Remembrance

On Thursday we traveled to Liscomb and Marshalltown to place flowers on the graves of our parents, grandparents, and my brother. It is always a sad day, yet we know that they are in a better place and all of their suffering is gone. Life changed for us after each death, never to be the same again.

Today, I also think of all the military servicepersons who have committed their lives to protecting and defending our country and its freedoms. So many men and women have given their lives in battle or in training. For them I give thanks and remember. I'm thankful for all who are serving now also and ask God to protect them and keep them safe.

As the flag flies all over the country today on this Memorial Day, let us remember.

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes," (Revelation 7:17 NIV).

Stepping Into the Light

One of the first life steps for those in the United States is high school graduation. I have a granddaughter who has reached this stepping stone this week. On Saturday friends and relatives will celebrate Payton's achievement and on Sunday she will don a cap and gown and shift that tassel over to make it official! For my son and his family, this is their first graduate. Everyone is excited and so very proud of the young woman Payton has become.

I wanted to wait until Monday to write this blog about Payton because I anticipate more things to celebrate that I don't know about right now. But Monday is Memorial Day so that will be the topic, of course.

Payton has taken several college courses while in high school and has been active in cross country, track and orchestra. She plays the violin. At her final concert Monday, she received the Director's Award for her leadership, dedication and devotion to the orchestra and the director.

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them," (Isaiah 42:16 NIV). 

In the fall, Payton will travel to Arizona to attend college, majoring in nursing. She has a very caring and compassionate spirit that will be a true benefit in all the days ahead and in everything she does. Congratulations, Payton!

Make Me Worthy

It's Monday morning and a new week has begun. It's a busy week for us. Family is coming from Virginia and Arkansas for the graduation of our granddaughter Payton. We have much to be thankful for. The week will be busier than most and more exciting than most. 

As a Christian I try to be worthy of God's calling, even when I don't really understand what that is for me, especially in these retirement years. I want to live a life that pleases God and one that fulfills God's purpose for me every day.

In the following scripture, Paul writes a second letter to the young church in Thessalonica and to all believers, encouraging them to keep working. Some people there had stopped spreading the Word of God because they felt the second coming of Christ was here. To me, it is a beautiful prayer that I will make personal.

"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ," (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV). 

Lord, help me be worthy of Your calling every day, no matter how busy life gets. Help me fulfill Your purpose for me and strengthen my faith. Let me glorify You in all that I do and say. Amen.

Crickets

Several years ago my husband introduced me to "crickets," the sound that echos within your ears behind all other sounds. Have your ever noticed this sound? I had not until John brought it to my attention.

This is a good time of year to listen for the "crickets" because there aren't the bug crickets chirping yet. I don't know what a hearing specialist would say about our "crickets". Perhaps there is a name for this phenomenon that I don't know about.

Speaking of crickets, aren't they the most annoying sound? When we lived on the farm we would undoubtedly have crickets in our basement. They are so loud! And they usually started chirping when I was trying to go to sleep. So I'd get up and try to find the cricket. It was in a place that was hard to get to. They make such a large spat when I step on them. Yuck!

The "crickets" in my ears aren't annoying. It is a rather calming, soothing sound that disappears into the background when I am listening to something else. Can you hear them?

"He who has ears, let him hear," (Matthew 11:15 NIV). 

Lord, thank you for the sounds we hear. Help us to notice the variety of voices, music, pounding, chatter, water splashing, airplanes overhead, shutting, traffic, children playing, pages turning and on and on. We thank you for our hearing and we rejoice in the sounds of praising You. And thank you for the "crickets." Amen.

The Blessing of Mothers

Blessings to all mothers! To those new moms cuddling their tiny babies, watching them grow and change right before their eyes; to those trying to become mothers but it just isn't happening; to mothers who stay home to care for their children and those who work and mother at the same time; to the mothers of children in activities who spent much of their time in the car running; to those moms who are reaching a milestone with their child - driver's license, graduation, marriage, graduation from college; to mothers who are far from their children and grandchildren; to those mothers now being cared for by their children - happy mothers' day!

I lost my mother nearly 24 years ago. I still long to talk to her, to tell her things that are happening in the family, ask her questions, or just spend time with her. My mother was always in the kitchen. Her gifts were making food to gift to someone else or feeding whoever stopped by to see her. She always had something ready for a guest, until her health failed. I miss her still.

"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture," (Psalm 100:1-3 NIV).

Lord God, I ask Your blessing on each mother today. Please continue to watch over our mothers and show them your love. Thank you for the blessing of mothers. Amen.

Think on These Things

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things," (Philippians 4:8 NIV). 

This scripture is the perfect way to start your day in positivity. Some days my attitude requires more adjusting than others. I surround myself with things I love. That makes it easier to feel happy. Still I struggle sometimes.

This verse directs the mind to things that are good to think about. Spring is the perfect time to find lovely things to admire. The grass is so green. All the leaves are fresh and new. Flowers pop up everywhere.

Think about these things: what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy! Ponder the good in our world; the things for which we are thankful.

Thank you, God, for all the blessings in our lives. Bring to our minds the things we take for granted or overlook. Help us to see all the good things that surround us. And let us give you our thanks. Amen. 

A New Life

When I was a teenager my parents agreed to have a young man from Jordan come stay with us and attend high school. Ali was my brother-in-law's nephew and his English was a little rough. He was placed in 11th grade located in the high school, while I was in 9th grade located in another building. 

Ali struggled with his written English and his subjects, but his teachers were helpful in providing study partners. Every night we would work with him on anything he didn't understand. It was too much all at once, but he tried very hard. I think his uncle moved him out of Iowa after one semester. So Ali had more adjustments to make.

Ali eventually succeeded and came back to Iowa to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic. He ran a practice near Buffalo, New York that he is ready to retire from. We still stay in touch as brother and sister.

"He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant," (Psalm 25:9-10 NIV).

Ali became a Catholic when he married his wife and still remembers the hymns we sang at our small country church. He holds firm to his faith, even now.

Playing Around

Parks and playgrounds are full of people this week. The weather is finally nice and the wind is calmer, yea! Everyone is anxious to enjoy the outdoors. I love watching the children play in parks. 

The equipment is so different than what I played on as a child. We had swings, slides, merry-go-rounds and jungle gyms. There was a lot of metal when I was growing up. Now there is a lot of molded plastic and rubber surfaces to keep the children safe. Merry-go-rounds are nearly extinct because of the danger of riding one.

There were plenty of cuts and bruises in my day, but I would guess there are still some accidents that happen on the playground though all the efforts to eliminate dangers.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life -- of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall," (Psalm 27:1-2 NIV).

My favorite playground equipment is the swing. I still love to swing. One of my favorite memories is swinging with my granddaughter in Jesper Park. What was/is your favorite thing to play on in a playground?

May you enjoy this playground weather and remember the Lord is our protector whatever danger we face.

Guarding the Nest

It is nesting time for the geese all over Ankeny and perhaps beyond. Nearly every street has a pair of geese hunkered down on a nest. The gander is protective to a point of danger if you draw too close. He carefully guards the nest, keeping all other geese away. 

"But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm," (Proverbs 1:33 NIV).

God is our protector. He watches over us and guards us from evil. He is our security, always there for us when we need Him.

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety," (Psalm 4:8 NIV).

God is a loving Father whom we can trust. Sleep in peace for God alone oversees all.

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear!" (Psalm 46:1, 2a NIV).

Thank you, God, for being our Father who loves us and watches over us. Thank you for sheltering over us and standing beside us. Thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in us. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to the cross to save us from our sins. In gratitude and in Jesus' name we pray. Amen.