This and That...

Yes I know I need to be writing more. Yes I know you have been missing me. Actually though I feel like I'm talking to myself. Actually I am. According to my blog stats nobody is reading this. Maybe that is a good thing?

Life has been busy. Babysitting an adorable 13 month old. Cleaning house, taking care of Grandma. Walking and just hanging out. I've even gotten political. Tomorrow night I'll be helping at a phone bank for the Republicans.

Today was our church's missions conference. You will be hearing more on that later.

Right now I'm watching the World Series. I even have a friend in it. Well he's my brother's friend's brother. Still with me? Unfortunately the team isn't doing so hot.

Leaves of Change

Warm in pleasant was the day by evening though a chill had settled in the air. Dew would wet grass. Fall has taken residence in Kansas. Our grass is still lushly green thanks to late summer rains. Rich greenness makes for a pretty background for the leaves to lay. I walked across the lawn loving the crunch. Changing of seasons is something I adore. Always ready for something new and different. Coming of a new season is welcomed.

Mother nature's changes maybe enjoyed by myself. Certain other changes sadly are not. When my grandma fell and spent the next three plus weeks in the hospital. I would have gladly snubbed that change in the face. Now I can see though how much the Lord is teaching my family and I. We have the privilege of caring for my grandma. No one else does. Just as the melting snows maybe ugly in winter. Soon though glorious color will be shown. God does the same in our lives bringing radiant color and joy to us through the pain.

Walking Down a Country Road...

Walks. I simply adore them. Walking anywhere with any friends is just simply pure joy. However there are especially perfect spots. Wide open fields of prairie grass with the new flowers of spring. Provide lovely settings for focusing on God. Walking down a country road at sunset with my mother makes me think of "some day" and "someone else".

Peaceful Sunday afternoon's make for good opportunities to get fresh air. Not exercise, two very different things.

Mother and I walk up the paved road with a cars whizzing by us. Much to my dismay certain kinds of sports cars honk. However we press on up the hill. Then we are there the quiet road. Where only our neighbors wave not honk. With the sublime tranquility surrounding us we can discuss matters. Light chatter yet topics deep in our spirit pass between us. We walk till out of breath not saving reserves for the return trip. Walking back the wind whips at us. Sun threatens to make desserts at of our eye's. All too soon we are walking back down the hill. While so short, the blacktop seems endless. Yet so unfriendly as cars fly by. My mind chooses to remain back on the country road. Living in the quietness of life where so often I forget to direct my spirit.

"Sound of Music", Written by God; Part One

Beautiful, holy, sovereign, was the wedding of my cousin. Just like a fairytale many people would describe my cousins Angela's wedding. However I would describe it as the perfect will of God. Marrying the man of her dreams. Who had been married just one year prior.

My cousin had taken a nanny job, helping a family with 5 children. Tragedy had struck this family as the mother was ill with cancer. Angela helped with home schooling and care of the children among other things. Once while talking about her school and upon graduation students were required to go into missionary service. Angela said how she viewed her job as a mission. Nothing could be more far from the truth. Angela grew closer to the family even vacationing with them in Hawaii. Celebrating their mothers’ recovery from cancer. Shortly after the trip the cancer returned. She died in November.

Angela continued to help the family, the children loved her. Their father did as well.

October of last year found my girl cousins and I having a slumber party. We watched the Sound of Music. A story I never could believe was true and certainly would never be true again. Little did I know the same story would be written for my dear cousin.

Diamond ring found its way on to Angela's finger after a fast paced courtship. A match made in heaven certainly. Who else could love the children and their father?
To be continued...

Expect Nothing from God

Nothing should be expected from the Lord. I was struck by that thought as I read the 1st chapter of James. Right there in verse seven it read, "For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord," James 1:7.

How often is that true in Christan life. I found myself expecting that the Lord should make this situation better. Fix it, dry my tears and show me a sign of His love. Why shouldn't He make the hard times go away? Trials and times of uncertionty is what the Lord speciaizes and fixing isn't?

Perhaps not, couldn't Jesus Christ called ten thousand angels to save Him on the cross. Our Lord didn't because He loves deeper than the ocean. God never stops loving us. His love is why trials are brought to our lives. When God brings us trials He is sending us a love letter. Saying "I can make you stronger through this". "People will see your love to me through you and I will be praised".

We protest though, we want to praise the Lord after the fact. Telling how good He was to repair our lives. God in His great show of affection loves us too much for that.

Favors cannot not be expected from God. His leading and love can be.