineering buddies.
Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton? A joyful simpleton so that I could experience God’s abundant joy! ❤
Why are you, you? Because God made me, Me! 🙂
Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? I wish I could say yes, but that would be dishonest to my friends… especially to my best friend Jesus!
Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you? They are equally unfortunate. They are both sad situations.
What are you most grateful for? Jesus dying for me on the cross to reconcile me to my Father ❤
Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones? This is a painful one to answer, as most days I feel like I am struggling with both. They are both cruel. They both rob you of friendship, love, family, support, and anything else. If God allows my choice, I would do neither. It would mean never remembering Him and His great love. 😦
Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first? Yes. To know Christ is to know the way, the truth, and the life. He doesn’t mind us challenging Him or the truth. But it is not necessary.
Has your greatest fear ever come true? No. And according to God’s Holy word, He promises it never will because I gave my life… my soul… to Him.
Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now? I do remember extremely upsetting things from 5 years ago. Of course they matter now. They remind me of what Christ has brought me through.
What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special? swimming. I loved to swim! I loved the feel of the water… the feeling of being wet. I loved feeling my body float… pain free! ❤ I miss it!
At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive? This is another hard one because I don’t have passion for anything other than loving Christ. If it weren’t for that I would struggle to feel life. When improvements in my health gave me the hope that I could run again, swim again, live again. But that was tragically replaced with a cruel reality. Now I find what life I can in being able to walk and live. Dreaming of flying makes me smile. Walking (or flying) with Jesus makes it all worth while.
If not now, then when? I really don’t care about this kind of question. It just exhausts me to even think about. Christ… everything for me is about Christ. Including living!
If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose? Writing and flying are what comes to mind. I’m doing one, and following God for when He will allow the other.
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever? Yes. It’s a good feeling. It happens all the time with Christ! 😉 ❤
Why do religions that support love cause so many wars? Because they have to defend against those who hate.
Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Yes! Absolutely! By reading God’s word, praying, and trusting God.
If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job? It would depend on if I liked the job I was doing, or if it was what God called me to do. He could either be supplying money to change jobs, or support the one I have.
Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing? I would rather have what God wants to give me, where He wants to give it.
Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before? Sometimes
When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in? When God called me to leave my church, even though I loved them so much.
If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today? As many unsaved souls that God knew I could reach for Him!
Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? No
What is the difference between being alive and truly living? Being alive is just physically being here, pretty much like a 100% brain dead bedridden patient. Truly living is living life abundantly… with joy… doing!
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right? When God has made it clear it is His will.
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake? Because we have learned the cost it takes to endure a mistake… the energy. We fear we may not survive the next one.
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you? live… sing… fly… live… abundantly!
When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing? As I was typing this. I noticed I am becoming… have been exhausted, and wonder if I will make it through this before falling asleep.
What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love? I love Christ! Yes! Not only does my username say so, but I try to tell everyone in any way I can. If all else fails, I have at least declared my love for Him! ❤
In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that? Lord willing. Only He knows. Only He can! Allow!
Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you? I am absolutely letting Christ make them for me! It doesn’t mean I lay down and do nothing. Quite the contrary. I am actively seeking to do what He expects of me each day! I have decided to follow Christ, and that makes me accountable! Faith without works is dead! A testimony testifies for or against the one who openly proclaims.
Lord, the way this was formatted did not allow for me to write this as a letter to You, but You understand the format of my heart. I pray these answers glorify You. They are as true as I understand them to be. I pray they do whatever You have intended for Lovely A’s “Ask Yourself“, as she asked me to answer these. I hand them over to You! In the Lovely name of Christ Jesus, Amen! ❤
Thanksgiving is over, Lord. May my “giving thanks” for You and all that You do for me and are to me continue… all year long… all life long!
I love You, Father!
I love You, Jesus!
I love You, Holy Spirit!
I love You, Trinity!
He’s gentle and kind,
loving and understanding.
He’s never too scornful,
nor too demanding.
He understands the pain
I feel when I’m hurt.
He knows that I’m human
and am made from dirt.
He knows I’m a sinner
and do the evil things,
but He knows I’m a believer
in all that He brings.
——
He doesn’t expect miracles
when I’m down on myself.
He doesn’t disown me
when I know I need help.
He doesn’t defriend me
when I abuse His love for me.
He doesn’t try to push me
when I’m too scared to see.
Instead, He is there
to show me He cares
and that my heartache and pain
are my feelings He shares.
—–
He gives me His word
and provides it with blood
to say that it’s as worthy
as it was of the flood.
He hears me in prayer
and accepts my apology,
doesn’t betray me
or says He forgot me,
takes my hand and
leads me to light,
holds me and comforts me
to help me through the night.
—–
And when I am scared
or feeling alone,
He doesn’t abandon me
to face it on my own.
Instead, He is there
to say, “I’m here,”
to comfort my soul
and dry my tear.
He won’t be ashamed
or laugh at my fear.
He’ll erase all the clouds
and make everything clear.
He won’t be angered
to see me in doubt.
He won’t deny me
or throw me out.
Instead, He’ll always love me
and lead me by the hand
because He’s waiting to take me home
and tell me why He understands.
3-26-91 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)
God is still there.
He’s still in my heart.
I thought we were separated,
but we were never apart.
He wouldn’t walk away
or say, “I give up.”
Instead, He embraced me
and gave me His love.
Why did I feel that He
had closed His eyes to me,
when all He ever wanted
was to help me to see
that I am His child
and always in His hands?
When I’m feeling so lost,
He always understands.
Why do I fall for it,
the trick of the evil lie
that God will throw us away
if we don’t even try?
For this is the time
that He promised to forgive.
He’s not going to take away
the love He wants to live.
3-25-91 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)
Lord, You amaze me! You delight me! You answer me… personally! Just the other day I wrote to You about being Absentminded. I was so discouraged over not being able to keep my focus on You continuously. Yet this morning I awakened to a devotional that was absolutely from You to me… word for word… and You helped me to pay attention!
11.1.17 Wednesday devotional
“DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED by the difficulty of keeping your focus on Me. I know that your heart’s desire is to be aware of My Presence continually. This is a lofty goal; you aim toward it but never fully achieve it in this life. Don’t let feelings of failure weigh you down. Instead, try to see yourself as I see you. First of all, I am delighted by your deep desire to walk closely with Me through your life. I am pleased each time you initiate communication with Me. In addition, I notice the progress you have made since you first resolved to live in My Presence.
When you realize that your mind has wandered away from Me, don’t be alarmed or surprised. You live in a world that has been rigged to distract you. Each time you plow your way through the massive distractions to communicate with Me, you achieve a victory. Rejoice in these tiny triumphs, and they will increasingly light up your days.
– Jesus Is Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sara Young, November 1
The verses that went with the devotional were these:
“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34 KJV
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 14-16 KJV
Word for word, Lord! You heard every word and replied from Your heart! “Don’t be discouraged in this life. See yourself as I see you. I am delighted by your deepest desire. I am pleased each time you initiate. I notice the progress you have made. Don’t be alarmed or surprised. You achieve a victory. Rejoice in these tiny triumphs. Light up! (I highlighted the words You emphasized for me.)
Even the scriptures are to remind me… who am I to charge God’s elect (myself) when You have justified me? Who am I to condemn myself when it is Christ who hath died for me, rather risen for me, and sits at Your right hand praying for me? Seeing I have a great High Priest (Your Son Jesus) that is passed into the heavens, I am to hold onto my profession (my resolve) to live in Your presence because I have a High Priest who has been personally touched by His own dread of the future, who was discouraged by the lack of His own friends being there when He needed them most, and who asked His own Father (You, Oh Lord) to take away the unpleasant challenge He was facing but willing to trust You with even the unpleasant, and even struggled in the human flesh He had taken on in remembering that His Father had NOT forsaken Him, regardless of what the human mind thinks when in agony.
After reading, listening, and hearing You, these hymns are placed on my heart today.
In The Garden lyrics by C. Austin Miles And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own; And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.
I Must Tell Jesus lyrics by Elisha A. Hoffman I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burdens alone; I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.
Victory In Jesus lyrics by Eugene M. Bartlett, 1939 O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.
I’m to follow the example of my Savior Jesus Christ by coming In The Garden alone to spend time with you. I am to come boldly before the throne of grace no matter what is going on with me because I Must Tell Jesus. He has been there and done that. He has experienced the fear, the distractions of the world, the dread of things, along with a desire to change things but willing to trust You with exactly the way things are, and the panic of a mind to feel like You have forsaken us while in reality You are right by our side.
When I cry to You that I cannot see You, hear You, feel You, and am so certain You must not be with me, You so loving remind me that when I gave my heart and soul to Jesus, I became Yours forever. You let me know that what I feel deceives me, what I think deceives me. I am a child of the King! When I come to You no matter my lot, that is a victory. I am to rejoice even in the tiny triumphs as You give me victory after victory because through the blood I have Victory in Jesus… every day of my life! In every moment of my life! This victory lights my way and lights my spirit. And while I may not be able to fully achieve a lofty goal of never failing you “in this life,” praise Your Holy name I WILL finally achieve that goal and worship You every day of my eternal life! ❤
Give to God what is His.
He made it a loan to you.
He wants to see our faithfulness,
our cheerfulness too.
Honor God in praise
as He so deserves.
He has no pleasure
in being reserved.
Honor one another
as He has us.
Patience, mercy, forgiveness
are just.
Give to God what is His
without His needing to ask.
His pleasures are forever.
His love will always last.
11-4-11 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)
“His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether LOVELY. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” – Song of Solomon 5:16 KJV
How absolutely LOVELY You are, Dear Lord, My Jesus, LOVELY of LOVELIES! You have given me so many LOVELY BLESSINGS! Starting with my LOVELY Australian sisterAnita of Discovering Your Happiness! LOVELY Anita. LOVELY A. Miss LOVELY! She is always so thoughtful of others, taking such care and time to research and share. And she always makes sure to tell everyone,
“Wherever you are in the world, have a LOVELY day! ❤ “Now You have had her touch my heart by nominating me with the One LOVELY Blog Award, as well as allowing me to read her LOVELY answers in her acceptance post. As soon as I see the word, how could I not think of Miss LOVELY A and LOVELY Australia! How could I not think of the LOVLIEST of all that is LOVELY… YOU! ❤
I know LOVELY A would not be the least bit offended! She loves you too! She too knows that You make the LOVELY in her possible, and the LOVE in Gail Loves God. So this post will be a bit long while I Love on You! You have opened the treasure box of my heart, and Your Love is pouring all over the place. May it flow wherever You want it, and touch whom You will touch. Thank You for being Love! And for sharing it with me through Lovely Anita!
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 KJV
The Rules: Thank the person who nominated you and link their blog Add the One Lovely Blog Award to your post Share 7 things about yourself Pass this on to as many people as you like Include this set of rules Inform your nominees
My 7 Things About Myself are my current favorite songs.
1. As You know I have been struggling at times with my anxiety, sometimes my depression, and quite often the frustration of physical challenges. This song Even If by MercyMe has ministered to me day & night since You introduced me through a friend.
2. The first song ended with a reference to the hymn It Is Well With My Soul. Everyone should hear a hymn every once in a while… sung to the tune the Lord gave it… and with a choir/congregation. At least once… sing the whole song! This motivates my soul! It Is Well With My Soul by Sovereign Grace Music.
3. Ohhh. *Gasp, and silently waiting for a breath to return!* Dear Lord. How do I find words for what You allow this song to do for my soul? If You had not come! Where would I be? ❤ Love Came For Me by Northland Church. Thank You for coming for me! ❤
4. Joy! LOVELY Lord! This song absolutely lifts me, motivates me, and makes it feel impossible to quit smiling and clapping, tapping my feet. Joy, Lord! Unashamed Joy! Oh the joy of a choir/congregation! And this one! I Love the leading voice! You hear and feel the pure joy! Leaning On The Everlasting Arms by The Church of God.
5. How could I not hear the word LOVELY and not think of Here I Am to Worship by Worship? It sings the very words “You’re altogether LOVELY, altogether worthy, altogether wonderful to me.” ❤
6. Oh by the way, Lord. When it comes to Your precious Son Jesus Christ, did I mention that I Love Him? How I worship and adore Him? When I can’t see no way, He makes a way. And did I mention He’s been faithful to every promise He’s ever made me. I Love Him. That’s all I want to say. I praise you for Did I Mention by The Rochesters!
7. Lastly is my all time favorite video. I wish I could fly along with the camera… and You! I like to pretend I can. It’s such a beautiful collection of scenery… Your creative artwork comforts my soul! How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin.
May each one of you LOVELY nominees be blessed in the Lord, as your LOVELY blog obviously is. Please do not feel obligated, nor rushed to participate. I just want others to know how LOVELY you and your blog are. ❤
May each one who reads this post be blessed in “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 5:19-20 KJV 🙂
Love and blood
are so easily mixed.
Sin and betrayal
are quickly fixed.
Though we fight
to have our way,
God prevails
and saves the day.
Family, friends,
enemies and foes
can be a blessing
or bring endless woes,
but God is greater
with His mercy and grace.
By saving power
all falls into place.
Blood and love
are precious to all.
Thank God the cross
saved us from the fall.
10-19-11 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)
You’re leading. I’m following,
or at least I’m trying.
You’re speaking. I’m listening,
or at least sighing.
Your pathways can be many,
yet one at a time.
Your lamp is shining.
Help me follow the light.
You’re teaching. I’m learning,
or trying to be discerning.
You’re guiding. I’m trailing
while trying to avoid failing.
Stay close by with guard rails.
Your perfect love never fails.
Hand in hand with You,
I know we’ll make it through.
10-6-11 Written by Gail Brookshire
(by the grace of God)
Now You have had her touch my heart by nominating me with the 
gaillovesgod 