I was going through some of my mom's old cookbooks this morning and found a hand-written note. It looked like some sort of poem, so I looked up a line on Google and found that it was lyrics to a Reba McIntyre song. There is no way really to know what my mom was thinking when she wrote down those words, but I'm sure they had meaning to her. As I read them, I realized that I could have written the words myself. How sad that we can live our lives never really knowing those who should be the closest to us.
Here is the song....
The greatest man I never knew
Lived just down the hall
And everyday we said hello
But never touched at all
He was in his paper
I was in my room
How was I to know he thought I hung the moon
The greatest man I never knew
Came home late every night
He never had too much to say
Too much was on his mind
I never really knew him
And now it seems so sad
Everything he gave to us took all he had
Then the days turned into years
And the memories to black and white
He grew cold like an old winter wind
Blowing across my life
The greatest words I never heard
I guess I'll never hear
The man I thought would never die
S'been dead almost a year
He was good at business
But there was business left to do
He never said he loved me
Guess he thought I knew
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Early Easter
I'm sure you noticed that Easter came early this year. I read some interesting stats on it. Apparently it has been about 95 years since it has been this early...and it will be another 220 years before it will be this early again. I didn't want this once-in-a-lifetime event pass by without taking note.
Christians around the world unite their hearts on Easter to thank God for the cross...and for the empty tomb that first Easter morning so long ago. No matter what the date is on the calendar, we rejoice for what Jesus did for us.
Bonnie Kate dyed her first eggs this year, but she also heard the Easter story for the first time too. She told me the day after her daddy read her the story, "Jesus died on the cross." Yes, little girl, He did...just for you...and just for me.
May we never lose the wonder.
Christians around the world unite their hearts on Easter to thank God for the cross...and for the empty tomb that first Easter morning so long ago. No matter what the date is on the calendar, we rejoice for what Jesus did for us.
Bonnie Kate dyed her first eggs this year, but she also heard the Easter story for the first time too. She told me the day after her daddy read her the story, "Jesus died on the cross." Yes, little girl, He did...just for you...and just for me.
May we never lose the wonder.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Just One Joy of Being a Stay-At-Home Mom
Randoms conversations...this one today, out of the blue:
BK: Is that God talking to me?
Me: I don't know...what did he say?
BK: That He's sorry I'm coughing
Me: Well then, maybe it is
Me: Does God ever tell you that He loves you?
BK: Yes
Me: Do you ever tell God that you love Him?
BK: Yes...every day
BK: and every night
BK: Is that God talking to me?
Me: I don't know...what did he say?
BK: That He's sorry I'm coughing
Me: Well then, maybe it is
Me: Does God ever tell you that He loves you?
BK: Yes
Me: Do you ever tell God that you love Him?
BK: Yes...every day
BK: and every night
Blessings in the Storm
I was hoping that our household would be spared from getting the flu, especially since we all received vaccinations, but Bonnie Kate has been diagnosed with it. I don't think I've ever seen her this sick. That sure is hard on a mama's heart...but God reminded me once again of His love and let me know that He is in control.
When I called the pediatrician's office yesterday morning, I was told that it would be afternoon before her regular physician could see her. Another doctor at the clinic could see her earlier that morning, so I made the appointment, even though I had never met that doctor. Imagine my surprise as the examination room door opened and in walked the mother of one of Bonnie Kate's soccer teammates!
You may be tempted to just say "Wow...it's a small world." But I know when my Father is sending a message...and I heard it loud and clear.
You just never know where a blessing will be found.
When I called the pediatrician's office yesterday morning, I was told that it would be afternoon before her regular physician could see her. Another doctor at the clinic could see her earlier that morning, so I made the appointment, even though I had never met that doctor. Imagine my surprise as the examination room door opened and in walked the mother of one of Bonnie Kate's soccer teammates!
You may be tempted to just say "Wow...it's a small world." But I know when my Father is sending a message...and I heard it loud and clear.
You just never know where a blessing will be found.
The Lesson
Gwynn Alcorn shared her story with the folks at MountainWings.com and they used it to minister to their subscribers. I asked her if I could share an excerpt here since I found it so powerful and she said yes. You can read the full version here: http://www.mountainwings.com/cgi-bin/hse/MountainWingsSearchEngine.exe?url=http://www.mountainwings.com/past/8.htm;geturl=d+highlightmatches+gotofirstmatch;terms=of+arms+love;enc=of%20arms%20love;utf8=off;noparts#firstmatch
Gwynn began her story telling how she lost her husband to another woman and eventually lost her cattle ranch as well. This is what happened next:
I could have moved in with my parents, but I wanted solitude to try to sort out my life. I made a deal with the trustees of an abandoned Baptist church that I would paint the outside of the church in lieu of paying rent. The building had no water or heat or plumbing, but it was a good place for me to reach out to God in my agony over my losses. I slept in the upstairs balcony and at night the moonlight shone through the six arched windows and I lay in my bed and wept.
One night I cried out to God, "It's not enough to just believe You love me. I need You to put Your arms around me and tell me that You love me." Of course, there was no response, no miracle. The moon was soon hidden by clouds and I was in darkness.
Shortly thereafter, the church I attended announced a women's retreat would be held soon. My mother encouraged me to go. I angrily retorted that I had nothing in common with women who could talk about nothing but scrubbing floors and raising babies. But I was desperate and I went to that Retreat. As the weekend wore on, I realized there was depth in the 72 women attending, and that they also did soul searching.
Towards the end of the Retreat, I walked up to the front of the room and leaned against the piano and started to talk. I told the women how tough I was, how I could carry 100-lb. calves in my arms, cut pulpwood like a man and castrate bulls. But that my husband had left me, I had lost my beloved farm, and now I needed their prayers to help me work out a new life. As I finished speaking, all 72 women stood as one and lined up to get to me. Not only did they all say that they would pray for me, but each and every one of them put their arms around me and said that they loved me. And the sunlight streamed in the windows of that Retreat hall - like the Holy Spirit was hovering there.
Later that night, as I lay in my bed in the abandoned church that was my home, I thanked God for that tremendous outpouring of love that been given to me by women, whom I normally avoided. And then it hit me! I hadn't asked those women to tell me that they loved and put their arms around me. I had asked that of God weeks previous. And God had answered my prayer - 72-fold, and from a source I would never have expected. That response, which did not fit my criteria, made an impression on me that will last my whole life.
The lesson is to let the giver give what he has to give. It maybe much less than you want, but it also may be a great deal more than you expect.
Gwynn began her story telling how she lost her husband to another woman and eventually lost her cattle ranch as well. This is what happened next:
I could have moved in with my parents, but I wanted solitude to try to sort out my life. I made a deal with the trustees of an abandoned Baptist church that I would paint the outside of the church in lieu of paying rent. The building had no water or heat or plumbing, but it was a good place for me to reach out to God in my agony over my losses. I slept in the upstairs balcony and at night the moonlight shone through the six arched windows and I lay in my bed and wept.
One night I cried out to God, "It's not enough to just believe You love me. I need You to put Your arms around me and tell me that You love me." Of course, there was no response, no miracle. The moon was soon hidden by clouds and I was in darkness.
Shortly thereafter, the church I attended announced a women's retreat would be held soon. My mother encouraged me to go. I angrily retorted that I had nothing in common with women who could talk about nothing but scrubbing floors and raising babies. But I was desperate and I went to that Retreat. As the weekend wore on, I realized there was depth in the 72 women attending, and that they also did soul searching.
Towards the end of the Retreat, I walked up to the front of the room and leaned against the piano and started to talk. I told the women how tough I was, how I could carry 100-lb. calves in my arms, cut pulpwood like a man and castrate bulls. But that my husband had left me, I had lost my beloved farm, and now I needed their prayers to help me work out a new life. As I finished speaking, all 72 women stood as one and lined up to get to me. Not only did they all say that they would pray for me, but each and every one of them put their arms around me and said that they loved me. And the sunlight streamed in the windows of that Retreat hall - like the Holy Spirit was hovering there.
Later that night, as I lay in my bed in the abandoned church that was my home, I thanked God for that tremendous outpouring of love that been given to me by women, whom I normally avoided. And then it hit me! I hadn't asked those women to tell me that they loved and put their arms around me. I had asked that of God weeks previous. And God had answered my prayer - 72-fold, and from a source I would never have expected. That response, which did not fit my criteria, made an impression on me that will last my whole life.
The lesson is to let the giver give what he has to give. It maybe much less than you want, but it also may be a great deal more than you expect.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Who God Says I Am
We are still working through Beth Moore's Bible study workbook Believing God. This week, our lesson was on believing that we are who God says we are. Here are but a few truths of what God's Word says about believers:
I AM ACCEPTED...
John 1:12 I am God's child.
John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I AM SECURE...
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I AM SIGNIFICANT...
John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
There is no room for insecurity or inferiority. We are who we are, not because of anything that we do or don't do...but because of what Jesus did for us.
Believe.
I AM ACCEPTED...
John 1:12 I am God's child.
John 15:15 As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 I am a member of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:3-8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
Colossians 1:13-14 I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:9-10 I am complete in Christ.
Hebrews 4:14-16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.
I AM SECURE...
Romans 8:1-2 I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
Romans 8:31-39 I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 I have been established, anointed and sealed by God.
Colossians 3:1-4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 1:6 I am confident that God will complete the good work He started in me.
Philippians 3:20 I am a citizen of heaven.
2 Timothy 1:7 I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind.
1 John 5:18 I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
I AM SIGNIFICANT...
John 15:5 I am a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life.
John 15:16 I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:16 I am God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
There is no room for insecurity or inferiority. We are who we are, not because of anything that we do or don't do...but because of what Jesus did for us.
Believe.
Soccer Mom
We decided to let BK join a soccer team. There are eight players on her team and they are so cute! Mike is one of the coaches. They had their first game Saturday and they won. At this age, it's not about who wins or loses to her...she is just having a ball running around playing.
It is in times like these that it hits me what a big-girl she is becoming.
It is in times like these that it hits me what a big-girl she is becoming.
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