Tag: blessing

  • Happy St. Paddy’s Birthday to my Daughter!

    Who knew that over 30 years ago my husband and I would be blessed with such joy? Joy came in the form of the birth of our first (and only) daughter, Amanda Sue. Until the birth of a child infuses your life, words fail to convey the awesomeness of such an event.   Amanda Birthday Collage 2

    Children do not come with an instruction manual. There are no warning labels attached to those tiny, perfectly formed fingers and toes. When their first breath or cry comes forth, your breath and heart pauses. What does come is an overflowing joy, awe, and fear of messing up this parenting role.

    As a second-time mom (the first, our son, appeared on the scene just 13 months earlier), I knew the basics. I understood the initial pain in childbirth, the post-partum depression, sleepless nights, endless feedings and change of diapers. Yet all those potentially negative aspects paled in comparison with the ultimate joy of bringing forth a living, breathing, precious human being.

    All that to say, Steve and I are eternally grateful to the Giver of Life and Light. He blessed us then and continues to bless us as we watch our grown up daughter. Amanda, your sparkling, beautiful eyes, boundless joy and energy continue to ignite all those around you. God blessed you with intelligence, ingenuity, love and concern for people and animals. I cannot imagine life without you and the special spot you hold within my heart. Love you to the moon and back again, hugs and love from Mom and Dad.  Happy Birthday!!!  

     *****

  • Galley proofs in!

    “Though is tarries, wait for it.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

    A few days ago, I received my first galley proofs of my book and cover. Lauren, Publishing Services Associate, exclaimed “Congratulations!” True, I am very excited to be moved to the next phase. Yet, I do not want to miss any of the good parts in between. There is still much work to be done. Rushing not allowed here if I am to take Habakkuk 2:3 to heart.   Daffodils popping through snow

    I do and do and do. Sometimes before I give proper credit to timing and waiting. When I go forth in my own strength and just do on my own, I miss much. I miss God’s guidance, wisdom, and blessings in the end. I think I am doing the right thing by instigating hurried results, but am I really? God seems to be more visionary than practical like us mere mortal humans. Impatient. I am extremely impatient; thereby potentially missing out on His best. Missing “the fulfillment of the vision;” I wonder what that vision would have looked like had I taken the time and exercised patience during the wait mode? God must be disappointed when I do not implement enough faith to wait for Him to work out His best plan.

    “We cannot bring the vision to fulfillment through our own efforts, but must live under its inspiration until it fulfills itself. We try to be so practical that we forget the vision. At the very beginning we saw the vision but did not wait for it.

    We rushed off to do our practical work, and once the vision was fulfilled we could no longer even see it. Waiting for a vision that “tarries” is the true test of our faithfulness to God. It is at the risk of our own soul’s welfare that we get caught up in practical busy-work, only to miss the fulfillment of the vision,” thoughts from Oswald Chambers.

    • How about you; is it difficult for you to wait?
    • What are you waiting on now?
    • What plan could you devise to wait patiently?
    *****

  • S.O.S. call

    Recently my husband Steve and I were forced to call the Coast Guard for a rescue. We’ve been boating for over 30 years and always relied on our own wits and resources to get us out of a jam. Not this time! We landed on the wrong side of a sandbar and needed help to pull us off and then tow us to a safe location.   SOS - Boat US rescue 6-15-2014

    As I age (or mature sounds better to me), I’m realizing it’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s more than okay. Sometimes it’s the wisest decision to make. As humans created by the Almighty, we weren’t made to live independently of each other. We need each other for support, guidance, and even physical help from time to time. I’ve noticed when I’m on the giving end of help that I, too, am blessed. The blessings go both ways—to the giver and to the receiver.

    • How about you? Are you struggling with a tough decision?

    • Could you use a listening ear to navigate through a rocky time in your life?

    Dear God, thank you for being available in times of fear and stress. Thank you also for providing others to help during times of need. Sometimes I don’t even know I’m needy, yet You send along someone to encourage, bless, or guide me along this life path.

    “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them even sing for joy. Spread your protection over them that those who love your name may rejoice in you”—Psalm 5:11.

  • Wanting just a little bit more – (Part I)

       Do you ever struggle with wanting something you know isn’t good for you? Maybe it’s an addiction, or wanting a bigger this or that, or a longing for a certain someone to notice you. I don’t mean just desiring this object or person, but craving it to the point of not being able to enjoy or appreciate present blessings. I know that feeling. No matter how much I try to talk myself into the fact that others don’t have it any better than I do (in fact, I might have it better but I’m just not noticing), it doesn’t work. I still end up obsessing to the point of making my life miserable at times. Why do I do this? Deep down, I know it is not healthy or even remotely productive.  It’s part of our fallen nature to want what we don’t have and try to question God’s ways.  

    Look at Eve and Adam. The serpent in the Garden, masqueraded as Satan, placed a delectable fruit within focus of Eve. The fruit (maybe it was an apple) looked appealing and smelled appetizing. What harm could come from taking a mere juicy bite? After all, they reasoned God would want them to be happy. And this looked like a happy way to go in their eyes. Adam and Eve figured it would taste yummy too, so they succumbed, ate the fruit, while believing they knew better than God. Wrong!

    What are some of your struggles?

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