Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Sometimes, Life's Not Fair!!
This Mother's Day was especially difficult for me. You see, my precious momma has Alzheimers. She may or may not know I came to see her. Picking out a card for my mom has never been a difficult task because she really is all that this holiday stands for. This year was different. As I began looking through and reading all the beautiful cards, the tears began to fall. I began to question why God would allow such a precious soul to be plagued with this cruel disease.
My mom has fought many battles in her life. I so admire her strength and faith. I remember at the age of 10 when my dad sat us down and told us that my mom was struggling to breathe due to her asthma, and may not make it through the night. I remember him praying with us. God answered our prayers.
When I was expecting my first child, my mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer. I was working at a Christian publishing house at the time and I was at work when I received the call. I was so blessed to be surrounded by fellow Christians who immediately began praying. Again, God healed her.
Two years ago, my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimers. I remember sitting in the neurologist's office as he talked to us with my mom listening to his every word. I watched her intently as he spoke. I wondered how she would react to this devastating news. Once again, my mom's faith amazed me. She told him that the Great Physician was in control of her life and she trusted Him.
Some days I find myself asking God, "Why my mom?". There are so many mothers who don't even care about their children or grandchildren. Some have even cast their own children away. Why not one of them? My mom would give up everything for her family.Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren are her world. There is no other woman in this world that loves her family like my mom does. but then I remember my Momma's faith and what she taught us.I know where her hope is. I do know that God has a plan and I trust Him too.
The Weaver
My life is but a weaving
Between my Lord and me,
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh lovingly.
Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the finished work
And I, the underside.
Not till the loom in silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the tapestry
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Like Sands Through The Hourglass, So Are The Days Of Our Lives.
God's timing is always perfect. This is so hard to understand when you are going through trials.
We've all been there. No one is immune to hard times and trials.
We want Him to rescue us and answer our prayers immediately. Sometimes He does. Other times, it may take months or even years. Then there are times when He carries us through the most painful and sorrowful circumstances. Lets face it...Life is Hard!
We play things back in our mind so many times and think, "What if I had done this differently?". But get this: Our trials and hard times come as no surprise to Him. They are all part of His perfect plan.
The Weaver
My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.
Oft times He weaves in sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the finished work,
And I the under side.
Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the tapestry
And explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.
~Author unknown
Looking back, we may even be able to see how everything fell into its perfect place because of His perfect timing.
Lamentations 3:22-24
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Friday, May 3, 2013
To Seduce the Risk of Fire
CAUTION- To Seduce the risk of fire...
That is what the label inside my track lighting reads. Now, I know what you're probably thinking. Why on earth is that sticker still on the light fixture twenty-five years later? Maybe you think it's about time we remodel the kitchen. ;) Why did we choose to leave it there? Because it still makes us smile every time we change the light bulb. It's a great reminder that if you play with fire, you're going to get burned. This is especially true in marriage. We have been married for 28 years and we want to keep our marriage fireproof.
How close to that line do you walk? Do you and your spouse have separate facebooks? Maybe like mine, your spouse isn't even on facebook. Does your husband/wife know everyone on your friend's list? Does your spouse have access to your password? Can the two of you sit down and look through your private messages together? How about the history on your computer? Would you be willing to let your husband/wife see all of the places you've visited?
I have seen too many of our friend's marriages crumble over what began as a facebook friendship. They didn't even see it coming because it all started out as a simple friend request. We need to guard our hearts and our wedding vows.
Think of it this way. Would you be comfortable if Jesus were sitting beside you watching what you type or what web sites you visit? As a Christian, Christ is always with me. Wherever I go, He is already there. You can delete conversations, you can lie to your family and make excuses. You can even delete the history on your computer, but your Heavenly Father knows where you have been and what you've been doing.
That is what the label inside my track lighting reads. Now, I know what you're probably thinking. Why on earth is that sticker still on the light fixture twenty-five years later? Maybe you think it's about time we remodel the kitchen. ;) Why did we choose to leave it there? Because it still makes us smile every time we change the light bulb. It's a great reminder that if you play with fire, you're going to get burned. This is especially true in marriage. We have been married for 28 years and we want to keep our marriage fireproof.
How close to that line do you walk? Do you and your spouse have separate facebooks? Maybe like mine, your spouse isn't even on facebook. Does your husband/wife know everyone on your friend's list? Does your spouse have access to your password? Can the two of you sit down and look through your private messages together? How about the history on your computer? Would you be willing to let your husband/wife see all of the places you've visited?
I have seen too many of our friend's marriages crumble over what began as a facebook friendship. They didn't even see it coming because it all started out as a simple friend request. We need to guard our hearts and our wedding vows.
Think of it this way. Would you be comfortable if Jesus were sitting beside you watching what you type or what web sites you visit? As a Christian, Christ is always with me. Wherever I go, He is already there. You can delete conversations, you can lie to your family and make excuses. You can even delete the history on your computer, but your Heavenly Father knows where you have been and what you've been doing.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Pass the dictionary please. I think you need another helping.
Pass the dictionary please. I think you need another helping.
I admit it. I am a "Grammar Snob". I cringe when I see a misspelled word. I want to gouge my eyes and ears out when someone uses improper English. I am guilty of mentally correcting someone's spelling on facebook, pinterest, someecards, and even church bulletins. Don't get me wrong. I would never actually call them out on it.
I'm not sure when I became such a snob. Maybe it was when my children were young and I was one of those pioneering homeschool moms. I was a slave driver as a teacher. My poor children never knew what a snow day was until they were in jr. high. If they weren't too sick to watch television, then they weren't too sick to do their school work. They knew that they didn't do anything else until their work was completed. Those were our rules.
Perhaps I pushed them so hard because I was all too aware of those homeschooling families that "played" school. I didn't want to be accused of being one of them. My kids didn't need a field trip every week and they certainly didn't need a play date in place of their education. I was all too aware that we were being constantly watched and scrutinized by those who thought children needed to be taught by licensed teachers. I didn't buy into the whole "It takes a village" then and I still don't.
It was also during this time that the public schools were bouncing back and forth with whole language vs. phonics. I knew that I wanted my children to excel in reading and I didn't believe that was possible without a strong phonics program.
It was important to me that my children worked hard and finished well. I wanted them to learn how to be successful adults one day. They haven't disappointed me. Reading was a huge deal in our home. We had our own little library overflowing with books for every age, which our granddaughters are now enjoying.
I couldn't be more proud of my kids today. They survived their tyrant mom K-12 and have continued to learn as adults. As for the rest of you, watch your "P"s and "Q"s (as well as their, there, they're, your, you're, two, to, and too). ;)
I admit it. I am a "Grammar Snob". I cringe when I see a misspelled word. I want to gouge my eyes and ears out when someone uses improper English. I am guilty of mentally correcting someone's spelling on facebook, pinterest, someecards, and even church bulletins. Don't get me wrong. I would never actually call them out on it.
I'm not sure when I became such a snob. Maybe it was when my children were young and I was one of those pioneering homeschool moms. I was a slave driver as a teacher. My poor children never knew what a snow day was until they were in jr. high. If they weren't too sick to watch television, then they weren't too sick to do their school work. They knew that they didn't do anything else until their work was completed. Those were our rules.
Perhaps I pushed them so hard because I was all too aware of those homeschooling families that "played" school. I didn't want to be accused of being one of them. My kids didn't need a field trip every week and they certainly didn't need a play date in place of their education. I was all too aware that we were being constantly watched and scrutinized by those who thought children needed to be taught by licensed teachers. I didn't buy into the whole "It takes a village" then and I still don't.
It was also during this time that the public schools were bouncing back and forth with whole language vs. phonics. I knew that I wanted my children to excel in reading and I didn't believe that was possible without a strong phonics program.
It was important to me that my children worked hard and finished well. I wanted them to learn how to be successful adults one day. They haven't disappointed me. Reading was a huge deal in our home. We had our own little library overflowing with books for every age, which our granddaughters are now enjoying.
I couldn't be more proud of my kids today. They survived their tyrant mom K-12 and have continued to learn as adults. As for the rest of you, watch your "P"s and "Q"s (as well as their, there, they're, your, you're, two, to, and too). ;)
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Guess What They're Teaching in First Grade These Days...
Guess What They're Teaching in First Grade These Days....How to make babies!
That was my status on Facebook today. It didn't really surprise me that some of the comments were of shock or disbelief. How many times have you read something and assumed the worst? Maybe it was a letter from a friend or perhaps a comment on your facebook. Then it is shared with others that 'this person said horrible things to me.' Can you believe that she would do this to me? Before you know it, without even talking to the person face to face, it has been spread all over and a relationship destroyed.
Unless you are talking to someone face to face, you really can't assume to know their intentions. You see, you can't hear the inflection in their voice or the emotion in which it was written.
How many relationships have been destroyed by assumption?
Oh...and to clarify, my granddaughter did learn how to make babies today. She also learned how to make puppies and kitties. You simply change the "Y" to an "i" and add -es.
So next time you receive a comment, note or even a letter in the mail and you don't know how the author intended it, don't assume. Go to the person face to face and ask them.
That was my status on Facebook today. It didn't really surprise me that some of the comments were of shock or disbelief. How many times have you read something and assumed the worst? Maybe it was a letter from a friend or perhaps a comment on your facebook. Then it is shared with others that 'this person said horrible things to me.' Can you believe that she would do this to me? Before you know it, without even talking to the person face to face, it has been spread all over and a relationship destroyed.
Unless you are talking to someone face to face, you really can't assume to know their intentions. You see, you can't hear the inflection in their voice or the emotion in which it was written.
How many relationships have been destroyed by assumption?
Oh...and to clarify, my granddaughter did learn how to make babies today. She also learned how to make puppies and kitties. You simply change the "Y" to an "i" and add -es.
So next time you receive a comment, note or even a letter in the mail and you don't know how the author intended it, don't assume. Go to the person face to face and ask them.
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