Walking To The Beat Of The Rain

The sound steady on the tin roof. 

Rain. 

We've had more than 6 days of sunny, beautiful weather. 

Such a gift. 

I can't remember the last time we had such a stretch for that long. 

Now the rain comes. It is needed.

The earth needing hydration. 

The sea of green dependent on water and sunshine. 

Our prayer. 

Good pastures this year. 

Our hope. 

A 3rd, even 4th cutting.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 
according to his power that is at work within us,

Winter looms. 

A desire to continue to find solid ground. 

The rain, a promise of what is to come.
Keep the beat.
Steady.
Constant. 

New growth; watered.

Crops tended to; cared for. 

Diligence each day. 

I have been distracted from my morning time with God.

The sacred. 

It is missed. 
A beat skipped.

The well worn path needing some maintenance. 

Noxious weeds threaten to spill over. 

Making it hard to distinguish the path.
Needing to find the rhythm.

My heart, fragile at times; needing some care. 

Pressing through each day. 

A decision. 

A commitment. 

Opening the Ancient Word to read the never ending promises. 

Quiet time spent; filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Blessed assurance. 

A never ending beat.
Strength. 

Psalm 46:10

Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!

The rain continues; steady.
I step back in to the soothing cadence.

I surrender the days chores and "to do" lists. 

I breathe deep the promises. 

I hold onto the grace given for just this day.
I walk to the beat of the rain.

What Kind Of A Legacy Will You Leave?

Someone took his flag. 

I know it doesn't really matter. 

But it was the only thing marking his grave. 

Someone placed it there. And I have loved it. 

 I feel violated. 

I want to scream, my son has already been taken from me! 

Now the flag too?

I am sure someone probably saw the flag and thought it was randomly placed where it was.
It wasn't a malicious act. 

They had no idea there was a grave. 

I know this; but this is such a great reminder. 

The legacy Elijah left is so much more than the space in the graveyard.
We are eternal beings. We were created by a loving God. 

For Him. With purpose. 
Even on our darkest days.
When all else is falling apart around us.
That never changes.
We have purpose.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
 which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The pain and hurt of our current circumstances can not compare with the coming glory. 
We need to hold fast. 
Live for that purpose. Leaving a legacy pointing to God. 
Breathe deep. 
Rest in the promises.
God is never changing. 
He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. 
He will fulfill His purposes through us. 
Each morning I continue to push through the fog. 
The searing pain ever present.
I seek to turn those moments to praise;
To gratitude.

 The sunrises in all it's glory.
The rhythm of the day begun.
The joy comes from a deep path worn through the years of grace.

It is well with my soul. 

Do You Long For The Struggle To End?

When I think I can't take it anymore. 

I breathe deep. 

There are 4 more days. We can do this. We can make it. 

My house is out of control. Insurances are waiting for forms, tax preparations loom. 

 I couldn't sleep last night. 

The first time in 6 months. I got up to pray and read those Ancient Words. 

I was reminded how the Israelite's were taken from their land. They were banished;

sent into an exile they had been warned about. 

Yet they were told to prosper where they were placed. 

Even though they weren't in their homeland; they were taken into captivity; 

they still had a purpose. Jeremiah 29:4-7

Even though great heartache and grief line our path; we are to prosper where we are. 

There is still purpose and there is meaning. There is hope. 

We are in the final days of radiation and chemo. 

We need to continue to be aware of where we can serve; 

of how we can share the grace that has been given to us. 

We are tired and worn. 

Yet through it all there is a reminder prosper where you are. Plant the fields. 

We have purpose and meaning. No matter how hard the road. 

I watch my farmer step each morning to the barn. 

I have watched for 20 years. 

A man born of routine and deep conviction. 

He has walked that well worn path everyday; 

even through chemo and radiation. 

There is purpose. There is meaning. 

Won't you walk that well worn path? 

Won't you find the peace and joy from a life surrendered?

Even in the middle of life's most darkest moments, when we are worn and tired;

 plant and prosper. 

There is a future.

There is redemption for those who trust; and call upon the name of Jesus. 

I have cried out these lyrics to this song since Elijah was taken home. 

I want to see redemption win. And I LONG for this struggle to end. 

But until then. We will plant and we will serve. 

I'm tired, I'm worn

my heart is heavy

from the work it takes

to keep on breathing

....Let me see redemption win

Let me know the struggle ends

How Climbing That Hill Is Always Better With Others

I went for a walk yesterday. 

It started out with my walking buddy. 

But God was writing my "To Do" list.

So we gained two other people.
It was glorious to be outside.
The sun was shining, the air crisp; yet invigorating.
(Not the, "I want to run back in the house feeling")
I haven't walked since the fall.

It's been too cold and icy.
And dark.
My walking partner and I are not hardy like that.
We are fair weather walkers.
Enough said in a state where the sun rarely shines.
And it's dark. 
But we walk today.
We get to the bottom of the hill and I am done.
I get ready to turn around.
Last fall I had worked my way up to walking part way up that hill.
It was a goal and we attained it.
Now though, I hadn't walked in 2 months.
I was done.
But my sister in law said no, let's go.
(this, after we had helped her with her groceries too!)
She taunted me.
Really.
She did.
And I went.
Up that hill. 
And I complained the whole way.
I think I even called her a name or two.
And said something about liking my other walking partner better.
It was getting ugly.
And then.
We made it.
We turned around.
I complained the whole way down.
Really. I did.
But you know what. I made it up that hill. I didn't think I could do it.
I didn't have what it takes to make it. But there were 3 others around me who thought I could.
And we did it.
And I feel fine today.
What hill do you need to climb? What hill can you help someone else climb?
Sometimes the hills are mountains and we can't make it alone. 
I have learned that the mountains in front of us are daunting unless the
body of Christ gathers round.
We all have mountains in front of us.
Have someone go the distance with you.
Invite someone into your circle to share. 
We shouldn't travel alone. 
Read the manual.
God's word will never fail. 
Be prepared.
We never know what life will bring to us. 
A well worn path will lead when it is too dark to see. 

I am looking forward to the view at the top of this mountain climb I am on.
I long to see clearly, what I can only see dimly now.

I Corinthians 13:12
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. 
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

I want to finish this race well. 

I want each day to count for good. 

I long for each breath that I take to reflect the grace that God so freely pours out.

It can't be done alone.

And I can't do it myself. 

Only God can.

I am coming to the River and laying my burden down.