Blocks of Marble Marvels

 

Most people, when they are looking for a spouse, are looking for a finished statue when they should be looking for a wonderful block of marble. Not so you can create the kind of person you want, but rather because you see what kind of person Jesus is making.

Kathy Keller, The Meaning of Marriage 

Photo:   Circa 1987, the summer before we were married.  

Still today I am thankful for such a husband who has faithfully and patiently loved me well.  LORD willing, we will soon celebrate our 37th wedding anniversary, and I continue to marvel that the LORD has so granted us grace to be sustained. 

We are back to learning and enjoying one another as empty nesters.  This has been a process of adjustment.   I have asked the LORD with much earnest desire for a renewed and better perspective of how to welcome this “empty”, seemingly barren, season of change, and HE is soo graciously granting me joy in the given moments.  

There are still many adjustments to make, with some lingering unfulfilled desires to trust Him for, yet I am more and more thankful to know HE is at work to accomplish in us all that He wills for our good and His glory. 

I pray we will always look at one another as chiseled blocks of marble, knowing the LORD continues His work to perfect us into His likeness. 

Ohh, may we never attempt to reject or change one another, nor manipulate to create of one another what we idolize or desire for our own selfish gain, but instead believe the LORD, our Creator, our Master, is still at work to chisel away all that hinders His perfecting image bearing qualities/attributes.  May we be imitators of God, Our Father, to be fruitful and godly as a husband and wife! 

To God Be the Glory!

She’s TWO

Hold her a little longer 

Rock her a little more 

Tell her another story

(you've only told her four) 

Let her sleep on your shoulder 

Rejoice in her happy smile 

She is only two

For such a little while!

Author Unknown

 

Our Future Glory-Selves

 

What, then, is marriage for? 

It is for helping each other to become our future glory-selves, the new creations that God will eventually make us. The common horizon husband and wife look toward is the Throne, and the holy, spotless, and blameless nature we will have. I can think of no more powerful common horizon than that, and that is why putting a Christian friendship at the heart of a marriage relationship can lift it to a level that no other vision for marriage approaches.

Timothy Keller

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God

In special honor and remembrance of the sanctifying friendship in marriage our parents lived out by faith before us…

K. D. and Betty Gray married June 10, 1950 and celebrated 62 years together before he moved to Heaven in 2012. 

His last words before he left her, “Betty, I love you.” 

Thomas Earl Cleland wed Sylvia Lenene Boren, July 9, 1955.  They had just celebrated being married 65 years when he fell and had to be taken away by ambulance from their home.  Within 24 hours they were  separated by death. 

We’re still counting the years our mothers have devotedly remained committed to the vows they made to God and their husbands on their wedding days so many years ago…Betty, 74 years and Sylvia, 69 years.  

Father, may You be pleased to continue Your sanctifying work of moving us closer to our glory-selves.  I am thankful for such a friend who has been devoted to love and husband me well for almost 37 years. 

Praise the LORD! 

God is Great

O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.

Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, 

to still the enemy and the avenger.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, 

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him, 

and the son of man that you care for him?

Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 

Psalm 8:1-5

Dear Beloved Grandson,

I am encouraged to pray this psalm for you.  

I trust as you grow, you will come to know how majestic and powerful our Great Father God is. 

His name alone is our psalm of praise and prayer for all of life. 

I pray the LORD will draw you to Himself, and show you how His mercy and compassion sustains.  “…The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His steadfast love” (Psalm 147:11).

Our Father God is generous. 

I am mindful that He owns time.  “But you, O Lord, are enthroned forever;  you are remembered throughout all generations (Psalm 102:12, ESV).   

I am thankful for the days we’ve shared.  I trust, as He wills,  He will give us many more to come.  

I am thankful it was His idea that we be a family.  I cherish being your Daddy’s Mama, and your Grandmama. 

Yes, “My heart [still] beats for you”, and I will always treasure your reply, 

“Boom, boom,…”.

May you grow as Jesus grew,  “…in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52).  I pray you will always look to Him all your days! 

He delights in His creation of you!  Don’t ever forget you bear His image! 

He is mindful of you and cares for you! 

Trust Him.

Always and with much love, 

Your Grandmama

Sweet Baby Love

I can’t see the wind,

But I see what it blows:

Balloons in the air

And Mommy’s washed clothes. 

I can’t see God’s Spirit

Blowing down from above,

But I see how He blows

Our home full of His love. 

Marjorie Ainsborough Decker

Christian Mother Goose 

Rock-A-Bye Bible

Praise the LORD!!!

The LORD has knit together another grand baby, filling the hearts and home of John and Rosemary with the sweetest of baby love and excitement!! 

We are so thrilled to anticipate this baby with them.   The LORD has answered our prayers in His most timely and beautiful way! 

It's amazing to think back on the many years and events the LORD has blown and ordained our paths with the Smith Family. 

He grew our friendships which culminated in the marriage of our children, and now, this precious gift, a Smith Gray Grand-baby! 🤗  

What a joyful thought!  

Ohhh Father, Thank you!!

Our hearts are full!

Thank you for knitting together this Precious One whom You’ve created to bear Your image and love!!  We trust You will preserve and protect this baby as he or she grows to accomplish Your lasting purpose in the hearts and lives of John and Rosie, as well as ours!  We also trust You will grow John and Rosie to know and love You more!  We are so very thankful to share in their joy! 

What a glorious privilege they have to look to You and trust You for leading and loving this babe in the days and months to come!