Category: Uncategorized

Fall’s Reminder©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was the beauty of Fall Season,

God’s handiwork showcases His reason,

With colors so bright,

For us in plain sight,

Leaves remind us, He’s Lord of each season.

I was raking the leaves today.  Again, that is! Impressive the amount of leaves that gather in just one week. But I never tire of their smell.  It’s earthy, grounding, reminding me of my high school years when those years of independence allowed me to spend more time away from home and with my friends. In those years, you could walk to your friend’s house after supper and stay out until the street lights came on. We would be outside the entire time. Now, when I rake the leaves, it always brings me back to those times when life was fun and easy. It feels nostalgic. Part of me wants to be there again, but the other part is glad I am not.  I never believed God wasn’t real, but He wasn’t part of my life.

In my early twenties, I surrendered my life to Jesus. It was November 9, 1980. I was married, living in an apartment with my first daughter and husband. Life was difficult, and though many seasons had passed, I forgot what it was like to be aware of them, with their unique smells. One of the things that came alive that November was smelling those smells again. Everything seemed newer, brighter, more alive. The Presence of the Holy Spirit was now in me. And that made the difference. I could smell, really smell, the leaves.

Of course, the smell was there all along, just like God, but I can’t explain how I just felt closer to those leaves than I did before.

There’s something about that mix of crisp wind and drying leaves that feels like a gentle reminder from God Himself. Each leaf that fell seemed to tell its own story, one of beauty, purpose, and surrender. Their time on the tree was over, yet their fading colors were speaking that it was only for a short time. They let go because they knew new life would come again. Isn’t that just like God? He shows us that even in seasons of letting go, there can still be beauty, purpose, and praise.

The trees don’t panic as they release their leaves. They trust the process. They know Spring will come again. That simple act of trust mirrors what God asks of you and me: to let go with faith. To believe that every season of joy, challenge, growth, or rest is guided by His hand.

Fall teaches us that change isn’t something to fear; it’s something to embrace. The same God who paints the leaves gold and crimson is the One who holds my tomorrow. And just as He ordains the seasons of nature, He ordains the seasons of my life with perfect timing and love.

So today, as the breeze carried the scent of Fall, wishing I could keep it in my hand and breathe it when I fall asleep, my heart whispered, “Lord, thank You for this season. Thank You for the gift of smell, the sweetness of Your Presence in every season. You are faithful in them all.”

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank you for the beauty of this Fall season. Thank You for the colors that showcase Your creativity. Teach me to trust You in every change, to release what no longer serves Your purpose, and to see the beauty in letting go. You are Lord of every season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

_____________________________________

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights are copyrighted. ©

Photo by Aziza Berdieva

The Great Spiritual Harvest©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a great spiritual harvest,

When God called not on the qualified and best,

Like a Preacher or teacher.

Just a willing heart reacher,

For lost sheep seeking the true pasture of rest.  

When God stirs a spiritual harvest, He rarely begins with those who look most prepared. The pages of Scripture show again and again that He delights in using the ordinary to reveal His extraordinary. Abraham grew up worshiping the moon. David was a shepherd, not a soldier. Moses needed Aaron. Mary was a humble young woman. The disciples were fishermen, not scholars. Yet through each of them, God’s Spirit moved mightily. It was not because of their qualifications, but because of their willingness.

We are living in such a season again. Can you feel it!

A great spiritual harvest where the Spirit of God is bypassing pride and position, and resting upon the available. The Father is sending ordinary sons and daughters into fields white with souls ready to awaken.

If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not enough,” remember, the Shepherd does not ask His sheep to qualify. He asks them to follow. And when you do, He qualifies you. HE leads us beside the still waters of Psalm 23. There, ministry flows not from effort, but from overflow. This harvest is not about pulpits or platforms. It’s about presence. His presence, flowing through yielded vessels. It’s about those who walk into unseen places carrying unseen power. The anointing doesn’t rest upon the qualified; it flows through the surrendered.

In every generation, the Lord is still calling willing heart reachers. They are men and women (and now so many young ones!) whose compassion outweighs their credentials. These are the ones who walk into broken places, sit beside the lonely, listen without judgment, and love without limit. Their “ministry” might not have a title, but it carries the heartbeat of Christ Himself to save the lost.

Luke 19:10 KJV

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

If you’ve ever felt unqualified, take heart. God isn’t waiting for us to be impressive. He’s waiting for us to be available and willing.

Matthew 9:37-38 KJV

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

When heaven looks for laborers, it isn’t scanning resumes or titles. It’s searching for tenderness, humility, and obedience. It’s the kind that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

The preacher and teacher have their place, yes, but revival often begins with the one who simply loves enough to go. The one who pauses in a grocery line to speak hope. The one who kneels beside a weary soul and listens. The one who quietly prays for a stranger, expecting nothing but God’s will.  We live in the world of email and social platforms. Yes, use them all.

Be the  Heart Reacher!

The heart that reaches before it preaches. The one who uses every opportunity available.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Lord, I surrender the need to be qualified. Make my heart tender and my spirit willing. Use me in Your harvest. One soul, one act of love, one quiet moment at a time that becomes a great spiritual harvest.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen

_______________________________________

P willing heart reachers. They are men and women (and now so many young ones!) whose compassion outweighs their credentials. These are the ones who walk into broken places, sit beside the lonely, listen without judgment, and love without limit. Their “ministry” might not have a title, but it carries the heartbeat of Christ Himself to save the lost.

Luke 19:10 KJV

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

If you’ve ever felt unqualified, take heart. God isn’t waiting for us to be impressive. He’s waiting for us to be available and willing.

Matthew 9:37-38 KJV

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

When heaven looks for laborers, it isn’t scanning resumes or titles. It’s searching for tenderness, humility, and obedience. It’s the kind that says, “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

The preacher and teacher have their place, yes, but revival often begins with the one who simply loves enough to go. The one who pauses in a grocery line to speak hope. The one who kneels beside a weary soul and listens. The one who quietly prays for a stranger, expecting nothing but God’s will.  We live in the world of email and social platforms. Yes, use them all.

Be the reacher!

The heart that reaches before it preaches. The one who uses every opportunity available.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Lord, I surrender the need to be qualified. Make my heart tender and my spirit willing. Use me in Your harvest. One soul, one act of love, one quiet moment at a time that becomes a great spiritual harvest.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen

_______________________________________

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights are copyrighted. © 

Image by cstpdx from Pixabay

The Jewish New Year©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There is a nation of Jewish descent.

Where there was a life-altering event.

A man crucified,

Brought life multiplied.

For every person who will repent.

I am not Jewish.  By blood that is. But I am because of Jesus.  He has grafted me into His bloodline by His sacrifice on the Cross.

Jesus was born a Jew. He lived by the traditions of the Jews. He died a Jew.  And he was labeled King of the Jews.

Let me say right from the start, “I am no Jewish Scholar”!  I wish I understood all of the Jewish laws and traditions. It would make the scriptures easier to understand for sure.  I am grateful for the many scholars, rabbis, preachers, and bible commentators I have listened to over the years who have taught me a few things.

One of these things is the Jewish New Year.  It is called Rosh Hashanah.  The year number is 5786. It begins at sunset Monday, Sep 22, 2025, and ends on Wednesday, Sep 24, 2025. Three days of festive events to mark the beginning of a new year. Also, the blowing of the shofar, which, if you have never heard that sound, check out this YouTube video.  I think it is one of the most amazing sounds I have heard. But then again, I could get lost in hearing all the different sounds and reasons the shofar is blown.

The celebration of the Jewish New Year is followed by 10 days of repentance, called Yom Kippur. This includes fasting and prayer, and then a time of feasting, believing for a prosperous New Year.

This month’s blog is an invitation to explore what it means to be grafted into the bloodline of Jesus and celebrate the Jewish New Year regardless of who you are and your natural bloodline.  Mine is Polish and Italian if you really want to know.  Mix in some Swedish, too!

Beginning September 15^th, I will be opening registration to learn more about the Jewish New Year and how we can use it as a fresh start to what we normally would consider the transition from Summer to Fall. It seems like the end of fun and a dread of winter even with all the beauty the Fall gives us. I am praying we will see September as the New Year it was always meant to be.

I will be sending out more information via email on the dates and times.  But I can tell you the first meeting wiil be at noon on September 22. I will be giving the link to a writing journal for us to use.

For now,  I am asking you, if you feel it has been a tough year since January, and there are things you would like to change, maybe even forget, and start clean, then Sign up!

We will gather for 7 meetings on Zoom

Stay tuned.   In the meantime….

 Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You for times of renewal. My heart is open for all You have for me. I rest in anticipation for new blessings of prosperity.  In Jesus Name.  Amen

_______________________________________

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights are copyrighted. © 

Choice or Decision©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a decision of choice.

Debating with a conflicting voice.

Yes or no,

I don’t know.

Is this a decision or a choice?

Are you confused by this limerick?

Yeah, me too!

I started to ponder the difference between a choice and a decision. You may think they are the same thing. But they are not.

When we ‘choose’ something, it means we have options. Choice connects us to our desired intentions, values, and beliefs. Decisions are connected to places of behavior, performance, and consequences. Decisions involve the will.

I had the choice of having my deck demolished by my brother, who was available now. Or, wait for the exact time the contractor will be showing up to do the job. The choice was mine. After weighing out some details, I decided to wait.  The options were before me, but a decision had to be made. It was messy with frustrations and misunderstandings, but once it was made, everyone adjusted.

The Book of Joel tells us in chapter 3 that God will decide judgement on the multitudes of people who did not choose to be on His side. In this case, there are only two options.  We are with Him or against Him. Our choice decides the outcome of where we spend eternity.

This month’s blog had many options as well.  As I wait for my friend from Indonesia to return to help me finish the reconstruction of my website, I have the option to not put out the blog because the menu bar still isn’t working correctly. That option/choice would be based on my need for perfection. My decision to continue to blog keeps my behaviour going forward.  It is my accountability belief that I know the consequences if I don’t.

If you recall, I had that unfortunate accident in June of a driver running a red light.  The after affects came in like a flood in July.  My picture for this month’s blog is a shirt I designed. I love the words, but the shirt itself, being a bit wrinkled and disheveled, is how I have been feeling.

 I was taken aback by it all since I refuse to believe I am not superwoman.  Reality check!  My right shoulder developed intense pain and decreased range of motion. I had a few difficult weeks, turning from right to left while sleeping. It required keeping my neck in a neutral position.  Rising out of bed was also a challenge that needed assistance from my nightstand.  I was so focused on wanting to be out of pain, I stopped doing things I did without thinking. 

After five weeks, I had the option to go back to work or keep waiting to be pain-free.  Having no income, apart from social security, was a deciding factor.  During that time, I had to start looking for a new vehicle.  It took three weeks to find something within my budget.  The budget kept rising, increasing the amount of the car loan. There is a reason car salesmen get a bad rap. That could be a small book all by itself!  It caused more stress than I realized. I started to get fatigued by the late afternoon, and the thought of trying to write or create anything for my online stores was overwhelming.  I barely got on my computer at all.  I surely thought once I finally got a car and did all the paperwork, I would be at ease.

NOPE!

As I eased back into work, new symptoms.  My head felt fuzzy and dizzy.  I was weak in my legs. It felt even harder to concentrate.  I would sleep nine hours and not feel rested. Well, maybe the stress is making my thyroid a bit wacky.  Now don’t do this: I thought I would take one pill at night and one in the morning.  I tried it.  It just got worse.

Well, if I just stop thinking about it, it will all go away.  That’s why I will be okay at work. I can talk to my clients.  Accept it didn’t.  I started to feel more anxious if I could not do my job 100%.  WHAT THE HECK!

On the advice of my physical therapist, I went for blood work.  I couldn’t find my medical card. The one that IS ALWAYS IN MY WALLET.  Why isn’t he there today?  Thankfully, they found me in the system anyway.  The first poke, no blood would come out.  We change arms.  Again, no blood. The phlebotomist calls for a shift change.  Huh? This is when the secondary phlebotomist comes over and they gently shift hands while the needle is still in your arm.  Impressive, I thought as I was feeling even weaker.  But still no blood.  A third poke in a different vein finally produced results.  I went home and laid down for a bit.

What am I doing wrong, God, that I am not bouncing back?

Options – just stop everything and go back to being a useless lump until it all goes away? Or decide to get serious and ask God to reveal what is happening. I have been so trained to put all the ownership on me that I can forget I am still a flesh and blood body that needs taking care of.

 I need God!  Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually.

That brings us back around to Joel and the Valley of Decision. God knows how frail we are.  HE also knows our nature to sin and forget about Him. But this I know for certain: when we purposely decide to choose Him, He will always be on our side. We may need to choose daily to remember that. But once the decision to be on His side is made, He will never leave us or forsake us.  All of heaven will back us up.

This Valley of Decision is a judgement place. God has already decided what happens to those who choose Him and those who do not. Eternal Paradise or Eternal Hell.  And in between, His forever help to live this life.

The choice is yours. What will you decide?

Joshua 24:14-15 KJV

14 Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You for making it easy to choose You. Forgive me for so often trying everything else instead of just coming to You first. I choose to be on Your side.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

_______________________________________

If you have never chosen which side to be on, and there are only two, God or Satan, let today be your day.  Simply pray the following prayer.

Dear Jesus,

Today I am choosing You.  I want to be on Your side. Thank You for dying on the Cross for me so all my sins could be forgiven.  I ask Your forgiveness.  Let Your blood wash over me and make me clean.  Fill me with the Holy Spirit and help me live out the rest of my days following You.  I choose You.  My decision is final.  I am on Your side.   In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights are copyrighted. © 

 Get this shirt here.

Mindless Thinking©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a mindless man named Ted.

He thought about these wise words that read.

You are what you think,

Your mind is the link.

But having less mind kept him brain dead.

Friends, being an entrepreneur requires a mind that rarely stops thinking and creating.  It can be overwhelming at times. But I love it!

The picture I chose for this month’s blog is from a recent vendor event I attended.  It was the very first one that I did live for promoting and selling my limerick wall art. It required much thinking beyond creating the limericks. I probably overthought and brought way more limericks than I needed.  I chose the Mother’s Day Theme since it would only be a week away.

As I reflected on the day and my own wise words (really the Lord’s) that I crafted in these limericks, I was reminded again of just what I wrote.  You are what you think. Your mind is the link.

This is how the event unfolded….

As I began to print the artwork a few days prior, my printer kept saying low on ink. WHAT!   I just spent a fortune on the four laser color cartridges that said 2500 copies each. Why are you lying to me, I pleaded with my printer. I tried everything I could think of. Four useless calls to the manufacturer, YouTube videos, Google, and loud rebukes to my printer – which later I would be repenting of.  My patience was gone. After two days and many hours of heated words, I was drained.  The last resort was to go and have it printed at Staples. I was very frustrated, thinking, “Why am I putting myself through all this stress?  Didn’t I buy an expensive laser printer to bypass this step?”

My youngest daughter came by and asked if I had figured out the problem.  She attempted to do some things, also.  We discovered this printer is so sensitive to the paper you use that if you don’t have the right setting, it WILL NOT print double-sided. And if you are off by one wrong choice, you get line shadows, thereby wasting paper. Every good Polak (my father’s generational programming) knows you can’t waste anything or the universe gets angry at you. My printer must be Italian, like my mother, who always knew just the right amount of ingredients to make the perfect tomato sauce but never wrote the recipe down. But at least my thinking was becoming more hopeful.

Printing complete, art pieces assembled, all supplies ready and packed in the car by 10:00 p.m. My evening prayers were, “Lord, send someone to help me put up my canopy and have my limericks sell.” I never doubt God hears me, but He often has different answers. 

There were over 100 vendors.  The weather forecasted clouds and some sun. Well,  it turned out to be a very warm day for May. My canopy had only arrived in the mail the day before, so I had not tested it out yet.  God answered my request for help in putting it up so quickly, I was awestruck.  I had barely gotten it out of the package, when a wonderful gentleman named Richard came over and assisted me.  He was eager to tell me about the books he was selling and that he had brought 50. I was thinking about what confidence he had. I wanted that too. Thank You God, for his help and attitude!

By 10:00 a.m., the people began to stroll in. I had already adjusted my display repeatedly because the wind was just light enough that it kept blowing my things over. More and more people were coming, and as I kept looking across the way, that nice gentleman was selling book after book. My mind was thinking, “Okay, what can I be saying and doing that people buy my beautiful limericks?”

The wind began to pick up at about 1:30.   I had already secured my artwork several times from the wind blowing them over. It was discipline not to think, “I just want to go home!” After several hours of readjusting my display, I focused more on the people. The event was from 10 to 4, and Richard came by around 2 to say he had sold 48 books. I was genuinely happy for him. What thoughts had he generated that his energy output continually drew people to him? I found myself ministering to people’s physical and emotional needs apart from the actual prints I was selling.

By 2:25, the wind was ruthless. Most of the vendors I could see had some serious toppling over of their products. Vendors and customers scrambled to help the items not blow away completely. For me, I ended up putting four of my art pieces away and showing only three.  I still had hopeful thoughts.

It just got worse.  By three o’clock, most vendors were packing it up.  That would include me.  There was too much concern that my canopy was going to be airborne.  Even canopies with weights were no match for the wind.  All my gear was in my car by 3:30.

Okay, so I did not do well with sales like I anticipated.  I sold more of my little Jesus figurines then my limericks, which were really for display, but people wanted to buy them. People need Jesus. 

Driving home, my mind was filled with thoughts of the amount of time and energy I put into this day. Was it worth it?  Help me understand, Lord.

Home now and unpacking the car, I thought of my sister, now in a nursing home.  She used to sell her handmade crafts at events like this. I thought about how often her body was in pain from the constant loading and unloading of all the wonderful things she sold. She did it because she had to provide for her family. I create limericks because I love them. My sister is not capable of thinking sensible thoughts now. How privileged am I that I still can?

Our days are relatively short in this life.  Jesus told us to redeem the time.  It is far too easy to go through our days with mindless thinking.  I have gotten lost at times in mindlessly playing solitaire until I finally get my thinking back, realizing all that time wasted.

Let’s not be like Ted. The Word tells us to think of these things in Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Thinking of the lovely things would be the woman who needed to sit in the extra chair I provided because her knee was in pain from walking. Then there was the little pink fish toy I just happened to notice on the ground. I picked it up and put it on my table, for surely there was a sad child who lost it. A praise indeed, for sure enough, her parents helped her come back and look for it. She was so happy. Then the pure heart of Richard, who helped me put up my canopy. And the kind neighbor who lent me some hooks to display a canvas art I made.

Those are just some of the thoughts I am left with from that day. Others are business lessons I learned for the next event. It’s coming soon. I will rethink some things.

In the meantime, here is a last-minute plug – if you are within a small radius of Cumberland, RI, feel free to email me at Unmuteyourself@gmail.com and pick up a unique Mother’s Day gift.  I have three different Mother’s Day Limerick Wall Arts to choose from.  A Mother’s Smile, A Mother’s Debate, and A Mother’s Grace.  They are ready-made  to frame.  $10 each.  I  have frames also for $3.

Let’s think good thoughts!

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You, Lord, for creating us with the power of thought. Help us be fruitful all of our days on earth. Forgive us for the many hours we fall into mindless thinking. When we link our thoughts with Your thoughts, wisdom comes. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. © 

Photo by Studio VIX on Unsplash

Flip Off©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a man who needed a heart.

It stopped the day he was flipping his chart.

His daughter said,

He should be dead,

But he flipped to the page and read  “restart.”

Spring has arrived! But it is still chilly here in New England. That hasn’t dampened the mood!  Already drivers seem to be “happier” pressing harder on the gas as if that will make the temperature rise. Car windows open to the blaring beat of music that makes you wonder how they can drive.  God forbid if an ambulance needs to get by. The loud motorcycles are reappearing. There used to be a law prohibiting certain decibels. Who knows what happened to that one? Sunday drivers are out with their spring/summer-only vehicles.  Scooters and bikes (regular and electric)are on the sidewalks. More pedestrians are out strolling. And horns keep beeping.  We need to be alert!

After you encounter all those things and thankfully you make it home, you just want to sit down to dinner. Your phone starts. The spammers and donation solicitors (hopefully not debt collectors) start blowing up your phone. You just want to say “Flip off!”.

Controlling our emotions can be a full-time job. God, knows I have blown it many times. And will probably still.  What can we do? How do we maintain peace?

It has to be a disciplined decision. We have to consistently remind ourselves to not take it personally.  This one is difficult for me.  I know how overly sensitive I can be. God has to reign me in over and over. But the good news is, I am aware of it.  That allows me to eventually see past the disruptions and annoyances and balance back out. I can flip the chart, restart, and thank God I am not dead.

Do you need your chart flipped to restart too?

God is so forgiving that as soon as we truly “say sorry. I blew it again. Please forgive me Lord and help me do better.”, He answers with a “Yes.”

 Colossians 3:8 (KJV) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Pray this prayer with me.

 Dear God,

Thank You for Your unfailing love and mercy. You are well aware of the stresses of this life. Cleanse me of all the things I have flipped over, flipped out, and flipped off. Replace them with kindness and patience as You remind me that I too can be the cause of someone wanting to flip me off. Together we flip the chart and restart.   In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. © 

 Check out these trademarked products to help you decide daily not to flip out.

https://speakyourrhyme.printify.me/

Photo by George Becker

Persistent March©

 A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

Begin again to do all you can.

Forget what looked like a failed plan.

Failure is success.

A test just to bless.

So March on forward, persist on man.

Persistent March

There is a good probability I’ve shared this limerick in previous years of blogging. It is included in my March Monthly Journal. This year marks a new chapter in Persistence. Since January, I committed to a weekly Wednesday Facebook Live session at 3 p.m. In March I experimented with pre-recorded Zoom videos, but we all know Facebook’s algorithm favors live content. Regardless of” playing for favor”, I remain resolved to PERSIST!

My entire March Journal revolves around three words of power: Persistent, Insistent, and Consistent.

As I have entered into a new season of my journey, transitioning to working very part-time at massage therapy and spending much more time on expanding my writing business, I am reflecting on how persistence shaped my massage business.  I held a clear image of myself massaging clients – using my hands to transform their awareness of the connection to their whole being: spirit, soul, and body. It would take nine years to finally be released from my corporate job to enroll full-time in massage school.

Looking back, I saw why God had “taken so long.”  My healing journey needed its own time to take place as God persistently cared for and restored me. Back then my dream was to be a massage therapist and have my own practice. Those things came to be and along the way, a new dream emerged. I desired to become an author.

When pursuing dreams and desires with persistence it can often appear nothing is happening because we haven’t reached our endpoint. The years slip away and we feel all our plans have failed.

I want to remind you, and myself: no plan fails if we remain persistent in what we desire to achieve. Consider the persistent dandelion that grows through sidewalk cracks. It may get trampled on but it continues to reach upward up until its vibrant yellow flower blooms.  We view dandelions as lawn-destroying weeds. But research proves God created dandelions with a powerful purpose. They are so effectively persistent that they multiply every year!

As March is upon us, let’s march forward with this persistent mindset: Failure is a test of success.  A test to bless us and others. 

Jesus exemplified persistence in fulfilling His Father’s plan. He endured 40 days of testing in the Wilderness. What looked like a failure as He suffered a horrible death became the power to overcome death. The world perceived it as a failure. Believers understand that death gave us life.  With His life flowing in us we can persist in what only appears to be as a failed plan. We will pass the test. We will be blessed. We will persist.

March onward and keep persisting.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)  Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 16:3 (ESV) Commit your work to the Lord,  and your plans will be established.

 Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You for Jesus persisting in all You called him to do. Jesus, you are our role model in persistence. Give us eyes to see and ears to hear. We cannot fail any test when we give our plans to You. Keep us on Your path.   In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. © 

Photo by Kostantinos Livadas

The Safe Tower©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a plot to be in power.

Evil thought it could command the hour.

Many lost heart,

Scattered apart.

The righteous ran into the strong tower.

Proverbs 18:10

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Where can you truly be safe on the earth?

Our world is filled with mistrust, greed, lies, and scams.  Add to that murder, rape, and all kinds of violence.  Add to that fires, floods, airplane crashes, and railway mishaps. Everything seems so uncertain. If we constantly focus on all these evils life may feel unbearable. There would only be hopelessness. And sadly many live in that place of despair.

The Bible talks about the Lord’s Name being a strong tower. Righteous people run into it and they are safe. Imagine being chased by an attacker intent on robbing and killing you. Suddenly you hear a voice shouting to you, “Come this way.  It’s safe over here!”. Would you trust them?

Our current experience of society has made it very difficult to trust anything or anyone. The Bible makes known, that Satan, is roaming about as a lion looking for someone to devour. (1Peter 5:8)

Is there anyone we can trust?  

What if God was God waving you over from the attacker trying to rob, kill, and destroy you? Would you automatically run His way? How would you believe it was God? How would you be able to trust His call?

Trust takes time.

Think about someone in your life that you do trust, how did that trust come about?  Most likely with time spent together. They were reliable. They did what they said they were going to do. They showed up when you needed them. Experiencing each other’s company through conversation and shared experiences develops a bond of trust. At the mention of their name, you instinctively know it is someone you can trust. If that person you spent time with saw you running from danger and waved you over, you would not hesitate. You would do the same for them.

God can be trusted. ALWAYS.

God cannot lie. (Numbers 23:19)  He is eternally faithful – even when we are not. (2Timothy 2:13)  When we are willing to spend time with Him through reading His Word, praying, and having everyday conversations we begin to trust Him more and more. We are more aware of His Presence guiding and directing our daily activities.  The small trusts become bigger trusts as He forever waves us to His tower of safety.

 Trials will come.

The hard truth is bad things still may happen. But the greater truth is this: in the safe tower of God the enemy can never destroy your spirit. Satan is not allowed to rob or steal from you eternal things like joy, peace, and eternal life. Your spirit is the part of you that will never die. The moment you call out the name of Jesus He is there.

The Bible says the righteous run into the tower and are safe. What if you aren’t righteous? Or you are,  but don’t feel it to be true.  How would you be sure you could run to the safe tower?

Let’s settle that right now.

Righteousness is something no one can ever earn. Your spirit becomes righteous the day you ask Jesus to be your Lord and Savior. His death and resurrection are payment for His righteousness that covers you no matter what you have done. It is part of the free gift of salvation. The safe tower now opens when we call His Name. It is the place we can go to all the time. Jesus will always be there. Here we can converse with Him over every detail of our lives.

He is a really good listener.

As your trust grows with Jesus you also become a good listener.  The miracle of complete trust grows in your heart. You will never be lost or scattered. You are safe in the strong tower the moment you call His Name.

Are you ready to run to the strong tower?

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You for Your Name being a strong tower of safety. I call on You, Jesus, to cleanse me of all my sin. Come live in my heart forever as Lord and Savior. Thank You for Your righteousness that covers me. I am made righteous by Your blood. I call on Your Name now as the strong tower I run to and am safe. I trust You completely.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. © 

Perfect Peace©

A Limerick A Day To Keep You On Your Way©

There once was a mind struggling to be at ease,

Hiding behind lies that peace means no dis-ease.

Perfection is near.

Make this truth so clear.

Mankind alone can never create true peace.

Is there peace anywhere on the earth?

Have we not just come through the Christmas season where every year is recited Luke 2:13-14 .  “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying ¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

The news first week of January 2025 has been filled with the senseless killing of people all over the entire earth.  How can those Bible words be true? Ramming a truck into a crowd of people doesn’t paint a picture of good will toward men.

What was heaven really announcing?

It may be hard to understand in our finite human minds that evil was around before the forbidden fruit was eaten. That act allowed all of humankind to know the difference between evil and good.  Decisions matter. Choices are critical. God could have chosen to let the fall out from Adam and Eve’s decision to not obey and eat the forbidden fruit thereby introducing evil for all eternity. HE could have crucified Satan instead of Jesus.

BUT HE DIDN’T.

 PEACE DID COME TO EARTH.

It was sent in the form of a man named Jesus.  He is the personification of Peace and Good Will toward men. He is Perfection.  God was heartbroken that day in the Garden. HE  had already seen what was about to happen.  But can we open our minds to this truth?  It is all part of the plan to destroy the destroyer, Satan himself.  Oh, I know what you may be thinking.  “C’mon Paula, God couldn’t just flick His index finger and send Satan to hell in a nanosecond? And then all this evil would be done with?”  HE could.  But He didn’t.  The Bible says, “His thoughts are higher than ours.  His ways are not man’s ways.”   So rather than try to understand with a human mind, allow faith to help you believe and trust the Word.

Our lives here on Earth are relatively short compared to eternity. Eternity is for every human because our spirit will never die.  Where you spend Eternity is up to you.  It’s a choice, a decision must be made.  Jesus made his choice to come to Earth to fulfill God’s plan of dealing with evil.  His blood and sacrifice have made it possible for Peace to have its way.  Again you may be thinking, “Couldn’t God choose a better way than crucification?”  Maybe. The Word says cursed is every man that hangs on a tree. Back to that tree thing again. Once the sin of disobedience by eating that fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil happened all were cursed. It had to be on a tree to end the curse.

The curse is ended. The fallout has not. Choices have consequences. They are often long in ending. But that is not a reason to despair. We must still keep choosing good over evil.  Peace has come: no matter what it looks like. Evil will end. Man has the free will to be involved in the plan of ending evil or adding to it. Peace is always nearby. We decide if we want that kind of peace inside us.  When we do then along with  The Perfect Peacemaker we can create true peace.

____________________________________

All scripture is taken from The King James Bible.

Isaiah 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Pray this prayer with me.

Dear God,

Thank You for Your Perfect Plan.  I may not fully understand it all but please fill me with Jesus who has always been near. Jesus Your Holy Spirit is what I must have to create the peace that passes all understanding to live this earthly life. There is nowhere or no one I can go to, to get this kind of peace.  Forgive me for all offenses I have had against You and the way I see things.  You are Peace. I need that Peace. Thank You, Jesus.  Amen.

If you don’t know Jesus yet ask Him today to come live in your heart.  Tell Him you are sorry for all the things you know are sinful and all the things you still don’t know yet.  Ask Him to help you live out all your days with the help of His Holy Spirit.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Written by Paula Ann Kochanek

All rights copyrighted. ©