Requiem and Rebirth... Magnetized

I tiptoed downstairs this morning and peeked outside. It was magical. Sissy came down mouth agape and Buddy barreled down a few minutes later squealing and screeching in joy. 

We have been having some interesting conversations in our home about thoughts recently.  About the power of what we think about and allow our minds to focus on. 

We've been trying to explain to the kids how powerful it is. 

I kind of thought it had gone in one ear and out the other - until this morning.

After we had walked all around the house looking at the snow, my son wanted to show me a game he made up. He pulled out his magnetized rocks and put one in the middle and the rest all over the table. He moved the middle one around and showed me what happened in his brain when he thought about things that were not good. The magnets zapped to each other and formed a big, grey blob. 

Some decisions I am facing seem so scary and stressful to me but I've been wondering: what if I approach them looking for the beauty and blessings, rather than the fears I have?

Could anxiety be replaced with anticipation as I offer my thoughts up to a good and beautiful God?

What I thought would be tragic to my sweet, new flowers turned into a beautiful morning - full of delight.

And now the sun is out.

"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. ... It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious — the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. ... Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

~ Philippians chapter four