Broken with Blessings

Well, it is the third week into a broken wrist.  It still feels broken.  I hope the healing is going on in spite of all my activity.  I've never done one of these before.
  There are so many reasons to rejoice.  Counting blessings in times of crisis has helped me through many a night that could have been fretful and sleepless.  There are many blessings now on which I need to stay focused.
  Although the blessings are many, I am also in need of working on the issues that surface.  I think God sometimes sends me suffering to show me the areas in my life that He wants corrected.  I need to ask Him to reveal to me the things I am believing that aren't true so He can help to lead me into all truth.  It is not easy work.  But it is good, very good.  I wouldn't miss it for the world.
   Counting blessings when the day is done is my go to.  Without God there is nothing.  With Him there is life forever and sooo much more.  How could anyone not choose life in Him?  Oh how I love my life!  And how very much I love the way He loves me!



Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield:
My heart trusted in Him,
And I am helped:
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him.

Awakened Hope

  It rained for a whole day and night.  It took down a lot of snow.  There was a big sagging of the ground cover and even the snow piles.  But as much as I like the snow, I love the rain.

  Rain makes such a comforting sound.  It washes away the harbingers of grief brought on by autumn.  I haven't yet smelled the spring, but the robins have returned. I heard them chirping in the trees this week.  The fragrance of Spring isn't far behind. 

  How tenderly God cares about the Earth. He gives the deep rest of winter to gather strength for the coming growth ahead.  He gives grace for joyful expectancy.  I think it is called HOPE.

  With God there is always and all ways a reason to hope. 
Never. Never give up hope.



Heb 3:6 ... but Christ as a Son over His own house,
Whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence
and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Rom 15:13  Now may the God of hope fill you
 with all joy and peace in believing,
 that you may abound in hope
 by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Bone Break

 I broke my left wrist last week, in a fall, while playing with my grandson.  Nasty pain sure accompanies a fall like that.  We got it all worked out and two hours later I was splinted and on my way back home.

 Now, I am so thankful my husband was there and able to work out the delivery of everyone to their respective places, gymnastics, orthopedics, home, etc.  I saw the Lord's hand in holding back the severity of the break, no surgery necessary.  Our grandson was oblivious to what happened until we explained later.  There was joy and laughter in spite of the pain.  Other blessing continue to reveal themselves.
God is so wonderful!


II Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
The Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Who comforts us in all our tribulation.
That we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble.
With the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Heated Fruit

 In tense situations, anger, frustration and the words that accompany them can do much damage.   In the heat of the moment, the fruits of the Holy Spirit do their best work.
  Funny how fruit always seems to smell the sweetest when a little heat is applied.



Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But harsh words stir up strife.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is
Love, joy, peace,long-suffering,
Kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gentleness, self-control,
Against such their is no law.

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.