Author: cindygrasso

Cindy Grasso has been on a 22 year adventure of a lifetime as the wife of Bobby Grasso, the mom of two techy, smarty pants, amazing teen boys and is the Discipleship Pastor at Cape Christian in Cape Coral, Florida. She is an-early-morning-coffee drinker, whenever-the-moment presents-itself blog writer and an inspirational speaker who is passionate about encouraging and equipping people to pursue and thrive in their God-given purposes.

Buckle Up

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We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20 NIV

The Hebrew word used for “wait” in Psalms 33:20 implies being tied to or binding yourself to something.

For me, the picture of a seatbelt comes to mind.

When I was a teenager, I went to the movies with a friend. I met him at his house, climbed into his truck and buckled myself in. We drove down the street and then he stopped. He checked my seatbelt, put his truck in four wheel drive and turned toward the ravine. He told me that we were going to take a short cut – we were going off roading. I was excited, (slightly terrified actually) but up for the adventure so I said, “Let’s go for it!” 

I have never appreciated a seatbelt more. It held me in my seat on the sharp inclines and steep declines, over the rocky bumps and through the unlevel dry river beds. We arrived at the theater with plenty of time although I remember the journey there more than the movie we saw.

Following Jesus and living a life of faith is more like off roading than driving on the freeway.

He takes you to new places, asks you to grow out of your comfort zones and challenges you to take the road less traveled.

Like when Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the stormy sea in Matthew 14:29-30:

““Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:29-30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I read this line today in the devotional “Streams of the Desert”:

“Once he had stepped out of the boat, the waves were none of his business”.

Peter’s job wasn’t to walk on water but it was to keep his eyes on Jesus.

Your job isn’t to worry how you will get where you need to be,
your job is to step out of the boat, buckle up for the bumpy ride, gather your weapons for battle and keep your eyes on Jesus.

Jesus is your help and your shield – you can’t do it by yourself.

“We’re depending on GOD; he’s everything we need. What’s more, our hearts brim with joy since we’ve taken for our own his holy name. Love us, GOD, with all you’ve got— that’s what we’re depending on.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭33:20-22‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Buckle up and hold on for the ride of your life, my friend, knowing that the driver, your Savior, loves you so much that he died for you, suffered for you and delights in you.
Have an adventurous weekend!

Small Worries

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“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” (Luke 12:25, 26 NIV)

You are here to LIVE, not to waste time and energy worrying.

Small worries become big distractions.

They distract you from living loved and loving fearlessly.

What are you worried about today, my friend?

Ask God to help you identify the fear that is at the heart of the worry. Then take it to the cross and leave it there.

Then ask him to fill you with faith to leave it there and know that Jesus is bigger than your fear and able to provide what you need.

Because HE IS.

Small Touches 

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“Love never gives up”.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:4 MSG‬‬

So much can be communicated through a small touch.

A reassuring pat of the hand.

A hug.

A gentle tug on the elbow of someone who you want closer.

Holding a hand.

A small touch can make a bad thing okay, an okay thing good and make a good thing great.

Small touches are difference makers in a relationship, in a life.

They can be the first thing we unconsciously give and the first thing that we unconsciously withhold.

When we struggle, we when are angry, when we are hurt, we withhold the small touches.

It’s easy to forget how important they are to us and to those we love.

Wherever you are at in any of your relationships it might be a small touch that makes a difference.

Don’t worry about starting big- start small.

What small touch do you need to receive?


What small touch do you need to give?

Small Sentences

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Hello my friend, have time for some coffee? This cup is brought to you from the Origianal Pancake House in Rocklin, Ca. I loved going there with my husband for breakfast dates or celebrating with family who came to visit or getting pancakes with the boys or meeting with a friend to catch up.

I’ve been thinking lately about how small things can be big difference makers.

Things like small sentences:

Don’t give up.

I forgive you.

I love you.

I miss you.

Pray for me.

Go for it.

You matter.

Forgive me.

Let go.

Yes.

No.

Which sentence do you need to say today to someone?

Jesus used small sentences to change people’s lives:
Follow me.

Your sins forgiven.

Stand up and walk.

I am he.

Pray like this.

Be healed.

Which one do you need to hear from Jesus?
Sometimes, the most important things are said (and heard) in the smallest of sentences. Use them, receive them and have a wonderful day. 

Words

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Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 

James 3:5 NIV

Words are powerful.

The words you say to yourself.

The words you say to others.

You control your words, not the other way around.

You can be honest without being mean.

You can be mean without being honest.

God has given you the great privilege of being the spark that lights the fire.

Whether it is a fire to warm and nourish others or one that burns and destroys them is up to you.

Choose wisely.

Pause the Panic

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This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.
Matthew‬ ‭6:7 MSG

Panic is defined as sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety. When you experience it, it makes you want to do something to solve whatever it is that is causing the panic. Very rarely is that action wise or right (unless it is getting you away from a dangerous physical situation and it gets you out of there).

All kinds of things can cause panic to rise within you and when it does, I am going to ask you to wait.

To pause.

To breathe.

To pray.

To go to God first instead of trying to immediately fix it.

When you go to God with your panic, he knows what to do and what needs to be done.

He knows how to calm your heartbeat and clear your mind.

Why?

Because he is your Father and he knows you. He knows why it is happening and why you are responding to it that way.

He also knows how to lead you down the right path, not just the first one that presents itself.

He knows if there is a higher way, a better way or a healthier way to deal with it.

Pause the panic and pray.

It doesn’t have to be a long prayer to be a powerful one. Your Father in heaven loves you and knows what even a one word prayer like “help” means.

Prayer trumps panic every time.

What is causing you to panic right now?


What does pausing the panic and praying instead of reacting look like to you?

Daily Bread

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““Give us today our daily bread.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Lord, give me what I need for today.

Not what I needed yesterday.

Not what I will need for tomorrow.

What I need today.

Today’s strength.

Today’s sustenance.

Today’s vision.

Today’s peace that passes understanding.

It might look different than I expect it to but it will do the job nonetheless.

You are amazing like that.

Thank you, Lord, for today’s provision, for today’s daily bread.

In Jesus Name, amen.

Pray

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“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.”
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2:1-2 ‭MSG‬‬

Thinking about prayer and praying is not the same thing.

Talking about prayer and praying is not the same thing.

Prayer doesn’t have to be eloquent to be powerful or lengthy to have consequence.

You just need to pray. Every way you know how, for everyone you know. It isn’t a test to pass or a class to take, it is prayer. There is no wrong way to pray, just pray.

The power of prayer is that it connects you with a powerful God who loves you so much that he took care of all that hinders you from connecting to him. Every fear, doubt, stumble, mistake, misstep or mindset that separates you from God, Jesus took on the cross. Every judgement, injustice, neglect or wrong done to you by others, Jesus took on the cross. This is why you can be unhindered in prayer for others and honest in prayer for yourself.

Let no excuse stop you today from getting in a safe quiet place and praying, even for five minutes.

Begin Today

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“I pray to GOD —my life a prayer— and wait for what he’ll say and do.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭130:5-6‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Today is a good day to begin to pray differently.

To pray with open hands instead of closed hands holding on so desperately to what you are afraid to let go of.

Pray and let God be God.

Present your requests, petitions, hopes and desires to him and then let him do what only he can do.

Give them to Jesus and leave the results to him.

Release your expectations of how he should answer while at the same time knowing that he will.

Instead of praying, “God, this is who I want you to be”, begin to pray, “God reveal who you are to me.”

It will transform your life.

He wants to.

He will.

Begin today to pray different.

When was the last time you asked God to reveal himself to you or in your situation?”

How hard is it for you to leave the results to God?

What does it mean for you to let God be God in your life?

Every Chance

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“I bless GOD every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise. I live and breathe GOD; if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy: Join me in spreading the news; together let’s get the word out. GOD met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭34:1-4‬ ‭MSG‬‬

You will have lots of opportunities today to worry, to second guess and be anxious.

You will also have lots of opportunities to bless God, breathe in his presence and receive his joy.

They are the same opportunities, it is what you do with them that makes the difference.

Take a deep breath, expand your lungs and your faith.

Take every opportunity to worry and turn it to worship.

Turn every chance to stress into a moment to trust.

God will meet you more than halfway and will use every chance you give him to free you from your fears. 

“The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭27:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬