Our Days Are Numbered

 

Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. ~Psalm 90:12

Have you ever had the good fortune of seeing a Luna Moth?  We discover this one clinging to the cedar siding above our garage doors just last week.  Even though we live with towering trees in abundance, sighting a Luna Moth isn't a guarantee.  Imagine our delight when we see not one, not two, but three of these elegant creatures right in our own backyard!

While in its mature state, the Luna Moth's days are numbered.  Literally, because they cannot eat in their final stage of existence and have only ten days to live.  Its mission?  Find a mate and reproduce as quickly as possible!  Here is the link to the scientific information about this unique life cycle that I reference for this post.  Yes, you can fact check me!

I am, once again, astounded and humbled by the intricacies and details our Father in heaven sees fit and right for His creation.  We humans are not, thankfully, in such a rush to establish the legacy of progeny, but are given that much-needed time to mature and grow in His words and wisdom, that while we have breath, we can do what is possible to ensure God's will is done in our lives; His will that will leave an indelible mark on generations to come.

Will there still be events that prematurely shorten that long life we hope and pray for?  No doubt!  But when we believe in Jesus and the promise of everlasting life through Him, there is no day granted in this life that isn't filled with the purpose He intends.

May we daily give thanks to the saving grace we have in Jesus alone, and embrace whatever life, long or short, we have been given.

If you haven't yet surrendered your days to the Lord, I pray you won't waste another moment in making that commitment.  We all know too well that our days here on earth are numbered.

Amen!

Keep Calm and Pray

 

As they sailed, he fell asleep.  A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.  The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"  He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm.  "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.  In fear and amazement, they asked one another, "Who is this?  He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." ~Luke 23:25

Springtime, especially in the Midwest and Southeastern states, too often ushers in bouts of violent weather as masses of warm air clash with the lingering winter cold fronts.  Danny, as some of you might already know, is a self-admitted weather geek, and has over the years, found some reliable meteorologists on YouTube he trusts.  One favorite of his is Ryan Hall at "Ryan Hall - Y'all," to which you can subscribe and stream for free.

When I tell him that my sister-in-Christ and long time "pen pal," K., could be right in the line of fire for these latest round of tornadoes, he advises that she watch Ryan on YouTube.  His steaming updates are extremely timely and accurate; in this last tornado outbreak, there were even storm chasers in Iowa to report the latest.  So exciting to have experts updating us!

Yes, K. signs up for the site, and is so thankful that we suggested she do so.  This is part of her note to us, and I paraphrase:  What meant the most to me was not just the weather information, but that Ryan's voice was so CALM (emphasis hers).  Our local meteorologists on the radio always sound so frantic when severe storms are approaching our area.  Ryan truly made it much easier to keep alert, yet peaceful inside.

Thanks be to God!

I sometimes try to imagine how Jesus' human voice sounded to His disciples, not just in commanding wind and waves to cease, but in moments of traveling through Judea as He healed the sick, both physically and spiritually, and turned those impossibilities to possibilities for those who believed He was the long-awaited Messiah.  No matter the timbre or cadence Jesus' voice had in His human manifestation, my heart tells it could calm the soul as equally as the storm.

And when we seek Him through prayer and worship, no matter what storms we are going through, He will grant us the peace that passes all understanding.  The peace that only our Lord and Savior can bring to this troubled world and our troubled hearts.

The voice of our Lord speaks to us today.  Are we listening?

Amen!

Are you or your loved ones facing a stormy time right now?  If you feel comfortable with sharing your story, please do in the comment section.  We will pray for you!

Our Grand Grands

 

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. ~Proverbs 17:6

Every year that our family visits us, the grandchildren, even Virginia, want to have an Easter egg hunt in Gammie and Papa's backyard, as Easter has either just passed or is in the offing, as it is this year.  This year is no different.  Daughter, Sarah, and I fill the sturdy and colorful plastic eggs with cash and candy, counting carefully to make sure that each girl will find an equal amount in their designated search area.  While I keep the girls occupied indoors with a game of Uno, John and Sarah, along with Danny, play the role of the Easter Bunny.

The girls are eager to begin their search and do so with pure delight.

After their successful finds, the girls open their treasures, and all siblings will do, count their money and compare the amount to that of their sisters.  How delighted they are to discover that among their haul of dollar bills, there is that "Golden Egg" with a $5 bill inside.

How we wish the whole crew could have stayed with us through Easter Sunday, but we have to say our good-byes on Holy Saturday as they all have to return to school and work.  Our prayers for their safe travels are answered by a listening and loving God, and we are so grateful to Him for all our blessings!

Did you enjoy a special Easter this year?  Feel free to tell us in the comments!

Amen!

A Walk in the Park

 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1

One of the many entertaining activities Sarah, John and the girls have while they are with us, is visiting a nearby park where their dog, Finn, can play with other dogs in the designated, fenced-in area.  Unfortunately, Danny and I have to opt out of going with them as we have to practice songs for Easter Sunday.  We give orders to take plenty of photos, and Sarah and John oblige big time!  I am so grateful that they did so I can share them here with you.

Getting ready to "unleash" Finn into the dog park.

Strolling leisurely on the many paved trails.

Mom, Sarah, with Alexandra and Savannah.

Virginia is no longer a little girl, but a poised, maturing young lady.

We're in the swing of things!  Don't ask me why Savannah and Alexandra thought they needed safety harnesses; I'm guessing they just wanted to try them out.

Mom and Dad, aka Sarah and John.

There are many more photos from our amazing time spent together, so I hope you will stay tuned!  In the meantime, be good to yourselves, get outdoors to relish God's creation all around you, and happily take that walk in the park.

Amen!

. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

 

. . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10

Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia, Savannah and Alexandra, when they were here visiting with us during their spring break last year.  The good tidings?  They are coming again in a few short days to see us!

This Gammie and Papa are beside ourselves with joy!  They will be arriving on Saturday, and won't depart for home until the following Saturday.  We will have an entire week dedicated to laughs, games, activities, and lots and lots of hugs to remember them by.

That being said, I will not be either posting or commenting on other blogs during this time.  Family is just too important to me.  I'm sure all of you out in Blogland will understand completely.

And when I do return to my blog, you can count on hearing plenty of stories and seeing lots of photos that show how our time was spent together over that week.

May each and every one of my precious readers have a reflective Holy Week, and rejoice on Easter Sunday!

Alleluia, the Lord is risen!  The Lord is risen, indeed.  Alleluia!

I Weep

 

Jesus wept. ~John 11:35

I weep for hurting souls 

Who never saw the coming

Of travesty, now mourning

The ones who suffered

I weep for the children

Who never will see light 

Of day, God's promises

Denied because of

Choices, selfish, made

I weep for those whose

Health betrayed them

When it's needed most

And in the weeping, I

See hope and grace

In Father, Son, and Holy

Spirit, Three in One.

Amen!

Tiny Droplet

 

For now, we see only a reflection as in a mirror, then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. ~1 Corinthians 13:12

Tiny droplet

Clinging After

Rain has passed

Inconsequential

Fleeting until

I stop and peer

Into its orb

Amazed to find

Whole world reflected.

Amen!

 

 

 

God's Wisdom, a Gracious Gift

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ~James 1:5

Curious about the photo above?  Danny and I buy flowers together for Valentine's Day.  While it's lovely to have cut flowers adorning our dining room table, we're aware form the moment of purchase that these will not last forever.  Danny trims and refills the water multiple times, but their fate is inevitable.  He decides to simply toss them out of the vase and into the woods; some get caught up in the tree limbs, giving the illusion that they are blooms on the tree.  Whimsical, don't you think?

The nicest part about an early spring, for me, is seeing the gorgeous daffodils come to life in our yard.  I plant most of them in late fall in the early years of our marriage.  They have faithfully blossomed every year hence, although usually in the month of March, not February.  I can recall as if it were yesterday kneeling in the leaf-covered mulch, digging holes in the ground, and carefully covering each bulb with soil, full of hope for a cheerful spring.

It's a good thing I did so then; just the thought of getting down on my knees and trying to plant either flowers or bulbs, fills me with consternation.  Would I even be able to get back up without help?  What a difference this aging process has meant for me and done to me!

Aren't they breathtakingly lovely?

And for me, today, they are an exceptional treasure.  You see, March 1st is my birthday!  Such a perfect gift!  Not that I like thinking about getting older, especially when I'm physically challenged by chores I once did with ease.  But I hope and pray that with my age has come wisdom.  God's wisdom.  Filling my heart, mind and soul.

I'd rather have God's gracious gift of wisdom and to love as He loves more than anything else I can imagine.  And to think, all we need to do is ask Him, and we will receive it from our generous Father.  He doesn't withhold any good gift, but showers us with grace and mercy at every turn.

May I live out my days with gratitude for all my blessings.

Amen!

Investments

 

Do not be wise in your own eyes;  fear the Lord and shun evil.  This will bring health to your body and nourishment for your bones. ~Proverbs 3:7-8

It seems the older I get (too quickly, I might add), the more supplements I've introduced to my body.  Although some have truly made a difference for the better, there are some with which I part ways.  Their promises for more energy and better health ring empty.

I've also ditched my daily tumeric I have been taking for joint pain, especially in my wrists.  Too much time on the keyboard?  Probably.  Instead, I've opted for this:

Danny researches this product thoroughly, and in only two weeks of taking it, I can feel a measurable improvement in pain-free mobility.  It's a win-win for me since it also helps with hair growth and skin health.  I'm already takin Nutrafol, recommended by my dermatologist, for battling thinning hair.  Who would ever think that the product, so widely advertised, would actually do the trick?

I highly recommend it to any of you who are struggling with hair loss.  However, keep in mind that is by no means inexpensive.

But in my book, Nutrafol has been a worthwhile investment for me.

Yes, good health and nutrition are the bulwarks for living our best physically, but what about spiritually?  How can we boost the quality of time we spend with God each day?

We invest.

In His Word.  In prayer.  In quiet contemplation.  In listening for and to His still, small voice.  Not just daily, but moment by moment.

And as we do, we come to realize that all our surroundings speak to the sacredness of life and living well.

(I will be reviewing Sacred Surrounding by my good friend, Jean Wise, soon!)

God is with us, for us, in us.  At all times and in all places, no matter what circumstances we face or what troubles may come.

No matter how much our joints might ache or how disheveled our hair looks, God loves us just the same.

Every one of us.

Amen!

Alpha and Omega

 

"I am the Alpha and Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." ~Revelation 1:8

Tenuous times

Temporary times

Uncertainty rules

Obedient hearts 

Now wander, wonder

Pray unceasing

For closure sure

A future hope

In faith reveals

A promise made

A promise kept

He is the Alpha

And Omega

Today, forever.

Amen!

Just Then, the Bed Broke!

 

In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. ~1 Timothy 6:19

My grandmother, whom I called Nana, had a unique way of always looking on the bright side of things, no matter what the circumstances.  She had a favorite saying when it appeared as though everything was going downhill fast: "Just then, the bed broke."  In other words, life happens in ways we least expect, and we have no other choice but to go along for the ride.

One time, when we were visiting her and my Grandpa, Nana had all of the grandchildren piled on one of the beds, giggling, bouncing, and creating genial chaos when, lo and behold, the bed actually broke!  We kids were momentarily shocked and dismayed at what our rambunctiousness had seemingly caused, until Nana, with her ready smile, declared, "Just the the bed broke!"  Oh, how we screeched with laughter and relief!  No one was going to get in trouble that day.

I wish I'd inherited more of my Nana's indominable spirit.  The other night around 3:00 in the morning, our bed frame gave way out of the blue.  Can you see it listing in the photo above?  The slope it created made it impossible to sleep there.  Danny takes the small double bed in our guest room.

I take the living room couch, where I'm used to taking my naps.

We weather the night fine, but when morning dawns, we are left with an unexpected dilemma - how are we going to remove the damaged frame to allow the bed and box spring to rest on the floor itself.  Because of his recent surgery, Danny is prohibited from moving or lifting anything heavy with his right arm.  Our thoughts turn to Nicco for help, but we quickly realize this is too big of a job for him to do successfully on his own.  The bed is just too cumbersome for any one person to maneuver.

Danny wonders if some new friends from church might be able to help.  They've been checking in on us since the recent incident, and as soon as we contact them, dad, Matt, and son, Joe assure us they'd be glad to help out.

Such a welcome turn of events!  In no time, it seems, the three guys dismantle the frame, move it to another room that can easily store it, and put our bed to rights for the time being.  Once again, we have a firm foundation upon which to thankfully enjoy a rejuvenating night's sleep.

Our bodies certainly need a firm foundation, but so do our souls.  Are you depending upon Jesus for that flawless foundation He has prepared for all of us?  It is there where we can grab hold to the life that is truly life, and rest peacefully in His arms.  No bed can break there!

Amen!