Hope of Spring

It seems like spring is just around the corner even though we are finishing up February. March typically offers us a mixture of weather, teasing us before allowing us to settle into the fresh breezes filled with the fragrant blossoms of spring. Sixty degree days are forecast for this weekend; what a delight that will be!

Even as the last snow banks of winter rest in the shadows and along the fence lines and the robins begin to arrive on our lawns, there is anticipation building in our souls. Enough winter! Come on spring! When we were in North Carolina this month they had the first signs of spring. Daffodils were blooming and the earliest trees were in bloom along the roadsides.

Spring fever has arrived. That time of eagerness for fresh beauty popping from the earth; an end to the gray, dark days of dirty streets and brownness. The anticipation of Easter coming and the joy of new birth and resurrection. Hope. What a wonderful emotion! Who can thrive or survive without hope?

"Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God." (Psalm 42:6, 11, Psalm 43:5 NIV).

No matter what weather follows the days of a new month, God will bless us with spring coming soon. Our hope in Him matters. It carries us through the dark and cold windy days that will come, no doubt. He promises hope in His Son, Jesus Christ, and that hope lifts us from our downcast souls to the heights of heaven.

May your day be filled with hope of spring and our Savior's love eternal.

Summer Camp Memories

I woke up remembering church camp and I wonder how many of you had experience with summer camps. For me it was a time of learning and growing in my faith, and a huge stretch for my shy personality. Surprisingly, I was able to make friends that became pen pals for several years.

It was a big event to prepare for, especially packing for a week. Shorts and T-shirts but some sweatshirts for the cool nights and rainy days. My Bible for sure and paper and pencils and envelopes for letters home. Even though that seems silly now, it was an important task that opened my heart to my parents, perhaps more than daily conversation.

The leaders of the camp and my group counselors became special mentors for that week. The emphasis they placed on our faith and building it was powerful. It was at church camp that I truly learned about having a relationship with Jesus. Camp learning reinforced all that I had learned in Sunday school. 

The songs I learned are still precious to me, all these years later. My Chapbook is covered with preteen and teenage doodles. It is pretty beaten up after three or four years of church camp and probably five years of church youth group use. Great hymns like "This Is My Father's World," "When Morning Gilds the Skies," "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty," "For the Beauty of the Earth," "Take My Life, and Let it Be," "O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee," and "Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart" were some of the foundational messages that we sang over and over.

We also sang "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," "Fairest Lord Jesus," "Spirit of the Living God," and short refrains like a "Round of Thanks," "Gratitude Grace," "Wesley Grace," "Dona Nobis Pacem," "Kum Ba Yah", "Let Us Break Bread Together," and fun songs like "Sarasponda" and "Green Grow the Rushes."

Summer church camp was a time of growth and I am thankful I had the opportunity to attend. I learned so much about my faith and how to express my faith. It was a blessing to me.

"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you," (James 4:8 and 10).

Grandchildren

Grandchildren are awesome. We just returned from a short visit with our youngest two grandchildren ages: almost-seven and nine. We played air hockey and football and dominos and doctor with them and read books together and hugged and laughed and cried when we left. (Maybe only one of us). But the time was so precious and valuable to both of us. We look forward to their first visit back to Iowa, since they moved, for Easter.

Piper and Graham

I am always amazed at what the children have learned and how much more they know now than when I was their age. It seems like ages are much brighter and wiser than we were as children.They are far ahead of what I could read at their age, I'm sure. And when it comes to technology, children are much smarter than I am. It is incredible what they can do.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me," (1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV).

As a grandparent I sometimes forget that my age limits my mobility and endurance. Sometimes I even think of myself as a young adult. How silly is that? I must put behind me my childish ways and be a good example to my grandchildren. I'm trying to be the best I can be but sometimes I fail.

Be wise in my advanced age and bless my grandchildren. A good thought to ponder.

#575

Indebted

"Give everyone what you owe him: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law," (Romans 13:7-8 NIV).

It is tax season. It is Presidents' Day. It is time to pay property taxes. And it is always time to love one another.

The scripture above seems applicable to this season even though it was written ages ago. It is appropriate for most times and very relevant for today. Just because Valentine's Day is past it doesn't mean we shouldn't continue to show our respect and honor and love to others.

Sometimes we get so busy with day-to-day "stuff" that takes up our time, that we forget to pause and give others the respect and honor they deserve. When was the last time you honored a Serviceperson? I have a friend who has made it her mission to bring light and compassion to the Servicepersons and their spouses at the Iowa Veterans Home. She loves her job and I know they love her back. If we see a Veteran or a current Serviceperson, let's speak up and give them a lift this week.

 Kindness and thoughtfulness can never be overused. Opening a door, letting another person go first, saying excuse me, helping someone reach something on a high shelf, being patient when stuck behind, taking someone's grocery cart back or to the cart bin, picking up what someone dropped, letting someone go ahead in a line, let someone merge, ; you get the idea. Maybe you can do something for a neighbor this week, or surprise someone who is shut-in with a visit, or pay for the person behind you at the fast food line.

If we all did just one thing this week, that would be a lot of blessings making a difference in our world. Being kind has a ripple effect. Showing love and kindness is what Jesus intends for us to do, I believe.

Let's start a ripple today.

True Love

Hint, hint. Tomorrow is Valentines’ Day!

It is a day for gushy sweet talk, heart-shaped candy-filled boxes, bouquets of flowers, loving kisses and pretty Valentines. What is your favorite Valentine memory? I remember John gave me a big pink poodle for our first Valentines Day.

In our years of plenty, my wonderful husband lavished me with huge bouquets of roses when I was working. Everyone in my office got to enjoy the fragrance and the beauty. I was sincerely spoiled.

It is fun to celebrate love, even when it is as old as ours… 47 years in October. 

But, there is love even greater than the love of a couple. That’s the love God gives us because He created us. God loves us because we are His children. He put the finishing touches on each individual, making each one uniquely His.

“⁸The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love…¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; ¹⁷But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Psalm 103:8, 11, 17 NIV).

We are blessed to have a loving God who looks past our weaknesses and sees who He planned for us to be. God sent His Son to be an example of His love, to teach us and show us true love for one another.

Tomorrow is a day for love but everyday is a day for true love. Let our hearts burst forth to show love to others - just as Jesus taught us.

Counting Sheep

It is a quiet early morning and I have prayed for inspiration from God. I always ask for guidance with my blog. I am surrounded by part of my collection of sheep. Some of my favorites are in my office. I want what to do with them all when we downsize again in a few years. At one time John counted my sheep and I believe it was over 300. That was about 10 years ago.

I started collecting sheep because they remind me of my Great Shepherd, Jesus Christ. I researched scriptures on sheep and began to create my own Christmas cards using them. I did that for many years. Then we started raising sheep (live animals) and I was hooked on collecting sheep. Anything with a sheep on it became a desired item.

I love the reminders they give me. That I am a sheep and I have a holy shepherd who watches over me, protecting me, guiding me. I love the 23rd Psalm..."The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever," (Psalm 23:1-6 NIV).

Though my memory speaks the King James version of this scripture, every version of the scripture holds its own beauty. Each time I read it, I am comforted. This scripture has to be one of the most loved and perhaps most memorized scriptures of the Bible.

Today I hope the 23rd Psalm brings you peace and hope. I only have to look around my room to find reminders of this scripture and many other verses on sheep and shepherds. I pray you will see your own reminders of our Lord and Savior that will lead you through the day. God bless you.

My Instant Access Savior

I may be the only person who still writes checks to pay bills. I know it is rather "old school", but I just haven't made the switch. Electronic checking or whatever it is called mystifies me. I know I could do it easily enough but it seems like it is putting the control in someone else's hands. Do you feel that way? How did you get past that?

What a silly topic for a blog this morning. I'm glad I can still control my prayers. That is one thing that won't get electronified. Talking to God doesn't require passwords or usernames. It doesn't take a computer or iPad, though I recently learned there is an app to help notify you of prayers throughout the day. That's pretty cool, but it isn't required. I'm glad I can just stop whatever I'm doing and talk to God from my heart. I know that He hears me. He gives me instant access.

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayers," (Psalm 4:1 NIV).

Throughout the day there are things I need to talk to God about and I do. He is my friend, with a listening ear. He is my bouncing wall where I can go to Him with ideas that may not be good and He will let me know that. He is my comforter, my disciplining parent, my gracious Lord, filled with compassion and love.

I'm glad God is always there for me in times of trouble and ordinary days with dilemmas and puzzles of life. I may not sign up for electronic checking but my automatic Savior is always there for me. He gave His life for me and I'm so grateful!

Sing A New Song

It is a new month and a new week. And a new beginning for some of my friends whose gym and pool closed on Friday. It was sad saying goodbye, not knowing if we would see each other again since our paths only crossed at the pool for aqua aerobics. Some are moving to the community Y today but not everyone. It will be different. There will be new people to meet and it won't be the same old group of friends. Many will be missed. I will remember them all. But this is an opportunity, too.

We had been at the gym for over three years. I got to know such friendly and kind people. I will miss the hellos and the conversations. I will miss the instructors so much. I don't know what the new teachers will be like. They will be using microphones; that's different. I don't know if they have weights there to use. I don't know my way around the new area and the locker room plus I don't know who has a special spot in the new pool.

It is time to sing a new song. Stretch my wings and fly into a new chapter of experience. It can be hard but all I need to do is try.

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord," (Psalm 40:1-3 NIV).

We all have new things to try in life and it is hard sometimes. Each day brings new experiences some will be difficult, others will be easy. Take the first step with a new song to sing and all be be okay. Hopefully we will meet again back at the old pool with new owners. Time will tell.

Just sing a new song.