Thanks to God

I have been away from my little corner of the blogging universe for a while now. I cannot seem to find words these days and have found contentment in being quiet. Such contentment, in fact, that I begin to wonder if this is what I am meant to do.

This morning I heard this beautiful hymn on the radio and knew I had to put it down for remembrance. It is, after all, the day we gather at Ann's to give thanks.

Thanks to God

"Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thous dost provide!
Thanks for times now but a mem'ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side!
Thanks for pleasant balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and dreary fall!
Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!
Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply!
Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!
Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!

Thanks for roses by the way-side, Thanks for thorns their stems contain!
Thanks for home and thanks for fire-side, Thanks for hope, that sweet refrain!
Thanks for joy and thanks for sorrow, Thanks for heav'nly peace with Thee!
Thanks for hope in the tomorrow, Thanks thro' all eternity!"



Blessings,
Linda

Chasing Silhouettes

You will also find me here today. My precious friend Emily has honored me by using some of my words on her blog Chasing Silhouettes. It is a "place of hope and healing for families and caregivers on the eating disorder journey."

If you have never met her, please take a moment to visit her there and at her other blog imperfect prose. You will be blessed. I promise.

Thank you so much Em.

Blessings,
Linda

Sunday: New Life

"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
II Cor. 5:17

Joining Deidra's Sunday gathering today:



Blessings,
Linda

Choices

Choices

He made the choice,
confronted by the former prince
standing humble with tightly held staff,
with hardened heart and stubborn pride
to let the plagues begin.

His choice
bringing disaster upon disaster
not to him alone
but to everyone
in his care.

My choices do not stop
at the borders of my heart.
They reach out
to touch everyone around me.
Guard my heart, O Lord,
and give me wisdom and grace
to choose less of self
and more of You.

Blessings,
Linda

Increase/Decrease

Increase/Decrease

When I seek You,
Draw close to You,
I find myself turned upside-down.
Your ways are not mine;
Your thoughts beyond my reach,
And I struggle to understand
just the way it is.

The me I am dreams dreams,
ones that bring You honor
but also make me grow bigger
in the eyes of others,
this me who is forever
longing for acceptance,
secretly seeking praise.

You must increase,
and I must decrease;
that is the way of Your kingdom.
But will I become so small
I simply disappear,
left lonely and forgotten?

A tiny sliver opens in the heavens
I catch a glimpse of
decrease in You.
Peace, joy, hope, grace, mercy, life -
It doesn't look like diminishing.
Your increase brings me riches
no account on earth can tally.

Blessings,
Linda

Sunday

"Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou has made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee."
Jeremiah 32:17

Joining Deidra and friends for Sunday



Blessings,
Linda

Vivid Memories

The days seem to be slipping through my fingers like running water. My mind can't seem to catch up to the numbers on the calendar. It is Friday already and time for another writing prompt from Lisa-Jo - just five minutes to write about

Vivid

start:

Often it is the memories that are most hurtful or filled with regret that are the most vivid. But if I allow myself a moment to look back past all the painful moments I find the ones that are filled with joy - the ones I want to hold close.

I remember a little boy who rode his first little tyke bike at lightning speed and the way he loved to march around the house making a circle from the kitchen through the living room on to the dining room and high stepping back into the kitchen.

I remember the blond curls of the second one and the way he followed big brother wherever he led. And the day he lost his footing on a slippery little hill and turned to us and said, "My shoes have no gription!"

My mind is filled with the image of a little girl dressed in her pink ruffly nightgown and matching robe walking around on tip-toe. I used to wonder how her poor little toes could stand it.

I have a vivid picture of myself riding in the backseat behind my Daddy belting out hymns in a wonderful duet.

stop

Please join us in this Five-Minute Friday get-together. It's such a delight.

Blessings,
Linda