The Good and Perfect Gift

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

2 Timothy 1:9
He has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.  This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time . . .

Eldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, and youngest, Alexandra Nancy, have birthdays exactly five years and two days apart, July 21 and July 23.  So this past Saturday, we celebrate the milestones of ages seven and two with one big party for both girls.

Virginia wastes no time getting her party groove on.

Alexandra, however, is much more interested in playing with toy cars than wondering what could possibly be wrapped up for her in the big box behind her.  (Note the Elmo paper - Alexandra is crazy about "Momo" as she calls him.)

Savannah Jane, flaunting her new hair barrettes, opts not to wear a party hat.  This speaks volumes about her personality!

We all sit down to eat lunch, and Virginia shows great restraint in not asking when she can open her gifts.  But when the time finally arrives, she's on it like a fly on honey!

Thrilled with the $5 from her Nonna (Danny's mom).

Virginia loves this book about the space shuttle; she is really into science!

And what's this?  Wow!  A gift card to Catch Air, an indoor playground, from her Nana (my mom).  All three sisters can enjoy this with her!

Silly face when Virginia opens the checkers game from her Uncle Daniel.

And she's all smiles when she unwraps the shirt we had made for her.

Now it's Alexandra's turn.  She's not quite getting the hang of this unwrapping business, preferring to wave the tissue paper than see what's actually inside the box.

When Alexandra discovers the shoes, she can't wait to put them on.  Aren't they the cutest?

Alexandra's sisters strip the Elmo paper off while she looks on.

What could it possibly be?  Daddy pulls something large and red out of it.

Why, it's an Elmo chair!!!

Alexandra takes to it right away.

Whoa!  This is comfy!  Can somebody turn on the TV and bring me my bottle?

Alexandra is so enamored with her new chair, she can care less when it's time to blow out the candle on her cupcake.  Savannah happily steps up to the task.

Yep, Gammie, these are mighty good!

You're Number One, Gammie!

Yes, it would seem we nailed it in getting good and perfect gifts for Virginia and Alexandra.  But it never needs to be a birthday, Christmas or other special occasion for the Father of the heavenly lights to lavish His gift of grace upon us.  It is given freely in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time . . .

Think about that for a moment.  From the beginning of time.  Can you wrap your head around that?

I know I can't.

The good news is, I don't have to.  And neither do you.

It's there to be unwrapped and cherished every moment of every day.

THE good and perfect gift!

Amen!

Happy Birthday, Virginia Rose!

Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Seven years ago today, our oldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, arrives, filling our lives with joy and our hearts with love.  My, sweet girl, it doesn't seem possible that so much time has flown by since you were born!  So today, let's take a look back to see how much you have grown.

So tiny!

Changing by the month . . .

First Birthday - We keep wondering when you'll get hair!

Second Birthday

Third Birthday

Fourth Birthday with Racer in tow!

Fifth Birthday - a new backpack to start kindergarten

Sixth Birthday - celebrated at the beach with your Mom and Dad, aunts, uncles and cousins

But we celebrate when you get back home.

And here you are at VBS, a mere month away from turning seven!

Happy Birthday, Virginia Rose!  Never forget that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that God loves you always!

And you did grow that hair after all, didn't you?

My Prayer Corner

Acts 2:42
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Do you have a special place in your home set aside for Bible/devotional reading and prayer?

I do. That is until my son moves in with us last year, and is given the spare bedroom where I've set up shop.  Do I miss it?  Definitely!  I so like having a dedicated space for home worship and study.

But I work it out.  Sometimes, I'm at our dining room table.  Other days, weather permitting, I sit on our back deck, a delightful venue where I'm surrounded by forest and bird songs.

Still.  It's not quite the same . . .

It isn't until I decide several weeks ago to stand, instead of sit, at my computer desk, that I'm given a revelation.  In looking for spot in our living room to stash the chair, an underutilized corner catches my eye.  The space is too small for an armchair or rocker, but it's the perfect fit for this chair!

And the window seats provide the means to set up what I now call my Prayer Corner.  No, it's not fancy, but everything I need to spend quiet time with God is here.

My Bible and notebook for reflecting on Scripture

My current devotional and Prayer/Thankfulness Journal

And a whole host of gentle reminders that the Lord is near.

Don't you just love this bookmark?

Kneeling Angel

The Risen Lord

Inspirational Messages

And of course, my Walk to Emmaus rooster!

How I love my new Prayer Corner!

And I hope, if you don't have a devoted area in your home for daily communion with God, that you will consider creating one.

If you do have a spot already set aside, I hope you will describe, in the comments section, the sanctuary you've created as an inspiration to others.

May God bless and keep you all!

Amen!

Rave Reviews!

Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Not long ago, I hold a give-away here at Meditations of My Heart for my first book in The Glade Series, A Trip, a Tryst and a Terror.  One of the many takers is Pamela Steiner who blogs regularly over at Closed Doors, Open Windows.  I find her posts always uplifting, encouraging and inspiring, and we have become fast friends through our blogging relationship.

So imagine my delight when Pamela reviews my first three novels on her blog!!!  Did she make my day?  You better believe it!

In light of this, instead of writing my own post today, I'm linking you to Pamela's latest review for The Moment of Truth.  She has added links at the bottom of this blog so you can easily view her previous posts on A Trip, a Tryst and a Terror and Children in the Garden.

My prayer is that you will visit Pamela here to read and enjoy her rave reviews and thoughtful insights.  I guarantee, you will be both encouraged and richly blessed.

Thank you, Pamela!  Love and blessings!

The Canon of Grace

Galatians 2:20-21
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

I am watching a touching video shared by a Facebook friend when I notice that my husband, Danny, has drawn close to watch with me.  As I turn toward him, out of the corner of my eye, I spy a wrapped package sitting on our dining room table.  It is my son, Daniel's, birthday today, and my first reaction is to assume Danny has added yet another gift to those we've already given him.

I am wrong.

When I inquire about it, Danny says, "It's something for you."

"But it's not my birthday," I counter.  "Why a gift?"

"Why not?"  Danny asks.  "Can't I give you something just because?"

The tears already generated by the moving video no flow even more freely at the unexpected delight and anticipation of what could possibly lay beneath the festive wrappings.  But it's the note from Danny that I read before opening the gift that frees the flood gates.

You will say that I shouldn't have bought you anything, you don't need this, but it isn't about any of that stuff.  It's about thanking you for all you have done since last March.  You gave up vacation, you tended to me in two hospitals, you drove my car down a four-lane highway, you stayed by yourself under duress in a strange city in a strange hotel, you were brave during surgeries, you were my doctor and gave me meds.  You were there through everything, so yes, you deserve this.  I love you so much for who you are every day.  I'll explain the gift when you open it, but actually you DO need this and deserve this.  I couldn't find a card that said what I wanted to, so better to simply write this note.
Best of my love,
Danny

Okay, I'm breaking the Guiness Book of World Records in how many tissues can be used up in a minute.  How could I have possibly done, with God's help all the way, anything less than what I did for this man I love and treasure?  There is no gift necessary.  None deserved!  What can this gift possibly be?

Time to open and discover . . .

A Canon camera!!!  Lightweight, easy to use from the get-go, and incredible zoom lens power for all those wildlife shots I've been longing to take!  What a welcome reprieve from my limited phone camera!

An undeserved gift, no matter what Danny declares.

And God's grace is like that.

It is not a gift to be set aside, but opened joyfully and expectantly.

It is not a gift to be taken lightly, because we know the sacrificial gift of Christ Jesus who love us and offered Himself for us, once and for all, without reservation.

It's a gift that cannot be earned, no matter how hard we try.

And no law, nor effort on our part, can alter its redeeming power.

Will you accept God's gift of grace?

Embrace it?

And know it is by grace alone that you are saved.

Amen!

~

The zoom lens proves to be absolutely amazing!  Of course, Racer informs me, on no uncertain terms, that our backyard squirrels should be the subjects of my first photo shoot.  Enjoy!