The world does not bid you sing,but God does.
The words of this hymn have been meandering through my mind the last 2 days.Consequently they have found their way to my vocal chords.Smile.It's a great song to sing while in the shower first thing in the morning.So,no matter where you are or whatever you're facing be assured that God is indeed leading you and is there for you,His child.It is my hope that you take comfort in this fact.
I've received some pleasant surprises lately.And I'm just thrilled.The first was a"blog of excellence" award from Debbie Whitlock over at"Just My Thoughts"(www.debbiewhitlock.wordpress.com ).What a blessing and an honor.I'm truly grateful and humbled all at the same time.Thank you Debbie for your kindness.
It's been one of those days here.The kind I seldom have thankfully.It was stressful and emotional.The tears poured from my eyes freely.Unabashed and unashamedly.Life trials weighed heavy.Misunderstandings and miscommunication happened.Please pray for us if you think to.If you've had one of those days too I hope that you too will take comfort from the following words found in Revelation 21:4(NIV)...
You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone,O Lord,make me dwell in safety.
I've been tagged by Jo(http://www.followtheroadlesstraveled.blogspot.com/ ) for a book meme.Before I answer the questions let me say that if you want to read some beautiful writing please visit her blog.You won't be sorry.
Whew!!What a month it's been here.Busy as can be.In addition to celebrating Christmas and New Year's we made a move.On December 31st.In the middle of a small ice storm.We now live in the same complex as our daughter and granddaughter.Being closer to family is a really good thing.We're still unpacking but settling in quite nicely I think.Though we will always love small town life we are adjusting to big city life very well.Smile.It's nice having our loved ones much closer.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.~Isaiah 9:6
Once again our Granddaughter Hope has provided fodder for a blog entry.Smile.We were watching her today as we do every weekend.I was in the kitchen cleaning up lunch dishes.We'd had sloppy joe's made with ground turkey on whole wheat buns and pears.I was enjoying the rare winter sun streaming in my kitchen window as well as the simple act of washing dishes by hand(my dishwasher was full).Hope was out in the living room playing a Sony driving game(some game where you race ATV's over various tracks both pro and amateur).As I finished up the dishes Hope came walking into the kitchen and gave me a hug."Is your game over?"I asked.""No"she replied.""I just find that it helps me to get rid of my anger if I hug someone."Hope was living out a biblical principle without even realizing it!I knew I had a blog entry with her statement.Big grin.I probed further.The source of her anger?Running out of time on her racing game.As she left the room I pondered what had just transpired.And I reached some conclusions.Would'nt it be nice if the worst thing we had to be angry over was running out of time on a game?And ,even better than that,would'nt it be wonderful if all the anger issues and results of that anger could be solved by simply hugging another human being?It's quite possible that all the world's ugliness,sin and sadness,caused by anger,could be eradicated in it's entirety.That's something to think about the next time we as humans are tempted to get angry over something.
"I am reminded of
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.I hope that you enjoyed a good meal,surrounded by those you love.We did.Though it was small(my husband and myself,daughter and granddaughter)and though it was short-lived(husband had thrown his back out and needed a nap)it was wonderful anyhow.Our daughter is a really good cook so we enjoyed our meal immensely.And we were thankful to have been able to gather with even a small portion of our family.We were even blessed with a crisp,sunny day.That does not often happen this time of year in Oregon and we loved it!So,now it's beginning to look alot like Christmas.I love it!Some of our neighbors have hung large,lovely wreaths on their doors.They look so very festive with their huge red bows.Our town has added it's Christmas decorations to the street lights on First Avenue/Cascade Highway.Christmas ads abound.Okay,I could do without the ads.The only things that's missing is some snow.It's been cold enough here to snow.Or it was anyhow.But there was not enough moisture in the air.Now that we have the moisture,the temperatures have risen to well above freezing.Life is like that sometimes.But I digress.I want to see some snow.I grew up in Sacramento,CA.I always wondered why they played "White Christmas"in a place that never sees snow.Then,in later years I discovered the first part of the song which talks about orange and palm trees swaying..That I could identify with for we had both trees in our yard.Then I moved to Oregon in 1991.It was an El Nino winter that year.Very dry.Cold.No snow.The next winter was completely different.I was newly married and Salem saw 16 inches of snow that winter.16 inches right outside my door!What bliss for this former Californian now married to a former Michigander.Husband took every opportunity he could to do doughnuts in the local grocery store parking lot.I held on for dear life.Big grin.We have not seen a winter like that since then.We have had some snow but nowhere near 16 inches.I love the way snow covers everything with it's pure whiteness.The way sounds are quieted.Muffled under it's blanket of cold powder.I love watching it fall.Hoping to see it stick and rejoicing when it does.It's novelty has still not worn off.It reminds me of Christmas.Of celebrating our Saviour's birth.Rejoicing in His goodness.Being grateful for His many gifts.And like that snow that covers the earth,falling gently from His heaven,we have His grace,to cover our sin.Our flaws.Our moments of humanity.I think that's why I really love snow.It reminds me of Him.
Bountiful Harvest
We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest,That now has been gathered and garnered with care;Rewarding the toil of the sower and reaper,While all in its blessings may share.
For the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee, we thank Thee and bless Thee, O Lord:For the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee and bless Thee, O Lord.
We praise Thee, O Lord, for the bountiful harvest,We praise Thee for sunshine, the dew and the rain;For soft summer breezes so gracefully bending,The bright golden billows of grain.
We praise Thee, O Lord, for the wonderful tokenThat shines as it shone on Thy servants of old,The pledge and assurance that seedtime and harvest,From earth Thou wilt never withhold.
We praise Thee, O Lord, for Thy wonderful mercies,And while to Thy glory our voices we raise,O Thou that regardest the prayers of Thy people,Accept our thanksgiving and praise.
~Fanny Crosby~
I've been blessed.I was born into a family that values humor and laughter.And I married a man who is extremely funny.People who have run into one of my younger sisters have said the thing they remember about me from High School was my sense of humor.Funny thing is I don't recall being all that funny in High School.I remember being shy.But I digress.As I said I married an incredibly funny man.Our granddaughter has inherited the funny gene too.Recently I overheard the following conversation between my husband(also known as Bapa)and our granddaughter Hope."Bapa,will you get me a glass of water?I can't reach that high.""Okay Hope,but do you have 27 cents?"Hope then replied"No Bapa,I don't have any cents,only dollars."Laughter from the adults ensued.I've known some adults who had more dollars than cents(sense).Huge grin.That's one for the journals I think.I hope this little story from my life has brought a smile to your face today.Or even a full belly laugh.It's so healthy on so many levels.No wonder the writer of Proverbs said that a merry heart was good like medicine.Have a blessed day.
