JOSEPH

Ah, Joseph....we often pay little attention to him.  I, being a female and a mother, relate more to Mary and how she must have felt but just as dads sometimes today are under-recognized, I think sometimes that Joseph was also.

I think about Joseph as he probably led that donkey into Bethlehem.  I don't recall the scriptures talking about a donkey but surely they had one.  I wonder, too, about the huge responsibility he must have felt for Mary and the baby.  Joseph was probably not a lot different from dads today.  Joseph truly showed us how to step up to the plate as one might say.

Being a child who was "raised in sawdust" as my dad was a carpenter, I can see Jesus as he grew and might have been right with Joseph in that carpenter's shop, building as I often did, bridges with blocks and such.  All of that is left to our own imaginings and really, I guess, not so important.

As I consider Joseph and Mary, I wish today I could have that kind of faith....that kind of assurance and trust in knowing that what I don't understand, my heavenly Father does.  And I can trust Him.  He has promised to provide just as the provisions were made that silent, holy night so long long ago.

As Bethlehem was the site of such a miracle in the quiet of the night, I will my heart to be still in the quiet of my life and give God thanks and glory for sharing HIS son with me and all of you.

I will end thoughts on Joseph with lyrics from one of my most loved season songs.  It's titled simply, "Joseph's Song" and speaks to my heart every single time I hear it.

How could it be this baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God, the angel said
How could it be

Lord I know He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king?

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be....

Amen!

MARY

Mary.  Probably not one of the top ten names for girls in America today but a name that brings Christmas to mind.  Especially two weeks before Christmas.

As a mother myself, I have often considered how I would have felt if I had been Mary, the mother of Jesus.  I can imagine that she had some fear along with some anticipation--not a lot unlike mothers of others.  The difference is the angels who came and told her she would be the mother of the holy one.  As The Pastor said in his sermon on Sunday, Mary was most likely a very young girl.  In spite of that, she had wisdom and scriptures tell us that she praised God--"For he that is mighty hath done to me great things, and holy is his name."  (Luke 1:49) 

I won't go into all the "what ifs" in Mary's life story but I will say how she must have been speechless when she delivered the baby Jesus.  I like to think she had quiet smiles as she looked at him in that stable.  Did she feel sad that the conditions were so lowly?  Did she wish she had a blanket for him that was furry and soft?  I don't think so, especially by that time when the "plan" -- God's plan -- was occurring.

To me, one of the sweetest scriptures involving Mary is this one:

"But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart."  Luke 2:19

I love that and I love to study Mary.  I encourage you to take time to read the first and second chapters of Luke and focus on Mary.

Tis' the season.......

WHICH WAY DO I TURN?

For the past many months (can I even say most of the year), I have been under the care of a gastroenterologist for some anemia.  I have had many tests with this doctor....those uncomfortable-to-prepare-for tests like colonoscopy, endoscopy, and the swallowing of two pill cameras at different times.

The first pill camera trek through my digestive system showed I have bleeding ulcers in the small intestines.  (Look at this as a medical lesson if you are blessed to read this.)  I never knew there were such.  I was familiar with the stomach ulcers which are pretty normal but these kind of not so normal.  Of course.  Rarely do I get normal stuff, huh?   Supposedly the ulcers are from NSAID's that I have taken often for my osteoarthritis.   Cortisone shots, pain medicine, and muscle relaxers are the norm for me now for arthritis control.  Those NSAID's really helped me.  So sad that they can't help me now.

I did swallow the second pill camera about three weeks ago.  It showed the ulcers still there and still bleeding.  My gastroenterologist has chosen to send me to yet another gastroenterologist...yes, a specialist sending me to another specialist... for a double balloon enterscopy....doesn't sound like a time I will enjoy.   This doctor is at Emory, the big dog of hospitals....or so they say.   Problem was, my doctor seemed to never be able to supply exactly what the doctor at the big dog hospital needed in the way of a paper color copy of the report.

After three weeks and realizing the big hospital folks could get me in fairly soon, I decided to hand deliver the results they were needing.  I did this yesterday.  Yes, I, who am not very familiar with the big city area headed that way.  Alone.  I did get there good, drove around the full parking deck for about 20 minutes before getting to the very top and being directed by three different traffic guys to a parking place.  Wow.  I had never seen such of a problem with parking.

I managed to find my way to Building B as instructed.  That is, I found my way after being instructed again by two different people.  I felt like Dorothy..."Toto, I think we are not in Kansas anymore." The Husband asked later about my experience and was hoping I would know exactly where to go, but I assured him I did not, even after going there.

I found my way to the exit where I paid $4 for my time there--paid $4 to drive around that parking deck....driving 95% of my time there.  Quite a money maker, I would say.  The problem at the exit was that the exit was at a different place from the entrance.  I had to choose whether to turn left or right.  I chose right, of course.  Wrong choice.  After about fifteen minutes of driving, I realized none of this looked familiar.  Ah.  I had taken the wrong turn.  I finally was able to find a place to pull over and dug out my city map that I carry in my glove box.  (I drive an old car without a GPS.  A paper map is all I can do.)    I realized I had driven way south in that big city.  I turned around and totally backtracked, searching as I drove for that sign that said "Hospital" and pointed me in the right direction.  Eventually, I saw that sign and it took me directly to the hospital where I could begin my trip home again.

After I got to where I needed to be to start again, I had no trouble getting back home.  Isn't that how life often is?  We take a wrong turn, get in a neighborhood that is unfamiliar, and have to stop and figure out where we are, how we got there, and how to get home again.  The joy of seeing that familiar place is the best feeling ever.  You know what I mean.....when we drift away from the Lord into a spot where we really don't want to be, we can ask for help and find it.

I know that when we go back to the big dog hospital for the testing, I will be a bit more confident as I know now to turn left out of the parking deck.  AND I will have a driver in whom I am very confident, The Husband.  I know, too, that in my life, I can count on my Lord to be my pilot, and that gives me blessed assurance.  HE knows the right way!

SIMPLY

It is usually a list I find myself making on Thanksgiving Day.  Yes, a list of blessings....only a few, of course.  How can one name all of them?  The list is endless.

This year will be different.  As one fellow said, I want to be thankful for all the years of blessings.  This year as I focus on one year, the past one, I say, "Thanks" for calming my many fears, giving strength for each day that passes and the promise of strength today and each day that comes next.  "Thanks" for a life of hope, mercy, and grace.  "Thanks" that I know how it feels to pray with my face in the carpet, pouring out a needy heart.  "Thanks" that joy comes in the morning!

"Thanks" for a husband who loves and doesn't mind if we both fall asleep in the den every single night at 8:07 p.m.  "Thanks" for The Girl, The Son-in-Law, and The Grandbaby and the other members of the unit I call "my family".  "Thanks" for friends, food, sunrises and sunsets, and all those other things that time nor space allows me to mention.

"Thanks" for the Heavenly Father who knows all, cares about all, always provides ALL I need, and loves me no matter what.

The scripture says "In everything give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  That is what I do this Thanksgiving Day and every day.  With a heart overflowing, simply I say, "Thanks".

And all God's people said, "Amen!"

UNEXPECTED

My mind has been pondering a good bit today.  I babysat with The Sweet Grandbaby this morning.  She, of course, has some new thing or "trick" every time I see her.  For a while she had a slight "cough" that made us wonder if it were real or a trick.  It was a trick.   At five months she has advanced to her toy that we got on consignment.  Her feet finally reach the shortest level.

So between this toy and her "frog sitter", she doesn't see the need to lie down anymore.  That might mean a nap is in order and goodness forbid that she go to sleep and miss something.  

Anyways, this day today had gotten to the middle of the afternoon.  The Girl had returned home from her work and was folding clothes on the floor while The Tired Gramma reclined on the couch.  (The Girl had a basket, she wasn't folding on a dirty floor.  Just in case you wondered at that.)  Gramma's don't have the energy they did in the horse and buggy days, it seems.  ;-)

While all this activity and non-activity was happening, The Sweet Grandbaby was quietly playing in her contraption.  All at once she looked at her mama and threw out the BIGGEST laughter I have ever heard from her voice box.  She looked straight at HER mama, not her Gramma, and seemed totally delighted.  Of course The Girl and The Gramma were totally delighted as well.

Isn't it wonderful that sometimes it takes only the small unexpected things to make one see life differently?  

What is it they say..."out of the mouths of babes"?  Thank you Lord for such small unexpected blessings that let us know you are in charge and all is well.

I VOW

The definition of "vow" says to solemnly promise to do a specified thing.

My KJV Bible says from Ecclesiastes 5:4-6: When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou 
shouldest vow and not pay.

So with those things in mind, this week I have been thinking of many things.  With a times of highs, lows, and times in between, the song that has played over and over in my heart is one that is sang by children at my church.  I first heard the song years ago on a tape and taught it to the children when I was their leader.  I am so glad they still sing it today, years later as it is one of my very favorites and helps my heart to speak what I really DO vow to my Lord.  It goes like this:

Dear Lord we vow to thank you for all the good you give
For birds and trees, for skies and seas the world in which we live.

Dear Lord we vow to thank you for family and friends,
For food and for your faithfulness, your love which never ends.

It goes on to add the all familiar "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me."

So today I want to go on record to you all that I vow to thank him for everything else also...the highs, lows, and all the times in between.  I vow to thank him that He always supplies and provides and gives His all when I only have little.

I vow to love Him forever because He is my Lord and Savior.

All God's people said, "Amen".

FOUR MONTHS OLD

Well, many of you have asked about The Sweet Grandbaby.  Ahhh....how long do you have to listen (or read, in this case)?  She has changed our lives.  She has brought sunshine and happiness to a Poppa and Gramma who thought they already were familiar with sunshine and happiness.  The Poppa and The Gramma are shining and smiling most of the time these days.

Again, I figure a picture (or pictures) are worth thousands of words, sunshines, and happinesses.  And there you didn't know that happinesses is a word, did you?  It may not be in Mr. Websters book, but in this blog it's the best of words.

I don't have the one month pictures on this computer but can oblige with the 2, 3, and 4 month shots.

You should have known I would have a lot of pictures to share when I realized someone was interested.  Sorry you asked?

She loves her Mama and her Daddy....

She has posed with family and friends....

I imagine her to be whispering to her friend, "Wanna know a secret?"

And what can I say about her and The Poppa?  Only that she has him spoiled and caught hook, line, and sinker.

What can I say?  They both enjoy naps.

The Grandbaby, even at 4 months old, will sit still as one reads to her.

She changes daily.  She's a sleep fighter.  She's a strong kicker.  She's a joy and delight.  And no, her hair is not red, but looks that way in some camera lighting.

She looks nice in red, white, and blue and could be said to be learning to pledge the flag.  Or not.  Oops, wrong hand.

Today, she had a first as she sat alone in her bumbo seat.  She liked it...."hey mama, look at me!"

This week she also had her first taste of rice cereal.  From a spoon.  She was not impressed.  A spoonful of sugar would make it go down better, you think?

I can wish for The Grandbaby to be math smart like The Girl and The Poppa.  I can wish her to be organized like The Son-In-Law.  I could even wish her to sew like me.  The thing, though, that I wish for her most is that she be kind and compassionate to others and a trust-er in our Heavenly Father.  If one has all those character attributes, the other things fall in place.  Ahh....the love I have for her is endless.  I.  Am.  Blessed.

And ALL God's people said, "AMEN!"

LOST

Do many of you, as I do, spend what seems to be over half of life searching for something misplaced or lost?  I don't know if it's just an age thing, a overflowing mind malady, or just a lack of attention-paying.  Whatever the reason, I just can't seem to keep up with anything lately.

A few weeks ago I realized I couldn't find my keys.  Now when I say "keys" I mean KEYS.  All of the keys I use in my life--car, house, garage, three for the office, church, parents' house, kid's house, and even a couple of keys to some place unknown.  I guess the only key not on my lost key ring was my safe deposit box key.  It was not lost.  Thankfully.

Well after looking and realizing the keys were officially lost, I decided to just use the spare keys and forget it for a time.  They would eventually show up.  I was certain I had put them unintentionally somewhere (well, duh) or accidentally dropped them in a place where they didn't belong.  After a week of still not finding the keys, I decided maybe I should get serious about it.

I was reminded of a time several years back when I lost my scrapbooking tools.  Now I'm not talking just a pair of scissors and a ruler.  I'm talking expensive scrapbook tools--a paper cutter, large templates, punches, and other really good stuff that I used with my hobby of scrapbooking.  I realized they were lost when I went out to scrapbook and they weren't there.  Isn't that how it is sometimes with us....we don't realize the importance of what we have and don't even realize it's lost until we REALLY need it.  Ok, back to my story....you weren't looking for a sermon even though you might find one eventually in this post.  :)

I searched and searched in my scrapbook room where I ALWAYS would use the tools and couldn't find them anywhere.  I sat and thought about it to determine exactly what all was lost and then was just not understanding how those could all be lost together.  Many days went by with my looking around searching.  One day I decided to get REALLY SERIOUS with my search.  I stood in my kitchen after looking yet for the umpteenth time in my scrapbook room and even my carport.  I decided to call in the big guy...so I prayed.  Right there in my kitchen.  I asked the Lord to help me as I just simply didn't know where those tools were and if they were really gone, that was okay but if not, I really wanted to find them.   I REALLY NEEDED to find them.  The pictures and scrapbooking needs were piling up.  After my entreating Him for help, I started in the kitchen, then to the den, and then through the rest of my house.  I would stand in each room and visually look around for possible places these tools could be.  Then when I was assured they were not there, I would move on to the next room.

I had exhausted all but one bedroom and was exhausting myself in the process but I kept talking to the Lord just like He was searching with me because He was.  So I walked out of my bedroom and started to go into the last when my eyes landed on the hall closet door.  I said at that point,"They can't be in the closet, Lord" and began to walk into the bedroom.  It was if he totally pulled me back into the hall to that closet door.  I said, "The CLOSET, Lord?  Really? Ok" and I opened the closet door to see coats hung, quilts in bottom stacked, and luggage on the upper shelf.  My eyes continued looking at the luggage...I said, "Really Lord, the luggage?  Ok..."  I pulled down the luggage and took it into my bedroom to my bed.  Now it was a heavy sucker....I nest all my suitcases inside the large one for space issues.  I began to unzip the large outside one and my heart and mind began to feel like I might be on to something.  Still my remembering didn't remember why this would be.  (And this was MANY years ago...scary for my "remembering" process.)

When I opened the large suitcase, there, of course was the next size one.  I began to open it and of course again, there was the smaller one.  At that point, my mind began to rejoice in anticipation as when I saw the smallest one and began to open it, I heard something in the front pouch....and yes!  I remembered.  There inside that pouch was every one of my lost scrapbooking tools.  I had forgotten I had taken them to the scrapbooking session I would do monthly in a neighboring town.  Ahhh.....I laughed.  I cried.  I laughed more.  I congratulated the Lord.  It was a happy day.

Still as I look back on that experience, I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord provided me that knowledge to find those tools.  Yes, it was a small thing to Him, but a huge thing to me and He loves me even that much to help me with something so small yet so troubling.  I realize that He does that every single day in some form or fashion and  I don't even notice.

And the keys, you ask?  Yes, I did find them.  Eventually.  I knew they were in my house.  My mind backtracked and remembered that much.  Here's where I found them:

In the kitchen pantry, fourth drawer, right side under plastic bags with the bread and chips. Isn't that where most people keep their keys?  Duh. One would think we would eat bread and chips more often, huh?   Obviously we don't eat them enough or the keys might have been found sooner.

So that's my story and I'm sticking to it.  :)  Until next time.......