Overcoming Evil with Good Day # 14 of Thankfulness

Praying for Paris. 

As the first wave of news reports began, I contacted friends who live in the city. 

Part of their family I knew were here in the states on holiday. 

The others; in that city of love. 

Contact made. 

In shock. 

But safe. 

As the events unfold, the harsh reality of hatred is prevalent. 

How do we get to this point?

The presence of evil; great. 

Fear inevitable. 

An apparent success. 

Ergo the term, terrorism. 

But that is not the final word. 

The story does not end there. 

There is a God who trumps the evil. 

Who will one day bring all under his authority. 

The One who traveled to the cross. 

That evil may be stomped. 

The childhood song flows through my mind. 

Do not be overcome by evil. . . but overcome evil with good. 

We have a choice in how we respond to these attacks.

We can become fearful and withdrawn. 

Posting information and pictures of carnage. 

Or we can humbly fall to our knees. 

We can pray. 

We can do one act today that will fly in the face of evil. 

Make a difference in another's life. 

Show up and be the hands and feet of Jesus. 

There were a handful of attackers. 

There are billions of us.

We can launch a counter attack that can change the world. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

a world where evil will NEVER have the last word
a place where broken hearts are held around the world
the first snow of the season
a reminder of the grace given to us 
the ability to share and show immense love
salvation and the promise of eternal life
a season set aside to dwell in Thanksgiving
the ministry team having breakfast at our home; such a gift
our farmhouse table that always seems to be overflowing
a bounty of food from gardens and farms nearby
this new day where I am commanded to make a difference


Will you pray for Paris? 
Will you pray for this world? 
Will you pray for how you can make a difference;
today?

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

The Rest of the Story Day #13 of Thankfulness

We had errands to run. 

Bread from the bread store and Ink for the printer. 

Our reward. 

Coffee.

(they even spelled Christiana's name correctly!)

A splurge. 

An indulgence. 

Creating a memory with the dancer girl. 

His card. 

Now. . . with a balance of zero. 

The gift, I think, from Project Graduation. 

Found in his wallet-

after they returned his belongings to me. 

The wallet he had on him when he passed from this life to Glory. 

Now kept on my farmers bureau. 

The Starbucks card nestled in between his license and other cards. 

And now the last of it is gone. 

The fear all mama's have about their babies. 

Will they be forgotten?

While we remember every moment. 

What little thing can I hang on to?

His clothes? 

His wallet? 
His Starbucks card? 

Grasps in the air to hold on. 

Calling his name out loud just to hear the sound. 

Echoes of silence in return. 

So, buying coffee with my dancer girl brought the last of the card to zero.

But. . .

There is. . . the rest of the story. 

When I woke from my slumber. 

On this dark and rainy morning. 

Crying out to God to make this day His. 

To take away the gloom and dreary. 

To fill me with joy and peace. 

I poured my hot coffee. 

I opened my e-mail. 

And there. 

There it was. 

A gift. 

From a friend. 

My gift card restocked. 

I breathe deep. 
How thoughtful. 

That guttural sob wanting to surface. 

How God uses us to minister to each others hearts. 

This gift of the card I will hold close. 

I am beyond grateful. 

I am humbled. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Unexpected grace from a friend

Reminders that God is in even the littlest things in our lives

Rainy morning lessons

choosing joy

coffee runs with my daughter

laughter around the farm house table with unexpected company

7 days until the college girl is home for a week

heating pads and advil for a stiff neck

the ways in which we are cared for by those around us

neighbors who work with youth 

the way God has met our need for hired help- it's not the way we thought- but it is such an encouragement and joy

the financial struggle- it keeps us focused and reliant on God for every step 

God, who knows our every need 

the opportunity to trust

a drafty old farmhouse that is full of imperfect people

the mountain- even though I can not see it today, I know it is still there

There is unexpected joy in so many places. 

Having eyes to see through the pain and the chaos of our current circumstances opens a world longing to be explored.

I am grateful to God for never letting me go. 

For holding on when my faith wavers. 

When I think I can not go on any longer. 

Thank you to friends who reach out in ways that strengthen my being. 

Isaiah 43:19

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Through the Music Day #12 of Thankfulness

I clean up the kitchen. 

Last nights mess. 

Not even the current chaos. 

There is a presence in this place. 

A peace. 

Remembering in the pain. 
It's grip strong today. 
I play music.

Beautiful.  

(Pandora is a wonderful thing.)

The urge to call my mom strong. 
To talk about holiday plans; and a list of so many other things. 

The music plays on

It soothes my being. 

I recognize the melody and style. 

Both favorites of my mom. 

Interesting how that song, played by that accompanist would come on at this exact moment. 

I move through the tasks of tidying up; my heart filled with gratitude. 

I may have lost much in a short amount of time. 
But I had much to lose. . . and for that I am grateful. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

 my mom who filled our home with a great love for many things

music that stirs the memory like no other

a family that grew up with music

the memories of holidays filled with joy and excitement

knowing that God holds all these things 
the ache that will one day be taken away
a view of open land and a gorgeous mountain
children who know the meaning of work
the opportunity for my farmer and kids to go to Haiti
this practice of digging into gratitude
the unseasonably warm days and bright sunshine
hanging clothes to dry in November
a freezer full of summer
baking
the first sip of the mornings hot coffee 
the quiet before the farmhouse stirs


May this day hold for you much gratitude. 
A lightening and surrender of the burden you carry. 


1Thessolonians 5:18
give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

The Ultimate Sacrifice Day #11 of Thankfulness

Fancy pants dining. 

It's what they do. 

All these kids. 

From the time they were little. 

Aunt Clara's china being used. 

The candle light glowing. 

It's in those moments I see the table full. 

All the seats occupied. 

The laughter and joy around the farmhouse table. 

Things have changed. 

So much. 

One space remains empty; forever. 

The future, here on this earth, not mine to know. 

I know he was dedicated. 

Committed. 

He wanted to serve this country with his life. 

 The eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

We celebrate today because of the lives given. 

Sacrificed for our freedom. 

For men and woman who selflessly stand so we can sleep. 

Elijah would have made an amazing marine. 

But God called him home. 

His work finished. 

For those of us left- we still have work to do. 

We honor these men and woman because of the life give for us. 

The ultimate sacrifice was made on our behalf as One walked willingly to the cross.
He gave. . .all.
So that we may be free.
A symbol.
An example.
For God and Country.

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Veteran's Day

a grandfather and uncles who served this country

my dad who gave to serve

Harold, a family friend who served and influenced 

our son Elijah so much

those men and woman who have pledged to protect and

 serve our country

the families of those men and woman -thank you 

a son who never wavered in his desire to serve

those that came alongside of Elijah as he trained and prepared

For the glimpses of grace along this journey

 a flag flown over Parris Island on Elijah's birthday- 
the day he would have left for boot camp
 a gift of the Marine Flag

 an enlisted Marine who knew Elijah 
and came to the door to meet this grieving mama- 
who returned from boot camp and brought a copy of his
 boot camp memory book 
the extended warmth and sunshine this fall
 backyard prayer
grace for each day
my farmers family that shows how to live out this grace each day
 my family and their unending love and support- and laughter

My cousin posted this picture for me




Thank you to all for serving. 
We owe you a debt of gratitude. 

John 15:3
Greater love has no one than this:
 to lay down one's life for one's friends.


Here is a video clip of Marines singing, 
"Days of Elijah"

Listening Day #10 of Thankfulness

She contacts me on face book. 

She found a recording of his voice from a history project. 

She laughed and cried when she heard it. 

She wondered if I would like her to send it to me. 

I breathe deep. 

Another recording of his voice. 

Another piece. 

Yes. 

Yes, I would love another opportunity to hear his voice. 

To listen to my sweet, sweet son. 

I play the recording. 

The deep places of my mommy's heart ache.

Oh how I miss him. 

He was so articulate. 

Always. 

His first word ex-ca-va- tor.

Yes. 

Truth. 

No da da for him. 

I continue to listen. 

There is back round noise so I have to listen intently. 

Carefully. 

I seek out the inflection; wonder at his hand motions-there was a piece of me in him- and picture his facial expressions as he spoke. 

I listen intently. 

So much of our life requires us to listen intently. 

To hear the speaker. 

Dig deeper for what is being said. 

Trying to understand our children. 

Attempting to decipher angry co workers words. 

Listening.

Hearing. 

Understanding. 

It is an Art. . . to listen. 

God calls us to enter in. 

To listen for his voice. 

Carefully. 

Purposefully. 

It takes time. 

There is waiting. 

There is heart ache. 

There is joy. 

John 19:27

My sheep listen to my voice; 

I know them, and they follow me.

May we all take to time listen to those around us. 

To seek God's will for the ways in which we should meet needs. 

Help a friend. 

Serve in some way. 

Spend time listening to His voice today to guide you. 

To lay down your burden. 

To be set free. 

He is always there. 

He neither slumbers nor sleeps. 

Psalm 121:3-4

He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

He will guide us. 

He will show us where to serve. 

If we would only listen.

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

The gift of hearing my sons voice

Being able to hear

My sons friends who still remember

a new pastor and wife who are digging deep

a church body that prays; we are not perfect but with grace and mercy we step into God's ways

A season of Thanksgiving

10 more sleeps until the college girl is home

a gorgeous view of the mountain 

time to spend in God's word

correction and growth

a God who loves me and forgives my wretched soul

my farmer who works so hard each day

my girls who get up in the mornings to help their daddy

a farm boy that loves music and Jesus

 the two farm girls that are off the farm and making their way in this world

the farmette and the joy she brings

the hope of a new farmette and all she will bring

the naming of my gratitude; may it change me and grow my being to be more cognitively aware of the good around me

a sister in law who walks with grace and beauty through the trials of this life

May you seek to listen today. 

For the joy. 

For the broken. 

“There is a kind of listening with half an ear that presumes already to know what the other person has to say. It is an impatient, inattentive listening, that despises the brother and is only waiting for a chance to speak and thus get rid of the other person. This is no fulfillment of our obligation, and it is certain that here too our attitude toward our brother only reflects our relationship to God. It is little wonder that we are no longer capable of the greatest service of listening that God has committed to us, that of hearing our brother's confession, if we refuse to give ear to our brother on lesser subjects. Secular education today is aware that often a person can be helped merely by having someone who will listen to him seriously, and upon this insight it has constructed its own soul therapy, which has attracted great numbers of people, including Christians. But Christians have forgotten that the ministry of listening has been committed to them by Him who is Himself the great listener and whose work they should share. We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.”  (emphasis mine)

 Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community

Great is Thy Faithfulness Day #9 of Thankfulness

A few months ago I lost something that was dear to me.

 It was just a material possession so, I let it go. 

I've lost so much more. 

Then tonight as I put on a jacket and reached in the pocket.

My lost item had been found. 

A sweet sensation spilled over my being. 

An unexpected surprise. 

In gratitude I shared my find. 

Sometimes we are lost. 

Looking and searching for that which we can not find. 

This year has been full of continuing changes. 

My dad getting new digs in a nursing home, Clarissa graduating and leaving for college, our church in transition as we seek a new pastor, a new niece, our farm family suddenly returning to CA, our nephew unexpectedly meeting Jesus. 

So much change. 

Some good, some heart wrenching. 

Always seeking. 

As I reached into my pocket and grasped that lost, dear item;

my heart leaped. 

This is how we are in Christ. 

He reaches down to those deep places. 

He holds on with a firm grip. 

Tightly. 

As the storms rage. 

He never loses his grip. 

We may flail. 

We may try to loosen the grip. 

He remains steadfast. 

~30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

The vote to call David Coons as our pastor

a message reminding us about the truth of what God believes about us

dinner with friends

an afternoon surprise coffee visit

the hard parts of parenting (ok not really but I'm trying)

being a in body of Christ committed to prayer, committed to making a difference in this world

the hope found in Christ

wrestling through the hard times- I may not like them, at all- but God is doing a new thing

texts from the oldest 2 daughters 

the technology to face time

the up coming trip to Haiti

prayer

friends who take the littlest-who is not feeling well- home from church so I can stay and listen to the message

a friend who write an hysterical monologue on facebook about granny panties- and I laugh until I cry

Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The Gift of Rest Day #8 of Thankfulness

It's Sunday. 

A day of rest. 

Meant as a gift. 

Not a punishment. 

Time to reflect. 

Remember what has been done. 

Step back and renew. 

A break in the ordinary. 

Today is also a day our church votes on a new pastor. 

A time of change. 

A new beginning. 

Exciting time to see where God will lead. 

~30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Dinner out with my family

memories of other dinners when Elijah was still here

saying Elijah's name over and over

a day of rest

being involved in the life of the church

a church body that desires to be the hands and feet of Jesus

the quiet in the early hours

coffee

lots of coffee

my farmer who has my coffee perking when I get up

(he's so clever that way)

hot coffee

cold coffee - not flavored coffee though

our farm boy that is stretching through these days 

for children that want to go out to dinner -

so they run to the barn to help finish chores

for a gift card found on the desk so we could go to dinner

12 more sleeps until Clarissa comes home

a new grand baby in March

the oldest daughter who cares for her family so well

for warm days in November - what a gift

learning how to trust even when it's hard

May you find rest this Sabbath day. 

Mark 2:27

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man,

 and not man for the sabbath:

Time to reflect. 

Time spent with family. 

Will you join us in prayer as our church takes this next step and that God would continue to guide us in this process?