PUTTING THINGS TOGETHER - Atlantic Ocean Sunrise + A Broken Metatarsal

Walking the beach early one morning on a foot that was KILLING ME* resulted in getting several great pictures of the sunrise. And, walking early in the morning (especially by the sea) puts my mind to thinking. This particular morning, I was thinking about how I profess to be a believer in Christ and a follower of Christ. I don't try to hide it. I'm quite open about it. I thought about how that public profession of my personal faith might put me in a position where I'd be closely watched...

• watched to see if my actions are in alignment with my beliefs
• watched to see if I'm a contributing member of society or oblivious to what is happening in the world around me
• watched to see if there's any reason someone else would want to live this way or choose to believe as I do
• watched to see if I'm kind & accepting or harsh & judgmental.

I wondered...

A Chapter Closed - Everyone Will Be Inconvenienced!

In times like these I tend to get a bit anti-social. I have problems doing much more than connecting with people via texts & social media - you know, that third-hand type of connection. "Sunday's to church" is about the only time I want to show my face in public! It's a rough thing to watch... from my seat.

My mind is FULL of thoughts today. We've had a bumpy week to say the least. I'm just plain worn out - physically & emotionally. That's not helping with my attitude. But, I'm hanging in there & relying on someone greater than me to provide for ALL my needs.

The "NEST" is no longer empty.
It was...
for a short time.

We're entering a new chapter in our family as we welcome one of our adult children & a tiny baby into our home for a season. The lives of all three of us will be inconvenienced to some extent with these changes. We are trusting that the life of the little one will be blessed by being here :) This isn't how we had dreamed things would work out for our family. This isn't how she had dreamed of her life as a mommy. A chapter closed today... and a new one opened -- bringing more opportunities for God to show His loving kindness, power, provision & glory!

I have plenty of housework to make things work in this house as we add two more to our home. Some of the projects that weren't all that crucial have become extremely important as we "re-work" things around here. There will be "stuff in the halls" for months to come :) Yet, I digress.

This one change will bring other changes. There's a part of me that's longing for another day. I'm longing for the day when our other house sells & closes AND we are done with double mortgages, double property taxes, etc. I'm longing for days when school loans are a thing of the past! I'm longing for the day when I no longer hear the cries of hurting ones (yes, that's another HEAVEN reference from me). I'm longing for the day when a lot of things will make sense to me!

Some of the scattered thoughts I've had today...

• I'm a bit tired of the same ol' same ol' stuff... however, this continues to be my daily prayer... through all of it... LET MY LIFE PRAISE YOU! Take a listen!
• This quote comes to mind and is a great reminder to me... "How has your Christianity inconvenienced your life this past week? Or, is it merely a matter of convenience?" ~ AW Tozer
• The things which bring the greatest joy to me... don't put a penny in my pocket... but, I am grateful for the priceless blessings that fill my heart!!

Thank You LORD for remaining constant in all of the change! Thank You LORD for scattered thoughts that bring me back to You & Your faithfulness. Thank You LORD for creating me to trust Your Heart when I can't see Your Hand.

(found this in the unpublished folder today... good day to publish it)

When Life Throws Curve Balls...

This week’s weather's been all over the board. I sat out in the sun on one day... it snowed the next. I got to watch the farmer harvest the HUGE field on the south of our property another day. (I might or might not have hidden in a pine tree to take pictures... and might or might not have been spotted by the farmer in the passing tractor. Good thing I can laugh at myself.)  The next day the harvesters had to work in snow!

I've seen brilliant sunny mornings and cold, dreary, rainy mornings. I've laughed & laughed with friends as we've shared stories.  I've felt moments of betrayal & sadness. I've watched huge snowflakes fall and settle like flocking on everything around. I've had moments of uncertainty & insecurity. I've had moments of complete peace & joy.  Things for me this week... have been all over the board - just like the weather!

Today I took pictures of the sunrise & sunset from my back patio.  The warmth of the sun was so refreshing in the morning.  The setting of the sun in the evening brought stillness & peace.  

And, as I took that last picture, I was reminded of Psalm 113:3, "From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name shall be praised."

What a great reminder that my praise for God shouldn't be dependent upon circumstances around me but, His joy within me. Choose joy friends... and praise Him from the rising of the sun 'till the going down of the same... regardless of what is happening around you!

I Just Gotta SING!

Photo by T. Getz

A few days ago, I could NOT get this thought and this scripture out of my head. Even though my past 2 weeks have been a BIT of a pain, I could only think & feel.... 

How can I keep from SINGING Your praise God?

"You both precede and follow me.

You place your hand of blessing on my head."

Psalm 139: 5

In the middle of every trial & tribulation that God's children experience, HE IS FAITHFUL. His praises should continually come out of us... in our words & deeds, in our expressions & attitudes... in our very being!

(written 27Feb2010)