we have today

No one knows what is going to happen next except for God. We are putty in His hands. He has us all right where He wants us. Looking UP at Him, our noses buried in His Holy Book, and leaning on one another, Christian brothers and sisters He knit us together with, for encouraging words support we crave and need because we are human people. Imperfect in every way. We need Him. He is ours and we are His. God has this covered from every direction. Why is trusting that completely still so hard?! Humanness. Lay your burden down at the base of the cross and don’t pick it back up.

November 15, 2013

bedtime

sent my boys to bed hours ago
stayed up for quiet time
love seat dozed
lulled by ticking clock
soothed by wind chimes
chiming from back deck
woke up enough
to decide to go to bed
took Blue out fast
wore my fuzzy slippers
the night sky is clear
the moon and stars are bright
saw Orion
smiled
hustled back inside
the wind is blowing
like it’s going to storm
I haven’t checked radar
just an intuition forecast
that, and I saw a sundog in the sky today
driving my oldest boy home from school
a rainbow in a cloud
I love those
I never think they are saying, “rain is coming”
I think they are a gift from God saying, “My promises are real. My covenants, like the rainbow I gave Noah, to say I’ll never destroy the Earth by water, ever again. Trust Me. I got this.”
fanciful perhaps
but it works for me
even if rain follows too
I love rain
it soothes me
as does being cozy, warm inside my home, listening to the blowing, gust of the wind, not worrying over rain, sleet or snow one bit, because there is a new roof now, in gorgeous burnt sienna shingles
win-win
no matter what
happy thoughts
as I finally tuck into bed
a l’il after 1:00am

November 14, 2013

Press On

Fear has held me back a lot
It still does
It takes so much inner fortitude to press through that wall of fear
So much
Fear can be paralyzing
It is a hurdle to go over, around, under or through
Another metaphor is a mountain
Then it’s time for a mountain moving prayer
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move a mountain (Matthew 17:20)
God’s Word tells us quite frequently to, “Fear Not”
This is yet another of the many lessons I’m in the midst of learning
Holding on to God’s promises and telling the Devil to “Be Gone”
Easier said than done
That’s why we have community and prayer
Always
Prayer

November 10, 2013

day by day

“We make plans and God laughs.” I seriously said that aloud earlier this week, on Monday in fact. Like a “bring it on” idiot. Plans change. Sometimes fast. Thankful it’s just flu, and nothing worse. My Grandpa will still turn 98 tomorrow, just without us there in person. We’ll be there in spirit, and keep our germs at home. We have everything we need and will all be A OK soon. I boarded the dog anyway. That too is for the best. Funny thing is, in 20/20 hindsight, I scheduled more things this week than I’ve attempted all in a row for awhile. When first my youngest son was sick on Sunday, I started rescheduling, canceling and shuffling things around. The things meant most to happen did – like helping K3 finger paint, getting groceries (more jello), and visiting fast with friends. My oldest son knew I planned to call both boys off school today, so he diligently worked ahead. I had hoped he’d dodged this bug, but the 8th grader has it now. “Confirmed” like on MythBusters. Quarantined too. That’s what’s happening at my house. Happy Friday and wishing good health to you!

Taking Stock…The Things That Matter Most: my body…broke insideso no one can seebut i know now i will be finei’m…

takingstockofwhatmattersmost:

my body…broke inside
so no one can see
but i know now i will be fine
i’m on my knees…finally me

i look to the Heavens
my arms spread open wide
sometimes Faith takes time
for those who are broke…inside

He see’s what others cannot
He accepts my faults from above
He takes my hand and leads me home
He sacrificed His Son to show His love

He is my refuge and my fortress
He is where my strength comes from
He protects me in the shadow of His wings
He cares for me, loves me
He forgives me again and again
He provides for the sparrows
and also for me and my boys
I am thankful
So very thankful
What a journey it has been
Climbing mountains so steep
Wandering in the vast wilderness
Desert dry as we sought an oasis
Mountains moved by Faith
Paths appearing where there seemed no way
Hope springing eternal
A fount of many blessings
Through it all we pray
Renewal in the final weeks
Walking through the valley
of the shadow of death
God’s promises are real
His covenants
He goes before you
He prepares the way
Fear not
Do not be ashamed
He will never leave you
Pray “Your will, not mine”
Be still
and know that He is God
The God of Moses
The God of Daniel
The God of David
Father of Jesus
He is our Father
in Heaven
He is there
He will heal your heart
Trust Him today

October 27, 2013
two months and a day since my husband died

Taking Stock…The Things That Matter Most: my body…broke insideso no one can seebut i know now i will be finei’m…

HE LIVES

the sun is shining
as we celebrate
the Son rising
…and then
the sun is covered
by a big gray cloud
the clouds are ever changing
yet Heaven is a constant
there is one sky above
home to a never changing
all knowing
ever present God
who sent His Son to die
that we may believe in Him
and have the gift
of everlasting eternal life
in Heaven
when our time on Earth
is through
Thank you, God
for sending Your Son to die
and bear our sins
today, on Easter Sunday
we celebrate and say,
“HE LIVES”

March 31, 2013

Good Friday

The morning sky was melancholy today.
Quiet and contemplative.
Lots of layers to the clouds.
White and gray interspersed.
Then, the clouds parted and a l’il blue sky peeked through.
Good Friday is a moody melancholy day.
The Crucifixion.
But the promise of Good Friday is, “Sunday’s a comin’!”
On Sunday we celebrate and shout, HE IS RISEN!
So it’s only fitting, for Heaven to be a bit subdued with extra clouds in shades of gray, for even though we call it Good Friday, it is a melancholy day.

March 29, 2013
Good Friday

up and at ‘em
feet on the floor
children still sleepin’
dog and I
out the door

it’s half past six
there is a cold snap
in the air
we walk upon
the sidewalk
snow packed
here and there

we turn a corner
toward the park
the dog and I
on our favorite walk
there is pink mist
thick on the horizon
in front of us
on either side
me without my camera

then I look behind us
the dog wonders,
“Why did she stop?”
the sun was rising
fiery red shown
from behind the clouds
blending to pink
golden too somehow
spectacular
amazin’
so movin’
I said aloud,
“Thank you, God
Today is Yours.”

He is the Creator
The Greatest Artist
His palette holds
every color
His canvas is the sky
He created everything
even that dog
and me

March 27, 2013