Month: February 2019

Every Step Counts

Published on by Rebecca Gilbreath2 Comments

I have been a Fitbit wearer for four years off and on. I like keeping track of my steps in a day and feel good about myself when I have done a lot of walking. I remember a phase when I had not been wearing it and mentioned to a fellow-Fitbit-wearing-friend that I felt regretful for not keeping track of my steps during that time. “That’s ok”, she said. “Every step still counts towards your fitness goals whether you know it or not.”

In a recent blog post, Strength of Heart, I shared Bible verses and thoughts on a spiritually strong heart as it has been a topic of study for February. The Fitbit conversation came to mind as I was thinking about a strong heart and the steps it takes to be physically and spiritually strong. Every step of exercise taken works for our benefit whether or not we are tracking our steps. Likewise, each step we take nearer to God counts towards a strong heart spiritually. If growth is not shared on social media, did it really happen? If progress is not spoken aloud in a testimony at church in front of other people, does it count? It sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? Of course, every movement made towards walking in paths of righteousness is beneficial. Every offering of forgiveness, every kindness shown, every light we rekindle through encouragement is fruitful for spiritual growth. Every Scripture verse we read, take to heart, and let change us more into Christ’s image helps us thrive. Many times, we are not the ones to even notice it. When I walk more, my family notices it. My husband will comment that he senses more strength in me and will remind me of how far I have come in my health goals in the last few years. When spiritual growth happens within, others may notice it first. We seem stronger spiritually, less judgmental, more at peace.

So take heart. If you feel as if you have been working so hard on ‘spiritual progress’ and do not feel as if you have striven, know that every step you take towards wisdom, towards kindness, towards forgiveness, towards godliness counts. When I am walking more, I am sore. My muscles hurt and I wonder if I should keep going. However, when my family notices and compliments on the progress, I keep striving for my goal. Spiritual growth hurts, too, sometimes. And when others notice that I have been kinder, more patient, more forgiving, I know that every little move I make draws me nearer to the heart of God. It makes my heart stronger and the life I have in Christ more fruitful.

Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:5-9

The Gift of 86,400 Seconds

Published on by Rebecca GilbreathLeave a comment

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say “thank you”?

William Ward

It is quite challenging to have a theme each month – for study, for photo opportunities/stray gifts – and it’s only February! I have followed other challenges in the past, but felt God was leading me to create my own based on where He was guiding my studies and blog writing. For this month’s stray gifts theme, the words which came to mind were: admirable, kind, lovely, and sweet. For anyone who may be reading the term ‘stray gifts’ in my writing for the first time, it is based on a quote by William Wadsworth who wrote, “Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find”. I have been taking notes, snapping photos, and writing about noticing these ‘stray gifts’, but with the take on that God has His hand in everything. These gifts really are not strays, but handfuls of purpose in my path that He put there to bring my attention to Him. Here is what I have so far for February: (photos first this time, explanations below)

#1) “Lovely” – From our kitchen window this week, we watched this bird (I think a finch) eating away at the feeder. He had beautiful red and brown feathers.

#2) “Admirable” – Jonathan (my son) is a junior at UTEP and it is his first semester attending. In between classes or while waiting for my husband to be done with work, he has been walking all over campus to see what’s what. The theater, science buildings, the basketball stadium that was used in the 60’s. Track and field, football stadium, Geology building, Fine Arts building where he found himself beneath the stage…I say “admirable” because he was curious about something and went to explore. He could have looked at photos online and it would have been much easier. But he has been walking all around the campus lately because he was interested. He walked in cowboy boots, by the way. Because ..well…we’re in Texas. That’s what we do.

#3) “Sweet” – TWO lovely cards last week. What a fun surprise! The handmade card and envelope from my 11 yr old niece. I love it! The other card from a long time friend which made it all the more special.

#4) “Lovely” – Don Juan climbing red rose bush with baby leaves. I read that climbing roses need not be pruned right away, to wait until after the first bloom. I only planted this last year so I am looking forward to seeing how they do this year. #straygifts in lovely red roses wanting to wake up already.

#5) “Sweet” – My husband brought home these cookies for me knowing I love a chocolate and mint combination. Coincidentally, I was drinking mint tea that day because I was in the mood for it. (He didn’t know that.)

#6) “Kind” – My husband isn’t really known for being a “kid person”, yet somehow he has managed to have a collection of buddies in our church in Mexico. We are not sure when this game started of him getting their shoes and putting them just out of reach, but they are highly entertained by it. They pretty much hand him a shoe for him to toss. Sometimes, my tall son comes to the rescue with a ladder to get shoes off the roof. Stray gifts in surprising entertainment, kind adults who play with kids, and sweet play, too.

Strength of Heart

Published on by Rebecca GilbreathLeave a comment

“Follow your heart”, the world advises. “If it feels good, do it.” Yet in the Bible, God guides us to trust HIS heart and HIS path because our hearts lead us astray all too easily. The heart is deceitful, wicked, swayed and distracted. But there is H O P E. There is a Redeemer who longs to cleanse, heal, renew, and guide.

Over on Facebook this month, I have been posting Scripture verses pertaining to my February “Grace Goals”. Along with these verses, I have been sharing prayers and thoughts. Here are last week’s reflections:

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Within me, Lord, let no seed of resentment take root and grow.

Within me, I want to know joy, wisdom, and grace.

Within me, deep down, I know that strength of heart comes from not comparing my life to others or in jumping to conclusions. It comes from trusting You and Your plan for my life and the way I should go.

Within me, plant a will to forgive and the ability to extend mercy for I have received above and beyond what I deserve from You.

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I want to see You, Lord, in the every day.

Shadows fall, I turn to disbelief instead of the Divine.

Keep my heart pure from doubting that You are good. Keep me safe from the shouting of the world and from those against You, so that I may notice Your hand working in ways I may not see and hear Your still small voice.

In order to truly see You, free my heart from distrust, from complaining, from comparing and dissatisfaction. You have given me more than I deserve and more than I will ever need. When my heart and thoughts are focused in the right direction, I will see all that You have given me and all that You are.

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My flesh and my heart ignores, neglects, deserts, disappoints, and forgets.

But…However…Nevertheless…Still

God is my courage, my stability, my anchor, my might.

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Wait on the Lord…continue, persevere, endure, persist, remain

and He will…

bolster, establish, restore, sustain, fortify.

Grace Goals for February

Published on by Rebecca GilbreathLeave a comment

I am not sure if I should admit this, but I do not have February’s goals all planned out like I did for January. Sometimes a mind block happens and more and more, I see it as a blank page waiting to be filled in the right time. I stop guessing what I think God wants to teach me and just listen. I do have the topic of study for me and I do know the “stray gifts” themes at least.


Last month, I shared a few thoughts on praying for the caregiver as part of some ‘grace goals’ I had. This month for a prayer plan, I keep coming back to praying for my own heart to be right. If my own heart isn’t in the right place, all of what I do will not come from a sincere place. A Scripture verse that comes to mind:

Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Proverbs 4:23

Keep (synonyms): conduct, control, manage, preserve

Diligence (synonyms): alertness, earnestness, effort

To preserve my heart with all effort requires paying attention to my responses to life- from how I deal with trials and setbacks to how I love others. More to come as I know more the direction God is leading me.