Category: Family

  • His grace is an ocean

    “And we are His portion and He is our prize
    Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
    If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking
    And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss
    And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

    I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
    When I think about the way
    Oh, how He loves us, oh
    Oh, how He loves us, how He loves all …” — How He Loves Us, by David Crowder band

    I recently listened to this song several times. I still have a hard time comprehending or beginning to understand the depth and immensity of God’s love. For me. For you. For humankind … knowing we often fail to show our love toward God. I say and do things I know displeases and makes him sad.

    Grace. Forgiveness. Love. All these characteristics are clearly evident in God. I claim this New Year — 2013 — to be a year of fresh starts. How about you?

    Dear God, I chose to be more aware of your love for me, my family and friends. I chose to recognize daily and even minute-by-minute blessings you freely give. I chose to learn more of you in your love letter, the Bible. I ask for your strength to accomplish these activities. Without you, I can do nothing. Amen.

    ***

  • Vicks VapoRub = comfort & healing

    Just opening the blue jar of Vicks VapoRub® brings back fond memories of my Mom. Whenever I was sick, she would gently rub the ointment on my throat and chest and carefully cover the area with a towel. Then I’d top the cloth with a tee shirt or pajamas – something to keep the healing vapors in place.

    As I rub the balm in today as an adult, I consider this downtime a waste of time. I should be going somewhere/doing something. Yet, due to a nasty cold, I’m resigned to coughing, blowing my nose and taking medications. I feel unproductive and count these days as lost. But are they really? I’ve been able to enjoy time at home watching movies with my husband who is also sick.

    Days spent horizontal can be rejuvenating. There’s nowhere to look but up! And maybe that’s why I’m down. I’ve been in such a panic to make the holidays special that I’ve failed at the most important item: always remembering the Christ that makes Christmas possible.

    The season should be all about Him (not decorated cookies, presents, or visitors). Since the noise has diminished, hecticness subsided, quiet reigns around me now. As I lay facing the ceiling, I realize what I missed. Chats (in the form of prayer) with my heavenly Father and time spent reading from my Bible.

    God is the one who grants me breath, health and life. I’m not promised tomorrow. But I do have this day on earth to rejoice and give Him the glory — even if it’s spent in bed or on the couch.

    Prayer: God, thank you that I am alive. I don’t feel well, but I can still find a reason to be thankful. Amen.

  • Red Door

    Golden Rock Plantation, Island of Nevis
    Golden Rock Plantation, Island of Nevis

    Moss covered walls
    Adorn stone blocks
    Brightly painted door opens wide

    Beckoning “Come inside”
    Who knows where
    The passageway might lead

    Palm tree laden down
    Carries fruit of the vine
    Hovering over inviting arch

    Will you risk walking in?
    To discover the next adventure
    So close — just on the other side

    –Golden Rock Plantation, Island of Nevis – enjoyed a delightful meal in outdoor gardens, Nov., 2012

  • Unplugged for 15 days

    St. Bart's

    You’ve probably wondered where I’ve been the last couple of weeks — 15 days of being “unplugged” from Internet and cell phones. Yes, I said 15 days & I must say except for the first 2-3 days of nervous withdrawal, it’s been great! I am here today to tell you it can be done and with a large degree of satisfaction.

    My location necessitated this decision to be totally unplugged. My husband and I and three other couples boarded a 40-foot Leopard catamaran in Marigot Bay, St. Martin. We successfully circumnavigated nine different islands and bays in the West Indies including St. Marteen (Dutch & French side), St. Barts, Nevis, St. Kitts, Statia, Anguilla, Ilet Pinel & Tintamarre and back to St. Marteen.

    Botanical Gardens - Nevis
    Botanical Gardens – Nevis

    I experienced a wide spectrum of emotions during the two weeks including (but not limited to):

    • Joy (beauty in nature, delightful foods, camaraderie with friends, lasting picture memories)
    • Fear (wind and waves)
    • Amazement (God’s creation – colorful fish, flowers, plants, trees, mountains)
    • Pain (received a bite of some kind which caused swelling, intense heat)
    • Ecstasy (color of waters, majestic mountains, birds, flying fish and turtles)
    • Regret (family members & friends not there with us to experience this beauty)

    Now I can bask in memories as I peruse our numerous pictures. You, too, can come along as I share the photos here & on Facebook.

    Flower on St. Barts
    Flower on St. Barts

  • How do I love thee?

    Let me count the ways …

    Toy trains hidden beneath the chair
    Smudges on the glass
    Whispers in my ear,
    “Nana, time to get up!”

    Boat rides
    Wagon rides and playground dates
    Bibs, blocks & bubbles
    Picture books and color crayons
    Soft blankets, stuffed animals & dolls

    Absent … for a time
    Someone to water flowers & herbs
    Table setter, dishwasher
    Pancake batter stirrer
    Filler of animal bowls to the brim & beyond

    Counting the days
    ’til we meet again
    To fill that grandchild-spot
    deep within my heart

    Love you, Nana

  • Quest for Truth & Justice

    Nancy Drew Mystery Stories, “The Bungalow Mystery,” by Carolyn Keene

    I just had to check out this book at the library. My Mom had the whole Nancy Drew book series and I’ve read them all more than once. But that was many moons ago and I felt a nostalgic urge to open up a Nancy Drew book on vacation.

    In The Bungalow Mystery, Nancy Drew is on a mission to help a new friend whose guardian may be suspect to stealing her inheritance. Of course, Nancy encounters a crook and uses her expertise to solve the mystery crime. Predictable? Yes, but still allowed me a trip down memory lane. Originally written in 1930 and reprinted numerous times, Nancy Drew mysteries were centered on an old-fashioned quest for truth and justice.

    *  Simpler times
    *  Less hurry, less worry
    *  Less modern technology, more relationship building
    *  Exercise consisted of farms & outdoor gardening
    *  Less crime & violence
    *  Neighbor watched out for your child & you watched out for theirs
    *  Moms, Dads, and families raised children

    Those were the days … anyone remember the Nancy Drew mystery books?

  • Who will praise the Lord?

    Row of Old Books — Image by © Royalty-Free/Corbis

    A most excellent reason to write:

    “Let this be written for a future generation that a people not yet created may praise the Lord” – Psalm 102:18.

    Why do you write?

  • Friendships & books

    Irving Stone (Goodreads)
    Irving Stone (Goodreads)

    There are no faster or firmer friendships than those formed between people who love the same books. Irving Stone

    The author of The Agony and the Ecstasy, born in 1903.

  • My marching orders

    “Love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life …” (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    I’ve had a busy, busy week entertaining family and long distance friends. A good week in most respects, but exhausting. Stress is stress. There’s good stress and bad stress. Either brings with it a need for renewal of body and mind. What to do first in order to recover? Where do I begin? So much to do — so little energy and motivation.

    As I pull apart the verses above and search for answers, I see a few secrets for life renewal:

    1. Choose to love the Lord your God
    2. Listen to his voice
    3. Obey his commandments
    4. Commit self firmly and hold fast to God

    Live life exuberantly. The Lord your God is your life (Deuteronomy 30:20).

    Dear God, help me quiet the racing of my mind and heart. I need to filter out all else so I can listen to your voice alone.

  • The Swing poem

    Photo by comminfo.rutgers.edu

    The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson was one of my Mom’s favorite poems and one of mine too. As soon the recess bell rang, I’d make a beeline for my first choice: the swings. If they were full, I’d try to join in either jump rope or hopscotch.

    Eleven years ago my husband and I (now empty nesters) moved into a new home. For eleven years, our patio sat empty. Other decisions occupied my mind, plus I couldn’t decide what to put on the deck patio. Then it came to me — a porch swing would be the perfect piece of furniture. A porch swing like the one my grandmother had on her porch years ago when I was a little girl.

    My sister and I would sit on either side of Grandma and swing and swing and swing. We’d talk to Grandma about anything and everything. There were no limits or taboo subjects. We felt completely at ease in sharing whatever our young hearts desired. We’d tell each other secrets about a recent girlfriend misunderstanding or about a crush on Michael, the new kid in school. Sometimes, our heart ached because we were always chosen last and didn’t make a particular team. If we had a mean teacher at school or a particular class was too tough for us — Grandma would surely hear all about it.

    Recently, my grandchildren came to visit. We sat on my new porch swing and pumped our legs back and forth in order to keep the swing moving. I shared with them that I used to do the same thing with my Grandma.

    During the day, we watched a Mommy Robin feed her starving baby robins. She’d built a nest right under the deck in perfect view of the swing. In the evening, we tried to count fireflies and wished upon the first star in the northern sky.

    I’m hoping to build some of those same fond memories I have of my Grandma into my own grandchildren. What better way than to start with a swing … a swing that goes high up in the air so blue. Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing ever a child (and a child-at-heart) can do!

    Is there someone in your life now whom you feel totally at ease with? Someone to share your deepest joys and heartaches?