Today I listened to Kenny Rogers crooning away all my favorite love songs. Listening to the words as he sang, and thinking of couples in my life that have loved deeply, made me cry. I allowed my tears to flow thinking of Gods' love for me and how He has given me so much. Tears ran down my cheeks as I remembered those who had lost the love of their lives. My heart broke into sobs as I realized my desire to finish life filled with love for the man I have given my heart and life. I prayed the love songs back to my Lord, and allowed the words to speak to my heart what I know God whispers to me.
Then, as if he heard my heart, Patrick came to dance with me. He held me in his arms and allowed my tears to wash away my longings. He stood tall and offered his strength to me. He was my man, my husband, my love. My love song will always be played for him. Our love will always be offered to our Lord as one.
Yes, I am a romantic! I love being romanced by My Lord, and I love being romanced by my husband. I even love being romanced by a love song.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Erasing the Past
President Obama seems intent on erasing everything that President Bush put into place over his 8 years in office. I think we all knew it was coming, but at the furious pace that the erasures are happening, I think we are all a bit shocked at the vengeance and ridicule it seems to portray.
I am saddened by the lack of respect shown to President Bush. I pray for President Obama to do unto others as he would have others to unto him.
The final thought is that God is the only one who can really erase the past. He alone rubs out our sin with His eternal eraser. He knows none of what we have placed in His nail scarred hands. For this I am deeply thankful.
I am saddened by the lack of respect shown to President Bush. I pray for President Obama to do unto others as he would have others to unto him.
The final thought is that God is the only one who can really erase the past. He alone rubs out our sin with His eternal eraser. He knows none of what we have placed in His nail scarred hands. For this I am deeply thankful.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Mission: Obedience
My mission for God is to obey! It is not for me to manipulate the outcome so I will get patted on the back, or rewarded for the success of the project. Obedience, plain and simple is the goal.
This is a strange thought to most of us. I guess we figure if God gives us an assignment we should make sure that it turns out right! The problem with that kind of thinking is that it places us in the drivers seat and puts God on the sidelines. The truth is that whatever mission God sends us to do is His mission and we are just an instrument in accomplishing the task He has assigned us.
Ultimately my success in the eyes of God is my obedience, not the finished result. My answer to the Lords' call and the follow through with complete obedience will reward me with His words, "Well done!"
It may be hard to leave the control in His hands but then sometimes just obeying Him is enough. Today does have enough trouble of its own! Those little steps He asks me to make could be steps of faith that in looking back weren't so little after all.
Mission: obedience.....I accept!
This is a strange thought to most of us. I guess we figure if God gives us an assignment we should make sure that it turns out right! The problem with that kind of thinking is that it places us in the drivers seat and puts God on the sidelines. The truth is that whatever mission God sends us to do is His mission and we are just an instrument in accomplishing the task He has assigned us.
Ultimately my success in the eyes of God is my obedience, not the finished result. My answer to the Lords' call and the follow through with complete obedience will reward me with His words, "Well done!"
It may be hard to leave the control in His hands but then sometimes just obeying Him is enough. Today does have enough trouble of its own! Those little steps He asks me to make could be steps of faith that in looking back weren't so little after all.
Mission: obedience.....I accept!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Parenting Styles
After talking with a young mom about parenting styles earlier today, I began thinking about my philosophy of parenting and how it has changed over the years.
Long ago, when I was a new Mom, I relied heavily on the experts. I read just about every book . Of course, getting my B.S. degree in Child Development and Family Relationships made me certain that I would do everything right as a parent! I was shocked when I began to see flaws in my parenting, and so I sought other moms and read more books. Learning from the best did not make my child a perfect child nor was I a perfect parent! I judged myself by what the books said a parent should do and I judged my child by how they measured up to other children.
The sad truth in all of this is that it took me years to finally go to the One who formed us both! God, Himself, is the only perfect parent. He alone knows the unique fingerprint of His image we will be for the world. He is the only one who should be consulted for the wisdom on how to parent our children.
Looking back over the years I saw successes only when I trusted that God loved my children more than I did. He placed them in my care because He knew that I was the right person to give them something they would need to serve Him. Today, I should have told that young mom that God, not me, or other moms can judge what is right for her child or anyone elses. If she remains close to Him she will fulfill her role as a mother just as God has planned.
The sequel to this is that we should also watch out about our judgement of others' parenting. It just may be that God wants His children to be raised under different parenting styles.
Long ago, when I was a new Mom, I relied heavily on the experts. I read just about every book . Of course, getting my B.S. degree in Child Development and Family Relationships made me certain that I would do everything right as a parent! I was shocked when I began to see flaws in my parenting, and so I sought other moms and read more books. Learning from the best did not make my child a perfect child nor was I a perfect parent! I judged myself by what the books said a parent should do and I judged my child by how they measured up to other children.
The sad truth in all of this is that it took me years to finally go to the One who formed us both! God, Himself, is the only perfect parent. He alone knows the unique fingerprint of His image we will be for the world. He is the only one who should be consulted for the wisdom on how to parent our children.
Looking back over the years I saw successes only when I trusted that God loved my children more than I did. He placed them in my care because He knew that I was the right person to give them something they would need to serve Him. Today, I should have told that young mom that God, not me, or other moms can judge what is right for her child or anyone elses. If she remains close to Him she will fulfill her role as a mother just as God has planned.
The sequel to this is that we should also watch out about our judgement of others' parenting. It just may be that God wants His children to be raised under different parenting styles.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Life and Death Struggle
I've been pondering the life and death struggle that my neighbor is fighting.
The family has asked the question "Why?" Why isn't God just taking Bob home? It has been painful for the family to watch life inch away over the past 4 weeks. Well, it began before that with a diagnosis of Parkinson's a couple of years ago, but only recently has the struggle begun in earnest. It is because of their questionings that I, too, wonder what this struggle is accomplishing.
It is a fact that we all will loose the battle to hold on to life eventually, but we will fight. We all will grasp for the last minute, even though we believe that beyond the veil lies our Savior and a place without disease, pain and tears.
I believe that it is love we play tug-of-war with: love for our family and friends here and love for our God and the eternity He promises will be ours. We hold the love in our hearts and we cannot be totally engulfed in Gods perfect love while living in this sinful world. We cannot be completely involved with the loved ones we hold so dear and be free to love them without pain and heartache if we remain here on earth. The pull of the two loves begins when we believe and it ends when we surrender our life to live the complete love filled life God has planned for us!
Lord, let us learn to trust you even in the moments of letting go. Send your Comforter to bring peace that goes beyond the seeing and hearing of this world! Help us to live a life of love and let love guide us home!
The family has asked the question "Why?" Why isn't God just taking Bob home? It has been painful for the family to watch life inch away over the past 4 weeks. Well, it began before that with a diagnosis of Parkinson's a couple of years ago, but only recently has the struggle begun in earnest. It is because of their questionings that I, too, wonder what this struggle is accomplishing.
It is a fact that we all will loose the battle to hold on to life eventually, but we will fight. We all will grasp for the last minute, even though we believe that beyond the veil lies our Savior and a place without disease, pain and tears.
I believe that it is love we play tug-of-war with: love for our family and friends here and love for our God and the eternity He promises will be ours. We hold the love in our hearts and we cannot be totally engulfed in Gods perfect love while living in this sinful world. We cannot be completely involved with the loved ones we hold so dear and be free to love them without pain and heartache if we remain here on earth. The pull of the two loves begins when we believe and it ends when we surrender our life to live the complete love filled life God has planned for us!
Lord, let us learn to trust you even in the moments of letting go. Send your Comforter to bring peace that goes beyond the seeing and hearing of this world! Help us to live a life of love and let love guide us home!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Silver Linings
I used to sing a song when I was a child. It spoke of looking for the silver lining behind every cloud. I've seen the sun make the clouds shine along the edge looking like a silver lining. It is a beautiful reminder that the clouds are not all dark and gray!
Every trial can hold a blessing if we but open our eyes to see God working in it. He is faithful. He is always with us.
Today I see silver linings. They may not be bright but because God is working they are there.
Every trial can hold a blessing if we but open our eyes to see God working in it. He is faithful. He is always with us.
Today I see silver linings. They may not be bright but because God is working they are there.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Life Hangs in the Balance
Our neighbor is on the verge of dying. He has lived a full life and it seems his time here on earth is nearly over. Death does not wait for the long lived. The past few weeks we have heard of friends and acquaintances, young and old, taking the step into eternity.
No matter what our age we have no guarantee that our next breath will come. Today we may be balanced on the edge of eternity.
Eternity is a word that we cannot fully understand. It is a long long time and yet we cannot comprehend its length because it has no end.
I am convinced that heaven and hell are real. It is important to know that we choose where we will reside after we step through the doors of eternity. I am trusting Jesus to provide my entrance into Heaven. He is the only one who offers to let me in without my own perfection.
My neighbor is trusting Jesus as well, but some of those who have left this world trusted in themselves, their works, or failed to believe that eternity was real. The balance of our lives could be one breath away! The question arises, how will we make it into a perfect place if we have not yet reached perfection? Jesus offers His perfection as a free gift to anyone who wants it. I do! How about you?
No matter what our age we have no guarantee that our next breath will come. Today we may be balanced on the edge of eternity.
Eternity is a word that we cannot fully understand. It is a long long time and yet we cannot comprehend its length because it has no end.
I am convinced that heaven and hell are real. It is important to know that we choose where we will reside after we step through the doors of eternity. I am trusting Jesus to provide my entrance into Heaven. He is the only one who offers to let me in without my own perfection.
My neighbor is trusting Jesus as well, but some of those who have left this world trusted in themselves, their works, or failed to believe that eternity was real. The balance of our lives could be one breath away! The question arises, how will we make it into a perfect place if we have not yet reached perfection? Jesus offers His perfection as a free gift to anyone who wants it. I do! How about you?
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