A Year of Blessing - March 1, 2010

I'm really not sure how this is going to go. This is the only picture I took today. At the dentist office. Where I was getting my teeth cleaned...only to find out I will be back next week for a crown on a lower right tooth followed later by a crown on an upper left tooth. Now I don't think of going to the dentist office as a blessing, but I am glad to find cracked teeth before they fall apart. I have had that happen already and it felt like I was going through a living nightmare where my teeth all fall out. Maybe you haven't had that one...

So I suppose my dentist is a blessing. I know he certainly is compassionate. And tells me when it is really necessary to have something done versus waiting awhile. This is one of those hard blessings to accept. But a blessing none the less.

Colossians 1:9-12 (The Message)

Be assured that from the first day we heard of you, we haven't stopped praying for you, asking God to give you wise minds and spirits attuned to his will, and so acquire a thorough understanding of the ways in which God works. We pray that you'll live well for the Master, making him proud of you as you work hard in his orchard. As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.

A Year of Blessing - February 28, 2010

Another month gone in 2010! Wow how time seems to fly past!

I am still amazed how God can take my thoughts and transform them into a blessing He is wanting to give me. I am becoming more trusting of His guidance toward what He wants versus what I expect. Not all blessings are warm fuzzy feeling blessings. Some are really hard. And some are quite painful. All are blessing and call me deeper into a relationship with Abba.

Thank you, Father, for the blessing of February!

Luke 17:20-21 (The Message)

Jesus, grilled by the Pharisees on when the kingdom of God would come, answered, "The kingdom of God doesn't come by counting the days on the calendar. Nor when someone says, 'Look here!' or, 'There it is!' And why? Because God's kingdom is already among you."

A Year of Blessing - February 27, 2010

The men of our church have a special evening they honor the women of our church. It is precious to see these guys dressed in white shirts, black slacks and ties come wheeling into the fellowship hall with trays on their hands to the tune "Be Our Guest!" from Beauty and the Beast! Some of them have practiced songs or skits for hours...I mean weeks...for our entertainment!

They choose one or two ladies each year to honor specially for their service and devotion to others. It's touching to see them read accolades and give flowers. The guys can be serious when they honor us, too, and it is all the more meaningful knowing they put thought and time into a wonderful evening!

Oh, and I almost forgot the food! Mmm mmm good!

Thank you, guys, for blessing us and letting us have a night to dress up and have a ball!

Romans 12:9-11 (New International Version)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

A Year of Blessing - February 26, 2010

Just look at those angels! You couldn't tell they had been screaming and fighting just moments before this picture was taken. But as soon as I said, "Can I get a picture of you three?" they put their heads together and put smiles on their faces. I wish I could say it lasted all the way to their home, but I knew they could behave now, and reminded them of it whenever they got loud.

Oh! that is SO like me. I need reminding, sometimes moment to moment, that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit I possess. Not one I hope for, pray for, or even work for. I have it inside me. All I have to do is allow the Spirit to work it from the inside of me, to the outside of me, where my smile and attitude can show that Jesus abides in me, and I in Him.

The blessing of a bunch of rowdy boys!

Galatians 5:22-23 (New International Version)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

A Year of Blessing - February 25, 2010

My baby turned 25 today! How did that happen? It was just yesterday he learned to fold origami birds and took them to his first grade teacher. Now his first grade teacher is teaching my grand daughter!!

Derek: How blessed I am to have you as a son. You are so gentle. Intelligent. Kind to a fault! I am proud of you in many many ways! You love your nephews and niece and take great care with them! You have overcome a lot being the youngest of our family. I miss the times of making spaghetti with you, building flowerbeds and fountains, shooting Nerf guns at eat other, and how can I forget the mine bombs?

Happy 1/2 of 50 birthday, dear Derek!! You are still my favorite! And I found where you hid the angel...

Psalm 127:2-4 (The Message)

If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks.
If God doesn't guard the city,
the night watchman might as well nap.
It's useless to rise early and go to bed late,
and work your worried fingers to the bone.
Don't you know he enjoys
giving rest to those he loves?

Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.

A Year of Blessing - February 24, 2010

Temptation. I am back on Weight Watchers. I am doing great! Why did I have to get these? They aren't even mine! I got them for someone else! But they wouldn't mind if I had one cookie. I am using my own gas to bring them home. They wouldn't mind then if I had another, right? They are a really great friend! And I will tell them that too! And three cookies would be alright...

I could really find a blessing in eating three cookies...but I think it will be a greater blessing to keep the box closed.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message)

No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it.

A Year of Blessing - February 23, 2010

Hmmmm....construction on Oklahoma roads are like a Dandelion in a field...one good breeze and the whole place is covered with them!

But dear Terry Rush once said in a sermon that construction meant improvement and should be exciting...ok...I'm excited.

And I have a bent wheel on my car from a pot hole...

So here's a cheer for the blessing of construction: not only does it slow down my hectic life, but it's improving my maze running skills!

Psalm 25:5-7 (The Message)

Take me by the hand;
Lead me down the path of truth.
You are my Savior, aren't you?

Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God;
Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

Forget that I sowed wild oats;
Mark me with your sign of love.
Plan only the best for me, God!

A Year of Blessing - February 22, 2010

Sometimes it is hard to see the blessings. Right now is one of them. Oh I know I can choose to see all the 'common' blessings: food, clothing, etc. But I am learning to search the day for the special. For the uncommon. For the one that the Lord sets before me...just for me.

You see, Kaleb is back in the hospital. He took his favorite toy, Platty the platypus, with him. When I go to play with K, Platty acts out some of the medical stuff Kaleb is going through himself. Today, Platty talked about blood draws, breathing treatments, and IV's with the 'Monster IV Machine'. He attacked the IV machine, somehow avoided the blood draw, and decided the breathing treatments were just something to do. After this, Platty went on to become friends with some aliens...and the medical disclosure was ended.

My heart breaks for Kaleb, his sister, his dad, his mom. Kristi endures what no mother should as her son endures what no child should. David and Hannah try to keep on a 'normal' schedule while they are gone, but that in itself is a struggle. I feel totally helpless and very unhelpful. At the same time, I love the time I get to spend with Kaleb and Kristi.

So what is that 'God given' blessing in all of the heartbreaking reality? I suppose it is the humility I feel in the presence of Kaleb and Kristi. Their dependence on God, their endurance, perseverance, and striving for joy in the middle of the awful. They give praise to Him. In all of this. They don't depend on their own strength, but on the one who knows what the future holds and is strong enough to carry them through it. I am humbled. And I love them, dearly.

Romans 5:1-5 (New International Version)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.