I have been sick for some time now… I just cannot seem to get well. There is something about feeling weak and vulnerable, that sparks the temptation to retreat, give in, crawl into a hole; to ignore the world. I have been there; I am there now; today. I am truly feeling blue.

God is so good, to remind me of others, when all I want to do it have a pity party for myself. He refuses to throw confetti, blow balloons, or toot a horn. He refuses to let me blow out my candles, every time!

Today, He reminded me of my many new friends. The ladies I have been privileged to meet since my entrance into the infamous world of blogging.

My lovely friend Teresa, who battles being in pain all the time, due to her illness with Dysautomia.

Tricia, who desperately wants a child of her own; but is choosing to accept God’s plan, at this moment in time.

I think of people who are struggling with cancer… choosing to live with hope, when their body is telling them otherwise; when each new, clump of hair, drops to the floor.

What about the very real emotion of losing a child? That is certainly a very real, emotional battle for so many like Angie, Danielle, Lauren, Franchesca; the list goes on!

What about those who are haunted by their abusive childhood, like my precious new friend, Lindsey?

Sarah, who battles everyday to enjoy the beauty of restoration, without listening to the lies of the devil, or herself… about past affairs; for there is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

As I look up at the picture that was taken through my camera lens, just yesterday; something keeps me coming back to it; I’m drawn in.

That big, dirty tractor wheel. It makes its marks along the way.

Sometimes we look at each mark, each wound we are facing, instead of choosing to look ahead with hope. For if we would just look up, we would see the beautiful picture that God is creating, as He is writing the story of our life.

Each story is different; not a one is the same!

Choose to look up, look ahead of your pain, your past failures, your deep sadness; for God has painted you an unspeakable, marvelous painting ahead; if you will just look up.

Does God refuse to let YOU blow out your candles? It is a good thing!