Praying for Japan

Psalm 46

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

peace. 

Convenient Christmas

So this year will look a little different for us. We now have a son-in-law and an out-of-town daughter. We won't have the kind of time with our family that we have always enjoyed. It will be a little more compact.

We will still have time for our traditions, which after being snowed in last year, we all missed! I am looking forward to sharing those with our family again this  year.

In years past, I've had all my shopping done by now. But this year hasn't been as convenient. We just celebrated a wedding and the cash-flow at our casa is greatly diminished. We can't just shop, we have to plan. We refuse to create debt, so we have to be creative. This has forced me to really think about the gifts I want to give. And honestly, I've loved it.

Not at first, it was a challenge. But once I got used to the idea, I began to really assess who I was giving the gift to and what they would enjoy. What would touch them or be useful to them? It has not been convenient. But it has been a gift to me in a way.

God's gift of His son was not convenient either. He saw each one of us, lost and hopeless. We were on his mind when he spoke to Mary and Joseph. When the star shone, it glistened in the tear drops on his face. Tears of pain, tears of joy, tears of hope. He shed them for us. And then gave us the greatest gift of all.

So to my family and friends, I hope this year, though our gifts to you may be small, you'll understand they contain our hearts and treasure them.

peace.

Milestones

Baobob Tree - African milestone

I like to mark the milestones in life. It reminds me of the ground I've traveled, gives me perspective. Shows me all the goodness along the way and how it encircles the pain, cushioning the impact on my long term journey. This week I have celebrated my husband's 49th birthday, the 27th anniversary of our first date, my nephew's 17th birthday, and the 28th birthday of a new friend in our lives. Lots of milestones.

We all know stuff happens. We fall down, we get bumped and bruised and beat up. But as I look at the milestones laid in the path of my life, I also see the joy, the celebration and the reward that some of the most painful times in my life have been surrounded by, under-girded with.

I know I'm a Pollyanna and I like it. I like seeing my cup not only half-full, but over-flowing most days. I am so blessed. Not necessarily by the world's standards, although I have more than I ever dreamed possible. But I am blessed to know that today doesn't determine forever, and if it does somehow, God is still in control. He didn't wake up suddenly, slap his forehead and cry out "Great! I missed that one. Better luck next time." He is not surprised by anything. There are no jump scenes for Him.

Aren't you glad? Doesn't that fill your cup just a little bit more?

I hope so.

I'm celebrating Friday today. I'm glad the weekend is near. I hear rest calling my name and I'm really hoping to answer. :-)

peace.

all this talk of love...

I love Valentine's Day. Not for the commercial aspect, I avoid that religiously, but I love that there is a day set apart to celebrate love.

As a christian, I believe my greatest responsibility is to show God's love. I recently read a short story, confirming in my mind, love is our greatest witness and gift.

From Max Lucado's He Still Moves:

A Morsel of Kindness

Suppose someone has enough to live and sees a brother or sister in need, but does not help. Then God's love is not living in that person.
I John 3:17

Leo Tolstoy, the great Russian writer, tells of the time he was walking down the street and passed a beggar. Tolstoy reached into his pocket to give the beggar some money, but his pocket was empty. Tolstoy turned to the man and said, "I'm sorry, my brother, but I have nothing to give."

The beggar brightened and said, "You have given me more than I asked for--you have called me brother."

To the loved, a word of affection is a morsel, but to the love-starved, a word of affection can be a feast.

Happy Valentine's Day! Let no one's path you cross today be love-starved.

Belly up to the bar, I'm spreading the love!!

peace.




(photo from Flickr by *omnia*)