Christ, Fly with Matt

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“As I arise today,

may the strength of God pilot me,

the power of God uphold me,

the wisdom of God guide me.

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May the eye of God look before me,

the ear of God hear me,

the word of God speak for me.

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May the hand of God protect me,

the way of God lie before me,

the shield of God defend me,

the host of God save me.

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May Christ shield me today.

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Christ with me, 

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me, 

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me

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Christ on my right, 

Christ on my left,

Christ when I lie down, 

Christ when I sit, 

Christ when I stand

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Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.”

St Patrick 

Matt will soon finalize his flight lessons, so my heart is stirred to much prayer for all the LORD is at work to accomplish by bringing him through this learning journey. 

The sky is a big place to release the loving embrace of our son, but it comforts me to know, he and all the details of the universe are in Our Father’s hands!  He created Matt and loves him more than we do! 

Which brings to mind a hymn I grew up singing:

It Took a Miracle

My Father is omnipotent, and that you can´t deny;

A God of might and miracles, ´tis written in the sky.

CHORUS:

It took a miracle to put the stars in place;

It took a miracle to hang the world in space.

But when he saved my soul,

Cleansed and made me whole,

It took a miracle of love and grace.

2. Though here his glory has been shown, we still can’t fully see

The wonders of his might, his throne, t’will take eternity.

3. The Bible tells us of his power and wisdom all way through;

And every little bird and flower are testimonies too.

Words: John W. Peterson, 1948

Our Whiskered Guardians

 

“Angels don’t always have wings.  

Sometimes they have whiskers.” 

Unknown

They are most angelic relating to one another when they’re sleeping! 

Tenderly Care to Watch and Pray

 

“I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that, to any child, there can be one who will have such influence over the young heart as the mother who has so tenderly cared for her offspring.  A man with a soul so dead as not to be moved by the sacred name of ‘mother’ is creation’s blot.  Never could it be possible for any man to estimate what he owes to a godly mother.”  

Charles Hadden Spurgeon

It comforts me to trust that only the LORD can bring to bear in our grown children’s lives the living power of Christ’s Gospel: His incarnation (God with us), life (sacrificial example), death (to self: “Not my will,…”), burial (putting off to put on), and resurrection (to walk in His glorious victory and likeness).  Only the Holy Spirit can convict them of sin (that separates from His fellowship) that leads to repentance that they may live day in and out by His power.  He calls to raise them from the world to walk in Christ’s likeness in spite of the presence of sin that surrounds, tempts, and sways.  

I pray the impact of our training and prayers as parents over the years will continue to encourage and lead our family to God’s Word as their greatest counselor! 

Were we consistent?  No. 

Were we faithful?  No. 

Were we teachers or theologians?  No! 

But God is and always will be their Faithful One!  

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us. He produces what He wills of His truth and character in all of our lives. We believe and desire the Word of God will not return void to lead us in truth, especially our adult children as they seek first to discover His way and purpose in their lives while we no longer have the primary influence to instruct them. 

I/we must trust the time we spent reading God’s Word together in family devotions will continue to shape their thinking and prick their consciences in the matters of conviction.  

When they grew up and walked out the front door, old enough to drive, hang out with friends, work, and/or attend classes at the local college, I prayed their hearts and minds would be held captive by the the Word of God, and not by the letter of the law, or our house rules. 

I still pray that the LORD will lead and guide them in the way they should go, that He will use the “Thy word have I hid in my heart,…” verse we memorized together so “that [they] might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11).

Our children have told me (jokingly, I hope) that I spoiled their fun because I always reminded them when they left home, “You are in the presence of a Holy (thrice), Just, and Almighty God, and every thought that you think, word that you say, attitude, and hidden motive and action of your heart is open before Him and is being judged by Him.”*  I still pray they will live in the presence of God daily (Corem Deo) and make choices with consideration of whether they desire to please Him or themselves!?

From their cradle days until this very day, I have prayed our children would “Grow as Baby Jesus grew…”.  Luke 2:52 states, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” 

I pray as they now make their own choices and lead their own families/households, that they will go to battle daily with the fear of man in their lives.  It’s so easy to be socially shaped by the culture, to compare and compete for the things of this world:  approval, status, and wealth, in order to stay more actively involved with their friends, admired and respected for all they do and know.  We must trust the work of the Holy Spirit will continue to work and convict them of His greater, more eternal purpose and will for their lives. 

If children ever question or think mom and dad have unfair, rigid rules that spoil their fun and limit their liberty, we must encourage and allow them to leave home knowing their convictions are better shaped and grounded by the Word of God than our own. Pray they will be shaped and grounded by Truth!  If they make different choices and walk a different path than the one we as parents walked with them, it may hurt, but we stand back to watch and pray; we wait to watch them grow up in their faith to follow the Lord’s lead.  When their choices make us smile, we rejoice and “Praise the LORD!” over and over again, as we anxiously watch for more encouraging, reproducing fruit in their lives!! 🙌🏼

We continue to pray daily, or as oft as they come to mind (many times a day!), knowing the LORD loves them more than we do (as much as that is) and SO much more!! 

We trust by faith He will shepherd and lead them in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).   We know and trust He will also chasten them when He must, because He loves them like a Father (Psalm 103).  When communication is silent or fellowship is strangely brief or strained, when we cannot be their close friends and confidantes as we hoped to be, we must wait and watch for what the Sovereign LORD will do, because “The Lord is faithful.  He will establish [them] and guard [them] against the evil one”  (2 Thessalonians 3:3). 

LORD, may it be so! 

Photo: 2004

*Learned through the imperfect, yet encouraging conferences of: 

https://iblp.org/questions/what-fear-lord

Unsearchable Ways of God

 

Sometimes God’s ways are hard to understand,
We want to ask “Why?”—to follow His hand.
Sometimes when tragedy comes from above,
It tempts us to waver, to doubt His love.

But God is infinitely wise and good,

He is too lofty to be understood.

His love is endless. 

His kindness is great.

He is too wise to leave one thing to fate.

Though His purpose may be unknown to us,

We cling to the Rock; in Him we must trust.

To Him we can run; with Him we can plead,

An ever-present help in time of need.

Our hearts they ache; our minds they probe,

But ultimately we must learn from Job:

The Lord Who gives can also take away,

His Name is to be blessed each and every day.

We may wonder why He would make us weep,

His ways are unsearchable; His knowledge deep.

So freely cry! 

Tears and grief are His gifts,

By His grace He heals; by His strength He lifts.

[This poem is based on Romans 11:33; Psalm 46:1, 18:2; Job 1:21.]

Paul Tautges

Photo: Shared by Wilbur Grooms

To Be Loved and Held

 

 

          

Like a cradle rocking, rocking,    

Silent, peaceful, to and fro;         

Like a mother’s sweet looks dropping, 

On the little face below;          

Hangs the green earth swinging, turning,            

Jarless, noiseless, safe, and slow;                                   

Falls the light of God's face bending                             

Down and watching us below.    

And as feeble babes that suffer,

Toss and cry, and will not rest,    

Are the ones the tender mother

Holds the closest, loves the best: 

So, when we are weak and wretched, 

By our sins weighed down, distressed, 

Then it is that God's great patience 

Holds us closest, loves us best. 

Saxe Holm

Golden Thoughts on Mother, Home, and Heaven

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Photos: 

Granddaughter Addison in the Gray family heirloom cradle made by Mark’s mother’s paternal grandfather, James Dudley Brumfield, father of Harry Leon Brumfield.  When Harry was born to James Dudley and Mary Lillian Marsh Brumfield, James was 55 and Mary was 42.  

What a treasure we have enjoyed by rocking our four babies in this cradle when they were infants.  It’s also a sweet joy that we are able to see our children’s children rocked in it.  I hope and pray this tradition will continue, LORD willing, when more grand babies are added to our family. 

Blessed Be Your Name

 

“Lord, you pronounced sentence on the woman that was first in transgression, that in pain and sorrow she would bring forth children.  But let this treasured maiden of yours be saved in child-bearing.  Let her be strong to continue in faith, in loving deeds, and in holiness as she continually displays sound judgment.  Enable her to cast her burden on you, her loving Lord, so you can sustain her.  Whenever she is afraid, let her trust in you.  Let her encourage herself in the Lord her God.  Do not let the root dry up that brings forth life, and do not let the branch wither that produces fruit.  Let her live before you.  Be her rock of refuge and her fortress.  Save her in this hour of special need.  Graciously deliver her when pain comes on her that she cannot escape.  Hasten to help her.  Be her Savior.  Do not delay. Let her be safely delivered.  Let her quickly forget her anguish because of the joy that a child is born into the world.”  

Matthew Henry

Book: A Way to Pray

1 Timothy 2:15; Genesis 3:26; 1 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 55:22; 56:3; 1Samuel 30:6; Job 18:16; Psalm 71:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:3; Psalm 40:13, 17; John 16:21. 

Time is drawing closer to the day when this precious, long awaited and prayed for babe will be drawn out of her mother’s womb to be held by loving arms.  

Her mother and father, family and friends anxiously await her arrival.  

🎶 Blessed be the name of the LORD 🎶

Photo and video-Shared by Mom

Big sister sings to minister gracious love and encouragement to her mom and baby sister. 

Lasting Impressions

 

When the results of life are all gathered up—it will probably be seen that the things in us which have been made the deepest and most lasting impressions in our homes and upon our children—have not been the things we did with purpose and intention, planning to produce a certain effect—but the things we did when we were not thinking of training or influencing or affecting any other life!

J.R. Miller

I pray one day our children’s children will know the wealth and treasure for having such a great grandmother. 

Photo:

Meme with her Great Grands!!  

Of course we missed the two that were not with us, Renn and Liam, who live out of town. 

Poppy loved having pictures captured with his children’s children.  I like to imagine him looking down from Heaven with a smile that the tradition continues! 

 

Continue On To Please Him

A woman once fretted over the usefulness of her life.  She feared she was wasting her potential being a devoted wife and mother.  She wondered if the time and energy she invested in her husband and children would make a difference. 

At times she got discouraged because so much of what she did seemed to go unnoticed and unappreciated. 

"Is it worth it?" she often wondered. 

"Is there something better that I could be doing with my time?" 

It was during one of these moments of questioning that she heard the still small voice of her heavenly Father speak to her heart.

"You are a wife and mother because that is what I have called you to be. Much of what you do is hidden from the public eye. But I notice. Most of what you give is done without remuneration. But I am your reward.

Your husband cannot be the man I have called him to be without your support. Your influence upon him is greater than you think and more powerful than you will ever know. I bless him through your service and honor him through your love.

Your children are precious to Me. Even more precious than they are to you. I have entrusted them to your care to raise them for Me. What you invest in them is an offering to Me. 

You may never be in the public spotlight. But your obedience shines as a bright light before Me. 

Continue on. 

Remember that you are My servant. 

Do all to please Me." 

-Roy Lessin

I am thankful and grateful for her life, her enduring love, her many lifelong sacrifices, and her present perseverance of living alone as a widow. 

I am thankful and grateful she is our Mom! 

She is a strong soul to daily go to war, to battle the enemy’s taunts that she is less without Dad!  She doesn’t realize, she is stronger now than she’s ever been!  She is sensitive and vulnerable, yes, but she is no less strong by grace through faith in Christ as she endures!!  

Some days I am able to grasp a small measure of her struggle as I experience my own difficult letting go season. 

Mom continues to daily exercise trust in the LORD as she spends her nights alone, fights back the floodgate of tears that so oft overwhelms her.  She still remembers the rhythm and memories of 65 years of being married to Dad.  

We added up the years today… 

they were married for only 11 months before welcoming their first child into their hearts and home.  Then as ordained and fashioned by God, two additional children were added, five and six and a half years later.  

They lived 31 years with at least one of their three children living in their home.  Then the LORD added to them 33+ years of happily married, second honeymooning, empty nested bliss without us 😂! 

 

As a child, a teenager, young adult, and younger wife and mom, I watched her life and I always longed to be just like her.  She worked some of those years, sacrificially, to help put us through college, but it was obvious, her most fulfilling days were those of loving and serving the LORD, her family and friends, and this by God’s special gifting.  She was generous with her resources and time.  

She is now fulfilling the LORD’s call on her life as she continues to serve by loving hospitality, encouragement, and prayers for her family and friends.  By this she demonstrates to me and others how to persevere, to be thankful to the LORD for His faithfulness because He calls and equips her to exercise trust in Him for His giving and taking!  

Our Heavenly Father, 

May we all live to please You. 

Thank you for giving me a mom who desires to live her days to fulfill Your call to please You and love others, those You’ve called her to influence! 

I’m grateful for time together today, and every day You give us to enjoy!  

Help us to rejoice in these days You’ve so graciously blessed us to share with one another!!

Thank you, Father!  

Happy 86th Birthday, Mom! 

I love you! 

I am thankful and grateful for your influence and spiritual fellowship in my life! 

❤️

Photos-

Mom-with her three young children. 

Karen-feeding her baby 

Mom/Meme-enjoying her great-granddaughter, Addison. 

Praying Parents

What a mercy was it to us to have  parents that prayed for us before they had us, as well as in our infancy when we could not pray for ourselves!

John Flavel

Photo-Felicity with her baby brother, Harrison. 

Falling Leaves

Botanists say that across the leafstalk there forms in autumn a layer of thin walled cells, termed “the layer of separation.”  These press and tear older cells apart, and become disintegrated in their turn, till without an effort the leaf detaches with a severance clean and sharp as though made by a knife.  The plant sentences the leaf to death, and the winds of God carry out the sentence. 

From the first hour that the layer of separation begins to form in the leafstalk, the leaf’s fate is sealed; there is never a moment’s reversal of the decision.  Each day that follows is a steady carrying out of the plant’s purpose: 

“This old leaf shall die, and the new leaf shall live.”

Lilias Trotter

Parables of the Cross

Thank you, Father, for the simple joy of dropping leaves Sunday evening.  Thank you for giving us time together.  Please help us to trust You will also give grace for the days we are separated.  Thank you for Your purposeful winds that blow, as You ordain, to carry us where You desire.  Please grant us joy and contentment for all You will to accomplish and perfect in our lives by Your good and loving providence. 

Photo-

1-Thankfulness leaves

2-Video of Felicity dropping the falling leaves from the upstairs landing. 

From Childhood

 

"...Is any work in marble so great as her who has an immortal life laid in her hands to shape for its destiny?" J. R. Miller

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 3:14-15 

Photo-

1-Katherine with Addison

God is ALWAYS Good!

 

I needed to see this tonight for reminder…

“The moon is always round”, and “God is always good.”

This is not only a book for children.  It’s a book for all ages! 

Grief will not let us forget the absence and loss of loved ones, nor lingering trials of various kinds.  Anytime there are hard providences in our lives, it is an exercise, a necessary discipline to tell ourselves the truth about God! 

For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.  Psalm 100:5

I read this book to Mom tonight over FaceTime, because we both needed it. By the end of the book, we were thinking more about the LORD than we were thinking about ourselves.  

God is indeed ALWAYS good! 

https://www.amazon.com/Moon-Always-Round-Jonathan-Gibson/dp/1645070271