I'm lonely for summer;

For constant blue skies.

For sunshine.

For the smell of earth being turned over.

For the sound of a summer rain. 

My heart yearns for the glorious peaceful mornings basking in light.

My whole being longs to stand quietly in a pasture letting the warm breeze grasp at my loose hair strands. 

My hands miss holding life in a small, yet potential seed.

My eyes wait for the return of vibrant colors and magnificent sunsets.

My mind eagerly awaits the promise of deep thoughts while laying down in a grassy meadow gazing at the fluffy white clouds flit a crossed the sky. 

My nose longs for the sweet fragrance of blooming lilacs in the woods.

I miss the lake shore and the waves splashing on the rocks.

I miss capturing my brothers excitement over a seven pound Northern and spending beautiful days with family.

I miss talks that stretch beyond the setting sun and exposing a breathtaking starry sky.

I miss campfires and watching the mesmerizing flames shoot to and fro.

I miss the feeling of accomplishment after a long busy day of rewarding labor.

I miss the warm weather and the ability to run outside in a t-shirt without getting chilled to the bone.

I miss blue sky, reflecting off of the ocean. 

Lord, please grant your servant patience and contentment in this time....

the dead of winter. 

~memories~

Why do we have memories? 

Why do we remember some things, and yet not others?

Have you ever wished memories would cease to exist, that God would wipe your memory bank?

Do you ever look back on better times and wish they would return to the present?

"Say not, 'Why were the former days better then these?' 

For it is not from wisdom that you ask this."

~Ecclesiastes 7:10

Has there ever been a time when you get so low that you have no encouraging thoughts?

I have an annoying habit of overthinking. 

Only yesterday, I was rethinking/overthinking my past and the people I loved and lost. 

It's so easy to slip into this fantasy mode and allow sadness/regret to creep in.

But, not long after my mind wandered and my mood was disheartened, I was resolved to start thinking on whatever things are;

true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. (Philippians 4:8)

First off, what my mind was consumed with wasn't TRUE. 

It was past imaginations, fantasies, pretentious living, and discouragement.

Fellow believer, these things are not truth's and should not even be given the time of day nor use of our precious energy to think upon such superficial thoughts!

HONORABLE: 

My thoughts could hardly have been considered God-honoring. Not once, did I see His goodness or recognize His grace. Ye, I was consumed by selfishness. 

JUST:

Also defined as PROPER and LAWFUL. According to the 10 commandments my thought process was unhinged and had dislocated proper rules of thinking godly thoughts.

PURE:

Now, in this area I honestly admit struggle. 

In this world,  modesty is considered nil and you can so easily see the most disgraceful images in public stores, online, and TV (main reason why I don't watch TV).

Lust, pleasure in passion and sexual activity before marriage is sadly the "norm".

Impure thoughts are so easy to have because some may think, "well, I'm not actually doing anything." But go read Matthew 5:28 and you will be inherently wrong. I do also believe the opposite is true, aka, 'any woman who looks after a man with lustful intent has already commit adultery in her heart.' 

LOVELY:

I don't believe it's talking about only feminine and beautiful, girly things here, guys😉

Defined as MORALLY or SPIRITUALLY ATTRACTIVE and HIGHLY ENJOYABLE.

What thoughts bring you lasting satisfaction? 

What things do you enjoy doing for the Lord, that is worth spending your thought time on?

COMMENDABLE:

 I never had considered that thinking about someone with an angry, conceited, or discouraging mindset only makes it harder to actually treat them kindly, lovingly and with encouragement in real life.  Think upon things you wouldn't mind being broadcasted to the entire world!

And finally in conclusion of the verse, 

"If there is excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things."

If there are things that bring Christ Jesus glory think upon those.

If you struggle thinking pure, focus you mind on scripture.

If you have a rough time with sadness, loneliness and hurt in your past, defeat the devil with the overwhelming goodness of God! 

His greatness, His power, His love, His mercy, His grace and the list goes on! 

Feast your mind upon the Almighty and soon your struggle with painful memories will diminish. 

Relish the Lord's many blessings in your life. The good memories, the fantastic moments you wanted to last for eternity, the times a loved one prayed for you, a moment when everything changed as you accepted Christ as your Savior.

".......and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

~2 Corinthians 10:5