Today was the day. We closed on the house, we have the check and that's it. Over. That chapter is closed for good and a whole new chapter has been started. I don't think I ever want to read this book again, though. Been a tough two days.
I am okay. I haven't written for a couple of days because I've been so busy. The folks buying the house discovered the garbage disposal didn't work--had to replace it--today. I gave the freezer-a monstrosity--to some neighbors for their church. Trying to get it out of the room it was in was--well--an experience. Momma and Daddy must have built the house around the freezer.
The auction people left a disastrous mess in the house in every room. I got there this morning at 7:00am and I left at 4:00pm--cleaning up their mess. And after they promised everything would be gone I had to go back through Momma's stuff 'cause they left a ton of it.
Why, Father, why? Why must we experience such pain? Why must we go through such hurtful wrenching away? I lay awake at night thinking I don't ever want to love anyone again. It's too painful. Death is a bitter pill to swallow.
Tell me, Child.
I am. I'm telling You I don't like it. It makes me so sad. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I'm tired. It wasn't supposed to be this way!
How was it supposed to be?
I was supposed to die first. That was the way everyone thought it would be.
Not me.
But why didn't You prepare me?
So you would worry?
No, so I would be ready.
You can never be ready for Death. It has its own sting.
Lord, I'm angry. I feel guilty. I feel alone.
Be angry at Sin. Guilty? You did not decide your Momma's last breath--that was Me. You are never alone.
Then why have You let go of me? I know You're there, but I can't feel Your hands around me anymore, holding me. Why have You let go? This is when I need You most!
You're teetering, Child, because you haven't fully developed those muscles. You are building strength you never would have known. Your faith is much deeper now. You rely on Me more than even you recognize. It's become your nature. That is the intent.
You can relax. Feel your feet beneath you. Don't struggle so much. I will not let you fall. I have you. You can trust Me.
How can I know?
Because I tell you. Recall the scriptures you have so diligently placed in your heart. Remember the love I have for you. My plans are to prosper you not to harm you. My love endures forever. I sing over, Child, why would I want to harm you?
But why, why does it hurt so much? Why does it have to be this way?
My ways are not your ways. My thoughts are not your thoughts. There are some mysteries that cannot be revealed to you now. Today you see in part, one day, you will see the whole. Until that time, trust Me. Don't look to the left. Don't look to the right. Look straight into my face, Dear One, and there you will find Comfort.
Close your eyes now and rest your weary head. Give Me the burden to carry. Here, Mine is light...that's it, sleep, Child, I'm watching. I have your heart in
My hands. I will heal it. I will mend it. You were meant to love.
Rest now and in the morning, My mercies will be new and you will be free to love again.
7/31/2007
7/27/2007
He Is The Reason
I used to listen to John Denver. I don't know if he wrote this song, but he sang it on one of his albums--yes, the vinyl kind!
"Some days are diamonds, some days are stone. Sometimes the hard life won't leave me alone. Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones. Well, some days are diamonds and some days are stone."
There are seasons of our life that are just so much harder to take than others. Before my Momma moved to Heaven, I didn't have an easy life (who does?), but it was nothing compared to now. I left Momma on March 22, a Thursday, I said, "I'll be back." Should never have said that. Should have gone back. I got home, she was doing relative well when I left, and I was exhausted. It was my ninth day of staying from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. I was looking after Daddy, running him back and forth to the hospital--I didn't go back.
At 7:05am Friday morning, the doctor called. He said, "Your Momma took a turn for the worse last night."
My reply, "So you had to move her to ICU?"
"No," and you know my head knew what he was going to say and already my heart was beginning to stop, "we tried to revive her, but we weren't successful."
I asked, "What do you mean?" I knew very well what he meant. I guess I just needed to hear him say it.
"Your Mom didn't make it. She passed away about 5:20 this morning."
I dropped the phone, screaming as it clattered to the floor.
My life was turned upside down. One minute I was living in North America, right-side up and the next thing I know, I'm in Australia where even the water goes down the drain the wrong way. Saturday I was in the church office deciding what music I wanted played at my Mom's Celebration Service. I couldn't believe it. Sunday, the day of her service, I had relatives asking me about a trust fund, who was in charge of the money for my Gramma's funeral and what pieces of my Momma's furnishings they would like to have.
Monday my Daddy instructed me to get all of Momma's stuff out, he wanted to sell the house. We started looking at places for him to live, but in the four months since Momma moved, Daddy's failing mind made it impossible for him to move anywhere but a nursing home or in with me. I chose "in with me."
Now, Daddy is here. He sits in his chair all day and he's really no bother at all and, yet, things are different. He likes quiet. We are not a quiet household. I have three toy poodles that are interested in telling me who is outside, which of our neighbors are coming home or leaving, how many squirrels are scampering about in their territory, etc. I have an extremely messy and noisy cockatiel who is enamored with herself so she tells "the bird" in the mirror how pretty she is 450 times a day (okay, I haven't counted, but it's a lot). And, there's me (noisy by default because I'm clumsy), a husband ( a professor who is used to making himself heard over 200 chatty freshmen in an auditorium with no mic) and a sixteen year old (noisy by nature). We're not quiet. I think the harder we try to be quiet, the noisier we get. Nerves. Murphy's Law. Whatever!
And, there's the whole thing of having an extra person in your house. He's no trouble, but he's extra. Kinda like a splinter that doesn't hurt, but it makes your finger feel funny anyway.
Lessons from God. I don't know why I make this connection, but I do. Maybe the Holy Spirit. Maybe just my weirdo way of thinking. Was this how Jesus felt? He loved everyone, He was at home and yet things just weren't right. He was held captive by human skin. He endured crowds and shoving hordes trying to get a closer look, touches and pulls at His garments. He, Who never sleeps, now needed power naps and food to sustain His energy. And, the noise! What must it have been like to move from Heaven's angels singing to the complaining, moaning, bragging, boisterous, crying, wailing, din-imposing lot of human that we are?
So many challenges, but He endured them all for our sakes. He loved us so very much. His world was turned upside down, too. The Cross. NEVER had He lived through such horrific pain and agony, seperation from His Father, such debase nature, sheer and total evil. I shudder to think.
Yes, lives get turned topsy-turvy, and no, this was not the way I would have written the story, but I am not The Creator. I cannot see what roots of value are being watered and grown. I cannot see the depth with which they plunge into the Earth giving me stability. I cannot fathom the testimony I may bring now or in the future to someone else. I cannot imagine the taste of the sweet nectar of the fruit I'll bear from this one trial.
And, Praise Him, I do not traverse this growth spurt alone. God is with me, watering, gently pruning, providing the trellis with which to rest my heavy branches. And, one day, when the time comes, I will look at my Savior's beaming face and listen to Him broadcast throughout the Heavens, "Well done, my good and faithful Servant."
Will it have been worth it? Yes! I say again, "Yes!" He is my all in all. He is the reason I live. He is the reason I serve. He is the reason I love. He is the reason...
"Some days are diamonds, some days are stone. Sometimes the hard life won't leave me alone. Sometimes a cold wind blows a chill in my bones. Well, some days are diamonds and some days are stone."
There are seasons of our life that are just so much harder to take than others. Before my Momma moved to Heaven, I didn't have an easy life (who does?), but it was nothing compared to now. I left Momma on March 22, a Thursday, I said, "I'll be back." Should never have said that. Should have gone back. I got home, she was doing relative well when I left, and I was exhausted. It was my ninth day of staying from 7 in the morning until 9 at night. I was looking after Daddy, running him back and forth to the hospital--I didn't go back.
At 7:05am Friday morning, the doctor called. He said, "Your Momma took a turn for the worse last night."
My reply, "So you had to move her to ICU?"
"No," and you know my head knew what he was going to say and already my heart was beginning to stop, "we tried to revive her, but we weren't successful."
I asked, "What do you mean?" I knew very well what he meant. I guess I just needed to hear him say it.
"Your Mom didn't make it. She passed away about 5:20 this morning."
I dropped the phone, screaming as it clattered to the floor.
My life was turned upside down. One minute I was living in North America, right-side up and the next thing I know, I'm in Australia where even the water goes down the drain the wrong way. Saturday I was in the church office deciding what music I wanted played at my Mom's Celebration Service. I couldn't believe it. Sunday, the day of her service, I had relatives asking me about a trust fund, who was in charge of the money for my Gramma's funeral and what pieces of my Momma's furnishings they would like to have.
Monday my Daddy instructed me to get all of Momma's stuff out, he wanted to sell the house. We started looking at places for him to live, but in the four months since Momma moved, Daddy's failing mind made it impossible for him to move anywhere but a nursing home or in with me. I chose "in with me."
Now, Daddy is here. He sits in his chair all day and he's really no bother at all and, yet, things are different. He likes quiet. We are not a quiet household. I have three toy poodles that are interested in telling me who is outside, which of our neighbors are coming home or leaving, how many squirrels are scampering about in their territory, etc. I have an extremely messy and noisy cockatiel who is enamored with herself so she tells "the bird" in the mirror how pretty she is 450 times a day (okay, I haven't counted, but it's a lot). And, there's me (noisy by default because I'm clumsy), a husband ( a professor who is used to making himself heard over 200 chatty freshmen in an auditorium with no mic) and a sixteen year old (noisy by nature). We're not quiet. I think the harder we try to be quiet, the noisier we get. Nerves. Murphy's Law. Whatever!
And, there's the whole thing of having an extra person in your house. He's no trouble, but he's extra. Kinda like a splinter that doesn't hurt, but it makes your finger feel funny anyway.
Lessons from God. I don't know why I make this connection, but I do. Maybe the Holy Spirit. Maybe just my weirdo way of thinking. Was this how Jesus felt? He loved everyone, He was at home and yet things just weren't right. He was held captive by human skin. He endured crowds and shoving hordes trying to get a closer look, touches and pulls at His garments. He, Who never sleeps, now needed power naps and food to sustain His energy. And, the noise! What must it have been like to move from Heaven's angels singing to the complaining, moaning, bragging, boisterous, crying, wailing, din-imposing lot of human that we are?
So many challenges, but He endured them all for our sakes. He loved us so very much. His world was turned upside down, too. The Cross. NEVER had He lived through such horrific pain and agony, seperation from His Father, such debase nature, sheer and total evil. I shudder to think.
Yes, lives get turned topsy-turvy, and no, this was not the way I would have written the story, but I am not The Creator. I cannot see what roots of value are being watered and grown. I cannot see the depth with which they plunge into the Earth giving me stability. I cannot fathom the testimony I may bring now or in the future to someone else. I cannot imagine the taste of the sweet nectar of the fruit I'll bear from this one trial.
And, Praise Him, I do not traverse this growth spurt alone. God is with me, watering, gently pruning, providing the trellis with which to rest my heavy branches. And, one day, when the time comes, I will look at my Savior's beaming face and listen to Him broadcast throughout the Heavens, "Well done, my good and faithful Servant."
Will it have been worth it? Yes! I say again, "Yes!" He is my all in all. He is the reason I live. He is the reason I serve. He is the reason I love. He is the reason...
7/24/2007
The Concert
This was an e-mail sent to me today by a very dear friend. I wanted to share it with everyone:
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to
her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.
In horror, the mother saw her littleboy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out
"Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.
Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish onour own is hardly noteworthy.
We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.'
Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always!
and remember,
"Don't quit. Keep playing."
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to
her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.
In horror, the mother saw her littleboy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out
"Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played.
Only the classic, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish onour own is hardly noteworthy.
We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.'
Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always!
and remember,
"Don't quit. Keep playing."
7/23/2007
My Proctor Is God
I'm being tested--I just hope I studied hard enough to pass the exam. It's my worst subject, too. Patience.
Today, I got a phone call from the auction people. They needed to get in my parents' house to take the matresses. It's against NC law for them to sell them. Okay, fine. What I had not expected was the finality that hit me in the face when I entered the house and everything--I mean everything--was gone. I left Saturday, everything was there. I go in today everything is gone. WOW! It felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Question one.
I came back home and the people are here to put in a phone line for my Daddy. Problem--Oh, imagine that. They can't run the lines because we have cement all around our house in the backyard and they don't cut through cement. We can have Daddy's number transferred by Master Ring so he uses our line, but has his own ring. That sounds fine. Question two.
Come in the house and Daddy starts accusing me of giving all my children keys to his house and he wants them back. I said, "Daddy, I only have the one child and she doesn't have a key."
"I know they do!" His voice getting nasty.
"Daddy, I promise. I have one child and she doesn't have a key." I went through all the people who have keys, but he wasn't satisfied. I had to walk away. He forgot. Question three.
The cable guy came. My husband took one of my folks' TV's and wanted cable run into the bedroom. While he was here and already dirty, I thought it would be nice to have a line run next to my treadmill (where all the clothes hang). I asked, "How much to run another line while you're here?"
"Can't do that. Have to have a special order called in. We're only allowed to do so much under-house work in one day." Question four.
Find out my husband has moved my Momma's rocker, by himself, into a room I had already cleaned, and in the process scraped the rocker up pretty good. Question five.
Have worked hard all day. Looked under my bed and my dogs have ripped holes in every airtight bag I had with my winter clothes in them. Every bag. Question six.
My daughter begged her Dad to go get her some ice cream. He goes, comes back with the flavor she hates the most, she's upset that he doesn't know her enough to know she hates chocolate ice cream, he's upset that he might have to go out again. Slamming doors. Question seven.
I stop my work to go to the store to get the "right" ice cream. Question eight.
My Dad wants me to call Trot Nixon's parents to see if he's playing ball tonight. The Cleveland Indians are playing and he hasn't seen Trot. Question nine.
The phone company calls to ask me questions about the service I received today. I was to rate several questons. Question ten.
Daddy stops me as I pass from room to room. "What was my wife's name?" Question eleven.
Sent off my manuscript pages, synopsis and an e-mail to the publisher and forgot to ask for a receipt. Don't know if he got it or not. Bonus question.
So I took the exam and I believe I passed. I'm not sure what grade I'll get. I'm sure this wasn't the final, either.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121:1-2
Today, I got a phone call from the auction people. They needed to get in my parents' house to take the matresses. It's against NC law for them to sell them. Okay, fine. What I had not expected was the finality that hit me in the face when I entered the house and everything--I mean everything--was gone. I left Saturday, everything was there. I go in today everything is gone. WOW! It felt like I had been punched in the stomach. Question one.
I came back home and the people are here to put in a phone line for my Daddy. Problem--Oh, imagine that. They can't run the lines because we have cement all around our house in the backyard and they don't cut through cement. We can have Daddy's number transferred by Master Ring so he uses our line, but has his own ring. That sounds fine. Question two.
Come in the house and Daddy starts accusing me of giving all my children keys to his house and he wants them back. I said, "Daddy, I only have the one child and she doesn't have a key."
"I know they do!" His voice getting nasty.
"Daddy, I promise. I have one child and she doesn't have a key." I went through all the people who have keys, but he wasn't satisfied. I had to walk away. He forgot. Question three.
The cable guy came. My husband took one of my folks' TV's and wanted cable run into the bedroom. While he was here and already dirty, I thought it would be nice to have a line run next to my treadmill (where all the clothes hang). I asked, "How much to run another line while you're here?"
"Can't do that. Have to have a special order called in. We're only allowed to do so much under-house work in one day." Question four.
Find out my husband has moved my Momma's rocker, by himself, into a room I had already cleaned, and in the process scraped the rocker up pretty good. Question five.
Have worked hard all day. Looked under my bed and my dogs have ripped holes in every airtight bag I had with my winter clothes in them. Every bag. Question six.
My daughter begged her Dad to go get her some ice cream. He goes, comes back with the flavor she hates the most, she's upset that he doesn't know her enough to know she hates chocolate ice cream, he's upset that he might have to go out again. Slamming doors. Question seven.
I stop my work to go to the store to get the "right" ice cream. Question eight.
My Dad wants me to call Trot Nixon's parents to see if he's playing ball tonight. The Cleveland Indians are playing and he hasn't seen Trot. Question nine.
The phone company calls to ask me questions about the service I received today. I was to rate several questons. Question ten.
Daddy stops me as I pass from room to room. "What was my wife's name?" Question eleven.
Sent off my manuscript pages, synopsis and an e-mail to the publisher and forgot to ask for a receipt. Don't know if he got it or not. Bonus question.
So I took the exam and I believe I passed. I'm not sure what grade I'll get. I'm sure this wasn't the final, either.
"I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth." Psalm 121:1-2
7/22/2007
Tired Tranquility
I'm back home. Had a glorious time in Asheville at The Cove with Travis. As always, he brought everyone into the presence of the Lord with his music. Not too many people can make me cry with their music, but he can. I have never listened to him when I didn't feel the Holy Spirit moving like a breath of fresh air through the room.
Hope enjoyed herself, too. The Lord took away her phone service, but not mine. She and her phone have a co-dependent relationship. Of course, I thought it was hysterical--she, well, not so much. God has a way of taking our face in His hands and saying, "You will pay attention this time." She took lots of baby steps forward in her effort to seek God with all her heart. I was proud and I know God was, too. Hope, I love you.
If you've never been to The Cove you need to make a special effort to try and get there someday. God gave Billy Graham a vision for a place where Christians could take refuge. It is an awesome place. God's presence truly can be felt everywhere. Agape love roils up an artesian well from all the workers--most of them volunteer--to splash all over the guests. It's a unique place, a wonderful place, a Godly place.
Daddy did well while I was gone. My daughter took him to get a haircut. He ate good while I was gone. He just didn't remember where I was and when I was coming home. He thought my daughter was my grandchild, but as long as he faired okay that's all that matters.
I'm told the auction did good, too. I'm so glad. When we were leaving Saturday morning, it was beginning to drizzle, but the sun came out later and the auction went on. Everything sold. Everybody liked Momma's stuff. I know we all did.
I'm tired, but it's a good tired. The kind of tired where God wears you out from lovin' on ya so much! My muscles have no stress in them. My mind doesn't have much thought in it. It's the kind of tired where you feel like you're a pat of butter and you melted on the sidewalk in the noonday sun.
Glad to be back, Bloggy friends! Let us come to the Throne with worship and thanksgiving pouring forth from our hearts and mouths to the Savior's heart and ears. He adores us. Let's return the favor!
Hope enjoyed herself, too. The Lord took away her phone service, but not mine. She and her phone have a co-dependent relationship. Of course, I thought it was hysterical--she, well, not so much. God has a way of taking our face in His hands and saying, "You will pay attention this time." She took lots of baby steps forward in her effort to seek God with all her heart. I was proud and I know God was, too. Hope, I love you.
If you've never been to The Cove you need to make a special effort to try and get there someday. God gave Billy Graham a vision for a place where Christians could take refuge. It is an awesome place. God's presence truly can be felt everywhere. Agape love roils up an artesian well from all the workers--most of them volunteer--to splash all over the guests. It's a unique place, a wonderful place, a Godly place.
Daddy did well while I was gone. My daughter took him to get a haircut. He ate good while I was gone. He just didn't remember where I was and when I was coming home. He thought my daughter was my grandchild, but as long as he faired okay that's all that matters.
I'm told the auction did good, too. I'm so glad. When we were leaving Saturday morning, it was beginning to drizzle, but the sun came out later and the auction went on. Everything sold. Everybody liked Momma's stuff. I know we all did.
I'm tired, but it's a good tired. The kind of tired where God wears you out from lovin' on ya so much! My muscles have no stress in them. My mind doesn't have much thought in it. It's the kind of tired where you feel like you're a pat of butter and you melted on the sidewalk in the noonday sun.
Glad to be back, Bloggy friends! Let us come to the Throne with worship and thanksgiving pouring forth from our hearts and mouths to the Savior's heart and ears. He adores us. Let's return the favor!
7/20/2007
Thankfulness is at the Heart of Joy
Good Morning! I slept all night. That was wonderful and quite unlike me. God gives peace and rest, and I needed it.
Yesterday, I could tell Daddy was feeling more at home. He asked me to turn the AC on. At his house we had to sit in the sweltering heat because he didn't want his electric bill to go up. It seems at my house, "What the hey." I laughed out loud when asked me to turn it on for the third time. I had to wrap up in an afghan I got so cold!
He was back to complaining about the TV and "what is this world coming to." And, when I went for a swim AFTER all my work was completed, he warned me about being careful, not slipping and after about 20 minutes he got up, found the back door and hollered, "I think it's time you came in." Yep, Daddy feels right at home now.
We as Christians are so much like Daddy. We are so appreciative at first to be out of confinement, a well of sin or relieved from some stress, but then the "glow" of thankfulness wears off and we're right back to our same selves, complaining and feeling that things are back to status quo.
We start to whine, we start to tell God instead of ask God, our prayers once again become "me" oriented instead of God-centered. Before you know it, we're moping about, wondering "why" me, and our joy becomes stagnant.
To avoid this syndrome we need to keep our eyes squarely on the One Who has given us the best of all He has. We have salvation and we should never forget that. Nothing in our lives should supercede the thankfulness we have for our eternal life being bought by The Son of God.
The auction is Saturday, but I will be gone! I'm going to see Travis Cottrell in concert at The Cove with my friend, Hope. I'm, so excited. She's never been to The Cove and we both adore Travis. It will be a nice respite from all the stress and strain. My daughter will take good care of my Dad.
I'm close enough to finishing the manuscript that I have taken the next step and contacted Harvest House. There is an editor there who has asked to see my book, so, Ladies, let's pray!
Have a great day! Look for ways today to thank the Father for blessings He is giving you at the moment you recognize what it is. For instance, you walk down the sidewalk and see flowers. Thank Him right then for your senses, for His beautiful handiwork, for your ability to walk , etc.
You'll be amazed at how doing that will change your whole outlook on the day and bring joy bubbling from your soul!
Yesterday, I could tell Daddy was feeling more at home. He asked me to turn the AC on. At his house we had to sit in the sweltering heat because he didn't want his electric bill to go up. It seems at my house, "What the hey." I laughed out loud when asked me to turn it on for the third time. I had to wrap up in an afghan I got so cold!
He was back to complaining about the TV and "what is this world coming to." And, when I went for a swim AFTER all my work was completed, he warned me about being careful, not slipping and after about 20 minutes he got up, found the back door and hollered, "I think it's time you came in." Yep, Daddy feels right at home now.
We as Christians are so much like Daddy. We are so appreciative at first to be out of confinement, a well of sin or relieved from some stress, but then the "glow" of thankfulness wears off and we're right back to our same selves, complaining and feeling that things are back to status quo.
We start to whine, we start to tell God instead of ask God, our prayers once again become "me" oriented instead of God-centered. Before you know it, we're moping about, wondering "why" me, and our joy becomes stagnant.
To avoid this syndrome we need to keep our eyes squarely on the One Who has given us the best of all He has. We have salvation and we should never forget that. Nothing in our lives should supercede the thankfulness we have for our eternal life being bought by The Son of God.
The auction is Saturday, but I will be gone! I'm going to see Travis Cottrell in concert at The Cove with my friend, Hope. I'm, so excited. She's never been to The Cove and we both adore Travis. It will be a nice respite from all the stress and strain. My daughter will take good care of my Dad.
I'm close enough to finishing the manuscript that I have taken the next step and contacted Harvest House. There is an editor there who has asked to see my book, so, Ladies, let's pray!
Have a great day! Look for ways today to thank the Father for blessings He is giving you at the moment you recognize what it is. For instance, you walk down the sidewalk and see flowers. Thank Him right then for your senses, for His beautiful handiwork, for your ability to walk , etc.
You'll be amazed at how doing that will change your whole outlook on the day and bring joy bubbling from your soul!
7/18/2007
Energy Bar Made in Heaven
I am blown away by the Presence of God. He is so evident in my life right now. You know how sometimes it seems like He's just arouind the corner if you holler, but He's not standing beside you, or there if you need to jump in His arms right that second? None of that these days. I can feel His hand on mine as I lift heavy furniture and rearrange the bed and sofa for the kazillionth time. I have energy and stamina better than I did when I played basketball in high school--well, okay, maybe not that good, but almost!
I wish I could convey through these words just what a miracle it is. Five months ago I barely had energy to breathe. I took long naps, five and six hours during the day, I couldn't clean, I couldn't write, I was a blob. Now this transforming power of God is working through me and it's simply wild!
Daddy's had a grand day. I would whiz through, pat him on the head and he was delighted just to have someone to speak to all day. He's settling in just fine, though he is confused about the layout of the house. He cannot for the life of himself find the bathroom! BUT, I now have the energy and wherewithall to show him. Whoopee!!!!
Dear Lord, You know I can never thank You enough for what You're doing in my life, but that's the beauty of Your whole plan. I can't, You can, so there ya go. You love each of us in our own worlds with the same amount of love. I love You, Father, for taking this weak body and using me to glorify You through an aging father who has served You well. You are most kind. I thank You. Good-night!
I wish I could convey through these words just what a miracle it is. Five months ago I barely had energy to breathe. I took long naps, five and six hours during the day, I couldn't clean, I couldn't write, I was a blob. Now this transforming power of God is working through me and it's simply wild!
Daddy's had a grand day. I would whiz through, pat him on the head and he was delighted just to have someone to speak to all day. He's settling in just fine, though he is confused about the layout of the house. He cannot for the life of himself find the bathroom! BUT, I now have the energy and wherewithall to show him. Whoopee!!!!
Dear Lord, You know I can never thank You enough for what You're doing in my life, but that's the beauty of Your whole plan. I can't, You can, so there ya go. You love each of us in our own worlds with the same amount of love. I love You, Father, for taking this weak body and using me to glorify You through an aging father who has served You well. You are most kind. I thank You. Good-night!
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