Reflections On The Day After Day #28 of Thankfulness

It's the day after. 

The day after 22 people for dinner.
The day after we bowed low in Thanksgiving for the deep gift we have been given. 
After the Turkey and pies and steaming cups of coffee. 

After giggles and playing in snow. 

Now, it is the wee hours of quiet; the day after. 

One daughter off to work. 

Retail and Black Friday. 
My farmer; milking, overseeing all that needs to be done. 

It is also 16 months since our red head walked this earth. 

2 Thanksgivings he has rejoiced with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

2 Thanksgivings that have challenged me to my core;
 of choosing to step into gratitude. 

My quest to reach for Jesus in every moment. 

Seeking Him more. 

He knows my name. 

How can I fully know His more? 

Philippians 3:10

I want to know Christ--yes, to know the power of his resurrection 

and participation in his sufferings, 

becoming like him in his death,

This is the day we also head to gather our Christmas Tree. 

A tradition begun long ago. 

Years of Currier and Ives moments when my dad would pull the truck up to the side doors and the farm house double doors would be flung open. 

Babies all snuggled here at the house while mom and I decorate 

and pink hot chocolate simmered on the stove. 

The fighting being over tired and not wanting to decorate the tree. 

How the little kids kept putting all the ornaments on the bottom 
of the tree and how funny it looked. 

Someone invariably storming off because they were mad. 

Such happy ,delightful memories. 

So, today we will head to the woods -ok the family will head to the woods, I will stay in the house where it is warm and I can appreciate the snow from the inside- and gather the smells of Christmas and bring it home. 

We will pack up Fall and usher in Winter. 

The Season of Advent upon us. 
A time to reflect and seek to be fully known. 
To know fully the One who came to give all. 

Because, don't we all want to be known?
Don't we all long to be understood and be heard. 
There is One who hears. 
Who longs for His people to return to Him. 

This day, as the Tree is placed and the lights are hung, may this preparation prepare my heart to enter in. 
Into Thanksgiving, into knowing God more fully. 
He knows our name. 
No matter how much I struggle with resting in a God who knows my name; yet also allowed my heart to shatter into a million pieces, he does know my name. 
And He will one day make all things right. 
I pray that your heart is surrendered to the King of Kings and that your soul rejoices in the free gift He has given to All. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Clarissa's friends here for a visit

a home full of teenagers and children

a kitchen that needs much cleaning

a day ahead of decorating for Christmas

the Season of Advent

a warm home and hot coffee

(which I ruined the first cup by thinking somehow

 I would grow to like egg nog in my coffee)

leftovers
meals you can create with leftovers
snow softly falling
17 Thanksgivings with my red head
a God who know my name
growth in spite of the pain
the gift of grace
friends who continually help us journey on
a family from California who shared the meal at our farmhouse table
the quiet moments where God reaches down and soothes my aching heart
the hope of today and strength He gives

Francesca Battistelli

He Knows My Name 

He calls me chosen,  free, forgiven, 

wanted, Child of the King

His forever, held and treasured, 

I am loved

The Importance Of Naming; remembering 9/11

She's been playing the cello for 3 years. 

She practices willingly. . . sometimes. 

This summer she didn't want to play. 

She said she was done with the cello. 

But she has music in her soul. 

She fought the entire process. 

I knew in my mommy's heart she will long to play someday. 

So we begin the fall lessons. 

She doesn't want to go. 

She is angry. 

We talk through trusting me on this one. 

That sometimes mommy's know things. 

She agree's to trust. 

This little 9 year old. 

Stepping in faith. 

A heart that has lost her brother. 

The little girl who watched her father as the effects of radiation and Chemo wracked his body. 

Now trusts. 

She goes to her lesson. 

I watch as she plays. 

Her instructor is a gem. 

She is able to get this little fire cracker to focus and produce sounds to soothe the angels. 

She plays a scale. 

One she knows. 

Something within her being clicks. 

The words her instructor says, her presence of mind, something. 

And she shouts I get it. 

The music, the notes, the steps.

It all makes sense to her. 

Tears well. 

Those "Aha" moments are priceless. 

Moments when there is clarity.

Discovery. 

She has grown. 

This little 9 year old. 

My baby. 

No longer a baby. 

She needs a bigger sized cello. 

We head downtown. 

She is so excited. 

She hugs her "Lily" good bye. 

She gathers her new cello. 

When we get home. 

The first thing she wants to do is play. 

The  next thing is to name her cello. 

She had wanted to wait until she played it to name it. 

I couldn't help but think of the name of the Lord. 

What a strong tower. 

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; 

the righteous run to it and are safe

His name is wonderful. 

He is our rock and fortress. 

What a gift. 

I pray that as Ella grows in her faith she will soon have that "clarity" of knowing Jesus as her Savior. 

Oh, what a glorious moment when you realize the grace with which your soul has been ransomed. 

How glorious knowing your sins are forgiven. . .as far as the east is from the west. 

And that one day. All will be made right. 

And so she plays her cello. 

She says it sounds like a boy. 

I am naming him "Elijah."

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

As we observe this day, September 11, 2014 and the terrible losses on that day. 

May we name those that have gone before us. 

Saying the names out loud.
Seeing them in writing or hearing them is a gift for those that grieve. 

Leave a name or your story in the comments. 

May we all remember today that evil exists. 

But there is One that is much greater. 

He has conquered the grave. 

God will return. 

One day all will be made right. 

Our task is to share the love of Jesus.

Be his hands and feet. 

Remembering today the families of all those lost loved one 13 years ago today. 

The Name Above All Names

Elijah.

I just want to say his name. 

I want to holler through the house; it's time for dinner, or get down here and pick up your things. 

I want to say his name and hear his voice. 

I want to buy him a Christmas present and fill his stocking. 

My soul wishes for this not to be. 

The deep searing pain resurfacing.
The loss permeating all that I do. 

Oh, how I miss him.

Oh, how everything in me resonates that this is wrong. 

How can the God of the universe, that called all into being, have this be my path?

It has been a year since mom died.
A year since I had only been home a day, when I received the call.
A year since I got in the car and drove 4 hours.
I wasn't there when she died. I wasn't there when my son died.
But I never left things undone.
I always hugged and kissed and said goodbye.
Always.
Mom had been so sick.
We had been praying for the Lord to call her home.
And he did. . .in His timing.
How many times I have picked up the phone to call her.
To call her name.
Every time I see purple I think of her.
She is missed by so many.

It's been a whole year.
Part of that year I have been mourning the loss of our son.
Everything seems wrong.
A year where my heart has ached every single day.
A year of missing mom, of missing the sweet licks and antics of our puppy of missing  Elijah and now a journey with cancer.

And there in the middle of my rant; when I am spent and tired.
When I can't possibly shed another tear.
 I am reminded of the path our Savior took to the grave;
For me.
 To call me by name.
He was born in a humble manger.
No earthly wealth to speak of.
His birth was not announced with beautiful picture cards sent in the mail
or announced over Facebook.

No.
 It was proclaimed by the Angels sent from on high.

Luke 2:9-14

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

All of Creation cried out. Proclaiming and Praising. 

It was proclaimed thousands of years before:

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign,Behold a virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel.

Matthew 1:21

And you shall give him the name Jesus.

Our names are so important.

Even before they were born, John and Jesus were named.
Even before our children are born, we choose a name. 

Jesus is the name above all names. 

He who is called by many names:

Jehovah Jireh - my provider

Jehovah Rafa - my healer

Wonderful Counselor

Prince of Peace

It is at this name we bow. 

It is at this name that I have my strength and being. 

It is for this name we celebrate Advent.

Bowing low to wait.

Leaning in to hear and wonder at it all. 

Come Lord Jesus;
make us into a people that long to hear your name above the clatter of the season,
above the pain of searing grief and loss and
above any other name that distracts.

Let this great news, bring us great joy. 

Jesus Mesiah

Name above all names

Blessed Redeemer

Emmanuel

The rescue for sinners

The ransom from Heaven

Jesus Messiah

Lord of All

We Are Called By Name. . . Day #27 of Thankfulness

It is the day before Thanksgiving.

There are preparations to make. 

Much to do.

Lists to make.

Items to check off for completion.

The house echos with memories of years gone by. Tables moved around making room for the guests who will descend on the farm. Chairs gathered from all parts of the house to be sure all have a space. Name tags will be made. Each person will have a place.
Each name will be carefully placed with love. 

It reminds me of my name, which is written on His hand. 

Isaiah 49:16

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.

He has called us by name. He knows who we are. He created us. 

Names are so important. We agonize over what to call our children. Significant thought goes into each naming. The Jewish tradition places much emphasis on naming. We see in Luke 1:60, that Elizabeth speaks up, "but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." There was purpose and power for the name. In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is spoke of, it says, " For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" We sing this even today, in Handel's most powerful "Messiah". 

Elijah was going to be named Cedric, after Gary's Grandfather. A wise, honest, hardworking man. Yet, in the barn one day, very pregnant, I don't know if "I heard a voice", it was more a feeling. I knew I was to name him Elijah; the Lord is my Jehovah. And so we named our first boy. That boy who we so loved and now reigns on High with the King of Kings. 

Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: "Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

It is that sweet name of Jesus, the name above all names that brings healing to the hurt, peace to the troubled and joy to the afflicted. 

Today begins the festival of lights, Hanukkah, for the Jewish Nation. It is a reminder of the oil, needed to light the Menorah. On this night there was only enough for one night. 

Yet God provided enough for 8 nights. 

Though my tradition does not celebrate Hanukkah, my Jesus did. And I wonder at the power of the Son of God, as a child, celebrating the nights that God provided light, as He himself would become the light of the world. 

Light, Love, repentance, obedience, mercy and grace.

Day #27 of Thankfulness

I am thankful for:

This journey of Thankfulness, as my mind has focused on the goodness of God, my heart has followed

Even in the struggle, hope of Christ fills me

Strength for the moment, day by day

Kids snuggling together watching Christmas movies

Trading eggs for milk, as those silly chickens are on strike

My coffee, the word and a day filled with grace and love

A son who so desperately wants to spread manure (you laugh but it is so important)

A husband who is so busy, yet drops all to serve our Mighty God as a deacon

For heat in the bedroom (I know I like it cold, but not THAT cold)

Shelter in the storm

Memories, as life continues without mom and Elijah

Prayers of those around us, when the journey is too hard, they lift us up

Visitors throughout the afternoon and into the evening

Crystal, what joy she brings me

Her sister Alaria and fiance Scott

the anticipation of Chelsea coming home

A day of cooking

A day of remembering

coffee and time to sit and ponder God's goodness and mercy

His name which is above all other

"My name is written on His hands,

My name is written on His heart"