Monthly Archives: November 2012

Wonder

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Wonder…

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On some days I wonder why I am here. In this place at this time. I think back over my life and wonder about the decisions I made, the choices I said yes to and those I turned down, I think about the people I’ve had come and go throughout my life.

I wonder about how everything has come together and I wonder about what the future might hold.

I go for walks and wonder at the world around me.

Why is the sky that shade of blue? Why do spiders have eight legs? How come cats have tongues like sand paper?

I wonder why a single day can hold such joy and such heartache? Such highs and lows?

Most of all I wonder why I am so blessed? I wonder why God chose me? For this?

And I am thankful…so very thankful.

amber sunrise

amber sunrise (Photo credit: harold.lloyd)

 

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It Is Really Going To Be Something

However, as it is written:

Heaven

Heaven (Photo credit: adyyflickr)

“What no eye has seen,
    what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
    the things God has prepared for those who love him— 1 Corinthians 2:9  NIV

I’ve been thinking about this lately.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:3 NIV

Christ is preparing a place… for me.

I recently watched a video where one of the speakers said, “God created this Earth with all its beauty in only six days…..what must my place in Heaven look like, since He has been there preparing it for me ever since He went back?” (that was my paraphrase of the speaker’s words)

I had never really thought of it that way before…

God created each of us uniquely. None of us are exactly the same. Even though we might share some of the same likes or dislike some of the same things….only He knows what really makes us tick. He alone knows all our thoughts that we can’t put into words. It is He that knows what makes us each smile on the inside…those things that give us comfort and what leaves us awestruck. He knows how best to prepare…

It is really going to be something.

I just know it.

 

 

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Jesus Messiah

The choir members voices rose, filling the sanctuary. I listened to the music, as it surrounded me with the reality of the words. They were singing one of my favorite songs. Every time I hear that song, I don’t know whether to jump out of my seat and raise my hands towards heaven, or fall to my knees in thankfulness.

The song is by Chris Tomlin, and is entitled, Jesus Messiah.

English: Chris Tomlin performing a concert in ...

The chorus goes like this:

Jesus Messiah
Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

As I get ready to begin my Christmas decorating, I am reminded that Jesus came to this earth as a baby. The Son of God humbled Himself to be Emmanuel, meaning “God with us“. He gave up his place in Heaven for the brokenness of humanity. For you and for me. I love this song because it reminds me that Jesus did not stay a baby. He grew up. He made a way for all of mankind. He is the bridge between God and us…and for that I am so very thankful.

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Today I am thankful for:

* the hard beating of geese wings

* frosty morning air

* Thanksgiving and thanksgiving

* making pumpkin rolls with my sister

* Christmas movies and tree decorating

* well wishes from friends

* good books

* Christmas music

* getting laundry done!

* not having to tutor until later in the day

* clean (or clean enough) house

* my husband

* singing along to Christmas songs…pretending I’m Mariah Carey (the girl has a set of lungs)

* Jesus, The Way, The Truth, and The Life

* My Redeemer

* The Baby in the manger, Jesus of Nazareth, and God in the Flesh






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Wars And Rumors Of Wars…

The morning news plays in the background as I complete my daily chores in the kitchen. I’m packing a school lunch as I listen about the turmoil in Israel. Missiles flying, the wounded and dying…. I grab a granola bar as I hear about plans for the secretary of state to sit down with leaders in the Middle East. And my heart is heavy.

There will be wars and rumors of wars….

English: Flag of Israel with the Mediterranean...

these verses whisper in my thoughts.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Matthew 24:6 NIV

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.  Mark 13:7  NIV

As a Christian, I believe that Israel is special. The Jewish people continue to play an important role, both in history and in the days yet to come. God‘s hand is on them….not because the Jewish people are “better” than anyone else, but because they were chosen. God called them to be His people.

Enemies will come against them. They will attempt to destroy this small country, that even under threat, perseveres. This has been true for them, as a people, throughout their history. The future for Israel might look bleak. But they will prevail.

And, I will watch as their story, our story, my story unfolds before my eyes.

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Do Not Be Afraid

It is difficult.

English: Trust in the Lord. with all thine hea...

English: Trust in the Lord. with all thine heart, and lean not into thine own understanding. Pass under this sign whenever you enter St John’s Church Hall (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

My husband tried to reassure me.

His words were true, and yet… the anxiousness was still there.

Why am I this way? I worry and am nervous… about the things that I cannot see…those things I don’t understand.

Lord, You tell me time and time again to trust You. How it must grieve You, during times, I don’t.

To believe Your promises. You are faithful. You know no other way to be.

Trust by faith and not by sight because…

don’t things often become blurred in this life, and can’t we all end up being visually impaired?

And isn’t it also true that when I can’t see into the future, I run to my Abba father?

I draw close to Him because He can see all things, and it is with Him that I am safe?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

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Today I am thankful for:

* a husband who wants me to talk with him

* laundry that needs to be done

* opportunity to positively change lives

* soft pillows and snuggly blankets

* the merging of pink and purple in the early morning sky

* creativity

* breath taking beauty

* Thanksgiving

* family

* things to look forward to

* joy in the midst

* second chances

* love, the greatest of these

* the ultimate destination

* Messiah






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Stay With Me

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Stay…

Time flows like white water rapids….fast, churning, sometimes exhilarating, sometimes terrifying. Never slowing down–never staying the same.

Oh, how I wish it would stay. I wish I could just blink my eyes and time would stand still.

amber sunrise

amber sunrise (Photo credit: harold.lloyd)

Stay with me, feelings of first love.

Stay with me, little boy with the dimpled hands, and toothless smile.

Stay with me, storybook time and sweet hugs.

Stay with me, birthday party surprise and friend’s smiling faces.

Stay with me, travels to places near and far.

Stay with me, parent that is now aging.

Stay with me, priceless memories.

Stay with me, young woman that said, “I do”.

Stay with me….

Stay.

 

 

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I’m More Than The “If Only”

The paper was yellowed with age, and it was deeply creased. I gently unfolded it and was taken back to decades past.

Electronic typewriter - the final stage in typ...

The report card(s)made me smile, as former teachers faces flashed before my eyes.  I was an A and B student for most of my school career. Grades were important to me, I always wanted to do my best. If my grades didn’t match what I thought my effort deserved, then I was disappointed in myself.

There is was. My eyes caught that dreaded letter. “D”. One of two that I received in my entire school career. It was in typing of all things. Yes, typing. It was my sophomore year in high school and it was a mandatory class. Computers in the early 80’s were still not “personal” and most people didn’t have one. This was the pre-social media age. (haha)  I learned to type on an electric typewriter whose size took up an entire desk. The timed tests are what got me. Too many mistakes. Oh, how I teared up when the teacher told me the bad news! I was devastated.

I wasn’t good enough. How could I let this happen?

Almost thirty years later, I still struggle with the not good enough. Oh, not the “D”…that has long since melted into history…but, the underlying question remains, “am I good enough?”

How many times do I set the bar in my life, only to fail? To come up short. At times, not even be in the game?

I am guilty of believing that I was the one in control. That when bad things happen I could have, should have, done something. Done better. Tried harder.

I was never in control. Never. Not once. Not, really.

That is a profound statement, isn’t it? So many times we think about the “if onlys”.  If only I was smarter, faster, prettier, skinnier, more organized, more outgoing, more capable……more. more. more. If only I met all these requirements, then everything would be alright. I’d be in control of my circumstances.

It is a struggle. I wish it wasn’t. I want to see myself, like Christ sees me.

Redeemed.

“But, Lord……if only I’d pray more often. If only I did my devotions every day. If only I loved more and forgave more. If only I was more of a reflection of you in my daily life.”  And the “if onlys” widen the gap between me and the One that calls me worthy.

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12 NIV

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— Colossians 1:22 NIV

And the tears fall, as the words sink in.

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Gray November Day

Today I am thankful for time.

English: A Gray November Day

Most days I get worked up over time, the lack of it, really.

Frustration sets in as the clock ticks down the minutes.

I need to quit doing this to myself.

Life should not be a rush to the finish line. Where does the enjoyment go, if I’m racing to meet the clock?

And for what? So I can pack more stuff into my day? Just to be weighed down by the burden of it all?

This life is about more than schedules and check lists, and calendars.

I tell myself this again, as each day it is a struggle.

Slow down. Concentrate.

Just be there.

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Today I am thankful for:

* the rain on this gray November day

* morning walk with the dog, raincoat pulled tightly around me

* warm light in the kitchen, pooled on the counter tops

* the smell of breakfast

* new blogs to follow

* beautiful pictures to look at and enjoy

* dreaming

* creative ideas

* reading good books

* my husband, who loves me and wants to share life with me

* healthy kids

* fast approaching holidays

* geese flying overhead

* the car window fixed

* my new haircut

* praying with friends

* God who is faithful




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Quiet Time

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Oh and Ahem, if you would take pity and turn off comment verification, it would make leaving some love on your post that much easier for folks!

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:

Quiet…

Quiet. Something I don’t get enough of. I wish I had more. I’m the type that enjoys quiet. I’m annoyed when the TV is too loud, or the kids are playing video games so loud that it sounds like we are smack dab in the middle of a battle field. UGH. The dog barks at 2am and I can’t get him to be quiet and I just want to sleep. I just made it through a political season in the swing state of Ohio, when the phone was ringing off the hook because everyone wanted my vote. DOUBLE UGH.

When it is so noisy, I can’t think. It makes me anxious and stressed. I long for quiet. Real quiet. Some people are “afraid” of the quiet, it makes them nervous. I am not one of those people. When the world is pulling at me, and the noise of life threatens to take over….I need to get away.

One of my favorite things to do is stand out in the yard at night. Yes, you read that correctly. I live in the country. I stare up at the stars in the sky. They are crystal clear out here, away from the city lights. It is peaceful and calm. Soothing. It renews me. The stillness, the quiet, the beauty….I am in awe. Quiet time with God. Just us.

I need more quiet time in my life. Sigh.

Twitter Quiet Time

Twitter Quiet Time (Photo credit: Scott Beale)

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