SPRING'S SERMON

I took myself and my camera to the mailbox this morning, then walked down the road to an area where two dogwoods of ours are blooming.  I took pictures for a while and as I was taking, I realized that not all the dogwoods had bloomed yet.  Rarely have I seen or paid attention to the un-blooming dogwoods.  

As I looked at them today, I found beauty in them as much as in the ones already spread out.  More than that, I realized that they, like the dandelions, have no idea of the turmoil and fear in the world and keep on blooming on time.  It goes back to that post a couple of posts ago where we "consider the lilies of the field".  I understood yet again this morning that the Lord above has all this mess and this beauty in HIS hands and again, I rejoiced.  Greatly.

Here's what I saw....you find your own sermon.

This one is a lot like me....a little scared to open maybe?

Once they open, look how the light shines on them!

Consider..........

HIS HANDS

As I begin a new week I woke this morning in prayer.  My prayer life has improved in the past couple of weeks.  Too bad I couldn't improve it without life's trials.

I haven't seen The Grandbaby for a week now except on Face Time.  Thank goodness my little bit of technology knowledge allows me to know how to do that on my computer.  While it's not a clear picture often, it's a picture and a conversation all the same.  The Poppa, she, and I end out conversation with her every time by blowing a BIG kiss and giving ourselves a BIG hug for each other.  How I long to be able to physically give her that kiss and hug!

I "talk" via text often daily to The Girl.  She relayed a story to me the other day about The Grandbaby that I'd like to share.  There's a true sermon in the story that applies so well to our daily lives at this point of time.

It seems The Grandbaby was at the top of their stairs holding coloring sheets, Baby Ariel (one of her two favorite "babies"--they all have princess names but are plain baby dolls), and Baby Ariel's church dress.  The Grandbaby says, "Mommy, I need you to hold my coloring sheets and the dress for me.  And maybe Baby Ariel.  I'm tired of holding her."  The Grandbaby begins to come down the stairs, holding the wall for support.  Then she says, "And I need to hold your hand."

Ahhh....isn't that where I am so many days, especially lately?  My life holds so many concerns that I'm so tired of holding them.  I tell my heavenly Father that I need him to hold my hand.  And thankfully, he does.  Always.

Scripture today comes from Isaiah:

"For I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."  
Isaiah 41:13

"...Fear not, for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine."  Isaiah 43:1

The Lord's hand is ALWAYS clean.

Consider.........

THE CHOICE OF CLEAN HANDS

I've struggled in my thoughts the past several days as I have so wanted to write a blog post but could never find the exact thoughts to share.  The world in which we live has been in panic and turmoil--quite a trial for our country.  A trial that is touching us all individually, as families, as Christians, and as everything.  The name causing this trial--Coronavirus.

So I know some of you are thinking--geez, all is hear is Coronavirus and now I have to hear it here, too.  Hopefully by the end of this reading, you will realize my words are not all about the virus.  Yes, The Husband and I have self-isolated at home since Sunday with him going to work daily and coming straight home and me going to the office on Thursday, then to the pharmacy for needed drugs for the parents, and then home.  I can guarantee one thing.  We will both be tired of my cooking at the end of this.  We have eaten at home for almost two weeks.  Sometimes the plate contents ain't pretty and sometimes the contents don't taste delicious but we're not going hungry.  We have abode by the "rules" of the government if you will and hopefully by doing that have not given anyone our germs nor gotten anyone else's--doing our part towards trying to tame the spread of the virus.

With the virus, I have learned totally (as The Grandbaby says) how to have ridiculously clean hands.  My hands have never been cleaner in my whole 60+ years of life.

Finally, today being the nice pretty weather day it is, I decided to take a walk.  I put in my gospel music and headed out.  Slowly is how I walk with this faulty back but I got going and kept going.  The more the music got into me, the lighter my walk became and with that lightness came a lightness of heart.  My eyes began to fill with water and drain down my cheeks as I heard the music, "there's healing and hope and love all around...when the praises go up, the glory comes down."

I slowed a bit as I walked the slight uphill and began to sweat.  Then I turned around and started the downhill walk, gaining speed (as much as I can gain) and felt the soothing wind in my face.  With that breeze, I was not only cooled of my sweat, but I was refreshed and renewed in my spirit.

Yes, there are concerns about the unknown of this virus.  Yes, I have learned that I have an adult child who is very bold about telling me I have to isolate because of my health issues (and my age...geez).  And you know, that's not a bad thing...shows a lot of love of that adult child.  Yes, there are concerns for our economy.  Yes, there are just many many concerns.

During this part of my walk, though, I looked down and saw several dandelions.  I saw myself as a child, pulling them and blowing the fuzzy part into the wind.  I loved that.  I realized that dandelions are still around.  The world is still turning.  The spring blooms are still blooming at just the right time.    I realized that if my heavenly Father knows about all these things and cares about them, how much more does He care about me and these things that are concerns to me.

No matter what happens in this world, that doesn't change the fact that Jesus died on the cross, rose from the tomb three days later, and lives today.  For me.  For you.  For us all.  There's still healing and hope and LOVE all around.

Keep your hands washed.....and....

consider Luke 12:27-31....

"Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
                                                          

2 QUESTIONS

The rains have come for a long time, gone for a short time, and come again in flood watch stage.  With that said, I have two questions....

1.  Would I be a redneck if I have my aged rain boot strap stapled because the buckle is broken?

2.  If the answer is yes, do I REALLY care?

☔🌧

SOME DAYS

Some days are like this:

But don't give up, all is not lost...

Consider...

THE DAY AFTER THE L-O-V-E HOLIDAY

The celebration continues!

At 11:59 a.m. 39 years ago on this day, a little one was born to The Husband and me and our lives as we knew them were forever changed.  A precious baby girl brought joy to us and continues to bring joy still.

It's so hard for me to believe The Girl is 39 today.  I laughingly say I have to subtract to know my age and sadly, I have to subtract to know hers as well.  Little did we know that day 39 years ago what time would hold for her and for us.

To say The Husband and I are proud of The Girl would be an understatement.  More than that, though, The Husband and I are forever humbled at the blessing simply of "her".

She reminds me of the woman spoken of in Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman.  Well, okay so maybe only parts of it.  She doesn't lay her hands to the spindle or make fine linen or some of those things, but she is pretty sharp on her circuit machine.  Those others things can apply to her--especially the strength and honor and wise parts.   She is not only an honor to her parents, her husband, and her child but she is an honor to her heavenly Father most of all.

31

So Happy Birthday to The Girl who made me a mama!  Prayers that forevermore will hold joy, joy, and more joy!


Proverbs 31:10-31:

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.0 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

THE L-O-V-E HOLIDAY

Happy Valentine's Day Y'all!

Yes, It's another day of hearts and flowers.  (See blog post from February 14, 2013 for hearts and flowers reference.)  Being a Friday I slept late today, didn't get out of bed until 6:30 a.m.  As I lay awake doing my morning thank-you-Lord-and-help-me-thru-this-day prayer, I found myself being thankful for the blessings of love I have daily.

It's been such a stressful week.  May I say for the umpteenth time in this blog that "the old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be".  It's just several days of busy, concerns, and stress.  At the top of the list is the fact that my mother took a fall early Monday and, along with my dad, chose to not tell anyone.  By Wednesday, I found out accidentally from her.  (Be careful, your sins WILL find you out.)  After hours at her walk in clinic, it was determined that there was a good chance a hairline fracture had occurred in her wrist.  Yesterday's trip to the orthopedic doctor merited a remedy for now of wearing the splint for a dozen more days, then returning for another X-ray.  I will admit that this somehow helped relieve my concern as I, the queen of past hand problems and splints, know firsthand that one can continue on with life successfully wearing a splint.  At least she didn't break an arm, shoulder, or worse.

As I left my physical therapy late yesterday and stopped at the store for my parents' groceries, I was surprised to see a full parking lot.  Then as I entered the store, it was obvious why.  I had forgotten the date.  The majority of the customers were in the card section and heart decorated cupcakes, flowers, and balloons were everywhere.  I, of course, had no need of these.  (See blog post from February 14, 2018, remember?)  :)

So here I am, up after my prayer and a realization that I have love everywhere in my life.  This love brings me joy immeasurable, even in times of pain, concern, and stress.    A husband whom I have spent 41 Valentine's Days with, a sweet caring beautiful daughter, a fine son-in-law, a sassy stubborn sweet grand baby, the love of an extended family, wonderful caring friends,  a comfortable home where I feel love, a spirit filled church where I can worship, and most of all a heavenly Father who loves unconditionally are many of my loves this day.

To wrap it up, I wanted to share some of these blessings as I know you love the pictures...

:

 I want to end this post  to share words from one of The Husband's favorite church songs.  It goes like this:

Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.

Oh love of God how rich and pure, how measureless and strong.
It shall forever more endure, the saints and angels song.

That, my friends, is the greatest love of all.

Consider....

WHO AM I? REALLY.

I can truly say I have suffered from "writer's block" lately.  Life has seemed to overtake me since my last post.  I have a hard time finding enough hours in the day to feel "accomplishment".  Sure, I have joy in my days, happiness in my days, and love in my days.  I just don't accomplish anything that I can SEE.  

Granted in my last post I told you of my back issues.  For the past two weeks I have been having really good physical therapy.  The physical location of the office is a tad further away from my house than the one I used before so I drive further, but I am finding pain relief.  Yesterday was the first day I can truly say I felt a great difference.  I am hopeful.

With those visits along with the rest of the things I do, I have had little time for calming my mind, let's say.  This morning, being Friday with physical therapy three hours from now and The Husband on a day fishing trip, I made the time to sit, drink my coffee, read my devotion, and talk to my Lord.

I received a gift a couple of weeks ago from a dear friend, a devotion book called "Streams in the Desert".  I had to read to catch up to the date but as of a few days ago, I am caught up.  I will insert here that I can't believe it's already January 31.  Where does the time go?  For my birthday a couple of months ago, my sister gifted me with a  book called "Beholding and Becoming".  It's not a daily devotion but the subtitle says "The Art of Everyday Worship".  I sometimes intersperse this book with my devotion time.

With all that said (I obviously remain a person of many words), this morning I was extremely touched by the January 31 devotion in my new book.  The scripture was from Job--now we all know what Job went through.  It was Job 34:29 and said "He giveth quietness."  Well duh.  Isn't that what I need?  Quietness in my mind and spirit just to listen to what my Lord wants to tell me.  Or just quietness and peacefulness for spiritual strength and therapy.  The devotion talked of quietness in the midst of raging storms and don't we all know what those are like?  It says "quietness even in the midst of losing our inner strength and comforts".  He wants us to distinguish HIM instead of them.  Each devotion in this book is ended with a poem.  This morning there is a poem with about four sections.  The last line of the poem says this:  "Who can make trouble when You send me peace?"  I just LOVE that...

Then in my birthday book, the chapter I was reading was titled, "Beholding...God's view of you".  The thing that stuck with me is the author described true self-esteem and the secret to it.  She said "the higher we esteem God for who He is, the truer our view of ourselves.  She said that when we recognize how great our God is, the more we recognize how flawed we really are.  When we lift hearts in worship, we learn to value who He created us to be, in spite of our imperfections.  Because geez, if He saw in my flaws one worthy of rescue, why should I complain?  I'm going to quote also this from this book.  "It's okay to be a no one to everyone if you are someone to the Holy One.  Who He is in you defines who you are in Him."

Well I just love that!  So with all shown to me, I know that even though I have my faults, failure, pains, and distractions, I am somebody to Jesus!  He loves me and I'm HIS kid and even though I do fail and am distracted, HE always forgives when I ask.  And He cares even when I seem to be too busy to care.

So who am I?  Really.  As I type through my teary eyes, I can rejoice that I am a girl who's so blessed with a Heavenly Father who loves me.  That doesn't even count all His other blessings that are too many to count.  He.  Loves.  ME.  Really.

Consider....

MINDFUL

Last month at The Grandbaby's preschool Christmas program, the pastor of the church gave an opening prayer.  Something he said I had heard said often in the past but it stuck with me somehow differently on that day.  He said something like, "Let us always be mindful of you Lord, and others."  I've thought of that often since then.  Mr. Webster says mindful means "conscious or aware of something".

I kind of lost sight of that these past few days with my focus on things that had to be done.  I began with a pain in my right shin Wednesday night that was different, it lasted through the next day, then the next day when I got up, I could hardly walk as the pain in my whole leg was excruciating.  I'm the queen of pain but this pain was different.  This was also the day I was to take The Husband downtown to the big city for his colonoscopy.   I had to suck it up and move on.  Before I left for the downtown trip, I sent my doctor a portal message explaining the problem and asked if ice or heat would be best to help it.  This was Friday and my doctor closes at lunch on Friday so I wanted to get my question in, knowing I would not return until middle of the afternoon with The Husband.

During the day, I continued to hurt and my leg almost buckled a couple of times but I moved through it.  The Husband's colonoscopy went pretty well.  If I'm the queen of pain, he's the king of colonoscopies.  Really.

To move on with my story, I had my phone on silent so I missed a call from my doctor.  She left a message.  I knew when she called AND left a message it would not be what I wanted to hear.  She told me to take three aspirins and go asap to the emergency room.  She thought these symptoms sounded blood clottish and one doesn't want to mess with that.  Of course, The Husband is home after anesthesia and can't drive so I tried to get him to allow me to go to the ER alone.  Alas, he would not hear of that so I drove us both there.  Bless him.

What a nightmare in the ER flu war zone!  And on a Friday.  Six hours later, I left there with the knowledge that I did not have a blood clot but no one really knew the source of the obvious pain either.  I was to take pain medicine and see my doctor this week.  I have an appointment this afternoon and she is hopeful (as am I) that she will find the root of this pain.

As I sat in the ER all those hours and watched, I became mindful of the fact that there are areas that can be improved and make this an easier event for the medical personnel and the sick.  I was thinking that common sense is not much of a factor there, nor is an organizational skill to move along folks who are not exceptionally in need of an ER.  Do I think this is what that pastor meant in December when he prayed?  Nah.   They do need common sense, however.   But don't we all need that in our daily life?

I realize that I need to be more mindful and aware of the needs of others as this new year has begun.  I need to be less self-centered in my own world, but also be mindful of the leading of the Lord in my life.  Granted, I can only be mindful of that in my own life.  I need to be mindful of my attitude, my love for others, and my prayer life.  The list could go on and on.

So with all that said, I encourage you to practice being mindful as I am going to try to do more.  I know that the Lord is always mindful of my needs and supplying those and for that I am grateful.

Mindful.  Consider.....

TOPSY TURVEY

Topsy turvey is a phrase that has long been said by many and means simply "upside down".

The Grandbaby really enjoys television shows and has gone through different stages of favorites.  She still enjoys her super heroes, the P J Masks.  Then she's to another extreme of enjoying princesses.  I guess she has multi interests when it comes to animation.  When she was much younger, I introduced her to my current favorite show, Goldie and Bear.  She tended to lose interest in that for a while but now has regained that interest as I have a few episodes taped on my DVR from back then.  I can't seem to find it on my television schedule now.

The series is based on fairy tales.  The main characters are cute blond haired Goldie (Goldilocks) and her best friend Bear (Baby Bear in the Three Bears story).  The other characters are fairy tale characters--Mother Goose, Red (Red Riding Hood), Humpty (Humpty Dumpty)--you get the idea.

Her favorite current episode is Topsy Turvey Tea Party and we watch it every time she comes.  In this episode Mama Bear is giving a tea party and Mother Goose is going to attend.  Now this will be the first tea party Mother Goose has attended at Mama Bear's house.  All you girls out there know how important the preparation would be if Mother Goose was coming to your house so you will find this easy to imagine.

Mama has made a gorgeous chocolate upside down cake for the event.  It stands tall with the smallest layer being on the bottom and the widest layer on the top.  The icing is flawlessly done with a bit of pink and purple decoration.  Beautiful!  Mama Bear has to go out and find more chairs, leaving Goldie and Bear to do dusting and cleaning up a bit.  Well, this beautiful cake is sitting on the table.  Being the children that they are, Goldie and Bear cannot resist putting their finger in the icing and having a taste.  It IS delicious!  Before they know it, they have had many tastes and one side of the cake is gone.  Their mouths are covered with chocolate and Mama Bear is coming up the walk.  Bear stashes the cake in the refrigerator and they decide to go to Ginger's house (she's a good witch) as Ginger can cook another one.  (Lots of unrealistic expectations here but in animation anything can happen and no one questions.)  Bear tries to come clean with Mama Bear but the guests begin to arrive.

Fast forward to the party and Ginger at the kitchen door with an exact cake as Mama Bear's, except Ginger's cake is a magical chocolate upside down cake.  The cake is cut and served and the first taste is taken by a guest.  That guest immediately rises to the ceiling with feet at the ceiling.  The next guests tastes and does the same.  Mama is confused and worried.  Goldie and Bear know what happened and just as Mother Goose is about to take a taste, they yell, "Don't eat it!"  Too late as Mother Goose rises to the ceiling and they all float around.  At this time, Goldie and Bear admit their disobedience to Mama and, like any girl, Mama fears she is ruined in the eyes of her peer, Mother Goose.  All turns out well as the Topsy Turvey Tea Party is the most fun ever.  Moral of the story--there are many.  You see how many you can find.

With that long dissertation and explanation that is pretty mindless, I will admit that yesterday I thought,  "I can make an upside down chocolate cake like Mama Bear's and The Grandbaby will be over the moon".  Well, let me say here that using the equipment I had, the cake baking was not that easy.  I did get one made and it was a bit wobbly.  Uh, actually, it was lot wobbly.  When The Grandbaby saw it, though, when she and her parents came for Wednesday night supper, she was thrilled.  She loved the look, she loved the taste, she just loved it.  In a Neema/Grandbaby world, that is what it's all about.

I paid attention to what I did wrong in the balance of the cake and might even try it again sometime as honestly, it really was good.

So that's my story for today....hope you enjoyed.

Hope your day is topsy turvey fun!