Go the Extra Mile

Matthew 5:41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

I am in dire need of new gym shoes.  The last pair I buy from Payless Shoes, before they go out of business, turn as bankrupt on me as does their source in the market.  I've never seen a hole in the big toe area erupt so fast in any shoe I've ever owned!

My husband, Danny, is always thoughtful and empathetic whenever I voice a need or a want.  He knows I dislike having to shop outside of the internet.  And he knows I've been wanting to replace my shoes.  So, when he makes his monthly trek to Costco, he is sure he has hit pay dirt when he finds these Fila's.

Yes, they are my size, but will they truly fit?  I think so at first when I try them on, but after one trip to the gym, I change my tune.  I can barely go one mile, let alone two.  They are too loose in the heel, are prone to coming untied unless double-knotted, and worst of all, the imperfect fit throws my right hip totally out of whack.

Something must be done, and fast.  I slip on an old pair of shoes that I've thankfully kept, and it's off to Kohl's I go!  Blessedly, I find a pair of Sketchers that are both comfortable and affordable.  Here they are!

Still, for a day or two, my feet, tortured by the Fila's, take time to adjust to the feel of the Sketchers.  And as I reflect upon the state of discomfort while walking, I realize how much I take my feet and legs for granted.

Never again!

Thank you, Father, for strong, healthy legs and feet that allow me to be mobile and active.  May I always be willing to go that extra mile for anyone who needs me to be that friend, that neighbor, that encourager to share and carry their burdens.

Amen!

Let It Snow!

Psalm 147:16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

All winter long, our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, longs for a snowfall here in Georgia.  She recalls the generous storms of December 2017 and January of 2018.

"Are we ever going to get snow again, Gammie?" she asks plaintively.

"I can't promise you that we will," I say, "but there's always hope.  Winter is still young!"

"Then I'll keep hoping," she declares.

And miraculously, it comes to pass, that on the last full weekend Virginia spends with us before her family's move to South Carolina, God chooses to spread snow like wool!  The deluge begins around nine on Saturday morning with accumulation looming, and no sign of letting up.  Virginia is beside herself!  With the snow falling, she is out on our deck, and exploring our yard and neighborhood with her Papa.

After most of the day spent amidst descending snow, several changes of hats and gloves, building a snow "person,"

Virginia is absolutely done in, and a nap is in order.

Luckily for those of us living in Georgia, when the threat of a snowflake finds us dashing for the nearest grocery store, the gorgeous snow that graces us begins to melt almost moments after it ceases to fall.  By the next morning, Virginia doesn't even need a coat, but her snow mound testifies to the joy of the previous day.  She takes full advantage of the icy remnant to recreate yesterday's fun and excitement.

The following is a poem that came to mind as I watch her mold and throw the final snowballs.

In snow, hope unexpected

You frolic and rejoice

Imp, child beloved

Exuberance erupts

Snowball formed and thrown

At unsuspecting tree

Whose bark, resistant, holds

Already melting taunts

Temperatures will rise

The residue will fade

The tree, brave and stalwart

Will remain, remain

Amen!

In My Mind I'm Gone to Carolina

John 11:35
Jesus wept.

As I reveal in my last post, when I announce that I simply have to take a break from blogging, the support of your kind words and the promised prayers have buoyed me in ways you cannot possibly imagine.  I am grateful to all of you beyond measure.

And I feel I owe each and every one of you an explanation for my prolonged absence here.

I receive an email from my daughter, Sarah, mid-January, with the last news I ever expect to hear.  Her husband, John, has been offered a much better job opportunity in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.  She's excited about the move, but scared at the same time.  Sarah has never lived anywhere but Georgia, has always been in relatively close proximity to my husband, Danny, and me, and we've always been available when our help is needed.

Eldest granddaughter, Virginia Rose, and I are joined at the hip.  She is unabashedly my heart.  You who have consistently and faithfully followed my blog already know that.  So, my first reaction to Sarah's missive?  Retreat to the deck and dissolve into a tirade of tears.

Grief overtakes me, overwhelms me, and in the ensuing weeks, I find myself miserably dancing between all five stages of grief:  Denial; Anger; Depression; Bargaining; Acceptance.  Yes, it's an all-out pity party, with depression taking center stage.  

Whatever will I do without my girls???

As if this turn of events isn't enough of a travesty, other sad and troubling news seeps into our lives during this time.  The deaths of a mother and her still-born baby.  A dear friend diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.  A car accident which takes the lives of a beloved blogger's brother and sister-in-law.  A marriage disintegrating into divorce.

The evil one, it seems, knows exactly how and when to pull out all the stops.

Yet, I cling hard and fast to the love of God as shown through His Son, Christ Jesus.  He became one of us that our relationship with the Father could be restored.  He felt every emotion we feel, and He understands our grief and our hurts.

When we weep, Jesus weeps with us.

And that has been my comforting reminder during this excruciating chapter in my life.  I so want God to turn this painful page, but I know He will when the time is right.

Are any of you grieving a loss?  It would be my honor to pray for you.  And I would so appreciate your prayers for John, Sarah, Virginia, Savannah, and Alexandra as they begin this new adventure.

Prayers for Danny and me are welcomed, too, as our hearts are breaking.

Amen.

Redeem!

Job 1:20-21
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head.  Then he fell to the ground in worship, and said:  "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart.  The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."

Everything falls apart

When least expected

Fallout noxious

Bids death, not life

Grief overwhelming

Sorrow pummels joy

My heart is breaking

I know God is there

Yet in my soul

The chasm widens

Day by cruel day

Like Job, I beg respite

From will of God true

If in my sin these acts

Are deemed as justice

I have no defense

Redeem, oh, Lord, redeem!

Amen

~

Dear Friends,

It seems that 2020 is not starting out on a good foot for me and our family.  In light of that, I need to step back from blogging for an indefinite period of time.  If you follow me on a regular basis, you know I customarily post on Tuesdays and Fridays.  I certainly won't be dependable in that, at least during February.  I also hope you will forgive me if there are days where I don't respond to your blogs.  Just rest assured that I am thinking about you, praying for you, and loving you as brothers and sisters in Christ.

May God's blessings and favor shine in your lives!

Change

Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Change in the offing

And I resist

With all I have

Yet God bids

Put self aside

Not yours, but My

Will be done

In My time

In My place

In My love

Sufficient grace in Me

Is here

Is now

Will forever be

Amen

Different Gifts, Same God

Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.  If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

I've always loved these verses from Romans 12!  It assures me that God has provided each one of us with unique gifts and talents to develop, share and employ for His glory.

I'm so thankful my Father saw fit to grace me with a penchant for writing, has allowed me to pen and publish six novels, and now allows me, through this blog, to encourage others in their walk with the Lord.

Our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, is demonstrating, at the age of nine, how God has blessed her with artistic skills.  Just as I had a passion for books and writing as a child, Virginia loves, loves, loves to draw!  First photos shown here are ones she creates from her imagination.

And the next batch?  Virginia uses internet images to draw these creatures free hand.

Okay, friends, I know I maintain a hefty Gammie bias, but honestly, I do think these drawings display a precocious aptitude for art with Virginia.  It is my hope and prayer that she will continue to pursue her passion, polish her skills, and do it all in thankfulness for this amazing gift God has given her.

What gifts has God blessed you with?  Please share in the comments!

Amen!

Beyond, Beyond!

Psalm 121:1
I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?

I write the poem penned here toward the beginning of last year, before we had the exceedingly great joy of taking our granddaughter, Virginia Rose, for her very first visit to witness the awe and splendor of God's creation.  You can read all about our adventures beginning here.

I glimpse the mountains

When I dare

To take my eyes

Off the road

En route to fetching

Granddaughter, precious

The ridge traversed

Offers sights

In treasured dreams

Horizon promised

Met and longed for

I say, upon return

"Look to your right,

Virginia - mountains!"

"I see them, Gammie.

I want to be there!

Can we go?"

"Not today,

But someday . . ."

Lift your eyes

Unto the hills

Beyond, beyond

Salvation's come

Amen!