Heart Full of Thanks -- Counting 1000 Gifts

Photo Credit

Last week reminded me of the old TV show called "The Week That Was."  Because that's just what kept going through our minds every step of the way. Comfort was found in the words of Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG):

 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;

   don't try to figure out everything on your own.

Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;

   he's the one who will keep you on track.

Once again, I'm in stopping in to share the gifts I've received with Ann Voskamp and others over at A Holy Experience.

474.  Once again for safe and quick travel to and from Yakima, WA.

475.  A community of friends who helped our family until we arrived.

476.  God's watchfulness over our own safety as we cared for Jim, lifting him and transferring him.

477.  For an up-to-date hospital and staff who cared for Jim until placement was made in a nursing facility.

478.  God's hand on all of us as we shook our fists, cried out our hearts, and moved in disbelief that Jim could no longer be at home.

479.  Acceptance that our decisions were the best fit for both Jim and Helen.

480.  A safe and loving nursing facility, with guidelines based in Scripture.

481.  Staff at that facility showing compassion and care to their patients.

482.  For a nephew who could help Helen work out a financial plan for them going forward.

483.  For friends who gathered round us all.

484.  For the prayers of family and friends.

485.  For the love of my circle of blogging friends from coast to coast who lifted hands and hearts in prayer and petition on our family's behalf.

 

And also stopping by Laura's for

And joining with L.L. Barkat for

A Quick Note

Just a quick note to say that we've been called away unexpectedly.

My husband's brother has become much worse in the last 24 hours, and our sister-in-law needs our assistance. 

As always, when God calls us, we go -- no matter what is planned, no matter what needs to be done here, no matter what we'd rather have happening.  We go.

I haven't the time to do posts for the remainder of the week, or even to consider reposts.

Just know that I'll be thinking of all of you while we're away, and would ask that if you're so inclined to please lift a prayer for safe travel going and coming and for God's hand in our efforts to be helpful caregivers.  Also, please petition God to give our family a sense of calm and peace.

Image credit: Yortw

"Fearless" Book Trailer by Eric Blehm // Story of SEAL Team SIX Operator...

Waterbrook Press has just published Fearless by Eric Blehm.  Fearless tells the story of Adam Cook, a Seal Team Six Operator in Afghanistan, and the sacrifices he made for our country.  I dare say you have a moment to watch the book trailer and learn a little more about Adam and his story as you might consider purchasing this book.

Our service men and women give up a lot day to day, as do their families.  It is our duty as responsible citizens to honor them in any way we can, but as Christians we can do that most easily by lifting them in prayer.  Won't you join me in doing that after you've watched the trailer?

Am I on My Knees Enough?

"Come, let us bow down in worship, 

let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

for he is our God and we are the people of

his pasture, the flock under his care."

~~ Psalm 95:6-7 (NIV 1984)

When was the last time I was down on my knees?  Probably to look for something that rolled under a piece of furniture.

When was the last time I bowed down in worship, even in my heart, except on Sunday mornings?  Can I even remember?

These are simple enough acts of respect and worship, and yet likely none of us commits them as often as we know we should.  Often, we give more lip service than kneeling service.

As a little girl growing up, I can remember peeking in my parents' doorway at night and seeing my mom on her knees.  Later in her mid 80s, she still got down on those knees, stiff and sore, even though it was a struggle.  The only thing that kept her from saying her prayers on her knees until her last breath was drawn was her immobility.

Why as a teenager was I embarrassed by her show of respect and humility before her Lord?  Because I didn't understand perhaps, or because I didn't want to understand.  The question begs some deep inward reflection.

Today, as a grandma and great-grandma, I pray every day but in a more comfortable position than on my knees.  Do I have an excuse for not bowing down or kneeling?  No.  

Have we, in our too fast, instant messaging, texting world reached a point where we can't even take the time to humble ourselves before our Lord and Savior to raise our petitions in prayer?  Perhaps we can hold off that next IM, Tweet or Facebook post for just a little while longer, and get down on our knees.  

After all, God just gave us His only Son, Jesus Christ, to bleed and die on a cross for our sins.  And we don't take the time to kneel and bow down?  Isn't it time we think about what we who have been saved by the Blood of the Lamb could and should be doing to say thank you?

Maybe it's time to get our knees dirty and bow our heads down low.

Photo credit:  Sprinkled Joy

 

 

 

(Psst . . . I know today's Wednesday; I'm just late getting over to Write It, Girl.)

The Gift of Intercession

This quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson says a lot about the hidden benefits and qualities of prayer.  His words indicate that much is done by prayer that no one is ever really aware of.  Indeed, answered prayer is not always obvious to us because we may be expecting another answer.

However, we have been given a special gift -- the gift of interceding for one another and even those who may be unaware of our prayers on their behalf.  Intercessory prayer is a gift given to us by God.  Often we see the gift only when we are praying for someone else.  And yet I know many times when I've been the recipient of God's blessings, healing, and understanding because of the prayers of my church family, my own family, and many friends.  In Timothy 2:1-3, Paul writes to the church about intercessory prayer:

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and
thanksgiving be made for all people—"

In many churches today, a time is reserved during the worship service for prayer requests in the form of joys and concerns.  Many church newsletters carry lists of those in need of prayer.  If we are indeed gifted with intercessory prayer, we should be making note of these needs and lifting them to God during the coming week.

Today Beck Gambill in her Thursday Sister to Sister post references Ephesians 6:18 which speaks to praying for "all the Lord's people."  These are powerful words, and we take them to heart to strengthen the family of God and to continue His work here on earth, today and tomorrow and forever.

Won't you join me over at Beck's site today and read more of Beck's post?  Linking up with her at

http://www.beckfarfromhome.blogspot.com/



A Blogger's Prayer (Compliments of Ann Voskamp)

I sit down to write.  Something, words that I don't know yet.  Because He hasn't given them to me. 

Pray.  Yes, I pray first but do I ask for what I really need to ask?  Often I've questioned how do I pray about blogging.  What words would you use to ask for help for something that may be so foreign to God?  Or does He understand technology stuff?

"Help me," I pray.  "Give me the words You want me to use."  Is this right?

Yesterday, Ann Voskamp posted a beautiful and perfect prayer for the blogger in each of us, especially if your goal is to give and write your best for God.  You can download your own copy of  "A Blogger's Prayer" at Ann's web site, A Holy Experience.  For now, here's a copy of the download:

The power of our words is immense.  No, the power of His words is immense.  He is all power, all grace, all knowledge.  We must commit ourselves, our writing, our lives to Him if we are to be called His Own.  Why not begin each blogging moment with this beautiful prayer?



Pray Unceasingly

My mama was one of four women who met when they were young wives and soon-to-be mamas.  Their friendships lasted until the first died in early 2001.  Then Mama died in October 2001, leaving two of this foursome still living.  They met in Nashville, TN, and had much in common besides being young wives and almost mamas.  Each of them had a strong faith, although they attended different denominations.  Each of them were native-born Tennesseans, but not from the same city or town.  They loved their lives and who they were. 

When those four babies were born, we became a foursome too.  While our mamas talked and chatted over lunch, we would play off to one side.  As I grew older, I would listen to their words and conversations.  It soon became apparent that they had one more thing in common -- prayer.  I could hear them asking each other to pray for this one, or that one, or some family in need, or someone in the hospital.  And the answer was always yes. 

In 1967, I married my first husband and we moved into a home not far from one of these four women.  Her name was Anne.  I could walk my baby son, born in 1971, right to her home.  And I did.  One day I asked Anne to talk with me about her prayer life.  She responded with, "There's not much to tell.  I just pray all day long."  I think I must have given her a strange look because she laughed and pointed out that she did do other things, but that if something or someone popped into her mind that was instruction from God for her to pray right then and there, even if she was driving. 

I thought about this long and hard, and with a young one on my hip and bottles and diapers (days before good disposables!) I was struggling with finding a good time to pray.  I took out my Bible and started reading about prayer.  That's when that short little verse of Scripture was shown to me:

"Pray without ceasing."

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

It isn't likely that my prayer time is constant all day long, but I do try to keep my heart and mind attuned to God's nudges, and like Anne, when someone or some issue pops into my mind during the day, I say a quiet prayer to my Heavenly Father letting Him know that I understand that He needs for us to bring prayers before Him.

No matter how you pray, just remember to pray.  God loves for us to come to Him with our needs and the needs of others.

Linking up with Beck Gambill today at



Are We THAT Old?

My husband and I have been struggling with some hip and back issues, respectively.  In a conversation last Saturday with our older son, he mentioned "dropping by" that afternoon.  I cautioned that the house he might find wouldn't be the house kept the way he remembers when living at home.  Instantly, we were offered help from son and his wife today to "help" us get caught up on things inside and out.  BAM!  That hit us both hard -- we interpreted it as a statement on our aging (we're 74 and 65!).  We've struggled this week about what to let them do as we all know that no one does things the way we do ourselves.

A friend pointed out that they are trying to do the only thing they can and know to do.  Our medical issues are beyond their control and assistance, so they are looking for a way to ease the burdens in our lives.  She is most likely correct.  We've prayed for God to shower us with gracious thoughts and attitudes today as we don't want to have hurt feelings among family, and we want to honor our son and daughter-in-law's caring nature. 

Our plan is to take them to lunch so that we can at least have some time of sharing about our recent days and weeks, and also to spend time with our son who travels out of town quite a bit in his job.  The reality is we don't see them often even though we live in the same town, so beyond the help offered this is a chance to spend quality time together. 

Father, I ask that you watch over our thoughts, words and deeds today that we will honor Craig and Gigi and their caring for us.  Give us quality time together and sharing around the table not only sustenance for our bodies but for our souls.  Amen.

Q4U:  What similar experiences have you had and how did you handle them?

God in the Jury Room

As you've probably guessed, this post has nothing to do with writing my memoir, "righting" my life, or my desire to share my experiences of same with you.  It has to do with my experience as a juror just  yesterday.  More than eight times I've been summoned for jury duty, either at the federal or state level.  Not once have I ever been seated, most likely because at the time I was employed as a legal secretary.  Attorneys don't like legal secretaries or other law firm employees sitting on their juries! 

However, now that I'm retired this was my second summons to duty, and I was seated on a six-person jury to hear a drunk driving case.  Not as exciting as some complex piece of litigation surrounding contracts or business disputes or even neighborly disputes, but important at any rate, as justice must be served. 

The prosecution and defense attorneys made opening statements, called and questioned witnesses, and then made closing arguments.  Each was convinced and had efficiently pled their case.  Now the judge has instructed the jury in its duties for finding the defendant guilty or not guilty.  Obviously, the State was hoping for a guilty verdict as one of its laws had been broken according to the Prosecuting Attorney.  On the other hand, the defendant and his attorney were hoping for a not guilty verdict.  Each had stood before us and stated the "facts" and shown us the "evidence." 

The six of us were adjourned to the jury room to deliberate.  I knew in my heart that this young man wasn't guilty based on the evidence and facts stated by the Prosecuting Attorney.  The law required that the individual charged with driving under the influence be on a public traffic way while intoxicated and that his blood alcohol at that time be 0.08%.  The Prosecuting Attorney couldn't show us that this was accurate.  Four of six jurors agreed; two were hold outs.  What to do?

I knew that God was with me yesterday; He is every day.  So, I prayed that He would take control of our deliberations and lead us to the right decision.  God's powerful presence took over that room and the minds in it, and in the end we reached a mutual decision of not guilty.  I firmly believe that God was in our decision based on the following verse of Scripture:

"Absolutely everything, ranging from small to large, as you make it a part of your

believing prayer, gets included as you lay hold of God."

Matthew 21:21 (The Message)

It is my continuing prayer that you will make everything in your life, small to large, a part of your daily prayer life.  God wants to hear our prayers.

Type A Personality and Me

I know it's likely you've probably heard more than you'd care to about Type A personality types.  Well, so I have I and I have to live with one -- ME!  I'm learning that my obsession with detail, perfection and doing it all for everyone is getting in the way of being the me I want to be.  This past year I've been trying to sort out just what the priorities in my life should be.  I think I've come up with a plan, and I'm hoping with the challenges I'm soon to face I will come out the other end successful.

First, I want to give credit to Ann Voskamp for writing the book, One Thousand Gifts.  After reading it and rereading portions of it, I began to see that I haven't been filled with a spirit of gratitude for a long time.  And that translates to I haven't been confronting God on a daily basis.  Confronting not in an oppositional way, but confronting Him to welcome His companionship as I travel this dusty road called life.  He wants to be needed; He wants to know I need Him.  In the process, God leaves me morsels daily of things to be grateful for, and I too have begun my list of "one thousand gifts."  Try it -- it will bring you such joy!

Secondly, a big thanks to Mary DeMuth for her prolific blogging, writing, and spiritual gifts.  Mary's writings are my mentoring source and my encouragement for the writing I want to do.  They are one reason I'm not in this blog as often as I probably should be.  Wanting to be a writer and being one are two entirely different things.  No two writers approach their work the same, and I'm still trying to find my niche.  Mary's works and blog are providing some of that guidance.  But the real killer here is finding time and recently Mary talked about The Pomodoro Technique and how it has helped her through difficult times.  Now, if I could just find the time to implement Pomodor's technique!

Now, I have uncovered and confessed my biggest problem -- time management.  With these tools in hand, perhaps I can capture the amount of time needed each day to do each of the important things in my life.  I need to sit down with Pomodoro's instructions for making a list and executing on it, and I need to ask God to help me as I try to accomplish managing my time.  Asking Him for what I need is one priority; spending time with Him is another.  If I put these two first with my gratitude list as three, I don't think I can possibly fail to make progress.

“Hurry with your answer, God! I'm nearly at the end of my rope. Don't turn away;
don't ignore me! That would be certain death. If you wake me each morning with the sound
of your loving voice, I'll go to sleep each night trusting in you. Point out the road I must
travel; I'm all ears, all eyes before you.  Save me from my enemies, God—
you're my only hope! Teach me how to live to please you, because you're my God.
Lead me by your blessed Spirit into cleared and level pastureland.”
Psalm 143:10 MSG