Finding the Rock in the Swirling, Chaos Day #23 of Thankfulness

 My life flows on in endless song;
above earth’s lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

It is Thanksgiving Sunday. 

The choir sings a long loved Hymn. 

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

The words piercing. 

Encouraging. 

What though my joys and comforts die?
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth. 

A melody I have  hummed repeatedly over the years. 

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

The words play through my mind. 

Strength and power held in their prose. 

This latest challenge has shaken me. 

And I have almost stopped the singing. 

My inmost calm a raging tempest. 

While the choir sings I closed my eyes. 

"No storm can shake my inmost calm, 

While to that rock I'm clinging."

Though the waters rage around me. 

I have found the calm. 

Not from within. 

But from above. 

I am a churning, whirling mess. 

A cyclone of emotions. 

Through it all the melody plays. . .

The words a resounding message. 

Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

While the heaviness threatens to pull me under. 

I choose to sing today. 

I choose to cling. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
the hard times that teach me to cling
a son that is digging deep these days
a time to break bread with our church family 
and gather to sing the Ancient Hymns
grace and new mercies each day
friends who listen and love
a family that grieves and works together
wind chimes - that though I am not near the ocean - they remind me
sleep- I still love to go to bed
the warmth of the fire and hot coffee in the quiet
Emergency Vet clinics and the miracle they performed
the hope we have- even though we do not know the future, God does

Psalm 59:16

But I will sing of your strength, 

in the morning I will sing of your love; 

for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

As this world swirls and chaos finds you. 

May you cling to that Rock. 

And may there be a lovely song. 

Right Here, Right Now Day # 21 of Thankfulness

She's home. 

She's here. 

We ate dinner together;

around that farmhouse table. 

We held hands to pray. 

It is in these moments that the empty spot is felt. 

We all feel it. 

I breathe deep. 

I focus on what's right here in front of me. 

We sing our song for grace.

The song the oldest brought home from Preschool.

Sung for more than 24 years. 

There is laughter and joy around this table. 

These silly kids. 

This is what God wants me to enjoy. 

Right here and right now. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

friends who drive 8 hours with me to retrieve the college girl
coffee shops on our travels
good coffee
making memories
stepping outside my comfort zone
a day with no anxiety
the college girl being home
fun around our farmhouse table
watching a "White Christmas"
little girls who aren't so little any more
a farm boy trying to make it all work
my farmer who presses on no matter what
the quiet of the morning, just before the sun rises
the unseasonably warm temperatures
sunshine for so many days
cows still out on grass
each additional bale we're able to get
the plan God has


We've been enjoying these warm, sunny days. 
The air has turned a little chillier today. 
Winter will soon make an appearance. 


May your Saturday be rich in gratitude. 


Psalm 146:2
I will praise the LORD all my life; 
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

It's Here! Day #20 of Thankfulness

It's here.

Today's the day. 

I head to CT to get my girl. 

I can't wait. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:
Coming home
friends who take the day to travel with me
the freedom to travel down and back in a day
my farmers sense of humor
family
coffee
thoughts of stopping to get coffee on the trip
bible study; encouraging my walk with God
our dog snuggling at my feet
going to bed- oh how I love to go to bed
one end of the house getting fixed - it was so bad
this Thanksgiving season to intentionally name my thanks
the hope of Glory
the strength for each day


This act of naming gratitude is hard some days. 
May your walk of gratitude change you. 

May you be encouraged this day no matter what you are facing. 
May deep joy find you where ever you are. 

2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, 
for my power is made perfect in weakness." 

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 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

Through the Ages Day #7 of Thankfulness

It's my friends birthday today. 

One I see about twice a year. 

Lately one of those times each year has been a wake or funeral. 

She came to our wedding. 

She came to Elijah's funeral. 

I have known her since I was three. 

There were three of us. 

Always together. 

She is so faithful in writing and sending cards. 

My dad nick named her when we were little. 

He loved her curls and quiet ways. 

So different from his little girl.

We used to play every day as kids. 

We celebrated birthdays each year. 

She tagged along on our family holiday sing alongs. 

Gathered with us for family reunions. 

Our lives interwoven in the strongest of tapestries.

She had a little hide away nook under the stairs in her cellar. 

(that's what we called them. . . cellars)

Oh how fun it was. 

Sleeping over at her house was a treat. 

She had 3 older sisters- who I adored and admired. 

(still do)

I had none. 

We slept on the pull out couch and watched cartoons all morning!

This was not allowed at our house. 

We were up early. 

Cleaning; working. 

Preparation I know now for the life I would come to live. 

When we were 16, her wonderful daddy journeyed to meet Jesus. 

He had that C word that folks rarely talked about. 

Her mom already having battled the C word, only to have it return later in life.

Those days were hard as her family continued on. 

Learning to live with out this precious man. 

Yet they honored and remembered his memory. 

A witness of strength and close knit family. 

She faithfully stood by me as my mom battled the C word. 

Coming to visit.

Meeting for coffee. 

Letting me cry. 

She never flinched. 

She held my hand. 

And let the tears flow with me. 

I am celebrating this sweet childhood friend today. 

Even though I won't see her. 

Her quiet ways. 

Her beautiful smile that reaches her eyes. 

Happy Birthday my friend. 

Thank you for showing me and teaching me about friendship. 

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Friendships that last through decades

my mom who taught me the value of friendship

memories of laughter and fun

a childhood that still makes me smile

the imaginations we had as kids; oh how we played

endless summer nights playing kick the can, chase. . . and others

winter vacations that would last a life time;

 sledding at the hill, skating on Jones' pond

living in a neighborhood that spanned the generations

marrying into a family where the generations lived close by

friends who keep in touch and make the effort

the gift of technology so keeping in touch is easier

the Art of letter writing and card sending;

 I still thrill at the sight of a letter from my friend

the friends who have walked the joyous and mundane parts of my life

the friends that have also held me through the darkest times in my life-

they are the heartbeat of life

John 15:13

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

Babies, Snuggles, Diapers. . . Oh My! Day #4 of Thankfulness

I start the day with coffee and a scone with a friend. 

She insists on treating me to my favorite latte. 

It's so nice to be out and visiting. 

I return home to a note from a sweet mama that she is in the area. 

She and her new baby and would love to stop by. 

Snuggles and visiting. 

A perfect combination. 

Later after a silly fb conversation I receive another note from a mama

of three under three. 

She and another seasoned mama come for shortbread and coffee. 

The day has flown by. 

And there is contentment in my heart. 

There is still laundry and dishes. 

Supper to get. 

Floors to sweep and mop. 

Books to balance and checks to write. 

But there is a peace. 

A calm assurance. 

All is well. 

With my soul. 

Psalm 62:5

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

~30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

babies and snuggles

surprise visits

coffee in the living room while little ones play

the art of visiting, it is such a treasure

the moments of relief from grief

sunshine and warm days in November

memories of my son that flutter through

the grace by which I have been saved

never walking this road alone

the Ancient Word

the changing seasons

moments to breathe in deep

peace in my soul

another farmette on the way

a new day to be open to all God will send our way

strength for the journey, even when we don't like it

my farm girls who get up to help their farmer daddy do chores

milk, eggs and meat all from the farm 

The act of stepping into gratitude. 

You'll never be the same. 

I Say In A Whisper, I'll See You Soon, Because It's Not Really Good Bye

See you soon I say as I walk out the room. 
Tears stream down my face. 

I stifle the sobs that want to come. 
The ache so heavy. 

Another I love, so dearly, departing this life. 

Powerless to stop. 

Cancer rearing it's ugly head. 

This beautiful family. 

Servants of our Lord and Savior. 

So much living still to come. 

All, she will never see.

Grand babies growing. 

The youngest son unmarried. 

I receive the text that heaven opened it's doors to this beautiful soul. 

Her residence now eternal. 

I think on all the times together. 
Bibles studies. 

Antiquing and lunches. 

Music and books. 

Laughter. 

Always laughter. 
Her laugh was like the twinkling of a million fairies. 

Her blue eyes sparkling. 

So encouraging. 

Always positive. 
A silver lining somewhere. 
Poise and grace. 
Coffee and tea. 
A vacation cut short to return to play the organ at the funeral 

for my father in laws sudden departure from this world. 

Such talent. 

The ivory keys brought forth sounds and style only she could coax. 

To watch her conduct, was art in itself. 
Beautiful music.

Walks and talks with another friend solving life's problems. 

Room makeovers. 

Discussions in the glow of the firelight as life marched on. 

And now her race is finished. 

The battle won. 

The words, 
well done my good and faithful servant,
resounding through out the heavens. 

She is released from the constraints of this world. 

Her glorious talent added to the Heavenly choir. 

And I am sure my boy greeted her with open arms. 

What a sweet reunion there must have been with all her loved ones. 

And aren't we all waiting for the reunion? 

Romans 8:18-22

 Consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

The whole of creation waits in anticipation for Jesus' return. 
It is not the dead that grieve. 
They rejoice. 
It it those left behind that the grieving is for. 
So my sweet friend. 
I do not grieve for you. 
You are free of pain. 
You are home. 
We will all grieve, for us. 
For our aching hearts. 
For your dear husband and beautiful, beautiful family. 
For the immense loss here on this earth. 
For all the missing. 

So, I say again, in a whisper,  I will see you soon dear one. 

2 Peter 3:8
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: 
With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.