He Loves Me

Now, my soul, from this time forth, decide to answer all the whys and wherefores which perplex your life by the simple response, 

‘Because the Lord loved me!’ 

This will ensure complete deliverance from your fears every time you do in faith use it, and your Lord and Master will be greatly honored by such a casting of yourself upon His word and promise. Can you imagine a condition more blissful than that of being so sheltered and surrounded by his love, that no doubt, no fear, no questioning of His tender purpose can possibly touch you to harm you?”

Susannah Spurgeon

A Basket of Summer Fruit

God’s Ways are Perfect

 

People throw away what they  could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it.  

Edith Schaeffer 

 

This very day, the LORD has proven to me that He can be trusted!  He is at work to perfect that which concerns our family…

From “the bloginning” this personal and private blog has been an expression and record of the many ways the LORD has granted grace upon grace to me and my family through the years.  I am not perfect, and have never claimed to be, nor do I believe anyone we know and associate with is perfect.  That should be understood without accusation! 

If at any time someone reads this blog and takes offense to something I’ve shared, I will prayerfully consider (after I am personally addressed), whether I should make a change.  However, I must also add, this will not occur before I exercise personal liberty to seek a multitude of counselors, which are those I know and trust love the LORD, and love me!! These wise counselors are individuals who want what’s best for me and my family.  

Not one person I communicated with today told me that I should change what I shared in this original post.  Each individual understands our present circumstances and the personal benefit I gain from processing and journaling my thoughts and cares here. 

The few family and friends I have shared this blog address with are well aware that this is a record for our use. 

This blog is personal.  It began as a family blog, but eventually I became the sole contributor.  Journaling is therapeutic for me.  If this record blesses others, then I am thankful.  

Please read this blog with caution if your conscience is condemned for something I have shared from my life lessons.  This blog is not written or directed at anyone for condemnation. It is a discipline that I pray will be a record of what God is at work to accomplish in my heart, through the good and the bad that happens in our lives. 

Tonight I deleted a portion of the original post I published yesterday,  but not because I was asked to. 

Again, I am sure the LORD desires to use even this blog to convict and sanctify me, and possibly others.  I welcome this, because I know He lovingly uses what He wills for good. 

I am committed to pray that this blog will always be a testimony of God’s merciful and faithful work of grace in my life!  

I trust He will extend His mercy and grace to you, and to anyone who reads and receives anything of any encouragement.

I also trust the LORD will one day redeem this memory for His glory!  

LORD, may this prove to be true! 

Scripture

Psalm 138

Of David.

1

I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;

2 

I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.

3 

On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.

4 

All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,

5 

and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.

6 

For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

7 

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.

8 

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

The King James Version says, 

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

Psalm 138:8

What a comfort it is to know the LORD is faithful!  He will not change nor allow anyone to prevent His ways that are perfect, especially for those who fear Him! 

Praise the LORD! 

Photos:

There was a time when I insisted on toys being put away when our children were finished playing, but lately, I cherish signs of our grandchildren’s presence.  This particular week, the cars were left out for days.  

This is one perfect work the LORD has called me to witness as I wait and watch what He accomplishes, not only in my heart, but in the hearts of those I love and pray for! 

I’m thankful to trust He loves us! 

May You Be Filled With JOY

 

“You are in the very center of His will as you embrace His little ones to your heart and raise them to be mighty arrows for God’s kingdom.  

You are at the very heart of the kingdom of God.  

There is nothing more powerful that you could be doing in the whole of the world.  

Be encouraged. 

And may you be filled with the joy of the Lord as you fulfill this mighty task in your home today.”

Nancy Campbell

Sharing life with our grandchildren has been the sweetest and greatest gift the LORD could give us in this season of our lives. 

While letting go of those we have treasured sharing life with will never feel normal, adding our children’s children to the mix has helped a lot! 

Though we’re not able to spend as much time together as we’d like, we treasure the moments the LORD allows!  And of course, we don’t want those moments to be lost or forgotten. 

Katherine wasn’t the typical little girl that enjoyed playing with dolls, though I had wanted her to be that way.  Her baby brother was born when she was 2 years and 4 months of age, and she figured out very fast, “Mommy, this baby is not real;  John John is real.” She loved him so much, and was a great Mommy’s Helper to me! 

Prior to John being born, she didn’t mind taking her baby doll to the store with a diaper bag in tow, but soon thereafter, she lost interest in pretend babies. 

What mom doesn’t anticipate their own baby girl becoming a real mom?  I long desired  being together and sharing many mom moments, conversations, and innumerable joys while living out the real moments of motherhood with her.  

Years ago, Mark ordered a magazine subscription for me,  called Above Rubies.  It always encouraged my focus and calling as a wife and mother. 

One husband, four babies, and two miscarriages later, I didn’t want our childbearing years to end. 

The LORD gave us the babies He wanted us to have, and He took two babies to Himself.  We bless His name. 

Now that our children are grown and having children of their own, we pray that the LORD will multiply grace to them as they bear the babies He desires to give them.  I pray they will always trust Him! 

I suspect they will look back one day and know a greater joy and satisfaction for welcoming  children, more joy than they could have ever imagined.  They will not understand this, but they will be sure, only the LORD could knit together such love into their lives!  They will probably wish as we have, “We don’t want our childbearing season to end!”

May you see your children’s children.  

Peace be upon Israel. 

Psalm 128:6

Father, Thank You!

 

1 Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

who wondrous things has done,

in whom his world rejoices;

who from our mothers' arms

has blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love,

and still is ours today.

2 O may this bounteous God

through all our life be near us,

with ever joyful hearts

and blessed peace to cheer us,

to keep us in his grace,

and guide us when perplexed,

and free us from all ills

of this world in the next.

3 All praise and thanks to God

the Father now be given,

the Son and Spirit blest,

who reign in highest heaven

the one eternal God,

whom heaven and earth adore;

for thus it was, is now,

and shall be evermore.

Author: Martin Rinkart (1636); 

Translator: Catherine Winkworth (1858)

Every Day Father’s Day

 

"Just a dad who always came back with the milk"

Your Part in This Tapestry

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zo4rLZyflek

I don’t know what to play
That’s okay
This is just a random phrase
But it sounds good anyway
No song arrives fully written
No pot begins fully formed
Are you calling me a pot?
Kinda!
But you’re so much more

The sheep, they do not know where they are going
But they’re following the shepherd where he leads
The flower does not know how it is growing
But the rain still falls and gives it what it needs

There’s a reason for the colors in your story
There’s a picture though you cannot see it yet
Every thread has a purpose and soon you’ll see
Your part in this tapestry 

When you feel like nothing is connecting
And you’re searching for an answer you can’t find
Just remember that each strand is intersecting to reveal what the Creator has designed
Any masterpiece is gonna take some time

There’s a reason for the colors in your story
(If there’s a reason, I can’t find it)
There’s a picture though you cannot see it yet
(Sure, I believe that…)
Every thread has a purpose
But I don’t see
(Soon you’ll see)
Your part in this tapestry

So lift your eyes above the hills
Higher up and higher still
If you could see from heaven’s view 
All the plans drawn out for you
Like the way we work the loom
He knits you from inside the womb
Every string is used in his design

I lift my eyes above the hills
Though it’s not clear, I know I will
Catch the view that heaven sees
And leap into his plans for me
I’ll find out where the story goes (Now you see)
I’m not there yet, but now I know (Just believe)
The One who brought this world to life (Adonai) 
Has seen it all before its time (Perfect time)
So ready or not, come what may
I’ll face whatever may come my way
’Cause everything is used in his design

There’s a reason for the colors in my story
El Shaddai will be your guide when you can’t see
Every thread has a purpose, and I believe
I’m part of this (Your part in this) tapestry
We’re part of this tapestry

Songwriters: Molly Kate Kestner and Brock Monroe 

Performers: Brandon Engman and Miri Mesika

For “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’

Acts 17:28

We watched a new movie tonight, after it’s recent release to dvd. We did not see it in the theater last December, as many did.  We’re thankful we could watch it with our family!  The grandchildren loved it! 

This is one of my favorite songs, of several that speak volumes to my spirit in this season of our lives! 

This song encourages our focus on what the LORD is at work to accomplish, even while we cannot make sense of anything that has recently taken place.  Even the dark threads the LORD has woven into our family are all a necessary part of the tapestry He is weaving into a design of beauty. 

I am thankful for the reminder that He is taking time to perfect the work He began before we were born, weaving a story of generations. 

Finley is a precious reminder that God was not caught by surprise when he came into this world early, surprising us all, but that his arrival was timely ordained as He willed.  He has breathed into Finley life, and he is created in His likeness.  He is writing our family story for His glory, as He pleases, and in His wisdom, planned for Finley’s life to be a part of ours!! 

You are good and do good; teach me your statutes (Psalm 119:68). 

Praise be to our Father God, Creator, who ordains every woven thread.  He has given every breath Finley takes, and every beat of his heart comes by His perfect plan.  He orchestrates every intricate function of his little body, even while he sleeps. 

Father, thank you for weaving Finley into our lives.  You are sustaining him by Your loving will and care, just as You reveal to us the story of Your love by this gracious design.