The Wind

sitting at the breakfast table
I gaze out the window
looking for evidence that
it is here
all is still

then a slight movement
in the trees
the leaves begin to stir
and I wait

sip coffee and watch
boughs bend
grasses undulate
flowers dance
it is here

I step outside
knowing the walk
will be easier

I wake in the morning
looking for evidence
that You are here
all is still

I see You in the
face of a loved one
feel You in a
warm embrace
hear You in the words
of love and encouragement

I sense your presence
in explicable peace
feel Your touch
when I kneel
to pray

I step into the day
knowing the walk
will be easier

Blessings,
Linda

The Gift of This Day

It is one of those rare days when we have nowhere we have to go and nothing pressing that must be done. I love these days. They stretch before me with all sorts of pleasant possibilities.

After breakfast this morning, we went for a walk with our walking buddies - the couple who lives just around the corner. We begin the walk together, for a few brief moments, and then the men take off - walking way ahead of us. We have walked many miles together over the years and covered even more ground in our conversations. They are precious times for me - for she is a friend who always points me to Him. We talked today about their trip to the Holy Land, marveling at the miracle of it all.

When we got home, I decided to ignore the thick layer of dust on the furniture and the lint on the carpets. Instead I talked to my Mom on the phone, wrote a letter to a friend, practiced piano and read some blogs. There are potatoes boiling on the stove in preparation for some homemade potato salad. And I still have a few hours before supper. I will work on my Bible Study, do our workout with my husband and perhaps I'll sit and read for a little while or work on my counted cross stitch project.

I am feeling decidedly rich. I am blessed beyond measure. Thank You for this day Father.

Linda

Prayer (imperfect prose)

Prayer

When the day is softly waking
to the touch of warming sun.
When the dark is closing round me
it is at these times I come:
to the place of new beginnings
where all is joy and light
to the One who is my safety
throughout the darkest night

When I'm filled with guilt and sorrow
and I'm feeling so alone.
When my soul is tired and aching
it is at these times I come:
to the place of full assurance
where all is peace and rest
to the One who never changes
lay my head upon His breast.

When the heavens seem to echo
with my cry of deep despair.
When it seems He is not listening
is it true He does not care?
Is my faith too weak for answers?
Is my sin too great to cleanse?
Has He tuned His back in anger?
Has His love come to an end?

When the questions have no answers
and I want to turn and run.
When I raise my voice in anger,
it is then that I must come:
to the One whose ways are wiser
to the One whose ways are best
to the One who never changes
lay my head upon His breast.

This is my contribution to Emily's imperfect prose. Come visit.



Blessings,
Linda

Kindness of Strangers

It was her very first outing. Weeks earlier she had fallen while getting dressed. She said she knew on the way down it was going to be bad. It was. Her leg was broken in two places. After surgery, a hospital stay and weeks in a rehab facility, my usually upbeat, energetic 86 year old mother was weary and feeling rather down.

When we suggested going out to dinner, she readily agreed. She was using a walker by this time and felt strong enough to negotiate the walk from the car to the restaurant. We all piled into cars and headed out to her favorite Italian restaurant.

She did really well. We sat around a big table and put hospitals and physical therapy on the back burner for a little while.

When it was time to leave, Mom very slowly made her way to the exit. The restaurant was getting crowded by this time, and she had to carefully negotiate her way around the people waiting for tables. As we approached the doors, I tried to get ahead of her to hold them open. There were two teenage girls coming in, and I wanted to get there quickly so they wouldn't have to wait.

Before I could get around my Mom, they opened the door and stood back to wait for her to make her way out. It seemed to take forever, but those sweet girls stood quietly, smiling encouragement.

It was a special moment for me. The kindness of strangers is an unexpected blessing. The fact that they were teenagers somehow made it even more so.


This is my moment for Tuesdays Unwrapped at Emily's.



Blessings,
Linda

Always/Never

There are two words the experts advise not to use when having a "discussion" with your spouse. They are "always" and "never." (as in: "You never listen." or "You always say you'll call and then you never do.")

I must confess that I have been guilty of the over-use of these two culprits. It never (and here the word is quite accurate) works out very well. They have the power to short-circuit any possible chance of a rational conversation. Instead of focusing on the issue, we end up "discussing" whether it really is always or never. There is no good place to go from there.

I have, however, found Someone who uses those words with great accuracy. They have the power, when used by Him, to bring encouragement and hope.

"...and lo, I am with you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28: 20

"Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall ALWAYS be with the Lord."
I Thess. 4:17

"Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS; and again I will say, rejoice!"
Philippians 4:4

"but whosoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall NEVER thirst;..."
John 4:14

"Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall NEVER see death."
John 8:51

" ...for He Himself has said, 'I will NEVER desert you, nor will I ever forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5

Oh that my words would be more like His words.
"The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times."
Psalm 12:6

Blessings,
Linda

P.S. "His love will ALWAYS, NEVER fail."
(from the song "Illogical Case of Love" by Janet Paschal)

My Little; His Much

they found Him there
sitting in quiet country solitude.
they brought the lame, the blind,
the crippled, the dumb,
laid them at His feet.
He healed them all.

three days
they stayed.
He poured Himself out
so that they might know
the One who had sent Him.

He looked with compassionate eyes,
saw their need
in the face of the long journey home.
wanting to provide
He asked His disciples what they had.

It was but little
seven loaves, a few small fish
He took it and
fed thousands
with some left over.

He is a miracle worker.
with Him all things
are possible.
sometimes He asks me
to give what little I have
that He might make
it much.

(Matthew 15:29-39)

I am participating in Emily's imperfect prose.


Blessings,
Linda

His Voice

"And your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the left or right."
Isaiah 30:21

Whenever I am tempted to think the Lord doesn't speak to me, to think that somehow it only happens to those who are the most spiritual among us, He reminds me that He has no favorites. We are all His beloved children.

I am a world-class procrastinator. There have been spells when I thought perhaps I was getting a handle on this unfortunate tendency, but inevitably I find myself slipping back into the old habit of putting things off.

One of those things, in recent months, has been letter writing. We sponsor two children through World Vision, and I am hopelessly behind in corresponding with them. Day after day I tell myself to get it done and day after day I put it off. The days become weeks and the weeks have multiplied into months. I know that once I sit down to do it, I will wonder why on earth I put it off for so long.

I also have an unfortunate tendency to put these "small" things into a mental folder labeled - "not urgent." I assure myself that I will get to it soon and that it really isn't such a big deal. However, I cannot seem to quiet that still, small voice that says I am not being obedient.

Today, while eating lunch, I was reading a little devotional by the late Ruth Graham. Suddenly the still, small voice rose to a deafening roar as I read her words:

"Amid the pressures of today, the increasing global turmoil...we who are Christians must be alert to the needs of others. Is there a letter we could write? A simple deed of kindness that we should do? An encouraging word to give to someone who is desperate to hear? Time that we ought to take to listen...
Opportunities to help others allow us to show genuine love, to earn the right to be heard, so that we can tell them about Jesus Christ."

I am thankful that the Lord never gives up on me, and that He will speak a word word behind me when I am not walking in the way I should go.

I am also thankful for:

- the little things my Mom crafts with such love; they bring beauty and warmth to our home

(a little pillow and a sachet she made and filled with lavender from her garden)


- the laughter shared by a grandfather and grandson



- things that make me smile - the century plant finally keeled over. It was tilted at such a precarious angle, we knew it was inevitable. The rain finally did it in, washing enough soil away to tip it over.



- rain! After the long drought, I will never take it for granted. It is such a blessing to have good rains this year. Everything is so green.



I am joining the rest of the Gratitude Community at Ann's - giving thanks.



Blessings,
Linda

Serving In the "Small" Places

"The only thing you can really control is the present - the actual moment that is passing by. Sanctify that from hour to hour, and you sanctify your whole life; but brood over the past, or project yourself into the future, and you will lose all. The little act of obedience, love, self-restraint, meekness, patience, devotion, offered to you actually is all you can do now, and if you neglect that to fret about something else at a distance, you lose your real opportunity of serving God."

H.L. Sidney Lear (1824-1896)

While I dream dreams of doing something grand for the Lord, what countless little opportunities to serve do I miss?

Blessings,
Linda

Help On the Way

He had mentioned a time or two in his letters that his Mom was sick. We became concerned and called World Vision to see if there was anything we could do to help.

Correspondence between some of the poorer countries is anything but the instantaneous process we have gotten used to, and it was quite some time before we heard back from them. Without giving us too many details, they said Pellumb's Mom had been ill but was doing better. However, there were medicines she needed that they were having a great deal of difficulty paying for. We told them we would take on that expense for as long as was necessary.

It was easy to make the transaction. A credit card number and we were good to go. But once again there was the delay of all the necessary paper work and limited access to swift communication. So while we were breathing a sigh of relief that they would get the help they needed, they had no way of knowing it was on the way.
It would be some time before that help actually reached them.

I was reminded of that as I thought about some of the things we've been praying about for so long. It sometimes seems that nothing is happening - that the Lord has either not heard my prayers or has decided to ignore them for now.

I have come to understand that is never true. He always hears. He always answers. There are times the answer is no. In those times, I simply trust that He knows what is best for me. However, there are also times when He is in the process of answering, and I am simply unaware.

I think of Daniel, praying desperately for his people who had been held in captivity for years. In Daniel 10 it tells us for three whole weeks he had been mourning and fasting. Then an angel appeared to him and said, "Don't be afraid Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kindgom of Persia blocked my way."

We have no idea what is going on in the heavenlies, but we may be sure of one thing. The Father hears our prayers, and He will never forsake us. He is never late. The answer will come right on time.

Blessings,
Linda

Morning Glories

I found them in the kitchen cabinet that has become the repository for all our miscellaneous “stuff.” They were hidden behind the plastic cup filled with old pens and pencils, waiting patiently for me to remember. Two packets of Morning Glory seeds trapped in their little paper envelopes.

The day I purchased them I had visions of a garden fence filled with green vines and glorious blooms. Now I planted them without much hope of ever realizing that dream. They had been neglected for far too long.


I tried not to look too often, but I couldn't resist checking on them every once in a while. Days went by with no sign of life along the little fence line.

One morning, after a good rain, I noticed tiny green spears sticking sticking out of the dirt. There weren't many at first, but each day there were a few more. Once out of the ground, they seemed to grow at lightning speed. With very little care, they were growing into sweet little plants.


As they got a bit older, they began putting out long tendrils that reached for something to grab hold of. If I was going to have a fence filled with beautiful Morning Glories, I would need to get more involved. I began gently winding the little vines around the fence wires so they would know which way to climb. Left to their own devices, they would latch on to the closest thing and begin winding their way in a different direction. They were growing beautifully. They just needed a little guidance.


I find it so in my own life. There have been times I have gone off in a direction of my own choosing. Other things have looked attractive or were simply easier to follow.

Thankfully, I have a Father who gently guides me back to the place of blessing - the place He has for me.

"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'"
Psalm 32:8

Blessings,
Linda

Be Careful LIttle Mouth What You Say

We are home from a happy trip to visit family. We had a wonderful time, playing games, swimming, talking, laughing, eating, and just soaking up those precious grandchildren.

I will be at Laced With Grace on Tuesday with a post about words. Please join me there.



Blessings,
Linda

Back Soon

I am closing up shop for just a few days. However, since I really don't want to leave all this empty space on this post, here is something I read today that touched my heart:

"God made the soul for Himself, to have its bliss in His infinite, unchanging, exhaustless love. The soul then 'must needs be restless, until it repose in Him.' Everything, whether it belongs to the keenest intellect, or the lowest senses, is an idol if the soul rests in it, apart from God. The soul's craving for peace is its natural yearning for its End, its Maker,and its God. Since the soul is large enough to contain the infinite God, nothing less than Himself can satisfy or fill it."

E.B. Pusey (1800-1882)
(emphasis mine)

I'll be back soon.

Blessings,
Linda

P.S. Might I humbly suggest something you might enjoy reading. Elizabeth has written a series on her blog that is, for me, so powerful. It has given me much to think about.

Impatiens

He carried you home
Fragile blossoms
vibrant
And profuse

We hung you high
Pride of place
Overlooking old wooden
Porch railing

They came to
Nest among the pink profusion
Flying back and forth
Weaving twigs and grass

Too gentle and fragile
To be hearth and home
We took you
Into ours

Little wings flapping
Squawking out
Their disapproval
They fluttered off
To stronger branches

You are back home
Pride of place
Brightening the
Threshold.

This was written for HCB poetry prompt: A Tablespoon of Summer.

Thankful for Family

Thirty-eight years ago, I spent the 4th of July in the hospital . Those were ancient days when Daddies were not allowed past the waiting room doors, and Mommies were medicated into oblivion. Therefore Daddy and big brother, three year old Scott, were at the 4th of July parade at the moment baby brother Todd made his grand entrance onto life's stage. For the record, I tried really hard to make it through labor without medication. When my contractions began coming very close together, the nurses urged me to take "just a little something to take the edge off." In a moment of weakness, I agreed, and it's the last thing I remember until waking up after the delivery.

Ah well, we have had lots and lots of precious moments over the past nearly four decades to make up for it. I am thankful for every one of those moments - and all the ones in between. My only regret is not cherishing them just a bit more, for time rushes by at break-neck speed and before you know it the baby has little ones of his own.

My heart is focused on family this 4th of July:

- I am thankful:

- for the Godly heritage passed down by my parents and my husband's parents. They have given us treasure that cannot be measured in earthly terms. It is more precious than gold.

- for our three children, and for our beautiful daughters-in-law. Each is an answer to prayer - our prayers and the prayers of their grandparents.

- for seven grandchildren who came wrapped in joy and have blessed our lives a thousand times over.

- for albums filled to the brim with memories of time spent together

- for the times when we laughed until tears rolled down our cheeks and for the times when we clung to each other as tears of a different nature mingled together.

- for a love that has sustained us - a love for one another that is grounded in the love of a heavenly Father who has blessed us beyond measure.

- for shared faith

- for a shared hope

- for knowing that this life is only the beginning - we have an eternal future together

- for time spent listening to Great-grandpa tell stories about D-Day and WWII; and Grandpa telling stories of his childhood adventures with his four brothers ("Tell us the one about your brother falling on the ice and getting a huge goose egg on his forehead Papa.")

- teaching granddaughters to knit

- looking at old family pictures with Great-Grandma - looking into the faces of family that lived so long ago, hearing their stories.

Thank You Father. You give good gifts.

Visit Ann to share more gifts.



Blessings,
Linda

Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!



Blessings,
Linda