A Hop, a Skip and a Jump!

“Put on them, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-17

In honor of Charlie and Lucy Moses -2008-2021

It was time for our nightly stroll along our famously familiar path. I could almost let the leash go and just follow Charlie. Sister Lucy once joined us on these walks.  We both enjoyed knowing we were connected, even if it was just by a slim cord. We walked in silent companionship that only a sweet puppy can provide. Charlie always enjoyed these evening walks because he had the bunnies to himself now to chase away and keep me safe. My safety was always his concern, unless it involved me getting in the way of a piece of meat that had fallen on the floor.  After all, I was the one who chose him when I picked him and his sister, Lucy, out of the litter to come home and join our family. It was on one of our last walks that our joyful silence was interrupted by a big dog, well at least we thought it was.  A loud bark interrupted our evening stroll so we made a right turn where we always went left, and tried to find our way back on our favorite path. We had no reason to be afraid of the big dog.  

We had never even met him nor had he done anything to us, but just the thought of what was behind those bullying sounds made us never want to get close to them. We had been told never to let any big dogs move into our neighborhood, or move into theirs, much less talk to one on the street. After all they were different than us. 

But yikes, as we turned the corner and plowed right into the beast that made us shake in our bones, and we were so surprised. It was a cute little furry ball sitting in a stroller with its sweet mom pushing her along. They didn’t look like us or sound like us but they were enjoying the night in harmony just like we were as they took their stroll. What a joy to meet new people on the path. It was a joyous time together, walking toward the peace of understanding.  Much like God chose us and encouraged us to have compassionate hearts and to be kind and humble. Hearts to welcome all into our lives. They are children of God just like we are. Charlie and Lucy were special puppies in our lives. They loved everyone, except maybe squirrels and bunnies. I guess I should have them over for a play date. If we put on love, all can be bound in perfect harmony. There’s a hole in our hearts that held Charlie and Lucy, but joy in our hearts we knew them. 

Ponder with Me:

1. Are they’re any “big dogs” in your life?

2. Do all of your friends look and think like you?

3. Are there any holes in your heart from confusing relationships?

Pray with Me:

Oh O Holy one, I thank you for this walk with precious Charlie to open my eyes and gather in the surprises you send my way. You held my hand when Charlie and Lucy joined you and wiped my tears. You are always here to show me compassion, grace, and forgiveness as I live my life for you.

Feeling cherished!

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the road, your path has already been cleared.”

For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmothers Lois (dede and Gran) and your mother Eunice (Laura), and I am sure that it is in you as well.” 2 Timothy 1:5

It all started with B3. You know, the number on a Bingo card. Like every grandmother in the world, I decided our granddaughter should learn a skill that would serve her well throughout life. I thought calling out Bingo numbers might lead to a consistent Saturday afternoon gig at the old folks’ home. I had visions of her visiting me in my golden years at the most fun retirement center ever. I could just see me proudly introducing her, if I could remember her name on that day, and playing Bingo with my red, purple, or white haired gang. She would be a great addition because by then, she would be able to call out the numbers and put the number on the chart. She would be so agile she could grab any wayward ball. 

It’s unbelievable how quickly that little ball can scoot across the table and cause a scavenger hunt to ensue. It was during this scurrying around on the floor that the shocking truth was discovered. Not the B3 ball, but Mae’s announcement of “dede you’ve got a big wrinkle right there,” as she poked her little finger in the middle of my forehead. One word floated through my brain… BOTOX.

“Oh my, I guess I better take care of that,” I said. Mae replied, “Don’t worry dede, you have a lot more.” Why that was so good to know. A lot of wrinkles, just what any 68 year-old woman wants to hear. I was indeed mindful that Mae had recognized I had wrinkles a plenty, after all they were pretty obvious with her young eyes. In fact those crinkly little lines greeted me every morning when I looked in the mirror and were there to stay. It’s tricky to phrase every response to her curious little questions and comments. If I don’t think before I speak,  I hear the story traveling as it progresses down the line to her mom and dad, and sometimes it even makes to Gran, her other source of wisdom. Oh my goodness, that conversation could have gone in so many directions. Mae’s a great Bible scholar for a six year-old, even if I do say so myself.  I could have thrown the story about the lost sheep or the lost coin. Or what about the prodigal son who was lost but then found. You know, be thankful for what God gives you. All of God’s children and wrinkles are important, but no, I was trying to remember my schedule so I could work out a time to get that Botox. 

All of my precious grandchildren can remember more stuff than I forget in a day, and that is saying a lot. Teaching, guiding, sharing is so important if we want to sow seeds about Jesus for them to remember. But you know what? So is playing Bingo and chasing a rolling B3 down the stairs. I think I’ll be mindful and have fun! Jesus even managed to do it as He strolled toward his last days with His disciples. Our faith can be shown how we live our lives, whether we’re walking down the path with Jesus, or playing Bingo. And remember that precious Bible school song,  “O be careful little mouth what you say, O be careful little mouth what you say, There’s a Father above, And He’s looking down in love, So, be careful little mouth what you say.”

Blessings in the name of the Christ who is behind us, with us, and in the days to come.

Pray with Me

Precious Father,

You are with me in all things, even when my mouth speaks in ways that are not nurturing to all. Help me to be careful what I say. For I know you are looking and guiding me from above.

Rolling down the road.

“Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy.”
-Ephesians 4:24

I can just imagine the sleepy walls stretching their arms and yawning in ways they had forgotten. Slowly opening their tightly closed eyes as they examined the strange new world around them. Where was all the noise coming from? The home had been lonely for two years. No squeals from the playscape, no splashing in the pool, nothing sticky on the cabinets, or footprints on the floor. But no longer, life had returned. But my oh my, I must admit I hope the walls were snoozing during the days of remodeling and moving. I was definitely on Santa’s naughty list this year. Some moments I was sweet as my grandmas’ punch, but other times I acted like my grandpa’s bull, Amos. I was missing Christmas again this year, and not just because of Covid-19. The busy bug had entered my world and I didn’t have time for Him.

This year was busier than usual. The Christmas carols were serenading me as I sped from store to store looking for just the right color carpet or picking up extra paint. My favorite Christmas channel was on the television with its Christmas movies of love and hot chocolate, as I clicked away ordering presents on my computer, but the Holy days weren’t quite sinking in. 

The kids were coming Christmas day and it would be our first party in our new home. I was so excited as I cooked and decorated, yet dear Jesus was not in his crib in the stable. He was not close by, the stuff was, but I just kept ignoring the “Reason for the Season.” I had more Santas on display this year than nativities. That’s impossible at our house, but my baby Jesuses were in some mystery box and I just didn’t have the time to find them. It’s Jesus’ day, the Holy’s time, and I’m usually blessed to go along for the wonderful ride, but not this year. I was missing Christmas. I didn’t see any Advent services, hear Christmas choirs, or listen to inspiring sermons. I was busy, oh so very busy.

After the house became quiet again, and all the loves of our life left, the peace descended where joyful craziness had once been.  Full of expectations, as I glanced through the pictures taken I was blessed to be shown I was mistaken. 

Traditions acknowledged every moment with the Saviour, and He was in the middle of the joy, laugher, prayer and fun. He was there even though I didn’t have my morning prayers. He was there when we couldn’t go to church on Christmas Eve. He was in the midst of the TV service, we watched, it wasn’t the same, but Jesus knew He was still in the middle of my world. As I read Luke 2, the grand babies hung their verse on the tree, until Jesus birth hung before us among the sparkling lights, just like the stars that shone over the stable in Bethlehem. I could see Jesus among us. We all held our breaths when we let the “littles” hold their own candle as we sang Parker’s request, Feliz Navidad and closed with Martha’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I held out for Away in the Manger while we were blowing out the candles. Once again, our precious One was showing me His unconditional love.

Our house put on a new self as we painted and spruced it up and awakened it to an exciting new world. Ash Wednesday is February 17 , and with it a chance to live an intentional life for Him. I sure don’t want to get on the Easter Bunny’s naughty list. I want to get my “virtual” ashes on my forehead, say my Lenten prayers for 40 days, and be there when Jesus rises among us. So on Easter morning, I won’t have missed a thing, and my nature will be made new. Blessings in the name of Christ who is behind us, with us, and in the days to come.

You know this story I just shared with you is my story, not yours because we all have our own.  But if you were touched or moved by something I wrote and the Lord tapped you on the shoulder I’m thankful, if not thanks for following along.

Why don’t we ponder some thoughts that came to my mind.

Points to Ponder:

1. Have you ever missed God??

2. Has God ever surprised you?

3. What is your reason for the Christmas and Lenten season?

Pray with me: I love you Lord. You hold my hand as I w all through the busiest of days. You are there when I don’t even realize it. Only you can open the paths for me precious One. I’m slowing down just to be with you.

I hope you’ll be my walking partner as I navigate my way through a life of whimsy, grace, and a lot of love for our Savior. You can read about my adventures on this blog, Wandering the Path, or if you’d rather, join me on my podcast Wandering the Path with Debi. 

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared.”

“

“For it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

I know God is at work in me, and man oh man he has his hands full. Even my exercise schedule is in the tank, unless the babies come to visit.  Their mere existence is a deluxe workout with the biggest challenge being getting them dressed. That’s why I get up at the crack of dawn before they do to have a head start. Most are big enough now to dress themselves, but when they weren’t it was quite an adventure. Want to try my new workout that was birthed from dressing five grandkids?

Let’s rock it. Close one eye, bend over at the waist, jump up and down and button a button on your shirt. If you didn’t fall down or poke yourself in the eye and got your button in the hole, you have survived Session 1 in my new workout video, “Grandkids Rock”. Now do you get what I mean? I bet many of you have had this same workout. It’s quite an experience.

When tiny buttons emerged in my life nine years ago that is exactly what’s it was like when you try to dress them. Those miniscule little holes on their clothes that you have to shove in a tiny little button in while they wiggle away appeared. As they grew, they graduated into t-shirts and now they are able to dress themselves. It’s was a big accomplishment in their little lives but it brought a little sadness in mine. 

I wonder if Jesus feels like this at times? He works so hard to get into our hearts and then when he’s in, we just say, “I got this. I can do it myself.” That thought process has caused me a lot of grief and heartache along the way. He just wants us to let him slip in and make himself at home so we can do his will.

As God has worked in me, I have worked my way through the styles of dressing through the years. Cute short skirts and sleeveless shirts, to pants and long sleeve shirts that you roll up to stay cool, but cover up your flabby arms. If you haven’t made the transitions, get ready. You will unless you’re gifted with great genes and a great workout plan. And you guys, don’t think you haven’t done it too.  You’ve gone from cute fitted golf shirts, to roll up button downs to the standard fishing shirt in every color. If we work our way through life loving and living for our Father like we have the stages of life, we will see our blessed One when we look inside our hearts as He easily slides into the big buttons that open into our heart.

Ponder This:

1. Is anything blocking your heart?

2. Is it hard for Jesus to get in?

3. Do you have an “workout” program for Jesus?

Pray with Me:

Dear Lord of my heart,

You work so hard to get in, and all I have to do is open up my heart.

Dancing for you!

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 I hope you’ll be my walking partner as I navigate my way through a life of whimsy, grace, and a lot of love for our Savior. You can read about my adventures on this blog, Wandering the Path, or if you’d rather, join me on my podcast Wandering the Path with Debi.

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared!

“

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Who has time to do laundry when you’re changing addresses?  You’ve  gotta understand life takes on a whole new meaning when moving day approaches. I’ve been known to just pack all the dirty clothes. It’s not really a big deal, and it’s a good way to break in the new washing machine. Who has time to even think about laundry? 

Obviously  laundry was on my brain last week when I promised you we were going to talk about this exciting topic. Who knew I would be here gazing upon piles of laundry with visions of packing boxes and wrapping paper crossing my mind.  Whether I turn right or left I hear God’s voice.  Who has time to be thankful they have a roof over their head?  Who has time to be joyous when they are about to make new friends?  Who has time to sit and relish in the moment of a new adventure?  I guess that would be me.  

Those of you who know the Moses’ family know that every five years or so, our feet start itching, and moving boxes magically begin to appear in the garage.  I guess we hear the voice behind us saying, “Get moving guys.” Lake life has been fun, but God is calling us on a new journey for Him. Who is guiding us when we make these little moves?  I hate to blame them on Him, but he is my guide.  There’s nothing wrong with living life to the fullest and following where God leads you, nor is sitting in your nice comfy chair and watching the sunsets.  God leads us, he guides us, and if we follow His leading, we are on the right path.   Who has time to pray, who has time to sit with him, who has time to call on him when things get frustrating? Yep, that would be me again. There’s always time for our Lord.

He’s always on my mind and he is always on my heart.  He’s even there when I say, “Oh Lord none of these paint colors are right”!  He’s also there when I utter my prayer of thankfulness that I have a wall to paint and  talented painters whose smiles grace me each day behind their masks. I’m even thankful that I have laundry to do.

God is with me every step of the way. When I complain and whine about moving so much, it always comes back to this, “My journey has led me to make new friends along the way who have made indelible marks my life and formed me into the person I am today. As I sit and write to you today I think, “debi, you have prayers to say, laundry to do, and most of all a Jesus to sit with”. He assures me, “This is the way; walk in it.” 

Ponder This:

1.  Do you ever question God’s plans for you? 

2. What are you thankful for as you live your life?

3. How is God leading you to walk your life these days?

Pray with Me:

Dear Guide of my life,

Thank you for leading me to say yes to you. Thank you for letting me hear you and be thankful for laundry and the lives that got it dirty and those that made it just for me.

I’m turning the washing machine on!

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 I hope you’ll be my walking partner as I navigate my way through a life of whimsy, grace, and a lot of love for our Savior. You can read about my adventures on this blog, Wandering the Path, or if you’d rather, join me on my podcast Wandering the Path with Debi. 

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared

“

“ Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.  That everyone who believes may have eternal life in Him.”
–John 3: 14-15

As I sat here in my new hairdresser’s chair with my life laid out before me, I found myself more concerned about my lake hair than a stint down the river. I thought I could keep the story to myself, but no!  The kids had come for our inaugural lake weekend. I had survived rides on the inner tube, so I felt bulletproof.  I honestly thought I had put the clandestine adventure behind me, but oh no. The words spewed out of my mouth, and the dreadful saga of “Sammy the Snake” unfolded. Hold on to your seat!

Just how was I going to get rid of the victim and clean up the murder weapon? I snagged a shovel from my neighbor, that I had known for all of three weeks, and coerced her to join in this exciting escapade. After a short discussion, we took a vote and decided the best thing to do was toss the snake into the lake. (No wonder she never goes down to the lake to swim.)  While I was washing the patio and the scene of the crime began to disappear before my eyes, I suddenly became aware of the weapon I had grabbed. It was a lovely decorative cross on a stand that adorned the previously peaceful, welcoming porch. I killed the serpent with a cross!  Oh my!  With the crime scene destroyed, I could sleep soundly with peace in my heart, until now!  

I killed the serpent with the cross.  I lifted Jesus up high to all who would listen.  Because I believe in Him and want everyone to know His story.  Sometimes we are sent unusual experiences to spread His word.  It’s amazing how washing down the patio can lead to washing a heart clean.

Praise His holy name!!

Ponder This:

1. Has Jesus ever snuck up on you?  When?

2. Has Jesus’ power ever surprised you?

3.  Have you kept it to yourself, or blabbed away like me?

Pray with Me:

Dear Jesus,

You surprise me in so many ways.  Thank you for opening my eyes to see You at every turn.

-Your snake hunter

I hope you can join me next week as we do a little laundry together! You’re thrilled at the thought I’m sure. And remember as my auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared.”

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.”
– 2 Peter 1:2

It started with a simple question from my athletic sister-in-law, “Want to go for a bike ride?”  My mind immediately shifted to memories of me as a youngster with my pigtails flying in the air as I rode on my Schwinn, with cards clipped to the spokes of my tires for that racer noise, as I sped down the streets of my neighborhood trying to beat my brothers home from the park. 

What could possibly go wrong on a mountainside bike ride? After all “riding a bike” is something you never forget, and I was quite the speedster in my younger days.  Those were my thoughts until I saw the monstrosity that awaited me. A mountain bike and I mean a mountain bike.  It was as tall as Pikes Peak with no cards on the spokes and with my pigtails a style of the past, I realized this was not my vision of a leisurely spin.  As if it wasn’t bad enough, I was presented with a lovely bike helmet, “just in case”. 

You see, we were on vacation and when you’re on vacation you sleep late, stay up late, and your quiet time is filled with noisy fun. But then you find yourself flying down a mountain calling out to Him as you crash and burn.  Thankfully when I took off my helmet, I was having that predicted bad hair day, but at least I survived.  My Jesus showed me grace when I was just a little too busy for Him.  He showed me grace when I was careening down the mountain.  He showed me grace when I laughed at my brave stupidity and Jesus showed me peace as He guided me back home and into His arms. He reminded me of the one true thing I will never forget, He is my companion and friend. I pray He’s yours too, no matter what your days hold.

Points to Ponder

1.  What makes you brave?  

2.  Have you seen Jesus’ grace and peace lately?

3. Who is your closest companion?

Pray with me

My dear precious Companion,

You keep me safe even when I tend to ignore our time together. You give me peace just because I am yours. I am blessed.

Your speedy friend.

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 I hope you’ll be my walking partner as I navigate my way through a life of whimsy, grace, and a lot of love for our Savior. You can read about my adventures on this blog, Wandering the Path, or if you’d rather, join me on my podcast Wandering the Path with Debi. 

And remember, as my Auntie used to say, “No matter how bumpy the journey, your path has already been cleared.”

“

 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.”
– Mathew 14:7

There are many things that I admire about Jesus, but on the top of my list is his ability to do fractions.  Just think, the disciples gave him 5 loaves of bread and 2 measly fish and then Jesus went to work teaching the best math lesson I’ve ever heard.  He divided up the food and fed 5000 hungry and the tired new believers and even had some left over. 

When I first heard this story in Sunday school, many years ago I should have listened closer or at least taken notes.  It is definitely a math lesson, with a little faith thrown in, that I could have applied as I sat around our kitchen table with my dad redoing my algebra homework. You see I was usually on the honor roll, all A’s except for that pesky grade that floated from a strong B- to a C each nine weeks in algebra. Give me a verb to conjugate and I was all in, but don’t even think about one of those crazy algebraic equations that involved 3x squared and 2y and then if you dare to throw in rational numbers and irrational numbers you might as well be speaking another language. I told dad many times that he was being totally irrational to even assume I could grasp this class.

Dad hung in there with me and I worked really hard, and that C/B- became a steady B.  Nothing flashy but steady, steady, steady. Kind of like the disciples. They questioned Jesus and his mathematical equations, but they kept on passing those baskets around. 

After many nights around the kitchen table redoing algebra, Dad had to know I couldn’t do fractions, yet when he passed away, I joined the disciples and their questioning mode. He made me executrix of his estate. A lot of ciphering came my way.  He owned cows and if any of you have “cow experience” you know what goes along with that. It was stuff that was to be divided between my brothers and myself and my step mom. Have you ever had to divide a cow in half and then divide that half into thirds?  I thought I was going to “half” to call a butcher until a brilliant lawyer informed me I could just sell all the cows and divide the profits.  I guess I didn’t have enough nights around that table. I was lamenting this problem to my brothers, and finally in my exasperation I used my “sister” squeal of the past and  asked, “Don’t you know Sister don’t do fractions?” We shared a sibling laugh, of late nights around the kitchen table, and dad trying to help me understand Algebra. 

But you know what my dad understood? He knew I would get the job done no matter what.  After He was gone, Jesus’ disciples probably had laughs around their table, of the day they just couldn’t figure out the formula of how five loaves and 2 fish could feed the 5000. With their amazement came the understanding that, once again, He was the supreme teacher of us all.  Jesus could count on the disciples.  They might have questioned Him and His math skills, but they trusted and followed through with the Savior’s plan.

The nights around our kitchen table were good practice for my math needs of the future, even though I still can’t do fractions.  But steady, steady, steady with faith is a good practice for walking a life with Jesus, our supreme teacher.  Won’t you join me?

Points to Ponder

1. Do you have kitchen table memories?
2. Has your faith in Jesus increased throughout the years? In what way?
3. Who is your supreme teacher?  How did they get that title?

Pray with Me:

Dear Lord of all,

You give me memories of faith and blessings.  May you always be in the middle of those cherished times and those yet to come.

Sitting at Your table.

“

^“When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 
– Genesis 28:16

Just so you know, I am not a fan of shoes. You know those things you wear on your feet to keep from stepping on snakes or stickers or an occasional rock?  When my neighbors remind me that walking around barefoot in the summer is not the safest thing, my consistent response is, “I am connecting with Mother Earth and Sister Sky, and between the two, my feet are in good hands.” So of course, on this noteworthy day, it would be unthinkable for them to see me cringe as I stepped on a particular edgy stone. Some things are just better kept to yourself, except when the Holy jumps in, touches your heart and you find yourself out on a limb blabbing to the world.

It’s amazing when something like the “ouch” of a rock can cause you to catch your breath and reach into the recesses of your mind,  and trigger a  memory of a  heartfelt time of a mountain top experience that stays with you. Like a well-told Bible story, or a flash of young sons playing in the yard, or maybe just a “God tap” on the shoulder. 

This “ouch” led me back to a time when my Savior held my hand through a journey and a wake-up call, much like He did Jacob after he awoke from his nap in Bethel and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”  Genesis 28:16.  Man, oh man have I been there, and it took a hike up a mountain and many conversations with God to fully rise and shine in His glory. My husband and I had gone on a weekend getaway and he was playing golf so I went looking for my “God” place, my Bethel where I could trust the Holy to bless my prayers for my sons. Where His Son would shine upon them every day so they would grow in faith and love. A place as others walked by, our young sons would soak up a stranger’s need, joy, or kindness so they could be true examples of God’s glory as they grew into men. It wasn’t an easy hike, but it was worth every breathless step to truly give them to the glory of God. In a meadow filled with blooming wildflowers and the afternoon sun shining down, I fell on my knees and gave them wholly to Him, and left.

Yep, some mother I am, just walking away and leaving the hopes and dreams for my babies with Him. Well about halfway down the mountain, and really feeling good about myself,  I changed my mind.  “Of course, I could take much better care of them than God possibly could”, so I hauled it back up the mountain, snagged two dirty rocks from among the leaves and flowers that I decided looked like them after a baseball game, stuck them back in my pocket and raced down the mountain as if God was going to grab me from behind and snatch them back.  Was I a crazy mom or what? When we returned home I placed these rocks in my flower bed and once again became in charge of their worlds. 

Years later, we moved from the home and the flower bed that held the memorial stones that had made the trip down the mountain that day, and through the years, as the flowers had grown, so had my sons. The King of all Kings had listened to my prayers on that mountaintop and honored them, He could care for them in ways I never could, He gave His life for them, I just shared mine. As I was loading my garden tools onto the moving truck, I gazed upon the beds and remembered the rocks and the trip up the mountain, the words of the mystic,  Julian of Norwich surrounded my heart, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well”. I finally got it. God is the “all” thing  I had grown to love and trust with the most precious gifts ever shared with me, and at last, I could leave them among the roses in their Father’s care.  As I trudged off with the Holy holding my hand I might have been limping a little, but I was well. He’s my Rock and my Redeemer and I pray He is yours.

Points to Ponder

1.  Have you ever felt the need to be on your knees with the Father?  Do you remember the time?

2.  Have you ever doubted God’s plans?  What made you do this?

3.  Where do you feel “All things will be well?”

Pray with Me

Dear Lord of my dreams,

I trust you with my all and all and know that you are the One who will hold my hand during “ouch” times.  I am favored to have you in my life and so thankful for others that have guided me along the way so when I fall on my knees, I know you will catch me.

Your Blessed one.

“

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
– Numbers 6:24-26

Okay, I’m just going to shout it from the rooftops, “I miss the laughs and giggles of my grandkids and kids.  I miss my back pew at church.  I miss my life-long friends, and since it’s true confession time, I miss my favorite coffee shop and my sugar-free vanilla latte, yet most of all, oh yes most of all, I miss your smile.”

Those simple upturned lips that signal a moment of recognition, excitement, and perhaps a fleeting memory. Your name may be a mystery to me, but you’re still part of my world.  We have passed in the aisles at the grocery store, the cleaners and perhaps even the pharmacy, but you’re no longer there.  As hard as it is to believe, I only don my lovely mask and gloves and join the world every two weeks. We might have missed each other along the way. It’s as if the world has been turned upside down, and it has. 

Yet here I am, with my life basically unchanged, sitting on the dock with my puppies gazing at the glorious sunset with a breaking heart. A breaking heart for lives that have been changed in ways I can never imagine.  Breaking for families who now have empty chairs around their table.  Breaking for the precious children of God who are living in homeless shelters or the street, hungry and falling farther and farther behind in school. Breaking for moms and dads who can no longer provide for their family because of lost jobs. Breaking for those of you who can only see your aging family members through a window. 

But in the heartbreak, there’s a time of thankfulness. Thankful for the brave men and women on the front lines, keeping us healthy, fed and safe, our world clean, and our hearts and soul healed. As I sit in awe of the gift of the sunset, my heart is joining with those of you who are kneeling in prayer, thankful you have survived another day wrapped in the Holy’s arms.

This is a time when the similarities of one’s path vary more than ever. Some of your lives may be like mine and my western loving cowboy, whose only bump on the road is rationing toilet paper, or watching the same TV shows over and over, despite having a choice of more than 300 channels. (All I have to say about that is someone in my house is a fan of the western channel.)

But through these days of confusion and emptiness, your compassion for one another is seen through the lessons we’re teaching our children as they write words of thanks to visitors who make deliveries to our homes in chalk on their walkways, or signs posted on apartment windows. Families are gathering on social media celebrating special time that might have been missed because of those trite words, “We were just too busy.” Cards and letters are being sent snail mail to forgotten ones in our lives while many are pitching in financially to share their blessings. Through all of this despair my heart is reaching out to each of you, and I feel your never-ending grace. Grace we’ve learned to grant one another through our twinkling eyes as we honor one another by wearing a simple mask or standing 6 feet apart. 

We all have our dark days, whether it’s the ones we are living now, the days that lurk in memories past, or in the times on the other side of a sunset that are yet to come. But the Lord is blessing us, His face is shining on us each day. His face is turned toward us each night, warming us with His glorious love. This is the serenity you feel when you gaze at a sunset, or perhaps as you close your eyes at the evening’s end and say, “Thank you for loving me Father.” I have peace knowing He will take care of you.  And one day I’ll see your smile again, and man oh man, my heart will sing.

Ponder with Me:

1. Do you miss anything?

2. Have you had dark days? Close your eyes and sit with the Holy.  Let His everlasting love wash over you.

3.  Do you truly believe God will take care of you? 

Let us pray together:

I love you Lord. My heart sings when I hear your name, your promises, and feel your grace.

I will never miss your smile, because it never fades away. You warm me with your spirit in the sunrises and sunsets. I am blessed to be your child.

Gazing  at your love.

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