He pays attention to every detail. Matthew 10:29

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care." Matthew 10:39

I am fascinated by nature. Birds, flowers, blue skies, rain, thunder, lightning, change of seasons. I breathe it in and it gives me hope. I revel in God's glory for the tiniest of details. The soft hues of a rose, the detail in a leaf, peeper frogs, and elephants. He gave giraffes trees that they could eat from, he created a crayon box of Fall colors, and the brightest rainbow of spring. In winter he showes us beauty in the silence and every thing he created has the most intricate of details.

It reminds me how special we are to him. Like an artist, he worked at perfection because he cares and loves us unconditionally. To God we are is art, his perfect creation. And with that he also provides us with unending care and relationship. He wants us to enjoy his creations not only of the world, but his creation in us. We are all beautiful in his eyes. He doesn't see us the way we often times view ourselves. In us, he created a beautiful work of art. I often wonder if he hurts when we don't appreciate the gift? When we try to change our physical attributes, or hide them because we are embarrased by the turn of our nose, the texture of our hair, the size of our hips.

And yet, with all our short sightedness, with all our doubts about ourselves, he continues to welcome us with open arms. There is no rejection in God's arms, no dismissal in his eyes. There is only love.

When we begin to question our self worth, we need to be reminded of his perfect attention to the details.

Gossip Girls and Boys Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." I told you yesterday God is leading me in this area so it came as no surprise when I came across this verse.

I have over the years participated in GOSSIP. Good and bad, hurtful, behind the back gossip of any kind is detrimental not only to the people involved but to building a stronger relationship with God. Its hard to remember that when we are hurt or upset with someone, jealous or angry, those thoughts and feelings are against one of God's children. Christian or not...Buddhist, athiesist, Muslim, we are all God's children. Chinese, African American, Spanish...you get the idea...we are all God's Children. Tall, short, fat, alcoholic, addict. We are all God's children.

So, when we have negative thoughts we are not only hurting relationships but hurting God as well. He aches when he hears us and when we particpate. Over the years I have removed myself from those opportunities, but every once in awhile, I walk into a situation where someone is talking about someone else. My reaction is to listen without saying words, or in some cases to offer another point of view. In any event I am still participating. It takes courage to say..."This is gossip and not healthy for the organization, community, church". Sometimes its uncomfortable and I feel as though by commenting in that fashion I won't be liked any more. It's a difficult task for me but one that I feel I need to work on.

Watch your self over the next month, how many times do you find yourself drawn into a situation where you know the conversation is being heard by God and he is aching over it? Think about how you can change the world one conversation at a time by ending the conversation or making others aware of the damage it is causing.