If Only

by Julie Brooks
(originally written August 27, 2010)

In the stillness of the morning air,

You, Lord, wait to see if I will meet you there.

Words of wisdom are available to me, 

If only I will stop and meet You there.

Comfort and mercy can always be found,
If only I will be still and meet You there.

Your Peace and Grace abound,
If only I will seek you now.

Troubles and trials can be turned around, 

If only I will submit and praise you somehow.

Father, bestow upon me strength and perserverance, 

To seek your still small voice where it can be found.

If only I will become quiet and bend to my knees,

I know You, Lord, will meet me there.

All praise to You, Jehova-Shammah, for I know You are already there!

Come and See

by Julie Brooks

"Noel" by Lauren Daigle!

This song...my heart becomes flush and tears flow each time I hear it. (I play it a lot...)

I hear Lauren begging us all not to miss the greatest thing that God has done! She is so passionate with this message. When I think of all the people that don't get the true gift of Christmas, JESUS, more tears flow.

My mind just as easily turns to the millions struggling with mental illness, addiction, and those that will inevitably commit suicide because they see no way to stop the pain in this existence.

As if by loud speaker, the lyrics of Lauren's song roar forth, "Noel! Noel! Come and see the miracles that God has done;" He created us and all that is around us.

Much like Mary and Joseph experienced when no one offered them shelter, warmth or care...but why, God created EVERYONE, each and every one an unrepeatable MIRACLE!

I  don't understand how anyone can look up, see the wonderment of the stars at night and not believe in God. That's what Carson would say when he experienced such wonderment in the seemingly unending night sky at his Uncle & Aunt's ranch!

Stop and think just how often we fail to acknowledge the Miraculous God that got us here!

And, how many times do we choose to walk by somebody who is God's Miracle, an unrepeatable miracle, created in His image, but struggles with a mental illness?

Noel! Come. Please come & see what the Lord has done...and what He wants to do thru you. 🙏

Carson's Gift

by Julie Brooks

We are slowly putting things back up on the walls. Sam (Nicole's husband) did such an incredible job with custom wood work and new paint in our Study.

Some things you just know you will always have hanging in your house; like this door Todd repainted gray yesterday.

Carson, like all my kids and Todd know how much I love doors and windows.

It was the love Carson had for me, that he was so determined to get this full sized screen door (that was in someone's trash) in his little car. If you look closely, you will see the door has been sawed right down the middle. 

Carson was a determined soul. He wasn't going to let having a small car stand in the way of bringing such a treasure home to his Mom!

The door is not finished. I have plans to hang some things inside of it.

But, this morning was a great morning...with the rain; to look at the door...and let my eyes rain down my face.

Tears...I believe God gives us...to release our pain.

I miss my boy. 

This holiday season has been harder than in past years.

Happy Heavenly Birthday!

by Julie Brooks (originally from 10/23/21 Instagram Post)

                        It is so hard to believe

this sweet little Miracle named Carson

would be turning thirty today.

This week has been filled with memories from his birth, his growing up and so many other details

from the short years God leant him to us.

Suicide changes everything...

We love and miss you dearly, Carson! 💗

Heavenly Scent Clean

by Julie Brooks (April 14, 2017 Facebook Post)

These Easter egg soaps are almost finished. Just a little wrapping and bow tying.

Once again, I give GOD all the credit! 

I'll ask the Lord if anyone needs soap, HE can send them my way!  HE is ALWAYS  FAITHFUL to bring someone who needs gifts that are ready to give.

God is not a minute too soon or a minute too late. HE IS ALWAYS ON TIME!

It is amazing how HE has used my soap to brighten a stranger's smile.

HE says grab a bar of soap on your run to Walmart. Someone you see or meet needs to be pampered. Oh, the God stories that I could tell you in the 17 years I have made His soaps. How HIS hands have personally orchestrated the giving of HIS soaps!

On the back of the Heavenly Scent SoapSuds business card, Todd and I worked on a message of salvation, that the "dirt of the day" can be cleaned away with our Heavenly Scent soaps. But, we believe the message the Lord delivers instead can ultimately change the heart of the reader, a message meant for those with ears to hear that declares the Lord offers the Way to wash away all the sins of the world and become destined for an everlasting eternity with Him. 

We used to say that when we get to Heaven, we will meet others that had received some of my soaps; planted seeds, with the message of salvation.

Carson was always so proud of my soap-making and loved to give it away to others.

God wants to use every little detail in our life to let others know Him, unlike the enemy, who wants us to just think that we are imagining the Holy Spirit using us in unique ways! I will punctuate that with a Hallelujah. ,💘💝

They Weren't Just Brothers

by Julie Brooks

(The original date of this Facebook post was 10/20/2017.)

This is one of my favorite pictures of Carson and Pierce.

They weren't just brothers. They shared the the same mental illnesses...bipolar and OCD. 

They could relate to one another in a way that no one else in the family could understand; it was that kind of bond. Carson was diagnosed in 9th grade, and Pierce was diagnosed in 5th grade. Carson felt protective of Pierce in certain situations. 

They went through two psychiatrists together. When we began visits to the second psychiatrist, whose office was on the 2nd floor, Carson would always wait for me at the bottom of the stairs until I was ready to go up. His fear that something would happen to me or our family was very real to him. I was the person he told everything to. He always wanted to tell me if he had done anything wrong. 

The medicines prescribed by these psychiatrists unfortunately never stabilized Carson's bipolar illness. He always told us that he would never take his life because he knew how much pain it would cause the family. But, it was his pain that he could not get away from.

Some may think suicide is a selfish act, when a loved one takes their own life. So not true. We merely observe their suffering. They experience overwhelming and real mental anguish, great enough that their suicidal ideation turns into an irrational but final decision; the only way to stop their chronic suffering.

After Carson took his life, the Lord made a way for Pierce to begin seeing a third psychiatrist. And with this change, Pierce's bipolar & OCD are for the most part stable. Praise God!

Those who suffer from bipolar have different triggers that cause different levels of mood swings. Even the time change (Daylight Savings) is very difficult. Difficulty sleeping is something normally associated with bipolar, and can be very difficult to regulate. Those with bipolar are rarely able to enter the REM part of the sleep cycle. Medication is usually necessary for just this condition alone.

Pierce entered his 6th grade school year one month after Carson took his life. Our middle school did everything they could to make provisions for Pierce to come back to public school. I felt that I would never agree to homeschooling, that the LISD was the best for our children. But, the grieving and stress made Pierce's bipolar worse. It was very hard in the beginning, but I can honestly say I had the pleasure of homeschooling Pierce. It was a pleasure, and I have said it many times, it's because of the kids (especially with a mental illness) and the adults that had already braved the homeschooling way before me. They are my heroes. Their understanding is how I made it through each day. 

One beautiful gift we still have of Carson's is a Thank You note he wrote to Pierce. It said, "Pierce, you are an amazing lil bro, you are my fuel to do better and I am very proud of you. Keep up the good work and keep with God." Carson wanted to be better. It was so sad to see him suffer. 

#mentalhealtheducationisthekey #suicideawareness #hope4mh #hoperising #mentalillness

#lovethispictureofmyboys!

He'd Be Married Now

by Julie Brooks

(10/18/2019 Facebook Post)

I am continuing to share stories about Carson, leading up to his birthday 10-23-91. He would be turning 28 years old.

One of the difficult realities about loosing a child or loved one (especially to suicide) is you wonder during each future year...would he be married...children by now? I am pretty sure Carson would have reached both of those milestones.

Carson loved family, and he was always so proud to tell people that Todd and I had been married for for so long. 

Carson, his siblings and cousins loved visiting their MawMaw & Pawpaw in Temple, where Todd and I grew up. Everyone would play cards, board games or even a game of croquet.

My Mom would make big breakfasts; pancakes, waffles, French toast and other treats (they didn't get at home). Mom would always warn, especially Carson, that he was going to choke on the amount of powdered sugar he put on his waffles.

Carson enjoyed those times, but the return home was always returned him to the reality of the life he lived inside his unstable bipolar mind. There were few people he trusted, to really let into that painful part of his life. I am thankful Carson would come wake me, at any hour of the night, if he needed to talk. It was heartbreaking at times to feel his emotional pain, and to know that the people he thought would be there for him were not.

Perhaps the most important thing Carson taught me was to listen and trust, to always ask God to show me others the way He sees them...as unrepeatable Miracles. God sees them as He created them, with a purpose. Through God's guidance, it is up to us to help them discover their purpose. 

I miss you Carson. Sometimes tears are the only way I can express how much I miss your presence! 💘

The LORD has called me to listen and minister to those that others can't or won't reach out to! I am dangerously surrendered to the LORD...SEND ME! ❤

Dad is Singing to the Baby

by Julie Brooks

As the official day to celebrate Fathers' Day comes to an end, I wanted to share a picture that is hanging in my closet. My closet is an art museum full of all 5 kids' artwork. (ran out of space on the refrigerator)

This piece of artwork is priceless, because the artist is no longer living.

Carson Brooks drew this picture when he was 7 years old, and Pierce, our 5th child (who will be 21 years old this month) was due in a couple of weeks at that time.

I loved how Carson drew Todd singing to the baby!

Oh, the memories I am thankful for; even though they are gut-wrenching with the pain of Carson's absence. 

I will let the prayers roll out of the corner of my eyes to release the pain that will always be with me.

Lord, I know you have called me to minister to those struggling with mental illness, and to help their families understand how they can learn about their loved one's illness. Todd and I will continue to facilitate #GraceAlliance Family and Living Grace groups.

Every time a child takes their life, Lord, my heart breaks. I pray others will want to get involved; whatever they can do.

#evenasmilecanchangeapersonsday #keyministry #mentalhealthgracealliance

In the Palm of My Hand

by Julie Brooks


These are the small scripture cards I made and carried in the palm of my hand, to remind me that God was near when Carson was having a hard time with his illness.

I also carried them even after he took His life.

"God's Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light into my path." Psalm 119:105

HeartBroken

by Angela Miller

(Quick note by Todd, Carson's Dad: It will be 9 years this July since I last saw my son, Carson. I am compelled to share Angela's blog, a Mom who shares a most personal and undeniable truth. Angela's message has been Julie's message, that "heartbreak" is real. Thank you, Angela, for such deeply affirming words.)

Fact: “Broken heart syndrome,” also called stress-induced cardiomyopathy, is real. You absolutely can die from a broken heart. Child loss really is that painful. It is the most painful, horrific trauma a human could ever possibly endure.

Ask any bereaved parent, he or she will tell you. Each and every grieving parent is probably nodding in agreement right now. We are not shocked by this. We know how true it is, because we live with the horrific pain every second of every day. We know the unimaginable pain and suffering a grieving parent endures for a lifetime.

There is no word strong enough to describe the lifelong pain of outliving your child. Children are not supposed to die before their parents. It is an out-of-order death. It feels wrong on every level. There truly are no words for the depth of pain a parent endures from child loss. The pain is so great, it really can kill you. And if it doesn’t kill you, you live with a broken heart for the rest of your life.

There is no cure for the pain and heartache of child loss. It breaks a parent’s heart. Literally. This is why child loss is a loss unlike any other kind of loss. A parent never “gets over” the loss of their child. Their grief lasts forever because their love for their child lasts forever. And the empty space their child leaves behind can never, ever be filled.

Living without our child for the rest of our lives is a kind of suffering we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy. The pain of child loss never really ends— as long as we live and breathe, we will love and miss and ache for our child.

The heartbreak never ends. Compassionate support and unconditional love are literally life-saving to a bereaved parent.


May every bereaved parent find this kind of love and support.

ANGELA MILLER is an internationally known ​writer and speaker. She is the #1 bestselling author of You Are the Mother of All Mothers and ​founder of the award-winning online community ABedForMyHeart.com​. ​Angela’s article 7 Things I’ve Learned Since the Loss of My Child has been shared over 1 million times. Her work has been widely featured in Forbes, People Magazine, Psychology Today, CBS News, Yahoo News, The Huffington Post, MPR, BlogTalk Radio, The Gottman Institute, Listen to Your Mother, and more​. Angela’s writing has comforted millions of hurting hearts around the world.

I Still Miss the Sound of Your Voice

by Todd Brooks

Be it not for the grace of Jesus Christ, I would be undone. 

Each day,
grief wakes with me,
walks with me,
clouds my vision...
steals pieces of joy. 

But,
grief will not win in the end, for my God is
greater than my grief
and sorrow
and fear
and uncertainty
and depression
and weakness
and suffering.

For,
He can walk on water,
He can raise the dead,
He can hold all things in even one hand
and most amazing of all,
He chased after me,
the one that ran away,
leaving behind the ninety-nine;
never failing to continue His love pursuit...
until catching me before I fell.

Though grief may continue to daily flow under me, so will the presence of his Majesty, the One who saved me, and He will continue to intercede and prevail against all evil on my behalf. For victory is His, and He is mine.

Thanks to the Son, I will see my son again. Amen.

A.S.A.P.

by Julie Brooks

I have always loved to pray!

I taught our kids to pray about doctor appointments, stomach aches, headaches, upcoming tests at school, something they had lost and couldn't find...anything...everything.

Prayer is a part of my day...God's Miracle Minutes! 💓

I feel that praying is such a privilege, which is why I feel honored to pray over each seat in our large worship center at Fellowship Church Grapevine every Sunday before the service. I walk up and down each row of seats, with my hands touching the back of every chair, to the left of me, my other hand on the seat to the right, praying twice over each seat. 

Of course, there is no magic in prayer, but God is with me as I pray...and there long after I pray.

God definitely brings things to my mind as I pray. For the 1 in 5 who will attend church that day, struggling with some form of mental illness, I pray for them, that they will not have a panic attack during the service, that if it were to happen, that God would provide someone who understands and would help them in that crisis.

I pray those with mental illness that attend will feel included in the service. For some suffering with anxiety, it might take several hours to build up enough courage to come into our church, because it is such a new experience.

I pray for those who attend that are not Christians, that God would speak directly to their hearts. I pray for those who are ill, those who are experiencing grief during this holiday season and beyond; I understand so well...missing our boy Carson. As we celebrate this Christmas season, songs about Mary and baby Jesus; they always bring tears.
I also pray for Martha, who used to come to church a year ago, who was in a wheelchair, not because of mental illness, but suffering still. She always had afghans covering her legs, and as I would take her hand, she would always say something of interest. Even one year later, I still pray for her and that she is doing well. 
 
Then there is sweet Luz, who is in a wheelchair because of paralysis. I pray for Luz every week.

I look forward to getting to church early to pray. It is such a blessing to know people will sit in the seats that God has allowed me the privilege to pray over!

Prayer changes EVERYTHING! I will punctuate that with a Hallelujah!!
 

I Talk About Mental Illness Too Much

by Julie Brooks

There isn't a day that goes by that God continues to confirm my calling to the untouched mission field of mental illness.

It is a very lonely calling, but I know there is HOPE, where God is opening doors for hurting people. 

Some say I talk about mental illness too much...but I don't think that could ever be the case. 

Will silence ever make others aware of the red flags children and other youth are already exhibiting? Will we continue to overlook their symptoms of distress? What symptoms you ask? Exactly.

Educating others about mental illness and suicide awareness is a must, so that others can begin to perceive and react to what they cannot now see. We are missing so much by not including those with mental Illness. What mental illness you ask? Exactly.

I find that few really want to believe that I receive a phone call almost every week, letting me know of an attempted suicide, or worse, that someone was successful in taking their own life. 

One call was from someone I'd never met. One referred to me by a friend. One who learned her close friend had just taken her own life. Her close friend left 2 children behind.

It seems that suicide has become so common that many have become numb to the shock, the pain, the loss; it's not my problem...don't really think twice about it.

I get it. If you have not lost a child, you cannot fathom the lifelong grieving, the life change beset a parent that has experienced such. 

But, this Mom's life has been changed forever! I cannot go back to who I use to be, because a part of me is missing!! Carson Brooks. I will not be silent. I will continue to run this race set before me.

"He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Is the Lord calling you to join me?

It is Painfully Obvious

by Julie Brooks

These are the hardest days; the week before an anniversary, holiday, birthday or any special date we would celebrate with Carson. It is painfully obvious Carson isn't with us, but is in Heaven (which we rejoice that he is with our Lord).

This July 12th will be 8 years since our boy took his own life. No matter how long it has been, it will always be painful, sometimes more than other times.

I still hold on to Crying as a gift from God, to release the build-up of pain.

I not only miss Carson but continue on my path to help those who suffer with mental illness, and those who have lost someone to suicide...their lives changed forever!

I feel that I am a Warriorett in GOD'S MENTAL HEALTH ARMY...trying to get others to realize that their lives and loved ones could some day be touched by mental illness, or worse, the suicide of a loved one. Sometimes, I feel like Noah must have felt when he was building the ark ... God called him, but no one would take him seriously.

Statistics conclude that suicide has become an epidemic, especially among young people; as young as 10 years old!

I know intimately what it is to lose such a precious gift from God.  

I send this message to any that will listen; that each one of us can have a part in helping to reverse this horrific epidemic. 

I pray that you will take the time to learn what mental illness looks like.

My sorrow will not be in vain. I will use it to educate others and help those who need resources! The need is great. The workers are few. 

If you feel God is calling you to help, and you have no idea of where to start, I would love to hear from you!

miracleminutes@gmail.com
#mentalhealthawareness
#mentalhealth 
#hope4mh 
#suicideawaareness
www.notadaypromised.com

Even the Signs Cry Out

by Julie Brooks

Today, as I was driving to my Mom and Dad's house in Temple, I had no idea that it would be an extended 3-hour trip in the car alone with the Lord! And, in those 3 hours, I loved how God showed me so many random Miracle Minutes! I hope you can follow me on this journey.

As I set out, l saw several flocks of birds at different times.God has been connecting me with His sweet winged creatures that remind me of Carson, who once told me that his bipolar made him feel like a bird with broken wings. So, when I see a flock of birds, I think of Carson, who took his life; but, because he was a born-again Christian, he is now whole and his wings are no longer broken. Amen.

As I traveled on, I got stuck in traffic, but I decided that was actually God, giving me a break and an opportunity to look at my surroundings.

I spotted a QT sign and was immediately blessed to realize this delay was His gift to me; to have a quiet time with Him. 

Soon after, I saw a U-HAUL sign, perhaps God reminding me that when we know the Lord, we don't have to haul around our burdens. He has promised to do that. With that promise to us, comes the responsibility to follow HIS example to haul others' burdens. (Of course, my mind goes straight to those with mental illness and their families.)

I came upon a "Bridge May Be Icy" sign, to me a picture of those with mental illness that struggle to come to church; coming to be loved and understood by the church, but many times feeling they are walking on ice, slipping, with seemingly no supporting hand out to them. How will they fit into a church setting? 

As I approach a "Slow Down Road Work Ahead" sign, I consider how we can become so wrapped up in our own lives that we can't feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to slow down, so we can better see those struggling and hurting in silence; instead, their faces are easily blocked out of our minds as we speed ahead so fast that we can't see them.

As I enter a Work Zone, I can make out a Traffic Fines Double sign, such a relevant reminder that if I rush, I may miss what God is really trying to show me after all.

A few miles later, I pass an HEB store sign, and I'm ever thankful that He engages us as Believers, and I know that CVS pharmacy sign immediately after is His profound promise that the battle is not mine but it is Christ versus satan. Praise God!

And, as my trip home nears its end, I cross over a bridge, traveling on different sections of concrete, all connected together to take me over a river.  I see plainly and am thankful then, that my God uses even sections of simple and creative ways to connect His thoughts to mine.  Seek Him in all things.  God is good (all the time).

Keys to Open Doors

by Julie Brooks

I love doors, windows and keys.

I think they are very neat, and they also take you places.

A key can unlock a door that hasn't been opened before. A suit case key can allow you to get to necessary items you need. Some of these keys are car keys and can take you and others to places like church, friendly get-togethers, or give someone a ride that may not have a car.

Pierce purchased these keys while he was out of town, and I love how special each one is. One key has a "C" on it. Naturally I think of Carson. Maybe God will use that key to unlock doors for the mentally ill, who have felt locked out and misunderstood.

There is a GM key that looks like it went to a fancy car...hopefully, that didn't stop anyone from welcoming those with mental illness with a ride to church, or to a doctor appointment, etc.

This collection of keys is a reminder that God has given us keys to use to open doors for those who need a community.

com·mu·ni·ty - a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

All we have to do is be open to God's calling.

Will you let 2018 be the year that you realize God can use you to be a welcoming friend to those who so desperately need to have doors unlocked? You will see that you will be blessed just as much as they will!

#keysunlockdoorsandwelcomethosewhoneedtofeelapart #mentalillness
#hoperising #welcomeotherunrepeatablemiracles

It's Okay to Cry

by Julie Brooks

"Tears are prayers too. They travel to God when we can't speak."

I am so thankful God gave us tears. 

He must have thought they were very special, since He collects them in bottles. I believe God is into recycling those tears, because each tear we shed takes with it just a bit of the pain we endure missing our loved one.

I always tell anyone that I know that has lost a loved one or is grieving a life change...it's alright to cry. Release the pain; before your heart begins feeling as though it will burst.

I sometimes cry when I hear of a youth taking their own life; as I did this week. 

I empathize with the family that has just gotten a mental illness diagnosis. I pray with them, and God continues to bring them to my mind. I offer to listen and explain a few things that can help in the beginning; time enough for them to find the right psychiatrist.

It's okay to cry. 

I feel others' pain; I always have. I think it's one thing that made me the R.N. I was, when I worked as a nurse.

Pierce's psychiatrist told me one time that she thought GOD had given me an overdose of mercy. That is one of my spiritual gifts. And, at times, it can be so overwhelming from all the pain I see in those struggling in silence from mental illness. 

So, I am always thankful for GOD'S gift of tears.

#cryingisgood #mentalhealth #hope4mh #hoperising 
www.notadaypromised.com

Attitude of Gratitude

by Julie Brooks

Today, I choose an attitude of gratitude for everything the Lord has given me!

As I go thru my day, I pray God will direct my attention to the smallest of details that are His blessings, like: 

- My Salvation and my eternal assurance of going to Heaven when I die

- My wonderful husband Todd Brooks

- Our 5 children and their spouses

- Our 6 grandmiracles

- My extended family too!

And, more: 

- My daily devotional

- Christian music

- The birds singing (God's free radio)

- My eye sight to see all the beauty God has created

- Our house

- Our furry family members

- Coffee and tea

- A treadmill

- Shoe laces to keep my tennis shoes on

And, on and on, with the smallest of things we often take for granted.

Today, I will ask God to allow my eyes to focus on His Miracle Minutes. 

Today, there is going to be a lot of praising going on, because I'm on a treasure hunt for an attitude of gratitude!  Amen!

The Broken Stand Right Before Our Eyes

by Julie and Todd Brooks

We all are broken in one way or another:


...Physically,
...Mentally,
...Spiritually.

Christians, there is no better time than now to seek out those around us who suffer in silence with mental illness. Even though their disability is invisible to most of us, we need to advertise in our communities that they are always welcome in the first established Hospital on earth...the local Church!

It is so hard for some of us to acknowledge that mental illness is real, that it causes real pain; that such inescapable struggle truly exists. We can't see it, can't touch it, can't define it; so it must not be real.

The broken stand before us; right before our eyes.  

Some of us need a heart transplant; to one that is not so hardened that we cannot sense our Father's prompting that we go beside them, attach our yoke to them, and help carry their burden as His Word commands.

There are too many families losing their children, parents, spouses, to suicide; in record numbers. The evidence is clear, so many of those precious lives were struggling with some mental dysfunction at the time of their death. The families left behind will never truly get over such loss. 

Our local Hospitals (the 4 walls we call the Church) have plenty of room. In fact, don't we beg for more attendance? Why is not every local Church on fire to reach this often ignored group? 

Why bother? 

Try this experiment at your Church to test the impact that could be made by the local Church seeking out those broken with mental illness. Hand each 4th person attending your next church service a white ball cap as they enter the sanctuary. At some point in the service, ask all that were given one of the ball caps to put it on for a couple of minutes. 

Have everyone look around. Statistics are strong that 1 in 4 adults suffer with some form of mental illness.  Wow! That's one quarter of your current congregation that statistically suffers with some form of mental disability. With such visual evidence, wouldn't you want to know more about this disability? Wouldn't you want your local Church to promote awareness about it, talk openly about it, preach about it, care for it, consider it a mission field? You are a steward of the local Hospital. You have a say. What say you?

Learn. Help undo the mental illness stigma. Don't miss that the Lord has gifted such with various talents, taken for granted; i.e., detail orientation, organized, creative, visionaries, risk takers, bottom line controllers, high energy workers, high sense of urgency, independent thinkers, highly competitive, protective; these are talents most of us don't often associate with brain dysfunction, but by design of God's hand, these are talents waiting to be used that God may be glorified, 

If we look for and acknowledge the gifts that the Lord has given those with mental disabilities, and how they could add so much to our churches when given the opportunity...our congregations could and would become stronger; not weaker. Get educated. 

May we welcome all those the Lord is bringing to the first Hospital ever established...the local Church!

God Cares About The Smallest Details

by Julie Brooks

I love this picture because it reminds me of all that we have around us to thank the Lord for!

Of course, I also love that there is a Greyhound in the picture. Look how much fun he is having with something we usually complain about having to rake up...leaves.

God could have made trees with colorless leaves, but we serve a God who is into every detail. I'm sure He is hopeful that we will notice how color coordinated His leaves are.

I always say that the Lord allows the evergreen trees to stand out among the other trees, who have lost all their leaves during the winter. I like to think He is rewarding the evergreen trees for weathering the cold winter. They keep their green leaves. They remain beautiful to remind us that we can hang on and make a difference for Him, even when it might not be under the best of conditions (winter). 

And, for those poor ugly trees that are waiting on their leaves to come back after the long winter, they come back dressed in new leaves, some with the most beautifully colorful blooms.

I am so thankful that God cares about the smallest details...which is why we can trust Him when we are going through a winter season in our life. 

I will punctuate that with a Hallelujah! ❤