What Matters Most in Life?

Routine Praise

The routine of a retired soul is vastly improved from a tired soul. Laughable it is to think of my retired reality.  Rise and shine around 7:30 am, which used to be the time of my arrival at the City gate.  Not wanting to forget my multiple blessings,  my heart is chocked full of LIFE at its best! Married to Michael Hoyle a man of God who gives me unlimited grace.

Daily I do what is necessary to maintain my HAPPY: At 7:30 AM I saunter into the kitchen which is filled with streams of light pouring through the overhead skylight. Time alone with my daily devotional of Jesus Calling, I respond by etching down my graditude to the One I am devoted to. A blast of Extra Sharp tonic gives my face the opportunity to scrench, followed by a challenge for my brain cells to suggest to my body, it is time for a stroll to the malecon.  Ahhh, how I love to hear the symphony of birds and all the delightful dog walkers parading their pups.  Unlike my workdays of 2013, which began with another day of mayhem~ today I am greeted by a wildly entertaining eclectic group of expat citizens co-mingling with the locals. At work in the States,  by nine in the morning I had the JOY of attentively listening to a minimum of 30 recorded complaints as well as enjoy a bakers dozen of face to face encounters with people from every nation ranting in colorful tones and tongues.

Directing the lost, I greeted the disturbed at the window of neighborhood services, opened at best 200 pieces of snail mail, and responded to a dozen emails before lunch. Nursing incoming calls with compassionate transfers, I then traversed the steamy sidewalks to deliver legal liens to the County office. 15 or more ASK STOCKTON requests arrive by lunch, all requiring grace and mercy to subdue the angry, whilst de-escalating impending arguments. Into my sixth month of retirement, and I am yet adjusting to my freedom from complaints and angry citizens.   Blogging is what I do to jot down my journey with photo’s that accentuate my awesome reality.  I enjoy the TRUTH that I live wonderfully equipped to see beyond the limits of the visible.   My new Casa is framed with great memories with family and friends, however, I miss my husband and cannot wait for him to join me.  The divine space to which God assigned me, is to be alone temporarily and streamline my gratitude in these words.  He is amused to watch how I respond to His amazing ways of answering my unspoken prayers.

God gives us all ample opportunity to work out our faith in Him.  A recent visit by a new neighbor got me to name the blessing of having a GREAT helpmate. Previously I posted transparently in 2013.....Dear God, how can I possibly be of any use as I am? My ever faithful and surprising husband Michael, the man who loves me beyond reason, reminds me that he wants the best for me, he wants to hear my laughter, he wants to read what God has to say through me. Today I delight to jot down a whimsical exchange between myself and my Lord.  A double portion, a double blessing, even better than a double dipped chocolate cone. A double good answer to our silent but obviously known individual soul prayers!  Mike sought a wife he could support and adore,  and I sought God's will.  We both emerged and twitter "I will praise God’s name in a blog and glorify him with thanksgiving". Psalm 69:30 

Wisdom Clamors

What to do, which way to go, what do I say???? Wisdom clamors, rattles, and convicts us of the right way.... "WISDOM CALLS ALOUD in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares, at the head of noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech." This woman is brave to raise her voice in public squares.  Courageously she cries out above the noise on busy streets. Valiantly she makes a wise speech to all who enter her circle.  She warns the simple minded to NOT ignore God's advice,

but to wisely yield  and respond with genuine regret for any form of slander, lies, gossip, malice, deceit,  or mockery. For those who reject wisdom, for those who hate knowledge, for those who spurn correction....He will laugh at one's choice to be ignorant, a fool, as your disasters, your calamities will certainly be of your own dumb choices.  But IF one turns an ear to Wisdoms call and accepts its commands, IF one calls out for God's insight, and crys ALOUD for understanding, and IF one seeks wisdom as though it were hidden treasure, only then one will understand the healthy and wise fear of the Lord.

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones." Proverbs 2:6-9 ---- Does one wisely seek to please himself, his family, or God?  The purpose of God in sharing His wisdom, is to bless us, not harm us. Our Father lavished His love on us and in us.  He chose us to NOT impede His plan, but to equip us and use us to fulfill His plan by loving the unloved, by taking care of the orphans and to ENJOY the relationships He places in our path.  Chapter 31 of the book of Proverbs is a summary application of chapters 1-30.  It is a portrait of what a female or male would look like IF they applied all wisdom in their relationships at home or in the marketplace. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

Proverbs 31:29-31 "Give her the REWARD she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at t h e City gate."  Many people have risen to power, authority, position, and fame without ever acknowledging their Creator for their genius.  The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the Ruler with all authority over heaven, earth and all creation is given all glory, honor and praise when noble things are accomplished by His power, plan, wisdom and ways. For the one who does noble, courageous, valiant things for the audience of One, yet for the benefit of many, this one person surpasses all other idolized members of today's society. "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20  "She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25  Despite the politics, the economics, the wars of the day...a wise woman or man has confident knowledge of their eternity and therefore they can laugh while the world moans about it's state of affairs. Attain wisdom, discipline, understanding, insight and acquire the GOOD life. Do what is right, just and fair. Speak words of encouragement. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7. Wear wisdom as a garland of GRACE around your mind.