Comfort Food

  We are hosting a woman from China  this year.  She has brought joy and laughter into our home.She lives mostly in our basement which is set up for a comfortable sleeping and living arrangement.  She uses our kitchen and occasionally watches a movie with us or hangs about. We get along very well.  She is an excellent cook and we enjoy her meals very much.....up to a point.
  It is what we are used to that gets in the way.  We hunger for the familiar.  Why is that?  The things, whether good or bad for us doesn't matter, it's the familiar; the pattern of things; the habit.
  It is like that with nagging sin and self-seeking pleasures too.  We get weakened by them and the familiar takes over. Now we want more than what is good for us. It can be the other way around too.  If we feed our hearts on what is truly good for us, we get used to the healthy and godly way of things.
  How many days does it take YOU to create a healthy habit or pattern in your life?  Is it worth the investment?  God seems to think so.


1 Thessalonions 5:14-15
 Now we exhort you ,brethren
warn those who are unruly,
comfort the fainthearted,
uphold the weak,
be patient with all.
See that no one renders evil to anyone,
but always pursue what is good
both for yourselves and for all.

Planted Under His Yoke

  I love flowers.  Several days ago I put some bulbs on top of narrow necked vases.  I filled the vases with water, up to the top. The bulbs are beginning to grow roots and a few of them have the first greens popping out.  How I love to see new growth, both in plants and people.
  The longer I live, the more I am convinced that we should grow right where we are most suited to grow.  I think that is in our "places where we are". Striving for other or more seems less important than ever.  God is so gracious that He gives the increase.
  All credit goes to Him who sits on the throne.  Jesus says to come to Him for His yoke is easy and His burden is light. How I love that Scripture!  It calms me every time I think about it.  It makes life so livable right where I am planted.


Matt 11:28-30  "Come unto me all you how labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly of heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Seasons

We are getting ready to head South for two weeks with a cruise in the midst of it. 
Life since Thanksgiving has been abundantly full and challenging.  It will be good to head out to breathe free, do some pondering, and some writing.
Since my Dads death I have been having a hard time emotionally and spiritually.  Time and space will be a big part of healing for me, with God as my resource and rescue. 
Seasons change and we must change with them to be healthy.  I hope I can do just that.



Eccl.3:1  To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose
under heaven.

Eye Candy

  As we drove through KS on our way back home today, the hills were covered with a light blanket of snow.  It made the definition of hill crests and valleys so clear and beautiful.   All the quilts were securely knotted in tufts of prairie grasses.  Just lovely.

  All of it was sugar for the eye like I've never tasted before.



Ps. 147:15-17    He sends out His command to the earth;
His Word runs very swiftly.
He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes;
He casts out His hail like morsels;
Who can stand before His cold?

Help in the Noise or the Hollow

  The house has a hollow sound to it today.  Six of the grandchildren were here over the weekend and have gone back home.  The sparkle and noise they bring is missing.  I can still hear the echo of their voices as I sit and ponder all that went on.  It certainly was busy, and, somewhat overwhelming.  Somewhere along the line, parenting kicked in again, and between the two of us (my husband and myself) we got everybody where they needed to be and when.
   Now, the quiet gives me time to regroup for the week ahead.  It always seems to be difficult to discern the presence of the Lord after such intense activity. I takes me some time.  I struggle to clear my mind of all the filled spaces of my heart and home, even in the hollow of this empty house.
  Nevertheless I know the Lord has been with me through this whole adventure.  He is the One who had infinite patience and love flowing through me when the little boys fought or when everyone was hungry and consequently irritable.  I see his help and work in the midst of all of the noise and rush.  He just never leaves my side, and He is here still.


Duet. 31:6  Be strong and of good courage
do not fear nor be afraid of them;
for the Lord your God,
He is the one who goes with you.
He will not leave you nor forsake you.

He Softens

  My heart was crusty and baked tightly shut when I went to church for a worship night at the close of the year.  I was hurting emotionally and physically.  I felt cranky so I secluded myself in the "Fussy Babies Room" while the music team practiced. 

  Somehow the brokenness of the music started to soften my heart.  I identified with the music which just wouldn't be right until it was played during the worship time.  I wanted to be right too.

  Sitting in service later on I had a perfect God moment. He just swept me to the throne of mercy and grace.  There, repenting of my bad attitude, I found forgiveness.

  Later in the service, I among others, raised my hand for prayer for healing.  Father heard the simple prayers those who laid hands on me and prayed, and healed me instantly of some long standing pain.
Mercy and grace.  Forgiveness and healing.  How can we not love and worship a God who offers this?

Heb.4:16
Let us therefore come boldly
to the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help
in time of need.

The Veil Grew Thin

 My father passed through the veil very peacefully on December 13th, 2018.  So now, because of this I am really thinking about feet.
  Dad began his career as a farmer.  He must have walked every square inch of the farm he bought from his parents.  He knew it all.  I marveled at the knowledge he had of trees, springs, blackberry patches, wild grapes, hazelnuts and so much more; and just were to find it.
  He worked hard. Those dear feet served him well right up to a couple of weeks before he died when he fell and injured one of them,
  Bedridden, it didn't take long for him to find home,
Dad was 94 years old,



John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am there you may be also.