Tilly's New Little Brother, Finn

It didn't require much purrsuasion to welcome our 2nd mew little kittykin to come stay with us for the next couple of weeks until MS and C get settled into their new home.
We will litter-ally enjoy this categorically clawsome pawsibility!
>*.*<

The Shining of His Face

Dark clouds looming on the horizon 07/04/18

Far in the future lieth a fear;
Like a long, low, mist of gray,
Gathering to fall in dreary rain;
Thus doth thy heart within thee complain.
And even now thou art afraid, for round thy dwelling
The flying winds are ever telling
Of the fear that lieth gray
Like a gloom of brooding mist upon the way.

But The Lord is always kind;
Be not blind, be not blind
To the shining of His face,
To the comforts of His grace
Hath He ever failed thee yet?
Never, never. Wherefore fret?
O fret not thyself, nor let thy heart be troubled, 
Neither let it be afraid.

Near, by thy footfall, springeth a joy,
Like a new-blown little flower
Growing for thee, to make thee glad.
Let thy countenance be no more sad,
But wake the voice of joy and health within thy dwelling,
And let thy tongue be ever telling,
Not of fear that lieth gray,
But of little flowers beside the way.

For the Lord is always kind,
Be not blind, be not blind
To the shining of His face,
To the comforts of His grace.
He hath never failed thee yet.
Never will His love forget.
O fret not thyself, nor let thy heart be troubled,
Neither let it be afraid.
Amy Carmichael 

The Setting Sun 07/04/18

 














Send out your light and your truth;
let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
and to your dwelling!  
Then I will go to the altar of God, 
To God my exceeding joy, 
and I will praise you with the lyre, 
O God my God.  
Why are you cast down, O my soul, 
and why are you in turmoil within me?  
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
my salvation and my God. 
Psalm 43

Blessed is the One Who Trusts in You

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold 
from those who walk uprightly.
O LORD of hosts, 
blessed is the one who trusts in you!  
Psalm 84:10-12

I came across this photo yesterday while weeding out a box of old magazines.  In the box was also a file folder with miscellaneous items I'd put there for safe keeping.  

It was almost breathtaking to open the file, because it'd been soo long since I'd added the items, and while uncovering each piece, I found memories from days I cherish.  I found an envelope with a note written and pictures taken by a dear man named Mr. Bennefield.  He was an elderly black man who'd served at our church for many years as a door keeper, ushering congregants to their seats, and passing out visitor cards.  He was always ready to serve and meet the needs of the church for the love of Christ he extended beyond race, age, and socio-economic differences.    

Mr. Bennefield also worked as a security guard for the church during the week.  He lived a few blocks away, so he walked to church.  As oft as the children and I surprised our Meme and Mawmaw in the church office, he was there to greet us upon entering the building.  He was always soo helpful and kind to us.  He extended love generously, but especially through his expressions in cards he sent throughout the years, especially Christmas, and Mother's Day!  How thoughtful he was of my gift of motherhood!  He always cheered us on with each pregnancy.  What a special gift of encouragement he had!  

I knew little else about him, other than he told us his life had been changed by God's love and saving grace.   

Dear Mr. Bennefield, what a dear friend and saint of God you were.  It's been almost 8 years.  It's sweet to remember you Dear Saint of God.  

Thank you for loving and encouraging me and our family!  

Photo credit:  Mr. Bennefield, 2002.   

God Draws Near

“Sometimes life is so hard you can only do the next thing.
Whatever that is, just do the next thing.
God will meet you there.”
Elisabeth Elliot

And He did!!
Earlier in the year, Katherine cut her finger at work (a fish market).  After some time and effort, even expense to purchase Steri-strips, to stop the bleeding, the reality of the situation became apparent that driving to the closest Care Spot would be necessary for proper wound care.  Workman's Compensation doesn't consider such matters lightly.
When the text came, Dad and I were at our newly purchased church building, hanging curtain rods in the fellowship hall.  Suddenly, and unexpectedly, our plans changed.  John was helping out a friend with another task, so we left him to continue his work, and our work had to be put on hold.
"Just Do The Next Thing" suddenly became the priority.  As cool and collected as I tried to be, even a small, but deep, cut stimulated a good amount of adrenaline.  Think rationally?  Well, I tried.

The LORD met us at the Care Spot.
Upon's Katherine arrival, the staff attended to her quickly because she was bleeding.  She was ushered back to a room, and within a few minutes later, we arrived, and was taken back to meet her.  What a relief, because the waiting area was full that day with flu patients... eeek!
Katherine's wound was flushed out with a cleansing solution, and then a medicated rinse before the doctor came in and applied glue to close up the cut.  However, within a few short minutes, the wound started bubbling and bleeding some more, so the doctor eventually came back in and reapplied the glue for extra measure.

Thinking back on that event gives me much gratitude for the LORD's gracious protection and provision of care for Katherine that day.
I'm thankful to reminisce as well of a follow up visit the next week per a requirement of Workman's Comp.

I'm well aware the cut could have been worse, but it wasn't, and I am immensely thankful.
Had it been worse, the LORD still would have met us there.
We hear almost daily of hard trials of our dear family and friends, and we're soo terribly sorry for them, and honestly, thankful we're not experiencing such trials.  I have oft thought, "How in the world would I survive such a trial?", but the reality of such times is the LORD who walks us through those trials.  He is faithful in the most difficult of circumstances, …

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 
²⁷ And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 
²⁸ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 
²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 
³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified (Romans 8:26-30).  

The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8, NASB

I'm thankful for Katherine's faith, and the confidence she gained from this past experience.
If we knew a trial would deepen our faith and relationship with the LORD, shouldn't we be more accepting of trials when they come, while learning to rely more on Him?

When trials come no longer fear
For in the pain our God draws near
To fire a faith worth more than gold
And there His faithfulness is told
And there His faithfulness is told.
Keith and Kristyn Getty music

Forgiven to Forgive

When I become bitter or unforgiving towards others, I'm assuming that the sins of others are more serious than my sins against God. 

The cross transforms my perspective. 

Through the cross I realize that no sin committed against me will ever be as serious as the innumerable sins I've committed against God. 

When we understand how much God has forgiven us, it's not difficult to forgive others.

CJ Mahaney  

Forgiveness Means...

Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD:  though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.  

Isaiah 1:18

Forgiveness means I'm not going to hold it against you-
I am not going to seek revenge.
I do not wish harm upon you.
I will work to restore our relationship.
I will strive to perform my proper role in the relationship.
You do not owe me.
I will not harbor ill feelings toward you.
Forgiveness is not a power that I have over you.
Our Lord died for us while we were still his enemies.
I lay down myself, before you've "earned" it.
I will trust the Lord in meekness, lay aside my rights, and my own false righteousness.
His righteousness is all that matters.
I will love you, not as if you've never harmed me--I will love you through my pain.
I will pray and seek where the Lord is working on me.
I will look for his finger in this, have him search my heart and remove the filth in my own soul.
Forgiveness is an opportunity.
It is an opportunity to show my Lord that I do believe him.
That I do trust him.
That he is sufficient.

Forgiveness is not just a pronouncement.
It is the beginning of change in me.
Forgiveness is not a denial of my pain.
It is an acknowledgement of my pain;
a commitment to face my pain, to sacrifice my very pain for you.
Forgiveness will add to my pain because I lie vulnerable.
It is not based on your actions, but I trust in my Lord, my only strength.
Forgiveness is not cheap.  It is costly.
It is me taking the pain for your sin.

Forgiveness is the fruit of love.
The ability to forgive can only come from God, who has given me the ultimate example.
For I know that I do not deserve forgiveness.
How can I give it without his power in me?  Without receiving it myself?
Forgiveness is supernatural-- a gift beyond value.

Forgiveness hurts.  I wish I could pick a different pain.
My heart is broken--I am broken.
I feel poor.
I cannot give to you out of abundance, but out of poverty.
Forgiveness is humbling.
Why would you want this broken heart I have to offer?
Forgiveness is my greatest gift--all that I have.
I give it to you.
Aimee Byrd, Housewife Theologian

Photo: Bleeding Heart Vine in bloom