In walking yesterday morning I came upon a robin on the sidewalk ahead of me. It didn’t want to move. As I approached I saw why – there on the sidewalk lay a great big fat earthworm! The robin didn’t want to move but I was a threat to it so it hopped over into the grass about a foot from the sidewalk. As I got closer it hopped all around but it was evident it did not want to leave that worm. It kept watching me and kept its eye on the worm. It fluttered up on the nearby fence as I stepped over the worm. I turned to look back at the bird and the worm and immediately the robin flew down to the sidewalk and hopped around the worm knowing I was no longer a threat!
I finished my walk, got ready for work and didn’t think about that robin and worm until later last night. When I got to work the air conditioner was not working in the office so it was about 84 degrees! That is a little warm for me! Since it was so hot I passed up my morning “cup of coffee”. The repairman didn’t get there to fix it until about 2 pm so as the day progressed so did my headache. I usually go home for lunch. The mailman was just walking up so he handed me my mail and I went on in the house feeling a little drained - still sporting the headache. I had a bite to eat then upon opening my mail was even feeling worse after opening a letter I had been waiting for. Well, not exactly what I had anticipated – just a little more to add to my "everything" list to think about!
Have you ever felt like posting a comment on Facebook like “I need some encouragement – is there anybody out there???” That is kind of what I was feeling right then. When in all actuality, I know there are many people around me that are there offering me lots of encouragement. But isn’t that just like satan - to come at us when we are feeling down physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually - when we’ve pushed ourselves to the limit? He knows just when and how to attack us from every angle possible. He is the great deceiver. A liar!
I sat there thinking about “everything” and decided to go in and play through the praise team music for Sunday. As I sat there at the piano playing through the songs the words just seemed to speak to my heart. Seems there was something in each one of those songs that said, Diana, I, your God, am with you right this very moment. I will see you through. I will be there for you. I will not fail you or forsake you. I will provide for your needs. What a friend we have in Jesus! That time at the piano was just what I needed before I headed back to work. My office was still hot when I returned to work and I still had my headache but my heart felt lighter - my load didn’t seem as heavy! After work I went home, took a couple Excedrin and laid down. Sometimes we just need some rest and renewal! And, I must say, I felt much better after my nap!
Later in the evening, I read this scripture that once again spoke to me. God knows just when and what we need to encourage us. “Take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking-around-life – and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him . . . fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out!
-Romans 12 (Message)
God wants my everyday, ordinary life! My sleeping, eating, going to work, paying bills, overseeing kids etc. - my walking-around-life – He wants me to place it before Him. . . offer all of it to Him. Am I offering all of the “everythings” in life to Him and embracing all of what God is doing for me? Yesterday I was a little overwhelmed with the “everythings” going on in my life. I needed the reminder from that verse in Romans “to fix my attention on Him and He will change me from the inside out”. What a faithful God we have!
As I continued reading I came to this verse: “Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder” -Romans 12 (Message)
Just the words I needed to end my day. I thought back to my morning walk and the robin and the worm. That robin had fixed its attention on that worm and was not going to get very far away from it. I was a threat to it but the robin walked away from me while still keeping its eye on the worm. Then when I was past the worm, that robin in its alertness flew down to that worm! Oh, that you and I would keep our attention fixed on God and be alert, expectant, fueled and aflame for the “everythings” in our life.
Do you ever feel like quitting in the hard times – do you every want to say “Is there anybody out there? I need some encouragement!” Don’t give up – pray harder and fix your attention on God. . . Remember, God wants ALL of our everyday, ordinary, walking-around-life!!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Church Gossip
Mildred, the church gossip, and self-appointed monitor of the church's morals, kept sticking her nose in to other people's business. Several members did not approve of her extra curricular activities, but feared her enough to maintain their silence.
She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.
Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night.
You gotta love Frank.
She made a mistake, however, when she accused Frank, a new member, of being an alcoholic after she saw his old pickup parked in front of the town's only bar one afternoon. She emphatically told Frank (and several others) that everyone seeing it there would know what he was doing.
Frank, a man of few words, stared at her for a moment and just turned and walked away. He didn't explain, defend, or deny... he said nothing. Later that evening, Frank quietly parked his pickup in front of Mildred's house...walked home...and left it there all night.
You gotta love Frank.
Old Farmer's Advice
* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong. **Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.**Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.** A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.** Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled.** Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.** Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.** Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.** It don't take a very big person to carry a grudge..** You cannot unsay a cruel word.** Every path has a few puddles.** When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.** The best sermons are lived, not preached.* Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.** Don't judge folks by their relatives.** Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.** Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.** Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none.** Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a Rain dance.** If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.** Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.** The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.** Always drink upstream from the herd.** Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.** Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.** If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.** Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply.*
*Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.*
*Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.*
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Bulls-Eye
I remember one year my older brother, John, got a bow and arrow set. We put targets up on the hay stack beside the barn and started taking turns to see who would get the bulls-eye! Of course, John had the edge on me, he hunted and aimed at squirrels, rabbits and varmints all the time! But, with a little practice I was able to hit the target and actually wasn’t to shabby – even got so I could hit the bulls-eye more times than not! I can still picture it . . . standing straight and tall, arm outstretched holding the bow, placing the arrow on the string, stretching the string and arrow back while aiming at the target. The bow armed and aimed in the right direction! Then there was the “swishing” sound of the arrow as it was released and hurled toward the target. Then “thug” into the “bulls-eye”!! What excitement I felt!
I read this Bible verse this morning and my thoughts went back to those bow and arrow days as a kid. I remember studying that target and aiming for that bulls-eye and adjusting the angle of that arrow before I ever let go of the arrow.
“What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every GOD-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it. Is there any god like GOD? Are we not at bedrock? Is not this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction?”
I read this Bible verse this morning and my thoughts went back to those bow and arrow days as a kid. I remember studying that target and aiming for that bulls-eye and adjusting the angle of that arrow before I ever let go of the arrow.
“What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every GOD-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it. Is there any god like GOD? Are we not at bedrock? Is not this the God who armed me, then aimed me in the right direction?”
-Psalm 18:30-32 (Message)
These verses intrigued me as I read them. There are a lot of action words in them – stretches – runs – armed – aimed. And look at some of those other descriptive words – straight – smooth – bedrock.
What do all of those words mean to you? When I think about the meaning of those words and how they are used in the scripture, it encourages me in my daily grind through life.
Stretch: to lengthen, widen, or distend by pulling; to cause to extend across a given space; to reach or put forth; to flex one’s muscles; to strain; to extend the limits; to prolong. Does God want to lengthen me, widen me (let’s hope not!!! LOL!), extend me? Is He wanting me to flex my muscles for him and extend the limits in my Christian walk with Him?
These verses intrigued me as I read them. There are a lot of action words in them – stretches – runs – armed – aimed. And look at some of those other descriptive words – straight – smooth – bedrock.
What do all of those words mean to you? When I think about the meaning of those words and how they are used in the scripture, it encourages me in my daily grind through life.
Stretch: to lengthen, widen, or distend by pulling; to cause to extend across a given space; to reach or put forth; to flex one’s muscles; to strain; to extend the limits; to prolong. Does God want to lengthen me, widen me (let’s hope not!!! LOL!), extend me? Is He wanting me to flex my muscles for him and extend the limits in my Christian walk with Him?
Run: To move on foot at a pace faster than the walk; to retreat rapidly; flee; to move without hindrance or restraint; to make a short, quick trip; to hurry, hasten; to continue; to pass, to persist or recur; to be effective. Is God wanting me to move on foot faster than a walk, retreat, flee? Does He want me to move without hindrance or restraint? Is He telling me to hurry, to hasten, to continue, to persist, to be effective for Him?
Arm: A weapon; a branch of military force; to equip with weapons; to prepare for. Do I have faith enough to believe that God in His wisdom will equip me with what I need for what lies ahead of me and not send me on my way unprepared for my journey?
Aim: To direct (a weapon, remark, etc.) at someone or something; to direct a weapon; to direct one’s efforts or purpose; intention. Do I know that God wants to direct my efforts, my purpose and my intentions and use them for His purpose?
Arm: A weapon; a branch of military force; to equip with weapons; to prepare for. Do I have faith enough to believe that God in His wisdom will equip me with what I need for what lies ahead of me and not send me on my way unprepared for my journey?
Aim: To direct (a weapon, remark, etc.) at someone or something; to direct a weapon; to direct one’s efforts or purpose; intention. Do I know that God wants to direct my efforts, my purpose and my intentions and use them for His purpose?
What about you? Do you know God wants to do all of this for you also? Maybe He is wanting to stretch you and help you run faster. Do you know His presence and know He will arm you and aim you in the right direction if you will let Him? God wants to walk with you every minute of every day. He wants to prepare the way for you and me . . .
Straight: Extending continuously in the same direction without curving; having no waves or bends, Erect; upright; direct and candid; uninterrupted; correct or accurate; honest; fair; neatly arranged; orderly undiluted or unmixed.
Smooth: Free from irregularities, roughness, or projections; having a fine texture or consistency; having an even or gentle motion; having no obstructions or difficulties; ingratiating; to make smooth; to rid of hindrances, difficulties, etc; to make calm.
Bedrock: Solid rock that underlies the earth’s surface; the lowest or bottom level; fundamental principles.
Wow - How exciting to know that it is God that arms us. He is equipping us with the weapons we need for our journey through this life. What an awesome and loving God!
Whatever obstacles are out there - He is preparing me and you for what is ahead – He’s arming us. Then the scripture says He then aims us in the right direction! He directs us and our efforts, our intentions. God in His wisdom has aimed us where He wants to use us, where the road stretches straight and smooth. His way is “road-tested”. It leads to bedrock! Bedrock: Solid rock that underlies the earth’s surface; the lowest or bottom level; fundamental principles.
Straight: Extending continuously in the same direction without curving; having no waves or bends, Erect; upright; direct and candid; uninterrupted; correct or accurate; honest; fair; neatly arranged; orderly undiluted or unmixed.
Smooth: Free from irregularities, roughness, or projections; having a fine texture or consistency; having an even or gentle motion; having no obstructions or difficulties; ingratiating; to make smooth; to rid of hindrances, difficulties, etc; to make calm.
Bedrock: Solid rock that underlies the earth’s surface; the lowest or bottom level; fundamental principles.
Wow - How exciting to know that it is God that arms us. He is equipping us with the weapons we need for our journey through this life. What an awesome and loving God!
Whatever obstacles are out there - He is preparing me and you for what is ahead – He’s arming us. Then the scripture says He then aims us in the right direction! He directs us and our efforts, our intentions. God in His wisdom has aimed us where He wants to use us, where the road stretches straight and smooth. His way is “road-tested”. It leads to bedrock! Bedrock: Solid rock that underlies the earth’s surface; the lowest or bottom level; fundamental principles.
What better place is there to be than on the solid rock of our Lord and Savior! Together we can handle whatever comes our way . . . me and God -we can hit the “bulls-eye!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Change in Weather!
This is “Gertrude”, my office goose that watches over my desk and helps keep everything in order! She has a set of seasonal clothes. The preschool children coming in enjoy making sure she has the appropriate outfit on for the season. This morning I had to take off her pretty pink bonnet and spring flowered dress and put her yellow rain coat and rain hat on – since the weather has drastically changed and brought us cold, wind, and rain!
It would seem that we have regressed back to “pre-spring” conditions! Our nice warm sunshiny days are gone and it sounds like we are in for a week of this “change”. We are back to the cold, windy, rainy days like we usually have before spring actually hits. Brrrr . . . I had to bring out the sweaters and sweatshirts again! Just when we thought we were heading into summer the weather has made this unexpected drastic change.
I wasn’t ready for this. I was enjoying the nice warm sunshine on my shoulder! Then just like that the change hit. With the cold change I also came down with a really bad cold! Last week I missed two days of work, couldn’t talk most of the week – to which, I'm sure, many counted it a “blessing”!! I am better this week and back to work but still fighting the cold a bit. I absolutely hate spring and summer colds – they should only get you down in the winter!
Anyway, like it or not – change happens! It can be the weather, a cold or our health, job situations, financial responsibilities, divorce, an unexpected addition to the family, a wayward child, a car accident, an ailing parent, or any number of other things that happen in life. We can’t always control these changes no matter how hard we try. Change just happens. Sometimes it is really tough and hard to deal with and other times it is for the good. And sometimes it is hard to see that it really is “for our good”!
In the midst of change we can rest in the promise found in Heb 13:8 (Msg) – “ For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself”. Life would be no challenge if there were no change. But with each challenge and change that comes our way we can know that our Lord is right there with us leading and guiding us through to the end. When we seek Him with ALL of our heart, mind, soul, and strength – He will be there to walk beside us each step of the way. He will give us the wisdom and knowledge to know what to do in each situation and the understanding of what we are experiencing. He wants to give us the strength to carry on in spite of the obstacles we may be facing and the courage to just “keep on keeping on” until we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
He will give us the faith we need to put our trust in Him and know He loves us, He cares for us, He sees our struggle or “change” and He will give us the “peace that passeth all understanding” and we can rest and know He is with us no matter what changes we experience in our walk through this life.
The definition of change is: to be or cause to be different; alter. If you have experienced something that has “changed” your life, if something or someone has caused yo
ur life to be different – it has altered your life, accept it and put your trust in the One that doesn’t change – Jesus. He is our answer to any and all change that may come like cold winds and rain, the drastic things in life that want to defeat us. So many times I want “change” - I want the cold, the wind, and the rain to go away this week – I’m ready for springy weather! But I must remind myself that “constant sunshine causes a hot, parched dessert”!! Change is a part of life – accept it and trust God to meet your needs and see you through!
It would seem that we have regressed back to “pre-spring” conditions! Our nice warm sunshiny days are gone and it sounds like we are in for a week of this “change”. We are back to the cold, windy, rainy days like we usually have before spring actually hits. Brrrr . . . I had to bring out the sweaters and sweatshirts again! Just when we thought we were heading into summer the weather has made this unexpected drastic change.
I wasn’t ready for this. I was enjoying the nice warm sunshine on my shoulder! Then just like that the change hit. With the cold change I also came down with a really bad cold! Last week I missed two days of work, couldn’t talk most of the week – to which, I'm sure, many counted it a “blessing”!! I am better this week and back to work but still fighting the cold a bit. I absolutely hate spring and summer colds – they should only get you down in the winter!
Anyway, like it or not – change happens! It can be the weather, a cold or our health, job situations, financial responsibilities, divorce, an unexpected addition to the family, a wayward child, a car accident, an ailing parent, or any number of other things that happen in life. We can’t always control these changes no matter how hard we try. Change just happens. Sometimes it is really tough and hard to deal with and other times it is for the good. And sometimes it is hard to see that it really is “for our good”!
In the midst of change we can rest in the promise found in Heb 13:8 (Msg) – “ For Jesus doesn't change--yesterday, today, tomorrow, he's always totally himself”. Life would be no challenge if there were no change. But with each challenge and change that comes our way we can know that our Lord is right there with us leading and guiding us through to the end. When we seek Him with ALL of our heart, mind, soul, and strength – He will be there to walk beside us each step of the way. He will give us the wisdom and knowledge to know what to do in each situation and the understanding of what we are experiencing. He wants to give us the strength to carry on in spite of the obstacles we may be facing and the courage to just “keep on keeping on” until we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
He will give us the faith we need to put our trust in Him and know He loves us, He cares for us, He sees our struggle or “change” and He will give us the “peace that passeth all understanding” and we can rest and know He is with us no matter what changes we experience in our walk through this life.
The definition of change is: to be or cause to be different; alter. If you have experienced something that has “changed” your life, if something or someone has caused yo
ur life to be different – it has altered your life, accept it and put your trust in the One that doesn’t change – Jesus. He is our answer to any and all change that may come like cold winds and rain, the drastic things in life that want to defeat us. So many times I want “change” - I want the cold, the wind, and the rain to go away this week – I’m ready for springy weather! But I must remind myself that “constant sunshine causes a hot, parched dessert”!! Change is a part of life – accept it and trust God to meet your needs and see you through!Friday, May 7, 2010
Mother Dear
MOTHER’s DAY is just around the corner once again! It seems to roll around quicker every year. I was thinking about my mother and my mind reeled back to so many times and places that really stuck out in my life as I look back. Times when I was afraid, alone, overwhelmed, happy, worried, sick, sad, silly, etc. Times when she understood me better than I understood myself during those growing-up years. Of course, I’m sure there were many times I thought I knew myself better!! I never had a sister to share my thoughts, my dreams, my girlhood secrets like some girls. But I had Mom – she was always there – thru thick or thin.
Those early dates – Mom would be awake when I came home (it’s a “mother-thing” I realized I had also inherited when my girls were that age!) Mom would get up, come in and sit on the edge of the bed and we’d talk, laugh, and discuss the evening. Did I have fun, was he polite, did he treat me like a lady . . . was this one “Mr. Right”!!??
Those early dates – Mom would be awake when I came home (it’s a “mother-thing” I realized I had also inherited when my girls were that age!) Mom would get up, come in and sit on the edge of the bed and we’d talk, laugh, and discuss the evening. Did I have fun, was he polite, did he treat me like a lady . . . was this one “Mr. Right”!!??
I thought of the time I put her “classy-looking” black car in the road-ditch along the highway on my way to school – She and a neighbor came to my rescue and she didn’t say a word – except how did you ever line that up with the fence?! In fact, that was the same car I 
remember getting out of at school, slamming the door shut and the glass “just shattered” - for no reason at all! And that is also the same car that a man ran a stop sign and hit me and I didn’t know what to do except get his license number, get back into the car, and cry because he wouldn’t get out of his car or even talk to me! In spite of all of this, she still let me and my girlfriends cruise Broadway on Friday nights!
There was the summer I was going to camp for a week. I wanted a new dress to wear on Sunday. So we went to the store and picked out a pattern and some material. I worked so hard on it but ran out of time. I didn’t get it finished before it was time for me to leave. I was so sad – all the other girls would have “new- Sunday Best” to wear and I would have to wear my “old- Sunday Best”!!! So we piled into the car and off we went to camp. They dropped us off for a week of fun. I still remember feeling bad come Sunday morning because I didn’t get my dress finished. I was sitting in the dorm moping around like it was the end of the world! (it seems so trivial now!) But it wasn’t then. Then one of the other girls came in and hollered for me – said someone was outside waiting for me. You guessed it . . . Mom & Dad had driven up for Sunday and guess what mom had in her hand? Yes, she had finished my dress. She handed it to me and said to hurry so we wouldn't miss the service. She recognized my disappointment and acted upon it out of a “MOTHER”S HEART”. Perfect fit – perfect dress – perfect day!!!
Mom had quite a hand at sewing and she also taught me how to sew. I used to sew nearly all my clothes, my dolls clothes, curtains, bedspreads, crafts – it was kinda like “have material – will sew . . . something!” We worked on many, 4-H projects down through the years. I think mom deserved those ribbons as much as I did! Did I mention that one time mom even sewed up a baby pig that the mother pig stepped on???? Yes, she took her needle and thread down to the barn and stitched that little critter up. He lived - he had a wicked looking scar and was a little crippled but he fattened up just right and he sure did taste good !! LOL!
remember getting out of at school, slamming the door shut and the glass “just shattered” - for no reason at all! And that is also the same car that a man ran a stop sign and hit me and I didn’t know what to do except get his license number, get back into the car, and cry because he wouldn’t get out of his car or even talk to me! In spite of all of this, she still let me and my girlfriends cruise Broadway on Friday nights!There was the summer I was going to camp for a week. I wanted a new dress to wear on Sunday. So we went to the store and picked out a pattern and some material. I worked so hard on it but ran out of time. I didn’t get it finished before it was time for me to leave. I was so sad – all the other girls would have “new- Sunday Best” to wear and I would have to wear my “old- Sunday Best”!!! So we piled into the car and off we went to camp. They dropped us off for a week of fun. I still remember feeling bad come Sunday morning because I didn’t get my dress finished. I was sitting in the dorm moping around like it was the end of the world! (it seems so trivial now!) But it wasn’t then. Then one of the other girls came in and hollered for me – said someone was outside waiting for me. You guessed it . . . Mom & Dad had driven up for Sunday and guess what mom had in her hand? Yes, she had finished my dress. She handed it to me and said to hurry so we wouldn't miss the service. She recognized my disappointment and acted upon it out of a “MOTHER”S HEART”. Perfect fit – perfect dress – perfect day!!!
Mom had quite a hand at sewing and she also taught me how to sew. I used to sew nearly all my clothes, my dolls clothes, curtains, bedspreads, crafts – it was kinda like “have material – will sew . . . something!” We worked on many, 4-H projects down through the years. I think mom deserved those ribbons as much as I did! Did I mention that one time mom even sewed up a baby pig that the mother pig stepped on???? Yes, she took her needle and thread down to the barn and stitched that little critter up. He lived - he had a wicked looking scar and was a little crippled but he fattened up just right and he sure did taste good !! LOL!
I think one of the most special gifts MOM ever gave me was for my 50th birthday. She brought me a package and when I opened it I was totally overwhelmed. I was absolutely flooded with a lifetime of memories. She had taken the scraps of material that we always saved from our sewing projects and cut them in long strips and then she crocheted them into a rag rug. It was absolutely amazing! I could follow one strip of fabric on to the next and the next. With each different fabric strip I saw the dress I made for my 8th grade graduation, for my freshman concert, for Easter, for my first double date, for the FFA Sweetheart Banquet, for church camp Sundays!!! Material from dresses I had made for my college days, for the Mowery Four when Donna and I wore matching dresses, material for various crafts and occasions we would work on, etc. Each strip of material bringing memories to my mind clear on down to when I had my own girls and sewed for them and left scraps for mom. That rag rug carried with it a lifetime of events and memories of my life – my growing up years. Mom could not have ever given me a gift more special than that rag rug. What a wonderful reminder! Thanks, Mom - you’re the greatest! We have some of the warmest and most special memories as we both look at the rag rug. I do believe MOM crocheted lots of love in each and every one of those stitches!
Oh, I could go on and on, but not now. As Mother’s Day approaches, I am truly grateful for a mother that took time to be with me through life’s up’s and down’s, taught me to trust in a God that is bigger than I can ever imagine, a mom that was there to talk to and laugh with. I’m grateful for a mother that loves me and that I can love back. And for the “memory” of that love down through these many years! “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOM” – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH - I’M SO THANKFUL YOU ARE MY MOM!!!!
Maybe you don’t have a rag rug to look at that brings memories of your growing up yea
rs, but you must have something that brings those memories to your mind. What is it? How are you cherishing the memories you are making today with your children, your family, with yourself? Are you leaving landmarks that you can look back on to see where you’ve been, where you came from, where you are right now, and where you are going?
If you are not, maybe you should think about crocheting a “RAG RUG”! If you don’t know how to crochet, ask your mother to show you how. Moms know almost everything!!! LOL!
Oh, I could go on and on, but not now. As Mother’s Day approaches, I am truly grateful for a mother that took time to be with me through life’s up’s and down’s, taught me to trust in a God that is bigger than I can ever imagine, a mom that was there to talk to and laugh with. I’m grateful for a mother that loves me and that I can love back. And for the “memory” of that love down through these many years! “HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, MOM” – I LOVE YOU SO MUCH - I’M SO THANKFUL YOU ARE MY MOM!!!!
Maybe you don’t have a rag rug to look at that brings memories of your growing up yea
rs, but you must have something that brings those memories to your mind. What is it? How are you cherishing the memories you are making today with your children, your family, with yourself? Are you leaving landmarks that you can look back on to see where you’ve been, where you came from, where you are right now, and where you are going?If you are not, maybe you should think about crocheting a “RAG RUG”! If you don’t know how to crochet, ask your mother to show you how. Moms know almost everything!!! LOL!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Secretary Newsletter Signing!
Yesterday was such a busy day with getting the Sunday bulletin and worship folders typed, printed, folded and stuffed. I also had to put together the preschool application packets and finish up the May Timothy Times Newsletter. Believe me I kept both copy machines running a good share of the day. I am so thankful for the group of ladies that come in and assemble the newsletter after I finish gathering articles and information, typing and printing it! They are a real blessing and save me a couple of hours of work!
Now off to the post office this morning with two trays of newsletters to get in the mail so everyone at Timothy knows what is going on at the church next month!!! I just couldn't resist putting the Secretary Signing cartoon in my blog - that is how I feel sometimes after trying to get articles from the different church directors, nail down calendar dates & times, find other items of interest and announcements, etc. Whew - glad when it is finally done. Then, guess what? In two weeks I get to start all over again on the June newsletter collecting pertinent information, etc. . . . LOL!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Outside the Box
Today I had the opportunity to visit with a lady. She was sharing what was going on in her life and how she just didn't quite understand what was going on. She had some challenging questions she was trying to get answers to. She commented that she was trying to think "outside the box" hoping she would understand better if she looked at it from a different vantage point. Sometimes that is what we need to do - simply think "outside the box"!! Sometimes this is also easier said than done!
As I thought about thinking "outside the box" (how's that for at least trying???!!), it came to me. For the past several months I have felt like God was challenging me to not only "think" outside the box but also challenging me to "get" outside of the box!! That is a really big step for me and I must admit in some areas a real challenge. But God being God, and me being me - I decided to give it a try! (with His help, of course!) I realized a long time ago that I can't do much of anything worth while without Him. So, I asked God to help me and show me how to "get" out of my box. And guess what . . . He has been showing me and helping me.
I have got out of my box and started walking - 10,000+ steps a day - that would be a few short or long miles depending on how you look at it. I'm choosing "short" miles!!! HA! HA! By the time I drag up that last block toward home, believe me they seem a little on the "long" side. But in stepping out of my box, I am finding that I am actually enjoying this walking time. I'm loosing a little weight - which I never want to find again, and when I am done walking I feel really good. Maybe a little tired but actually energized from "within" and pleased that I put forth the effort.
I am usually sitting at the piano on Sunday mornings during the welcome time at church so I don't get a chance to greet and say hello to people during this time. Over the past couple of months I have sat there and noticed people across the congregation that I have not talked to for quite a while. I see them come in to church, sit down and then we all leave - lots of times never getting to visit with them. I realize this is my own fault. I can't blame that on the piano! But God has been challenging me to get out of my box and get to know this "family of God", get reaquainted with some I've drifted away from while I was "in" my box!
Sunday was a busy Sunday for me. While still sitting at the piano I was scanning the congregation looking for my teen-son, whom I didn't see sitting in the service. After the music, I sat down by Hannah and glanced around one more time to see if I had missed him. He was out in the foyer area earlier but evidently had not come in. And now I didn't see him anywhere. So, being the "mean-'ol mom" that I am, I went to find him and bring him into the service. After some gently persuasion . . . or is that called mom-threats . . . he reluctantly came in and sat down! Shortly after sitting down to listen to the sermon, I was reminded that I needed to be downstairs for the children's music time. So I went down there and finished that just in time to come back up and catch the end of pastor's sermon. I was feeling a bit stretched and stressed. But what I realized later that day was that through all of that God helped me get out of my box just a little bit more! I was able to talk to four individuals that I had noticed over the past few weeks sitting in the congregation. I had not talked to these four people for quite some time. No, I have not been mad at them or anything like that. It was just things like - they were on the other side of the church and I was over here and by the time I got over there, they were gone or talking to someone else and then I would get side-tracked with something or someone else and before long it is a week or two or a month or longer. No real reason for loosing touch just busy being busy and staying in my box! Well, it was so nice visiting with these four individuals and even saying hello to three other people that I do not know and have never said a word to before! Now that really is "getting" out of my box! But I felt good about this reconnecting with my church family, especially since I had been sensing God speaking to me about it for quite some time. I realized that it is truly good to get out of my box and quit hiding in it!
I also reconnected with three old friends on Facebook that I grew up with. We had totally lost touch. It was nice catching up with them and what's going on in each of their lives. Once again, I realize the truth to that phrase that "everybody is going through something"! I have - they each have - we've all gone through things and we all need to encourage each other. I was encouraged by them - hope I was able to encourage them a bit also. God has showed me - that also takes "getting" out of my box to do. Thinking about others and not always me and my box!
Blogging - who would have ever thought I would even try this???!!! Not me! But here I am, "thinking" out of my box and "getting" out of my box and writing my thoughts, feelings, observations, sharing, etc. Wow, this is really "out" of my box!! I'm not sure this is how you do it, not sure my grammer, spelling, punctuation and all that is correct - I'm sure it is not - but I am finding that I am looking at things and expressing myself in a totally different way - outside of my box. I remember a song that touched my heart a long time ago. The words said, "let me see this world, dear Lord, as though I were looking through Your eyes". That has always stuck with me and that is my hope today - that I think, look, see, and act "out" of my box and see this world and the people around me through His eyes and not through mine.
As I thought about thinking "outside the box" (how's that for at least trying???!!), it came to me. For the past several months I have felt like God was challenging me to not only "think" outside the box but also challenging me to "get" outside of the box!! That is a really big step for me and I must admit in some areas a real challenge. But God being God, and me being me - I decided to give it a try! (with His help, of course!) I realized a long time ago that I can't do much of anything worth while without Him. So, I asked God to help me and show me how to "get" out of my box. And guess what . . . He has been showing me and helping me.
I have got out of my box and started walking - 10,000+ steps a day - that would be a few short or long miles depending on how you look at it. I'm choosing "short" miles!!! HA! HA! By the time I drag up that last block toward home, believe me they seem a little on the "long" side. But in stepping out of my box, I am finding that I am actually enjoying this walking time. I'm loosing a little weight - which I never want to find again, and when I am done walking I feel really good. Maybe a little tired but actually energized from "within" and pleased that I put forth the effort.
I am usually sitting at the piano on Sunday mornings during the welcome time at church so I don't get a chance to greet and say hello to people during this time. Over the past couple of months I have sat there and noticed people across the congregation that I have not talked to for quite a while. I see them come in to church, sit down and then we all leave - lots of times never getting to visit with them. I realize this is my own fault. I can't blame that on the piano! But God has been challenging me to get out of my box and get to know this "family of God", get reaquainted with some I've drifted away from while I was "in" my box!
Sunday was a busy Sunday for me. While still sitting at the piano I was scanning the congregation looking for my teen-son, whom I didn't see sitting in the service. After the music, I sat down by Hannah and glanced around one more time to see if I had missed him. He was out in the foyer area earlier but evidently had not come in. And now I didn't see him anywhere. So, being the "mean-'ol mom" that I am, I went to find him and bring him into the service. After some gently persuasion . . . or is that called mom-threats . . . he reluctantly came in and sat down! Shortly after sitting down to listen to the sermon, I was reminded that I needed to be downstairs for the children's music time. So I went down there and finished that just in time to come back up and catch the end of pastor's sermon. I was feeling a bit stretched and stressed. But what I realized later that day was that through all of that God helped me get out of my box just a little bit more! I was able to talk to four individuals that I had noticed over the past few weeks sitting in the congregation. I had not talked to these four people for quite some time. No, I have not been mad at them or anything like that. It was just things like - they were on the other side of the church and I was over here and by the time I got over there, they were gone or talking to someone else and then I would get side-tracked with something or someone else and before long it is a week or two or a month or longer. No real reason for loosing touch just busy being busy and staying in my box! Well, it was so nice visiting with these four individuals and even saying hello to three other people that I do not know and have never said a word to before! Now that really is "getting" out of my box! But I felt good about this reconnecting with my church family, especially since I had been sensing God speaking to me about it for quite some time. I realized that it is truly good to get out of my box and quit hiding in it!
I also reconnected with three old friends on Facebook that I grew up with. We had totally lost touch. It was nice catching up with them and what's going on in each of their lives. Once again, I realize the truth to that phrase that "everybody is going through something"! I have - they each have - we've all gone through things and we all need to encourage each other. I was encouraged by them - hope I was able to encourage them a bit also. God has showed me - that also takes "getting" out of my box to do. Thinking about others and not always me and my box!
Blogging - who would have ever thought I would even try this???!!! Not me! But here I am, "thinking" out of my box and "getting" out of my box and writing my thoughts, feelings, observations, sharing, etc. Wow, this is really "out" of my box!! I'm not sure this is how you do it, not sure my grammer, spelling, punctuation and all that is correct - I'm sure it is not - but I am finding that I am looking at things and expressing myself in a totally different way - outside of my box. I remember a song that touched my heart a long time ago. The words said, "let me see this world, dear Lord, as though I were looking through Your eyes". That has always stuck with me and that is my hope today - that I think, look, see, and act "out" of my box and see this world and the people around me through His eyes and not through mine.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Early Morning
This morning I woke up early and decided to get my walking out of the way since I had a busy day ahead of me. I find that when I am busy and put it off until "later" sometimes before I know it, it is "to late" and I'm too tired!! I'm off to a good start today since I already have my daily walk behind me. I can check that off of my "to-do list" for the day.
I must say, it was a beautiful morning walk! Full of sights, sounds, and smells. It was still semi-dark out when I left the house. You know how it looks just before the sun actually rises - a yellowish-light glowing across the sky. I had noticed the clouds in the sky and then looked down at the sidewalk. I have found that it is good to watch out for crooked, uneven, and broken sidwalks!! I just looked up when I noticed something flying overhead and heard the "honking" noise of geese. Wow! There were about 30 geese flying very low in their "V" formation! By the time I pulled my phone out of my pocket to take a picture, it was too late. They were gone. A couple blocks on down the way I saw another group of them but they were flying much higher than this first group. What a sight that was for starting my day!
I also love all of the lilac bushes and the flowering trees that are in bloom right now. Purple, pink and white. They are just beautiful and the fragrance is absolutely wonderful! These are scattered all over my "walking route" and most definately blessed me with not only the beautiful colors but the sweet smelling fragrance of God's special blend of perfume. Better than any perfume that AVON sells!!!! (Don't tell AVON I said that!!) LOL! The blossoms have been beautiful but I noticed they are falling quickly to the ground making way for nice green leaves - especially with the last few breezy days we have had. Under one particular tree it actually looked like snow covering the ground!!
Many houses were still dark but gradually by the end of my nice, peaceful, quiet walk, more and more houses lit up and more and more cars began making their way into the streets.
A new day was underway. Life and activity had surfaced and begun all around me. As I finished up my last block and walked up onto the porch, the sun had indeed risen and cast it's sunshiny rays of light down upon this place called earth - down upon "my world"! Now to go in and sit down to a nice hot cup of coffee and look at my "to-do-list" for the day.
I must say, it was a beautiful morning walk! Full of sights, sounds, and smells. It was still semi-dark out when I left the house. You know how it looks just before the sun actually rises - a yellowish-light glowing across the sky. I had noticed the clouds in the sky and then looked down at the sidewalk. I have found that it is good to watch out for crooked, uneven, and broken sidwalks!! I just looked up when I noticed something flying overhead and heard the "honking" noise of geese. Wow! There were about 30 geese flying very low in their "V" formation! By the time I pulled my phone out of my pocket to take a picture, it was too late. They were gone. A couple blocks on down the way I saw another group of them but they were flying much higher than this first group. What a sight that was for starting my day!
I also love all of the lilac bushes and the flowering trees that are in bloom right now. Purple, pink and white. They are just beautiful and the fragrance is absolutely wonderful! These are scattered all over my "walking route" and most definately blessed me with not only the beautiful colors but the sweet smelling fragrance of God's special blend of perfume. Better than any perfume that AVON sells!!!! (Don't tell AVON I said that!!) LOL! The blossoms have been beautiful but I noticed they are falling quickly to the ground making way for nice green leaves - especially with the last few breezy days we have had. Under one particular tree it actually looked like snow covering the ground!!
Many houses were still dark but gradually by the end of my nice, peaceful, quiet walk, more and more houses lit up and more and more cars began making their way into the streets.
A new day was underway. Life and activity had surfaced and begun all around me. As I finished up my last block and walked up onto the porch, the sun had indeed risen and cast it's sunshiny rays of light down upon this place called earth - down upon "my world"! Now to go in and sit down to a nice hot cup of coffee and look at my "to-do-list" for the day.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Eagles
THE PUSH - By David McNally
The eagle gently coaxed her offspring toward the edge of the nest. Her heart quivered with conflicting emotions as she felt their resistance to her persistent nudging.
Why does the thrill of soaring have to begin with the fear of falling? She thought. This ageless question still remained unanswered for her.
As in the tradition of the species, her nest was located high upon the shelf of a sheer rock face. Below there was nothing but air to support the wings of each child.
Is it possible that this time it will not work? She thought. Despite her fears the eagle knew it was time. Her parental mission was all but complete.
There remained one final task...the push. The eagle drew courage from an innate wisdom. Until her children discovered their wings, there was no purpose to their lives.
Until they learned how to soar, they would fail to understand the privilege of having been born an eagle. The push was the greatest gift she had to offer. It was her supreme act of love.
And so, one by one, she pushed them and . . . THEY FLEW!
As Zig Ziglar said: "You never know when one act of kindness, or one word of encouragement, can change a life forever."
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Generic Hello
“HELLO” - Have you ever thought what this word stands for?
Do you know that a simple "hello" can be a more than just "hello"?
Someone once said that the word “hello” means:
H = How are you?
E = Everything all right?
L = Like to hear from you
L = Love to see you soon!
O = Obviously, You are my friend...
So many times we greet people with, "hi, how are you"? Many times not really wanting to hear all about how they really are. And many times we hear people greet us the same way knowing that they don't have time to hear all about how we really are and what we're going through, so we just answer "fine" or "good".
I went to the eye doctor last week and the nurse came out and called the name of a man sitting down a couple chairs from me in the waiting room. She greeted him with, "George". He stood up, walked over to her and she said, "hello, George, how are you"? He looked her straight in the eye and said in a very loud, booming voice, "I'm just terrible, my knees hurt, I can't see, my hearing is going bad, and I've come down with this terrible cold"!!!! The whole waiting room got dead silent and the poor nurse just stood there looking at him totally bewildered! He just stood there looking her square in the eye with a big smile on his face, and I might add, what looked to me like a twinkle in his eye!! Very timidly, she mumbled something back, laughed, and led him down the hall. Everyone in the waiting room just chuckled and laughed. He got his point across to all of us. His wife who sat there shaking her head, said, "he does that every time someone asks him how he is. He says they don't really mean it - they really do not want to know "how he is"!!
I thought about that and it really is true. Most, even some of whom we consider friends, do not really want to know what is going on in our lives. They don't really want to know if everything is all right. So many times it is just a form of greeting! Many times even when we know someone is going through tough times, we neglect to ask, we don't know what to say or do. We don't know how to handle the situation, we don't understand what is going on and we are simply afraid to question. . . so we say nothing - we just ignore the person and the problems they are experiencing! But to say "nothing" is to appear uncaring and unconcerned, to not offer support or encouragement - to simply ignore the other person's feelings, hurt, struggle, etc. I've been there when I felt like my life was being torn apart - feeling as though no one cared or even noticed! I've learned over time to look at people in a different way - to look into the eyes of their heart and say "hello, how are you doing" and really mean it - expecting an answer from them and ready to show that I really do care. Maybe they need to talk, maybe they need a hug, maybe just a smile or a pat on the arm. Something more than a quick generic "hello, how are you"? Who do you see regularly or pass by every week at the store, at church, or maybe at work that is struggling and in need of a "heartfelt hello"? A hello from your heart to theirs? It very well could be someone that you don't even know is going through some difficult times. Stop and look around you, it just might surprise you as you look into the eyes of their heart and see that they need your words of encouragement.
This has made me think about my “hello”. I now try to put some real heartfelt meaning into this simple “hello” as I look into the eyes of the one receiving my “hello” and sincerely ask and wait for an answer from them. Next time you say "hello" - stop and think about it, wait, and be a blessing to someone that needs a blessing from you! You will also experience the blessing!
Do you know that a simple "hello" can be a more than just "hello"?
Someone once said that the word “hello” means:
H = How are you?
E = Everything all right?
L = Like to hear from you
L = Love to see you soon!
O = Obviously, You are my friend...
So many times we greet people with, "hi, how are you"? Many times not really wanting to hear all about how they really are. And many times we hear people greet us the same way knowing that they don't have time to hear all about how we really are and what we're going through, so we just answer "fine" or "good".
I went to the eye doctor last week and the nurse came out and called the name of a man sitting down a couple chairs from me in the waiting room. She greeted him with, "George". He stood up, walked over to her and she said, "hello, George, how are you"? He looked her straight in the eye and said in a very loud, booming voice, "I'm just terrible, my knees hurt, I can't see, my hearing is going bad, and I've come down with this terrible cold"!!!! The whole waiting room got dead silent and the poor nurse just stood there looking at him totally bewildered! He just stood there looking her square in the eye with a big smile on his face, and I might add, what looked to me like a twinkle in his eye!! Very timidly, she mumbled something back, laughed, and led him down the hall. Everyone in the waiting room just chuckled and laughed. He got his point across to all of us. His wife who sat there shaking her head, said, "he does that every time someone asks him how he is. He says they don't really mean it - they really do not want to know "how he is"!!
I thought about that and it really is true. Most, even some of whom we consider friends, do not really want to know what is going on in our lives. They don't really want to know if everything is all right. So many times it is just a form of greeting! Many times even when we know someone is going through tough times, we neglect to ask, we don't know what to say or do. We don't know how to handle the situation, we don't understand what is going on and we are simply afraid to question. . . so we say nothing - we just ignore the person and the problems they are experiencing! But to say "nothing" is to appear uncaring and unconcerned, to not offer support or encouragement - to simply ignore the other person's feelings, hurt, struggle, etc. I've been there when I felt like my life was being torn apart - feeling as though no one cared or even noticed! I've learned over time to look at people in a different way - to look into the eyes of their heart and say "hello, how are you doing" and really mean it - expecting an answer from them and ready to show that I really do care. Maybe they need to talk, maybe they need a hug, maybe just a smile or a pat on the arm. Something more than a quick generic "hello, how are you"? Who do you see regularly or pass by every week at the store, at church, or maybe at work that is struggling and in need of a "heartfelt hello"? A hello from your heart to theirs? It very well could be someone that you don't even know is going through some difficult times. Stop and look around you, it just might surprise you as you look into the eyes of their heart and see that they need your words of encouragement.
This has made me think about my “hello”. I now try to put some real heartfelt meaning into this simple “hello” as I look into the eyes of the one receiving my “hello” and sincerely ask and wait for an answer from them. Next time you say "hello" - stop and think about it, wait, and be a blessing to someone that needs a blessing from you! You will also experience the blessing!
Tea Cup - The Potter & the Clay
I've always loved watching the potter forming pottery on the pottery wheel. The spinning and forming of the lump of clay. My daughter, Liz, received a little child's potter wheel for Christmas one year. It was messy but fun for a while. A few years back I found the box packed away in the basement. When I opened it there was a plastic bag of what used to be nice soft clay waiting to be made into a masterpiece!! Guess what? It was now a hard grey colored rock with large cracks in it. Not a pretty sight at all and doomed to never become the masterpiece it could have been. I thought . . . with some work it could have become a cup, a saucer, a vase, a bowl, etc. But with no forming, spinning, molding, firing - it became nothing!
Love this story or not, you will not be able to have tea in a tea cup again without thinking of this.
There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, "Don't do that."
"I don't like it!" "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!"
Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!", I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet.'
He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.
When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please, Stop it, Stop, I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'.
Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"
An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, "That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!!!"
Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."
The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.
So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.
Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.
Love this story or not, you will not be able to have tea in a tea cup again without thinking of this.
There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, "Don't do that."
"I don't like it!" "Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!"
Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!", I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; 'Not yet.'
He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, 'Not yet'.
When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. 'Oh, please, Stop it, Stop, I cried. He only shook his head and said. 'Not yet!'.
Then suddenly he put me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"
An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, "That's not me; that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!!!"
Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."
The moral of this story is this: God knows what He's doing for each of us. He is the potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing and perfect will.
So when life seems hard, and you are being pounded and patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be spinning out of control; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials; when life seems to "stink", try this.
Brew a cup of your favorite tea in your prettiest tea cup, sit down and think on this story and then, have a little talk with the Potter.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Healing or Quick Fix
I saw some kids having a water fight with squirt guns, hose and water bottles yesterday as I was on my daily walk. My thoughts went back to a water fight we had when we were kids. Mom had some things to do in town so she let my brother, John, and I go over to the Smith's farm for the afternoon. She would pick us up on her way home. They had kids our age, Dan and Julie. It was one of those still, hot, sun-beating-down-on-your-head kind of day, so we decided to cool off and have a water fight - boys against girls!! We didn't have any squirt guns but we did have access to a water hose, some buckets, and some empty pop bottles. Let me remind you... that was back before we had pop cans! Yes, I am that old!!
We were having so much fun running, chasing each other, getting wet, laughing and carrying on as kids do on such a care-free summer day. I can still remember so clearly sneaking up behind John with my filled pop bottle ready to unload it on him. Just as I started emptying the bottle of water on his back he quickly turned around. He also had his water filled pop bottle in his hand ready to get me. Just then our pop bottles hit and you guessed it - they broke right in our hands. I screamed not only because the clash of bottles scared me but because my left hand instantly turned bright red. John, Dan, and Julie gathered around me as the blood was dripping off of my hand. John got a small nick in his hand but I received the blunt of the clash. The guys pick up the broken glass and Julie and I slipped in the back door and into the bathroom to wash the blood from my hand and get the bleeding to stop. I don't think either one of us knew what we were doing but I remember filling the sink with water, dipping my hand into the water then draining the bright red blood/water and repeating this again and again until finally Julie's mother called through the door and wanted to know what we were doing. We had been caught! We opened the door and Mrs. Smith came in and quickly dryed my hand, examined it, and began wrapping it up tightly in long strips of what cloth to get the bleeding to stop.
The bottle had broken and cut right at the base of my thumb between my thumb and forefinger. I guess because it was nearly in the thumb joint, it was a little hard to see the extent of the cut. We finally got the bleeding to stop and changed the bandages again and tightly wrapped my hand once again. It wasn't too long before mom stopped to pick up John and I. The "mothers" discussed the water fight incident and then we went on home. Mom unwrapped the white strips of cloth that had been wrapped around my hand so she could see where it was cut - just a little over 1/4 inch but not quite a 1/2 inch in length. It had finally quit bleeding and because of the position of my thumb it actually pressed the cut closed when I held my thumb tight against my forefinger. So we wrapped it up and it bagan to heal.
I never did go to the doctor and it did heal quite quickly. But as it bagan to heal I noticed something strange. I could not bend my thumb. Mom realized that we should have went to the doctor and that something more than just the top skin had been cut. Possibly a nerve or a tendon but it was already healed now and there really was nothing we could do about it. The outside had healed nicely leaving a scar there at the base of my thumb. But there was something deep down inside that did not heal back the way it should have. From that water fight until now I have not been able to bend my thumb! WOW! I bet you didn't know that, did you??!! Well, it is neither here nor there and it hasn't kept me from doing much of anything. I just learned to grip things a little differently and maybe I do a few things different but bottom line is "I KNOW" that "I CAN'T BEND MY THUMB" no matter how hard I try - it just won't bend!
I've thought about that many times down thru the years. How sometimes we deal with our hurts, sorrows, and our pain much like we dealt with my cut. We put a bandage on them and we hope they all heal up just like new. We cover them up and let them heal. Many times the outside does heal and everything looks good on the surface or at least we think they have healed and they look good. But deep down where the hurt and pain began, where the problem starts it hasn't really healed correctly - just like my thumb. When something is wrong deep down and it isn't fixed right away and put back the way it should be, we go thru life knowing that something is wrong - it hasn't been dealt with, it hasn't been fixed, it doesn't work like it is suppose to, we can't get beyond the fact that . . . "we can't bend our thumb"! We know that something just isn't right.
It is only when we get to the real problem, the real thing that makes us react like we do, that makes our anger get out of control, that makes us say things and treat people in unhealthy, selfish ways, etc. that we can break the unhealthy cycles that hold us captive. When we fix what is going on under the skin and then let it heal - we are able to function in healthy, growing, loving relationships. When things are fixed on the inside - the outside will also be fixed. If I had gone to the doctor when I first cut my thumb and whatever was cut deep down was fixed maybe I would be able to bend my thumb today! A Bandage is only a quick fix if the problem is not fixed from the inside out. Look deep within yourself and let the healing begin where the problem started. Seek healing - not just a "quick-fix".
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" -Psalms 147:3
We were having so much fun running, chasing each other, getting wet, laughing and carrying on as kids do on such a care-free summer day. I can still remember so clearly sneaking up behind John with my filled pop bottle ready to unload it on him. Just as I started emptying the bottle of water on his back he quickly turned around. He also had his water filled pop bottle in his hand ready to get me. Just then our pop bottles hit and you guessed it - they broke right in our hands. I screamed not only because the clash of bottles scared me but because my left hand instantly turned bright red. John, Dan, and Julie gathered around me as the blood was dripping off of my hand. John got a small nick in his hand but I received the blunt of the clash. The guys pick up the broken glass and Julie and I slipped in the back door and into the bathroom to wash the blood from my hand and get the bleeding to stop. I don't think either one of us knew what we were doing but I remember filling the sink with water, dipping my hand into the water then draining the bright red blood/water and repeating this again and again until finally Julie's mother called through the door and wanted to know what we were doing. We had been caught! We opened the door and Mrs. Smith came in and quickly dryed my hand, examined it, and began wrapping it up tightly in long strips of what cloth to get the bleeding to stop.
The bottle had broken and cut right at the base of my thumb between my thumb and forefinger. I guess because it was nearly in the thumb joint, it was a little hard to see the extent of the cut. We finally got the bleeding to stop and changed the bandages again and tightly wrapped my hand once again. It wasn't too long before mom stopped to pick up John and I. The "mothers" discussed the water fight incident and then we went on home. Mom unwrapped the white strips of cloth that had been wrapped around my hand so she could see where it was cut - just a little over 1/4 inch but not quite a 1/2 inch in length. It had finally quit bleeding and because of the position of my thumb it actually pressed the cut closed when I held my thumb tight against my forefinger. So we wrapped it up and it bagan to heal.
I never did go to the doctor and it did heal quite quickly. But as it bagan to heal I noticed something strange. I could not bend my thumb. Mom realized that we should have went to the doctor and that something more than just the top skin had been cut. Possibly a nerve or a tendon but it was already healed now and there really was nothing we could do about it. The outside had healed nicely leaving a scar there at the base of my thumb. But there was something deep down inside that did not heal back the way it should have. From that water fight until now I have not been able to bend my thumb! WOW! I bet you didn't know that, did you??!! Well, it is neither here nor there and it hasn't kept me from doing much of anything. I just learned to grip things a little differently and maybe I do a few things different but bottom line is "I KNOW" that "I CAN'T BEND MY THUMB" no matter how hard I try - it just won't bend!
I've thought about that many times down thru the years. How sometimes we deal with our hurts, sorrows, and our pain much like we dealt with my cut. We put a bandage on them and we hope they all heal up just like new. We cover them up and let them heal. Many times the outside does heal and everything looks good on the surface or at least we think they have healed and they look good. But deep down where the hurt and pain began, where the problem starts it hasn't really healed correctly - just like my thumb. When something is wrong deep down and it isn't fixed right away and put back the way it should be, we go thru life knowing that something is wrong - it hasn't been dealt with, it hasn't been fixed, it doesn't work like it is suppose to, we can't get beyond the fact that . . . "we can't bend our thumb"! We know that something just isn't right.
It is only when we get to the real problem, the real thing that makes us react like we do, that makes our anger get out of control, that makes us say things and treat people in unhealthy, selfish ways, etc. that we can break the unhealthy cycles that hold us captive. When we fix what is going on under the skin and then let it heal - we are able to function in healthy, growing, loving relationships. When things are fixed on the inside - the outside will also be fixed. If I had gone to the doctor when I first cut my thumb and whatever was cut deep down was fixed maybe I would be able to bend my thumb today! A Bandage is only a quick fix if the problem is not fixed from the inside out. Look deep within yourself and let the healing begin where the problem started. Seek healing - not just a "quick-fix".
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" -Psalms 147:3
Monday, April 12, 2010
Seek His Face
I love art - it facinates me to see the many types of talent God has given people. No two of us are alike. We are all created so differently - each one of us is "wonderfully made" by the Master Creator" Himself! ("I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well" Ps. 139:14.) How awesome is that?? Some speak, sing, play instruments, write, draw, paint, design, build - all creating from the gifts God has given to each. As we "Seek His Face Contiually" (Ps 100), He will help us discover our true potential and those special gifts He wants us to use. I hope you are using those special one-of-a-kind gifts that God has given to you and you alone. It is only when you discover them, use them, and share them that you can reach your full potential as God sees you - as He created you to be. Then is the time that you will find the peace and contentment in using your God-given gifts to His honor and glory. It is then that you will discover that those gifts can bring healing, hope, honor, and blessing to you and also to those around you. What are your talents and gifts? How are you developing them? How are you using them? What have you always wanted to do but have been afraid to step out and do? Today is the day! Don't delay! Dust off your gifts, your special talents, and start using them today. You just might surprise yourself as you let God who created you, finish the work He started in you!
Like I said, I enjoy art. This is an amazing picture! The "longer" you look at this picture, the "more" you see.
Like I said, I enjoy art. This is an amazing picture! The "longer" you look at this picture, the "more" you see.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Do you ever feel like you don't know what to do, where to go, who to turn to, which fork in the road to follow, which decision to make? Life is full of things that cry out to us for decisions, answers, and actions. What do you do when you don't know what to do? When we seek God during these times in our lives, we can trust God's wisdom to be revealed to us. He wants us to make wise choices and wise decisions. And He wants us to be able to make these wise choices and decisions when we are up against hard situations and circumstances so that we can say and do what is good, right and in our best interest. And more importantly, in His best interest for us. After all, He does love us with an unconditional love - so much so, that he died on the cross that we might have life in Him. We can trust God's wisdom to guide us and direct us no matter what we are up against. God wants to give us that wisdom every single day. Every hour, every minute of each day. Seek His wisdom and His counsel to take you through whatever you are going through today. He sees the BIG picture and you and I only see one small snapshot of that big picture. Trust Him to walk with you and when you need His help, His direction, His wisdom - just call on Him. He's watching and waiting for us to call His name, seek His face, read His word, and find wisdom and direction as we "graze" on through life!
Don't know where to turn - these Emergency Numbers are more effective than 911
When . . .
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressed, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH.
Don't know where to turn - these Emergency Numbers are more effective than 911
When . . .
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressed, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.
FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Two Horses
My daughter, Liz, sent me this story today. She knows my love for horses. I bought my first horse, Babe, when I was in 6th grade for $125.00 with the money I made from selling my 4-H calf. Babe and I spent many, many hours riding over nearly every inch of the farm! I knew her well and she knew me equally as well. Especially after our many long talks, as I rode and she "grazed" the pastureland of dad's farm. When I needed to get away and just talk - Babe was always there eager to be saddled up. She was always up for the ride, always perked her ears up when I talked to her and many times turned her head to look back at me with her big blue/brown eyes as if to say, "Diana, I'm here for you!!"
This story touched my heart as I read it today. Hope you also are touched and encouraged to . . . "just be there".
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.
Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".
This story touched my heart as I read it today. Hope you also are touched and encouraged to . . . "just be there".
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.
As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.
Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.
Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle".
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Mansion
Everyone needs a "mentor" - well, Maxine is one of mine!!! Tell me, why can I relate to her so well???? Never mind . . . don't tell me!! Have a wonderful day.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Pressing on - 10,000 Steps
Today I went out for my daily walk - I'm trying to walk 10,000 steps or more every day!! As I left the house I couldn't help but feel "spring" in the air. I looked at my flowers that were popping up through the cold, dry dirt bursting forth the message that "Spring Is Here"!!! I do a lot of thinking as I walk and my mind went back to yesterday - Easter - the resurrection of our Lord, and I wondered ... did He burst from the grave as my flowers were bursting through the dirt? Or, did he just float out from the tomb leaving it empty? I really don't know, and it really doesn't even matter but what does matter is that I know that I serve a living Savior and He is in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him - He's alway near!
As I continued walking, I couldn't help buy notice flowers and buds on the trees and bushes bursting to life after the long, cold, hard winter. Walking past yard after yard I noticed the ressurection of life. It was as if the birds were even announcing the news - "He Arose"! I couldn't help but think about the two Marys that went to the tomb only to find that Jesus had risen, He was not there! The angel told them that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee. And they ran from the tomb with fear and great joy and just then Jesus met them there on the road they were traveling down and said, "Good morning!" "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the others that I will meet them in Galilee." (Matt. 28:8-10)
That is the way it is for us also. There may be many empty tombs ahead of us or we may feel like we are alone in this empty tomb or circumstance that we are in. We may even be struggling to hang on. But if we experience the risen Lord, we can press on and meet Him even when the road ahead is rough and the climb is steep. When we find ourselves back to where we started or we've stumbled and fallen. When we don't understand and the choices are hard and we've given it our all, still we can "press on". Just as Jesus met the Marys along the road and said, "Good morning" He also wants to meet you along the road you are traveling and say "Good morning - do not be afraid" and give you instruction just as He did them.
So when the road is hard - don't give up, don't turn back, don't retreat but press on and meet Jesus on your life's road and rejoice in His resurrection. He died for us and He lives for us. Let's press on and live for Him! And with His help, I will do my best to make my 10,000 steps today count for Him!
As I continued walking, I couldn't help buy notice flowers and buds on the trees and bushes bursting to life after the long, cold, hard winter. Walking past yard after yard I noticed the ressurection of life. It was as if the birds were even announcing the news - "He Arose"! I couldn't help but think about the two Marys that went to the tomb only to find that Jesus had risen, He was not there! The angel told them that Jesus was going ahead of them to Galilee. And they ran from the tomb with fear and great joy and just then Jesus met them there on the road they were traveling down and said, "Good morning!" "Do not be afraid. Go and tell the others that I will meet them in Galilee." (Matt. 28:8-10)
That is the way it is for us also. There may be many empty tombs ahead of us or we may feel like we are alone in this empty tomb or circumstance that we are in. We may even be struggling to hang on. But if we experience the risen Lord, we can press on and meet Him even when the road ahead is rough and the climb is steep. When we find ourselves back to where we started or we've stumbled and fallen. When we don't understand and the choices are hard and we've given it our all, still we can "press on". Just as Jesus met the Marys along the road and said, "Good morning" He also wants to meet you along the road you are traveling and say "Good morning - do not be afraid" and give you instruction just as He did them.
So when the road is hard - don't give up, don't turn back, don't retreat but press on and meet Jesus on your life's road and rejoice in His resurrection. He died for us and He lives for us. Let's press on and live for Him! And with His help, I will do my best to make my 10,000 steps today count for Him!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Daffodils
This morning when I got to work the daffodils were all in bloom by the front door and I was reminded of The Daffodil Principle. I received this story a while back...
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her. "But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this." "Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.
It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world .
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of this wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother." "Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her. "But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this." "Carolyn," I said sternly, "Please turn around." "It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight.
It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking", was the headline. The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read. The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain." The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop. Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration. The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time--often just one baby-step at time--and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time. When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world .
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of this wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Little Foxes
I was reminded today of a little fox that I saw on the gravel road just before I turned into mom and dad's driveway one day last fall. At first, I thought it was a cat but it was much too sly for a cat. A cat would have just sauntered on its merry way but this little fox was crouched low to the ground, looking all around, and seemed to be sneaking up out of the road ditch. Of course the minute I came around the corner the little red fox retreated back into the ditch and up the other side into the pasture. Dad said he had noticed it several times near the end of the pasture. He had been watching it for a couple of weeks and said it was gradually creeping up closer and closer to the house.
Sometimes there are things in our lives that happen so fast and furious we can hardly grasp onto them. They come and go like a whirlwind. But many times there are things that creep up on us much like the little fox ever so gradually and sometimes even at a snail's pace. Stop and take note. When a red flag pops up, even if just for a fleeting second, we need to look long and hard at it. The things we hardly notice at first, the small, tiny things that we shrug off as "it doesn't really matter", or I'll catch it "next time", or they didn't mean anything by that - it's okay . . . but in all reality, it is not okay. These are the things we need to beware of. Things that as time goes on can lead to heartache and destruction if not attended to.
Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom."
It is so easy to ignore the insignificant little things that life brings to our mind, heart and lives. The "little foxes" that creep into life so unnoticed that we excuse them and hope nobody else noticed. Have you noticed any "little foxes" in your life lately?
Maybe you are slipping in some areas of your existance. Maybe some "little foxes" have crept into areas of your life. Areas like your family, your finances and spending, your actions or attitudes, your anger or abuse, drugs or alcohol, your time and lifestyle, your devotions, your own self. Look back and reflect for just a moment . . . any of these things can slip in ever so slowly but chip away at the very foundation of who we are. Who are you, where have you been, where are you right this moment, and where are you going? Let me remind you that over time, the little foxes grow into big foxes. So watch out for the "little foxes" ... the little things that can become a stronghold in our vineyard of life and can destroy the bloom - can destroy us or those around us.
Have some "little foxes" slipped into your life? Are they ruining your "God-given bloom"? Have they slipped in so gradual that they were hardly noticed or maybe you have just tucked them away from your heart and mind. Out of sight - out of mind, as the saying goes! I think we have all been guilty of that at times. But seriously, what little foxes are impacting your life at this very minute? What stronghold are you struggling with today?
Are you dealing with some foxes in your life and you know, down deep in your heart, that the chains of this cycle have to be broken? Things that started out small and insignificant that have become strongholds to you and your children and family that control who you are and what you do - holding you hostage within your very life. If so, you cannot be the "bloom" God created you to be. I urge you to "catch that little (or big) fox before it destroys your "bloom and your vineyard"!
What can you do? You can try to tame the foxes. Yes, you can seek help from a counselor, or a pastor. Find a strong support group. Surround yourself with strong, positive, praying Christians that will encourage everyone involved to seek counseling and hold them accountable to it until the foxes are caught and dealt with. Learn everything you can to understand the whole situation for you and those involved. Seek God's ultimate wisdom,knowledge, and the power of God's saving grace in your situation. God can bring understanding, healing, and possibly a resolve, if everyone involved is willing to seek Him in total obedience and put forth the time and effort to break the unhealthy cycle. It may not happen overnight, especially if it has been a lifetime coming. But time, effort, and commitment to change can bring it to pass with the help of some wise counsel and with God on your side.
Do everything you know to do then let God do the rest! Trust God to lead you every step of the way. His leading may take you down an unfamiliar path but press on - He knows the way through the wilderness. He can and will guide your every step. I like the words to Mark Harris' song "One True God" - take a moment and listen to it right now. There is a phrase that has run through my head for months... "I don't have a God I can put on a stand, I don't have a God I can hold in my hand. But I have a God that is holding me . . . One True God!" It may not be easy, you may have to make some hard decisions that will change you forever. But don't stop now - be strong, get rid of the "little foxes", whatever they may be. They will destroy your vineyard and keep you from blooming! Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. Break free and bloom. Remember Cinderella - it only took one shoe to change her whole life!! This is true for you and I also... one shoe ... one step ... one broken chain link ... one God! And just remember that you have a God that is holding you no matter where He takes you. Whether it is over the mountain or down in the valley or across the plain, take that step - no matter how difficult it may seem - and break the cycle that is holding you captive and always remember ... you have One True God and He is there for you right this very minute.
"My heart is grateful that Your love, O Lord, remains forever, and our security is in You." -Psalm 103
Sometimes there are things in our lives that happen so fast and furious we can hardly grasp onto them. They come and go like a whirlwind. But many times there are things that creep up on us much like the little fox ever so gradually and sometimes even at a snail's pace. Stop and take note. When a red flag pops up, even if just for a fleeting second, we need to look long and hard at it. The things we hardly notice at first, the small, tiny things that we shrug off as "it doesn't really matter", or I'll catch it "next time", or they didn't mean anything by that - it's okay . . . but in all reality, it is not okay. These are the things we need to beware of. Things that as time goes on can lead to heartache and destruction if not attended to.
Song of Solomon 2:15 says, "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom."
It is so easy to ignore the insignificant little things that life brings to our mind, heart and lives. The "little foxes" that creep into life so unnoticed that we excuse them and hope nobody else noticed. Have you noticed any "little foxes" in your life lately?
Maybe you are slipping in some areas of your existance. Maybe some "little foxes" have crept into areas of your life. Areas like your family, your finances and spending, your actions or attitudes, your anger or abuse, drugs or alcohol, your time and lifestyle, your devotions, your own self. Look back and reflect for just a moment . . . any of these things can slip in ever so slowly but chip away at the very foundation of who we are. Who are you, where have you been, where are you right this moment, and where are you going? Let me remind you that over time, the little foxes grow into big foxes. So watch out for the "little foxes" ... the little things that can become a stronghold in our vineyard of life and can destroy the bloom - can destroy us or those around us.
Have some "little foxes" slipped into your life? Are they ruining your "God-given bloom"? Have they slipped in so gradual that they were hardly noticed or maybe you have just tucked them away from your heart and mind. Out of sight - out of mind, as the saying goes! I think we have all been guilty of that at times. But seriously, what little foxes are impacting your life at this very minute? What stronghold are you struggling with today?
Are you dealing with some foxes in your life and you know, down deep in your heart, that the chains of this cycle have to be broken? Things that started out small and insignificant that have become strongholds to you and your children and family that control who you are and what you do - holding you hostage within your very life. If so, you cannot be the "bloom" God created you to be. I urge you to "catch that little (or big) fox before it destroys your "bloom and your vineyard"!
What can you do? You can try to tame the foxes. Yes, you can seek help from a counselor, or a pastor. Find a strong support group. Surround yourself with strong, positive, praying Christians that will encourage everyone involved to seek counseling and hold them accountable to it until the foxes are caught and dealt with. Learn everything you can to understand the whole situation for you and those involved. Seek God's ultimate wisdom,knowledge, and the power of God's saving grace in your situation. God can bring understanding, healing, and possibly a resolve, if everyone involved is willing to seek Him in total obedience and put forth the time and effort to break the unhealthy cycle. It may not happen overnight, especially if it has been a lifetime coming. But time, effort, and commitment to change can bring it to pass with the help of some wise counsel and with God on your side.
Do everything you know to do then let God do the rest! Trust God to lead you every step of the way. His leading may take you down an unfamiliar path but press on - He knows the way through the wilderness. He can and will guide your every step. I like the words to Mark Harris' song "One True God" - take a moment and listen to it right now. There is a phrase that has run through my head for months... "I don't have a God I can put on a stand, I don't have a God I can hold in my hand. But I have a God that is holding me . . . One True God!" It may not be easy, you may have to make some hard decisions that will change you forever. But don't stop now - be strong, get rid of the "little foxes", whatever they may be. They will destroy your vineyard and keep you from blooming! Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become. Break free and bloom. Remember Cinderella - it only took one shoe to change her whole life!! This is true for you and I also... one shoe ... one step ... one broken chain link ... one God! And just remember that you have a God that is holding you no matter where He takes you. Whether it is over the mountain or down in the valley or across the plain, take that step - no matter how difficult it may seem - and break the cycle that is holding you captive and always remember ... you have One True God and He is there for you right this very minute.
"My heart is grateful that Your love, O Lord, remains forever, and our security is in You." -Psalm 103
Ressurrection Cookies
These are wonderful goodies with a message that goes beyond the yummy treats we expect at Easter and uses them as a lesson about the real meaning of Easter—Jesus and his death and resurrection.
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
Zip-lock plastic bag
Wooden spoon
Masking tape
Bible (verses are also on the next page)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John. 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of masking tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’s tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
Now it is time to leave the cookies and go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20, 22.
The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection day, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!
Ingredients:
1 cup whole pecans
1 teaspoon vinegar
3 egg whites
Pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
Zip-lock plastic bag
Wooden spoon
Masking tape
Bible (verses are also on the next page)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
Place pecans in zip-lock bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3.
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.
Read John. 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.
Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat egg whites with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper-covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid.
Read Matthew 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give each child a piece of masking tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’s tomb was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
Now it is time to leave the cookies and go to bed. Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20, 22.
The next morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Resurrection day, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matthew 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Debris
Yesterday I was driving down the interstate and couldn't help but notice as I looked out my window at the side of the road some of the debris (remains, rubble, rubbish, wreckage, trash) scattered along the road. At first I just noticed a plastic sack blowing in the breeze or a cup or can someone had aimlessly tossed out to get rid of. But the further I drove the more and more I began to take note. The winter covering of snow, having all melted, now showed nearly a covering of trash and litter scattered all along the roadway. Besides the usual sacks, papers, cups, cans, bottles - I began looking to see what all was laying in the grass. There were hubcaps, license plates, boards, tires, parts of cars, which I assume were left from a wreck or fender-bender. There was a dead deer and raccoon, a broken chair, a big black garbage bag that looked like it was full of something ... I was not going to stop to check it out! As I drove along I began thinking about all of this trash and junk that was littering up the highway. What a shame! What could have been a nice, quiet, beautiful drive ended up being quite disturbing to me. Where and how did all of this trash get there? Take a good look next time you drive along. Have we no pride in this God-given land of ours??
This actually kind of haunted me - and I began thinking how it must have started with just one person's carelessness and then multiplied by numerous careless people thinking it's one cup or one empty pop can, etc. Then I began thinking about our lives. How so many times we allow just one little "thing" to creep into our life thinking, "it's just a little thing", "it's just this one time", etc. But as time goes on, those "one little things" just seem to add up and before we know it our lives are cluttered up with a lot of junk and debris that keep us from "grazing" in the grasslands of God's grace! We may find that we are not enjoying the grazing ground God has provided for us because we can't get to the "growing grass" where we will grow in God's love. We can't grow and become what God wants us to be if our lives have debris - remains, rubble, rubbish, wreckage and trash in them.
I heard on the radio today a pitch for all of us to "clean up our city" and they were talking about all of the litter around town that is so visable since the snow has melted. They were encouraging everyone to stop and pick up the litter around them. I think this is a great idea and we all need to do our part to make our spot beautiful. But what am I doing about my life? What are you doing about your life? Is there junk and debris in your life that you also need to clean up? Is there some "wreckage" there that needs fixed or taken care of? Are there things in your life that are weighing you down so that you can't get to the "growing grass" and God can't shine through you? Start today, be strong, choose to step out in faith and stand up for yourself and get rid of the debris that is weighing you down. Let's clean up where we live both inside and out!!
Psalm 51:2-7 - "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin . . Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."
This actually kind of haunted me - and I began thinking how it must have started with just one person's carelessness and then multiplied by numerous careless people thinking it's one cup or one empty pop can, etc. Then I began thinking about our lives. How so many times we allow just one little "thing" to creep into our life thinking, "it's just a little thing", "it's just this one time", etc. But as time goes on, those "one little things" just seem to add up and before we know it our lives are cluttered up with a lot of junk and debris that keep us from "grazing" in the grasslands of God's grace! We may find that we are not enjoying the grazing ground God has provided for us because we can't get to the "growing grass" where we will grow in God's love. We can't grow and become what God wants us to be if our lives have debris - remains, rubble, rubbish, wreckage and trash in them.
I heard on the radio today a pitch for all of us to "clean up our city" and they were talking about all of the litter around town that is so visable since the snow has melted. They were encouraging everyone to stop and pick up the litter around them. I think this is a great idea and we all need to do our part to make our spot beautiful. But what am I doing about my life? What are you doing about your life? Is there junk and debris in your life that you also need to clean up? Is there some "wreckage" there that needs fixed or taken care of? Are there things in your life that are weighing you down so that you can't get to the "growing grass" and God can't shine through you? Start today, be strong, choose to step out in faith and stand up for yourself and get rid of the debris that is weighing you down. Let's clean up where we live both inside and out!!
Psalm 51:2-7 - "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin . . Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Grazing
Graze: To feed on growing grasses.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. -Ps. 23:1-6
Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – cum boss, cum boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?! Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long!
But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. -Ps. 23:1-6
Growing up on a farm, I used to watch the cows, sheep & horses graze in the pasture. Each morning we would open the gate to the barnyard and they knew there was freedom from that small pen they were in. They also knew there was nice green grass beyond the barnyard. Once the gate was open, look out because those animals wanted to get where the tall, green grass grew – the pasture! They would take off sometimes even running up the old fenced lane that went up over the hill through the cornfield to the lush green pasture on the other side of the farm. There they would graze for a while then lay down and rest for a while then graze some more. They did this all day long. Come evening we would go over to the pasture’s edge and call the cows – cum boss, cum boss. They would gather at the pasture gate. Sometimes we would have to go round up a few stragglers and when all were accounted for, we’d open the lane gate and back over the hill they would go to the barnyard for the night. The next morning was the same routine, day after day. What a life, huh?! Oh that we could just graze and rest in shady green pastures all day long!
But we can rest and graze in God’s green pastures and restore our souls . . . The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. (Ps. 23:1) I believe God wants us to slow down and “rest” and “graze” and “feed” on His Word. Life throws so many things our way and we are so busy – busy doing good things. But are we running on empty a good share of the time? Are we feeling stretched to extreme? Are we content with who we are in God’s divine providence? Slow down and take some time to just leisurely graze, rest a while, then graze and feed on the good things God has provided for you. Graze, rest, and enjoy the “shady green pastures” of God’s abundant love, grace, and mercy.
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