The Grommer

The chairs are arranged in rows facing the flat screen tv fastened to the wall. When we walked into the waiting room that day, we had to make our way to the front of the room. It was a busy morning at the V.A.

We found our seats and settled in for the wait. I always, always bring a book. It is my insurance against having to wait abnormally long periods of time. My husband quietly watched the latest news flash across the screen.

Soon the familiar sound of a cell phone ringtone filled the air. I nearly jumped out of my seat as the loud "Hello!" rang around the crowded room. Evidently the caller was hard of hearing or this guy thought long distance meant you have to yell louder.

It must have been some time since they'd spoken. The whole waiting room was treated to all the latest family news. "Yeah, she didn't even know she was pregnant. Uh huh - twins!"

It was all I could do not to turn around and get a good look at this guy. On and on he chatted, growing increasingly louder. "Yeah - she went back to work. She's a groomer. A groomer. A Groomer!!!" Yup - definitely hard of hearing.

Cell phone guy upped the volume another notch - "You know, a groomer - G.R.O.M.M.E.R.!"

I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I will admit I was annoyed at his rudeness for a long time, but he redeemed himself.

Blessings,
Linda

The "Reveal"

On November 10, 2006 I celebrated my birthday with the good news that after two years on the market we finally had a buyer for our house. I was so excited I even wrote a post about it.

Two months later that celebratory post was followed by this one. To say we were disappointed would be a huge understatement.

We continued to pray that the house would sell. There were times when I told the Lord that unless He directed otherwise, I was going to unpack every single box (I had unpacked some) and assume He didn't want us to move. And every time, someone would show up to view the house - a gentle whisper to keep waiting.

And praying....praying open-handedly, wanting more than anything else His will.

At the end of July we got a call from our indefatigable real estate agent. There was a couple that wanted to come and see the house. We have learned to temper our excitement, but, honestly, it is hard to not hope just a little.

They came; they looked; they left. Same old story.

But....on July 31st they made an offer on the house, and a week later we had come to an agreement. The contract has been signed. We are still pinching ourselves.

We are also still praying fervently for the Father to go before us. I don't think I'll truly rest easy (a testament to my tendency to worry) until the end of the month when we have the closing.

In the meantime, we've picked up where we left off four and a half years ago. Our builder kindly kept our plans on hold. Our five acres is patiently waiting for us. We are moving forward.

I cannot tell you how grateful we are. Not too long ago my husband was talking about prayer and questioning how long we should pray for something when it seems that nothing is happening. As so often happens, a short time later we heard a sermon that answered his question. As long as the Lord hasn't given a definite "no" - keep praying. He continued to pray daily for a buyer for our home.

When I think of all that is going on in this world, the suffering, the heartaches, the sickness, the poverty, the injustices.... to see that He cares about the seemingly insignificant things - our dreams and desires - is overwhelming. His love is unfathomable.

Truly, if He never gave me another thing, He has already given me far more than I could ever deserve - priceless treasures of eternal value. But He delights to give us good things. He is so very good.

Soon we will say good-bye to this dear place. I have lived here longer than any other house - twenty-eight years. It has held us in its embrace through times of joy and sorrow. It is filled with precious memories.

Another family will fill its rooms with life and love, and we will begin to make memories in a new place.

 Thank you for your prayers - your faithful prayers. It has been such a long journey, and you have encouraged  and blessed me with such love. I never could have imagined, when I began blogging five years ago, the rich blessings that would come with it. Some might wonder how blog posts could possibly foster relationships. We have come to know that, far more than words on a screen, something special has happened here. We have become dear friends in every sense of the word.  We share from our hearts and are bound together with cords of love and faith. My life has been greatly enriched by you.

Thank you,
Linda

linking to Ann's gratitude community

Thank You

Stopping by to say thank you for all the sweet comments. I don't mean to be mysterious - just have to wait a little while before I share our news.

I don't know what I would do without you dear friends. You sure do bless my life.

Blessings,
Linda

Big "Doin's"

Big "doin's" around here. I won't have much time to visit for the next few days, so please forgive. I'll share just as soon as I am able.

Blessings,
Linda

God Wants To Hear You Sing

I am going to do something a little different this weekend. While we deeply love the old hymns of the faith, my husband (the best bass singer I know) and I love Southern Gospel music. I'd like to share this song by Greater Vision with you. I can never listen to it without tears and goosebumps - without feeling drawn into His presence.

It was written by Rodney Griffin, Greater Vision's baritone singer. A truly gifted song writer, he has been named song writer of the year every year since 1998 as well as favorite baritone. I am thankful the Lord gave him this song.

If you are going through a difficult time, I pray this song will minister to you. There comes a time in each of our lives when we must walk a path that seems hopeless. It is during those times God longs to know that we love Him still, for He will never stop loving us.





Their chains were fastened tight
Down at the jail that night
Still Paul and Silas would not be dismayed
They said, “It’s time to lift our voice, sing praises to the Lord
Let’s prove that we will trust Him come what may”

God wants to hear you sing
When the waves are crashing ’round you
When the fiery darts surround you
When despair is all you see
God wants to hear your voice
When the wisest man has spoken
And says, “Your circumstance is as hopeless as can be”
That’s when God wants to hear you sing

He loves to hear our praise on our cheerful days
When the pleasant times outweigh the bad, by far
But when suffering comes along
And we still sing Him songs
That is when we bless the Father’s heart.

Blessings,
Linda

Five Minute Friday - Whole

I am late to the party - again - but I am here nevertheless. I think I'm in a bit of a silly mood. It may have to do with being tired and stressed over some things.

Be that as it may...here is the word Lisa-Jo has handed us this Friday:

WHOLE

start:

Reading today's word, my first reaction was to think of a deeply spiritual application. After all, being made whole is what it is all about; Jesus taking this mess of me and making something of value of it all. However, the more I thought about "whole" and kept saying it over and over again to myself - the funnier it sounded.

I kept coming up with ideas like: the whole enchilada, or the whole wide world, or the whole doggone thing. I'm not sure if this is an indication of selfishness or just plain silly. I do know that as I thought about those uses of the word I did think about Jesus, about how I want it all. I want the whole package.

I sometimes feel as though I am a bunch of little pieces all spread out on the living room floor waiting to be put into some sort of sensible order. We, the Lord and I, work on one part and get it in fairly good shape only to realize there is much work to be done on that other part over there.

And so it goes - a seemingly endless job of putting this fractured daughter into a recognizable whole. While we're at it, I know that not only do I want to be put together into one whole piece, I want to have the whole of Jesus...

stop

Come visit Lisa-Jo's blog and add your ideas on "whole." I'd love to hear what you have to say.






Blessings,
Linda

Photo: photobucket

Satisfied

They have come to depend on me for water, these frisky twins and their feathered friends, and so I brave the 103 degree heat to refill the birdbath. I scrub away the accumulated scum and wonder how they can stand to drink this dirty, tepid water. I do my best to keep it drinkable - but I am a poor substitute for a cool, clear stream of running water.

I make my way to the hose and drag it over to the birdbath. It is in the shade now, and I hope they will all enjoy a cool drink this evening.

 The grass crunches under my feet as I walk back toward the water spigot, and I can't bear to pass it by. I stand holding the hose over the cracked earth and watch it drink. It is so dry, and I know I can never satisfy such a deep thirst. The lawn is too big, and I am mindful that we don't have a bottomless well. I must be careful not to use too much water.

It hurts the eyes to look around and see the deep need - a need I cannot satisfy.

The sky is that perfect blue with only a few little puffs of white. They hold no promise.

And the sun beats hot - unrelenting day after day.

I turn off the water and coil the hose back into a limp roll, and I pray. Pray to the only one who can satisfy the need of this thirsty land. For there are some things that only He can do.

I think of my own heart, of the times I have tried to satisfy its cravings with things that promised much and left me feeling empty and lost. It seems my heart has been fashioned in such a way that there is only One who can perfectly fill it. When I give Him entrance, He comes; He satisfies; He fills.

"O God, Thou art my God; I shall seek Thee earnestly;
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I will bless Thee as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Thy name.
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips."
Psalm 63:1,4,5

Linking to Emily's imperfect prose.





Blessings,
Linda