Brighter and More Beautiful!

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 "...God is a living, personal presence...There is nothing between us and Him, our lives become brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like Him" (The Message Version).

Greetings and blessings in the name of the One Who richly blesses!

The other day I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror after my post-shower routine, and I suddenly realized:  I HAVE BECOME MY GRANDMOTHER!

I couldn't help but chuckle.  Mamá, as I called her, always smelled like fresh talcum powder and flowery cologne.  Whenever she lounged it was in her pink robe, and her hair was safely ensconced in a shower cap. 

Plus, you could never leave her house without being asked if you were hungry a million times, and even if the repeated answer was "No!", a plate of food, usually homemade empanadas,  would magically appear in case you changed your mind three seconds later.  Oh oh...I truly have become Mamá!

It kind of makes sense. 

I loved my grandmother  very much - she passed in 2010 a few days shy of her 92nd birthday - and I spent a lot of time with her.  When I was a little kid we lived together for six years.  When my family moved out it was to an apartment a few doors down.  And for the last 20 years of her life, she lived less than a mile away, and I saw her almost daily.   My Mamá was a constant and comforting presence in my life.  That saying, "You become like those you hang out with," is so true!

Therefore, dearest DEVO readers, the more time we spend with God the more like Him we become. 

He is love, peace, joy, patience, faith, hope, mercy, grace, forgiveness...and I hope, as I evaluate my life, that after so many years of connecting with Him that I too am more loving, full of peace, joyful, patient, faithful, hopeful, merciful, gracious, and forgiving.

I pray that all our lives have "become brighter and more beautiful!"

PRAYER: Dear Lord, We life up our voices to You and welcome You into our lives.  We could all use more beauty right now.  And with all the darkness that overshadows this earth, we all need more of Your bright light as well.  Fill us with YOU.  Crowd out the hate, fear, sadness, indifference, ugliness and unforgiveness, in Jesus' name. Amen.