Distress Signal

Recently I was floating on the lake and chatting with a friend. We looked like a couple of geese as we were soaking in the sun, and as girlfriends often do, we were reflecting on some deep wounds and how they have affected us in our lives when we were young and how our personal characters have been sculpted because of these emotional and difficult, and sometimes painful events in our lives. I was surprised as she described me as an angry person back when, though as any girlfriend would do, she was quick to tell me, how much I have changed. I have to say for a split second…

I Felt A Little Angry!

Of all the character descriptions, that would not have been the one I would like to be remembered as, however I appreciated her keeping it real. I know that some of my deep wounds have required a long period of healing, but as I thought about it she was right. I was sending out “distress signals" back then, but they were easily misunderstood. What I have learned is that, anger is a very necessary step in working through pain of deep emotional injury from another. Anger, (without vengeance) is God’s mechanism for protecting us when we have been hurt by another. My point is this, when I was in distress and had no escape from my pain, I took it directly to God and He listened. I just love the thought of God bending down and listening, don't you?

From the Lord comes my deliverance!

~ Psalms 3:8

BABY BOY!

My heart is filled with overwhelming joy and anticipation in the arrival of two new grandsons. I haven't met our little boys yet, but I love them so much.

BABY BOY!

I am flooded with memories of raising my own son, and the FUN we had growing up together. I didn't have an owners manual when he entered the world, wish I would have. You see, he was my first. By the time my daughter came along, I wasn't so uptight and had figured out a few things, thanks to the support of my mother-in-law and her amazing sisters who would laugh at me when I would call about a crisis I was having that day!

Now, I can't wait till I hold these little boys, one is due in September and the other in November. I pray for their safe arrival, and I pray that I can be instrumental in them having a relationship with their Creator. I pray that I can be an example and be of encouragement for them to live wisely in all they do.

Where Are You?

 

Yesterday, my little cat Sunny was locked out of the house accidentally. I found myself feeling a little sad at the thought that I may not find her. She has always been an indoor cat, and isn't familiar with the outside world. I just kept going to the front door and calling her name, and whispering little prayers that she would find her way home.

"Sunny, Where Are You?"

I kept searching in all her favorite hiding places inside our home in case she was ignoring me. Anyone who has had a cat knows what I am talking about, they can ignore you all day if they choose too. I found myself going to one of my favorite pictures of my daughter holding my dear Sunny. Well that night, I decided I would wait-up all night by the door if I had to, and wait patiently for her to return. It was about 20 degrees that evening, so I put on my warmest jacket, my Ugg boots, gloves, scarf, and cracked the door open, and sat there calling for her. As I sat there calling her, I was reminded how much our Heavenly Father loves us, calls us, and how patiently HE waits for us, it is never too late to come home. After what seemed like the longest night, little Sunny came walking in the door. She was cold and hungry, but ever so grateful to be home and see me, by the sound of her purring. Well we rejoiced and celebrated at the return of our furry friend, and called all family members that had worried with us. We held her tight, gave her kisses, checked her thoroughly to make sure she wasn't injured. I can only imagine the celebration we'll have when we see our Heavenly Father who waits patiently for us with HIS open arms? Can you?

Angel Wings

 

“I love the angel wings, Grammi!”  I quickly looked up as one of my little granddaughters proclaimed with excitement.  Could it be she really was seeing heavenly hosts in my living room?  There was no way my home could be good enough to entertain a majestic visitor!  My eyes scanned the room with such precision that only Grammi’s possess, but I couldn’t see anything. For a split second I was a little bit afraid of where this might be going, and I was reluctant to encourage the imaginary intelligence of this little precocious preschooler.  She caught me scanning the room and once again she proclaimed,  

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they?” 

Well, by then I was convinced only she had been given the ability to see what I couldn’t.  I asked her, “You see angel wings?”  With an assured confidence, she nodded yes. I delicately asked her, “Can you show Grammi where the angel wings are?”  Without any hesitation she points in the direction of the piano, and there it was.  I could it see through the eyes of a child, the “Angel Wings” were nothing more than a crystal bowl I received as a wedding present from my best friends many years ago.  But now I see it completely different.   That day I realized I WAS in the presence of three little angels staying at Grammi’s, but I was also reminded as clearly as the crystal bowl that we are to continue to love each other with true Christian love.  Not forgetting to show hospitality to strangers, neighbors, co workers, or friends that need HIS love.    

Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this

Have entertained angels without realizing it!

- Hebrews 13:2

Deadly Disclosures

So, I’ve been sick with a cold and sinus bug, but I have to tell you, I couldn’t put it down! This book is intriguing and full of suspense! I just finished reading the first book in series of three Dinah Harris mystery books, written by the Australian writer Julie Cave. 


Set in the most powerful city, Washington DC, there are people willing to kill for secrets that could change the very foundation and principals of which this great country was founded on, with unknown catastrophic results. And there is one person, Thomas Whitfield, Secretary of the Smithsonian, willing to die to expose the undeniable truth of our Creator. This suspense-filled fiction is combined with stunning revelations of intrigue and conspiracies. Great description of the characters and the author brilliantly entwines their connection, with a few revealing surprises at the end. 


The battle still continues between evolutionists and Christianity and how science is pivotal in this argument. A must read book; you will love Dinah Harris, the FBI agent who struggles with her own shortcomings and experiences the redemptive power of Christ. Visit her website @ julie cave.com Let me know what you think!

RIP My Friend, RH "Bob" Hawkins, Sr. (1922-2010)

This week I learned that one of my bosses from a long time ago graduated from this life and is now at home with his Lord and Savior after a long and arduous struggle with Parkinson’s disease. I don’t begin to understand why people come into our lives, sometimes for a season, but this remarkable man and his wife, Shirley made a deep and lasting impression on my life. His dedication to “helping the hurts of people” was clearly evident in his enthusiastic approach to doing the work of the Lord. Some people are chosen to serve and honor the Kingdom, and Bob was one of them. He sowed many, many seeds through the thousands of books he published and sold with unsurpassed passion. I can see his great smile and the way his face lit up with excitement when a galley came in. That season, when I went to work for him at Harvest House Publishers, I was one of those broken and hurting people. I was able to see and learn more about Gods unfailing love, and hope that was available to me by God’s grace. Being young, I had no idea what a giant this man was in the Christian publishing industry, all I know is that I am so blessed to have known Bob Hawkins and to be a first hand witness on his bold approach in working on things that are eternal, what an inspiration!

Be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord’s work,
for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

- 1 Corinthians 15:58

God's Sovereign Majesty

Even in the gloomiest of winter's day,

the brilliance of His Presence is worthy of praise!