I’m a grandma. Yes, I say it proudly. I became one alongside my co-grandma, my son-in-law’s mom, Maureen.
We’ve been friends for a long time, becoming closer once our kids started dating. In fact, after Kimmi and Nathanael’s first date, Maureen called me at work and when I answered the first thing she said was, “Is this the possible future mother-in-law of my son?” We laughed with hopeful hearts, and then with full-to-bursting hearts, we hugged at their wedding the next year.
We don’t communicate regularly but whenever we get together we have a wonderful time. I love her.
I got a call at work on a Thursday from my sweet first-born girl telling me she would be induced on Saturday. “I’ll be there!” I told her excitedly. Continue reading →
I am having to read my own words and practice them today…the ones in that last post about being thankful and how it changes our perspective and attitude?
Almost without fail, I will blog about something and then very soon after have to practice what I preach, like my own words get bounced back at me, or like I’m being tested to see if I will live what I’m learning.
Lord, help me to keep a thankful heart today. I can feel the enemy prowling around, like he always does, seeking a way to devour. Set my eyes on you, be near me today.
Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4 He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! Psalm 103:1-5 NLT
I sat there listening to her sing her heart in phrases and heard God talk to me, as well, “I’m showing you again that I have the power to influence this young lady’s heart. I made her, you know. I have planted more in her than you could dream of or design. As precious as you are to me, you are not the author of this young one’s soul and faith. I Am.”
Thank you, God, and forgive me for doubting, worrying or trying to orchestrate. Thank you for hearing my deepest heart prayers for her (and for all my daughters) – that You would draw her near, that You would comfort her and give her the strength to surrender to you. You can handle the angry cries, the stubborn thoughts, the questions and more. You keep painting beauty over those things and then giving me glimpses of this tough and tender work of art that is my daughter.
How I’ve underestimated all my girls at times, in many ways. Don’t let me do it any more. Why would I think they are any less complicated, any less deep thinkers and ponderers, any less in tune with God than I am? Why would I not think You talk to them the way You do me, that You relish every moment they sit with you, read Your word, sing songs to You? I’m simply a few years farther down the path, but we’re on the same path following You, “I Am”, our incredible Savior and Creator.
We harmonized together on some familiar tunes and I was drawn into worship as I sat in sleepy comfort. You were sitting right there, Jesus. The only thing I can do is bow down in my heart, my thankful, peace-filled, humbled heart.
This song will hold more meaning for me from now on:
You stood before creation Eternity in your hand You spoke the earth into motion My soul now to stand
You stood before my failure And carried the cross for my shame My sin weighed upon your shoulders My soul now to stand
So what could I say? And what could I do? But offer this heart, Oh God Completely to you
So I’ll walk upon salvation Your spirit alive in me This life to declare your promise My soul now to stand
Getting healthier after some turmoil last year when pastor left.Facility is really nice and new.Upward basketball – 200+ kids.Pretty good sense of mission, awareness of the need to be missional.Recently changed to a governance leadership structure – significant tool for next pastor.
Still some unresolved longstanding, systemic unhealthy conflict. Mortgage – income that comes in with which they pay the mortgage is usually about $4000 a month short.They use cash reserves right now from the sale of their old building to pay the shortfall but that won’t last forever.Still some division from the conflict last year that is healing but isn’t over.
There have been chilly winds and slushy roads, but I had the most wonderfully warm weekend.
Friday evening a good friend and her little girl accompanied Krissy and I as we went to see “A Christmas Carol” performed at our church. I love that story and the reminder of our God who redeems and gives second chances (and third, fourth, and so on). On the way home we talked and talked and it filled up my heart. I’ve missed her.
Saturday evening I met my co-workers at a lovely Italian restaurant on Geist reservoir for our annual Christmas staff dinner. Wow – delicious. We went to my boss’ home afterward for some Wii action and goodies. I then hopped in my car and sped to Anderson to watch my middle girl perform along with lots of other college kids in a musical variety show put on by one of the social clubs about once a quarter. My oldest and her boyfriend had saved me a seat near the front. We heard some great music by so many talented (and funny) young people! When Kaitlin sang my heart swelled. I know I’m her mother, but she was one of the best of the night.
Sunday morning early my hubby and I got ready and drove to Anderson to pick up our daughters, then headed down the snowy highway Continue reading →
This morning I realized that I forgot Thankful Thursday again! So instead of TGIF, today I say TGYWTT: Thank God Yesterday Was Thankful Thursday.
This time I want to thank God for the things I usually think of as negative or unwanted in my life. I know He uses everything to help us grow, to strengthen us, to keep us humble, to help us remain desperate for Him. Thanking God even for the awful things you encounter is a way of saying “I trust You, God, and still believe that you’re good. I believe what you said about causing all things to work together for good.” (Romans 8:28) Like the Psalmist said in chapter 118, “Thank God because he’s good, because his love never quits.” (The Msg) I thank God because He’s good and that never changes….so I can always be thankful.
As a follower of Jesus I say that I’m content whatever comes my way because my life belongs to Him and I trust Him. Can I take it a step further and actually be thankful for the hard stuff that comes my way? Sometimes I can. I try to. I guess that’s what the song means that says “we bring a sacrifice of praise.” Being thankful can actually feel like sacrifice. We may not feel thankful but we choose to be. So here goes… Continue reading →
I’m thankful for airplanes that cross miles in such a short time…which makes me think of
Destinations…which makes me think of
Possibility…which makes me think of
New experiences…which makes me think of
Trying something I’ve never eaten before at a restaurant…which makes me think of
The Japanese Grill we visited last week…which makes me think of
Catching scrambled eggs in my mouth in surprise…which makes me think of
Laughter…which makes me think of
All my wonderful friends…which makes me think of
Community…which makes me think of
God’s family of beautiful, diverse, and varied adopted kids…which makes me think of
Being accepted for who I am by Him…which makes me think of
Love and not just surfacy, shallow affection but the deep, wide, and utterly amazing love of God….which makes me thankful all over again.
com-plain[kuhm-pleyn]
to express dissatisfaction, pain, uneasiness, censure, resentment, or grief; find fault
—————————————-
I called my daughter on the carpet last night and confronted her about a complaining attitude, only to have God gently poke me on the shoulder this morning and tell me to heed my own words. Ow.
My daughter’s not so thrilled with her part-time job and says something about it just about every time she’s about to go there and work. This week it was getting old to me. I told her if she was that unhappy with it to just quit, but that she also wouldn’t have a job, or an income, or gas money, or spending money. I reminded her that there are many less-appealing jobs she could have and to be thankful. She knows all this stuff but I felt a reminder was in order.
I was thinking more about it as John and I finished our jog/walk this morning in quietness, as the dark blue sky began to lighten and the twinkling stars began to fade out of sight. The Bible tells us that every good thing comes from God, the Father of light, who never changes like shifting shadows do. What He gives is good! So, when my daughter complains about her job, in a way she’s saying, “I don’t like your gift,” or “it’s not good enough” or “I wish you had given me something different.” We wouldn’t say that to a friend or someone in our family who had just given us a gift – it would be hurtful and ungrateful. When we complain – an ungrateful attitude is lurking and showing itself.
I looked up the word complain on dictionary.com and found it interesting that the first definition is to “express dissatisfaction.” Continue reading →
I’m a grandma. Yes, I say it proudly. I became one alongside my co-grandma, my son-in-law’s mom, Maureen.
com-plain 
m-pleyn]
Along the Narrow Path 