I Have A New Man In My Life!

Oh friends, I have a new man in my life!

 

I am so thrilled!

 

He's big and strong!

 

He erases away all my problems!

 

He's a miracle!

 

All the grime and mess that comes into my life, no other has ever taken it all away like this one!

 

It's not just him but what he has brought into my life!

 

I had never seen anything like it before!

 

But I'm counting by lucky stars now!

 

I'm really counting my blessings!

 

I can't believe I didn't get to experience this until now!

 

I just had no idea!

 

You want to meet him and see the gift I now have?

 

Do you???

 

Meet my new man and see what I now treasure. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't tell me he is in your life too?!  Do you also have this gift?

I had never seen this until the other day.

This gift works everywhere!

In the shower

on the floor

takes ink off the counter

shines up the faucets

works on car wheels

AND

takes scuff marks right off the walls!

 

I'm just so excited about this I had to share!

 

By the way. . .

 

I'm keeping the old man too.

He doesn't mind sharing space with the new man.

I Know My Husband Loves Me Because. . .

he always offers me the last nacho chip on the plate

 

if I take the last nacho chip, he doesn't get mad

 

he reads my stories a hundred times to find the mistakes

 

he never corrects me, he helps me correct the mistakes

 

when I ask silly questions, he answers instead of laughing

 

when I want to step out of a comfort zone, he steps out with me

 

when he can't go with me, he cheers me on

 

when I get lost in emotions, he holds me

 

when I need my space, he gives it

 

he bows on the knees with me

 

when I can't get back up, he lifts me up

when I don't want to cook, he acts perfectly happy to eat a bowl of cereal

 

when I ask if I should cut my hair he responds with "I love it no matter how you wear it"

 

I'm in my 50's and he always tells me I look like a college girl

when I throw up and miss the basket, he cleans it up

he patiently helps me with rewrites even if it has to be a hundred times

*******************

If that ain't true love, I don't know what is!
I'm so thankful!

Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.
Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.
Song of Songs 8:6-7

True love goes both ways,
next time he can have the last nacho.

 

 

 

On the Wings of Dawn

My son, on this day, Sunday, boarded a plane and is flying off to West Africa on a mission trip with 7 other mission-minded people. I hugged my young man good-bye, proud of his obedience to the Lord's call.

But as I sit here by myself, I don't see the young man. I see the little boy who once was, holding his arms up to me so I could pick him up and fly him through the air as if he was a plane, building lego hats and wearing them, playing under the school table soaring his pencils in the air as if they were swords fighting and planes flying. I can hear the giggles that always came from the little boy I use to carry and fly around, making buzzing sounds with my mouth to give sound effects.

The little boy grew up in more ways than one. He is taller than his momma now, he can pick me up off the floor, his faith is strong and we still giggle together at times.

He now wears the suit of armor and carries the sword of the spirit with him. He will speak and share truth and life to ones on the other side of the ocean. He will sail on the wings of His Savior and I will be standing on the promises of same Savior. God watches over the young man now as I carry the little boy in my heart.

The Lord is carrying my son and He is holding me. We rise on the wings and rest in the shadow of the wings of the one we both call our Savior. . .Jesus.

If I rise on the wings of dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there Your hand will guide me,

Your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139:9-10

 

Thank you Father for guiding the little boy into adulthood. Thank you for using me, his mother, to lead him day to day while You held me day to day. Thank you for what you did for the both of us; lifting us up on the wings of dawn to new heights, new sights, new hearts, new paths and for never letting your Right hand let go.

Your hand is strong and your wings are precious.

I pray most gratefully in your most Holy Name,

Amen

saying good-bye

 

 

 

linking with

 

 



An Emotional Day

           

Emotions. . .that is what I had plenty of on this particular day several years ago . A little girl near and dear to my heart had her heart broke for the second time in her young life.  My heart was breaking for her.  I cried tears of sadness for this situation and for her, and I was angry at another. 

            That night I cried tears of joy for someone else.  I found out my younger son had just led a friend to the Lord.  They prayed the sinner’s prayer together and a new name was written in the Book of Life.  What better news could a parent hear than that their child led someone to the Lord?

            Emotions. . .can be so draining!  Job, in his grief tore his robes and shaved his head.  Job 1:22 says, “In all this, Job did not sin…”  God created us human beings with emotions, some of us more emotional than others.  Even Jesus wept. It is not wrong to feel or show them.  We would be robotic if we didn’t.

            Again, Job spoke out in anguish and complained from his soul.  God already knows how we are feeling, so let’s be open with God and gain His perspective on an anguishing situation and receive godly wisdom in how to deal with those sad situations.  And in the situations that bring tears of joy, let’s not forget to go to the Lord with praise on our lips, as did the people in Ezra.  After lying the foundation of the temple there was much emotion.  Chapter 3, verse 13 in Ezra says, “No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise.  And the sound was heard far away.”

            Emotions. . .what is the lesson with them?  I think the lesson is its ok to grieve over the sadness but not to sin in that grief and/or anger, and to praise and rejoice in the grace and goodness of our Heavenly Father. We should not let our emotions ride over our common sense and to seek the godly wisdom that comes from the Lord.

            So I grieved for a little girl and rejoiced over a teen-ager.  But in my grief, I had peace because I knew His grace and goodness could work in her life also.  I continued to be her friend, prayed for her, prayed for the others I didn’t feel well towards, and I rejoiced for having her in my life.

            Today one of my dearest friends is sitting by her sister's bed watching her prepare to meet her Savior face to face. I know my friend is worn out, sad, grieving, praying, and just running over with emotion. But she, her sister and her family love the Lord and are leaning on him in the tiredness and sickness and rejoicing that they know where their loved one will be going, a place where there is no more sickness, no more pain, no more tears. Yes, we can rejoice in that!
 

            Emotions. . .that could be my middle name. I was worn out the above mentioned night. I cry now for my friend. But don’t worry.  I haven't shaved my head and I have always been ready to praise. I can still be an emotional mess at times but I am stocked up with Kleenexes in my prayer closet, prayers in my soul, and praise in my heart.

 

If you wouldn't mind, I know my readers are prayer warriors so would you please pray for my friend Jennie, her sister Joanna and the family she is surrounded by.

Thank you!

The Old Hymns

During a difficult period in my life, my aunt, gifted in music, encouraged me to read the words of the old hymns and take comfort in them. This turned out to be wonderful advice.

I love the praise and worship music sung in the churches today but they are not quite like the old hymns. The words are deep and meaningful. You can witness this by scanning the church during a hymn and more than likely you will spot an older woman with tears streaming down her face because the words speak to her, she is identifying with the truth behind those words. I have come to be one of those women now. Here are just a few of the sacred ones:

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrow, like sea billow roll; whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, “It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, just to take Him at His word; just to rest upon His promise; just to know thus saith the Lord. Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!”

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace. In every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone, because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, JUST because He lives.”

I am so thankful for God inspiring the hearts of these hymn writers hundreds of years ago and that they stood the test of time just like His Word. They have given me strength, have lifted my spirits, and helped me to go at those times when I just wanted to crawl under the covers and not get up.

There is such power in singing the hymns and we see this with Paul. He was nearly stoned to death, three times beaten with rods, received 195 lashes from the Jews, and bloodily beaten in the Philippian jail. After all this he endured, he sits in jail and we read this about him:
 

“About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Acts 16:25
 

We know what transpired next because of this hymn singing. Not only were they ministering to the neighboring prisoners, but a great earthquake shook so that their chains were broken and the prison doors flew open. The jailer and his family were all saved and baptized that night and they were all filled with joy! Wow!!!
 

Amazing grace, we believers have it. We may not always feel it but we can reach down inside of ourselves for it by belting out one of these beloved hymns. You don’t have to feel it to praise, just do it! There is power in praise and in these old words.

From Stream in the Desert,
 

Oh, let us rejoice in the Lord, evermore, when darts of the Tempter are flying, for Satan still dreads, as he oft did before, Our singing much more than our crying.”
 

I believe in a good, cleansing cry every now and then. But let’s also remember to raise our voices with the wonderful words of the old hymns. Really pay attention to what is being said. It not only will lift your spirits, give you courage, and please the Lord but will send the ol’ devil fleeing. It’s worth it just for that!
 

Remember, Jesus Paid it All, At the Cross, The Old Rugged Cross. We have been Washed in the Blood and can now say I am Thine, O Lord, I am Thine O Lord. We are leaning on the Everlasting Arms and Bringing in the Sheaves. We believers can gather together and sing, When We All Get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.

“God be with you till we meet again! By His counsels guide, uphold you, with His sheep securely fold you; God be with you till we meet again!

Are you humming yet?

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs."

Ephesians 5:19

Testimony

In my ABF(Adult Bible Fellowship) aka, Sunday School Class, the teacher asked for people to share their testimonies. In this large class, only one person spoke up. I don't know why I didn't. I guess I thought my conversion wasn't that spectacular and I wanted to hear from the others. The teacher moved on in the lesson and I sat there feeling sad...why? I felt I could hear my Savior's words. . ."Why didn't you share?"

As I continued to listen to the teacher, there was a dialogue going on within myself.  This is how it went. . .

Jesus. . ."Isn't what I did for you spectacular?"

Me. . ."Yes, oh my, I know it was, yes!"

Jesus. . ."Why didn't you share about being from a broken home, not feeling loved, feeling alone?"

Me. . ."I don't know."

Jesus. . ."Why didn't you share about standing at the kitchen sink, a 12 year old girl feeling sad? Why didn't you tell them that for the very first time, you heard my voice in your spirit saying, "If you will surrender to me, I will be your Father, I will always be here to comfort you, always be here to take care of you, always be here to love you?"

Me. . ."I don't know. I'm so sorry!"

Jesus. . ."It's ok my child. I know it's not your comfort zone to speak up in front of people, but remember all those comfort zones I helped you out of?"

Me. . ."Oh yes, yes, yes!"

Jesus. . ."Why did you begin to blog?"

Me. . ."Because You told me too. You told me to step out and share."

Jesus. . ."Yes. I died on the cross for you and saved you and now you are my daughter, my child, and I, Holy God am Your Father who has brought you from death to life. I hear you sharing with those at the bridge. Why not share in class? Others may be sitting there waiting just like you, waiting to hear from you...so share.

Share how I redeemed you, a sinner, saved by grace. Share how I brought you through the difficult, growing up years, share how I healed your mother and restored the two of you back together after 9 years. Share how I came in and helped you out of the pit and healed your broken heart from your precious child leaving, the prodigal that I have my eye on and you have trusted Me with, that precious gift that I gave you 25 years ago. Share how I have blessed you with a husband who has loved you and has been a blessing for 31 years. Share how I bring the birds to your window every day for you to enjoy and pea frogs at night to hear their songs. Share how I gave you strength to step out and to talk with people you never would have on your own. Share the blessings I have showered upon you day after day after day. Share about the peace I have given you that has helped you to go on while waiting for preciousness to return. Share how that night as a 12 year old, you dropped to the black, vinyl footstool in your living room and you repented of your sins, you gave me your heart, you made me Lord and Savior of your life, and you felt a weight taken off of your shoulders and you cried not really understanding in your young years yet but learned that I took on those burdens and the weight became lighter.

Grace. . .you were lost but you were found. . .by ME."

Me. . ."I will be eternally grateful!"

Jesus. . .I love you daughter. . .will you share?"

Me. . ."Yes Lord, I will."


linking with



You Did Such A Great Job

I write because I don't know what I think until I read what I say." -- Flannery O'Connor

 

When I first read this quote I thought it was funny, but then I pondered. . .hhmmm. . . there is some truth to that.

I wanted the best for my son. . .don't all we mothers want that?

I loved him, played with him, taught him SO many things. I wanted him to have a strong foundation, strong in the Lord, so that when he didn't need me anymore, when he was out in the cold world, he could stand strong and not be blown this way and that.

I cradled him.
I cared for him.
I sang lullabyes and children's songs to him.
I taught him reading, writing, and arithmetic.
I taught him the piano,
I taught him manners.
I taught him about praying.
I taught him about the Lord.
I tried to be a good example.
We laughed.
We cried.
We played.
We talked.
We dreamed.

And then he was gone. Out the door into the dark. He's not back yet. Twenty-five years old and he is gone.

I hear and read where mothers get that wonderful acclamation of 'You did such a great job!' regarding their child rearing. I thought I had done such a good job with him. It didn't seem like a job though. It felt like a privilege to be his mother. I thanked God every day for him and just wanted to do the best I could and enjoy this precious one.  I did...on both counts. But I don't hear those words.

I had come to realized that I had to lay down expectations. I had to lay down my son into the Lord's hands. I had to give him back to the One who gave him to me. I give him back Lord. I did the best I could. I pray that you will allow me the privilege once again to enjoy my son. I will wait for Your timing.

I should not need to hear certain words from others, although I've been blessed with a wonderful husband who has blessed me with words. Oh yes, and my mother. . .bless he heart, she blesses me with her words also. Some days that is enough and some days it is not. That is when I go to my Lord who knows what I've done. He saw into the windows of our home, into our lives, into my heart.

This sounds so vain. I do not mean for it to. And this has nothing to do with pride. When you love someone SO much and you've put your all into them and they leave and hurt stabs the heart. . . .sometimes this body of flesh just needs to  hear, and to bleed.

And then my eyes fall onto my other son. He is still here, living faithfully, living with imperfect me, kidding and joking and loving with me. He walks up behind me and lifts me up off the floor and hugs me. I say, "I love you" and I hear back, "Love you too mom". Soothing balm to a heart that still hurts.
And with my eyes closed as my #2 son hugs me and I picture my other precious one in my mind and all the hugs I had received from him in another life time, I hear those words from the One who gives me breath. . ."You did such a great job!"

Aahhh, the gift of love, encouragement, healing, and promises.

 I am so thankful to be sandwiched in between His hope and His promises. I love and miss my sweet one very much but I know God has His eye is on my blue-eyed sparrow and I know He watches over him.

(to the readers. . .I ask for no comments on this post as I am not looking for words of affirmations or encouragements. I have received them from my Lord and I want that to be all I need. As you bloggers know, sometimes we just need to write it out. But you can let me know you were here by leaving me a heart or a smile. I would love to know who came by to visit. If it won't take, you can leave it on my facebook page. Thank you)

The Smell in the Air Conditioner

I was working away at my desk the other day when the air conditioner kicked on. It wasn't long before I noticed a musty smell drifting into my nostrils. It's funny what will take you back in time. I closed my eyes and leaned my head back on the chair. I was immediately taken back to the late 60's, early 70's when I was a little girl. I use to visit my grandparents on their farm for the summers. I loved being there in Yale, Oklahoma.

But I remember one day, my grandmother wanted to go visit a couple of her friends. My dad drove her out as my grandmother did not drive. They took me along.

I remember stepping into the little houses where the little old women lived and that musty old house smell lingered. I associated that smell with old women; women with grey buns at the back of their necks and bib aprons over their housedresses. I was polite as I sat on the sofa and listened to my grandmother visit away with her friends. I remember looking around and seeing old photographs on the wall and on their end tables; family pictures sitting on top of aged looking doilies. I can still feel the breeze in my mind from their open windows. No one back then had air conditioners. Farm folks always had their windows open during the summer. I can still hear the crickets making their music. I can still see my dad, although polite, fidgeting. He probably didn't want to be there any more than I did. I wanted to get back to my grandparents farm where I could run and play and get a Dr. Pepper bottle out the fridge.

Decades later, I now live in the country. I have old family photographs in my home. I even have old doilies, although most of them are inside a drawer. I have Dr. Pepper in my fridge, although it is not in the tall, glass bottles I remember that said 10, 2, and 4. My Dr. Pepper is in boring, plastic bottles or aluminum cans. And my air conditioner is giving off a musty smell.

I wonder when the neighbor kids come inside my home, if they look at me as the old woman who lives in a musty house.  (I hope the smell instead is all those cleaners I use. . .the scent of Windex, Comet, and 4-09!) I do not have a gray bun at the back of my neck and I don't wear housedresses. But that smell. . .I think I will go light my rose candle. . .after I daydream some more of the farm where I had some of my best memories, including seeing my bunned grandmother dressed up and with lipstick on. She only wore it when going out visiting. I miss her! 

I just might wait on that candle for another day and continue to take in the musty smell and remember. Maybe that's what those little ol' ladies were doing way back then, in their musty houses. . .remembering.

 

Are there any smells that take you back to childhood?