Deep Thoughts and Little Happenings

We have five beautiful grandchildren, but during Thanksgiving break I was gifted with an entire day with our precious Brooklyn.  She chose to play games.  Lots and lots of games.  She's only 7-years-old, but she has a quick mind which means I can't give into Grandma brain.  Brooklyn wants a challenge! Well, I was ahead in one of our games when she got something she needed.  She actually broke out in song!  What did she sing?  The Hallelujah Chorus! It was so sweet and is forever running through my mind now.  She didn't sing the usual, though.  No!  My sweet Brooklyn sang her own version. Ha-le-yu-lah! Ha-le-yu-lah! Okay, besides the cuteness of her pronunciation, I can't quit thinking about all the different parts and words and timing that particular chorus requires. Here's a link:  ​​ ​​ https://binged.it/2BJs3xM   Listen to it.  Notice all the differences.  Soak in the majestic beauty of the harmony. We're all created with equal value, but we are n

We're coming up on eight years here, and I'm reminiscing over the process of finding our home: the place we consider our final stop after years of moving.  We call this little piece of Prince William County our Canaan. What did we envision as its purpose?  Well, a roof over our heads is obvious.  But we wanted it to be more.  We wanted it to be a place where friends and family gather.  A place where current relationships are strengthened and new relationships forged.  A place where all are welcome and accepted.  A place of respite for us and others. We're empty nesters, so we don't need a lot of space on a daily basis, but we wanted others to know there was a place for them in our home as well as our hearts.  So, instead of downsizing, we included three extra bedrooms.  They're not large or fancy, but they serve the needs of those who stay. Our guest rooms are definitely an ongoing process.  We're always looking for ways to make those rooms more use

I know!  Funny title, but I also have a "funny" story.  I was recently with my cousin for our annual get together.  We always eat at the same places, order the same meals, and drink the same beverages when we're together.  This makes for tradition, but it's also practical.  We do not need to expend one single solitary brain cell on fueling our bodies each day.  Our time together is spent on being together and enjoying the fellowship. So, we go to Woodmont Grill for supper the first night and there's been a change.  Not in the menu but in how they serve their hot tea.  I always have hot tea with my meals.  Anyway, they do not bring it to me in the usual little silver teapot of hot water with the lemon and a tea bag on the side (yes, it's Earl Grey).  That was odd, but I put my tea bag in the cup of hot water and covered it with my hand for steeping. After a while, one of the many waiters came by and topped it from a large silver teapot.  Okay, I was liking

Being surrounded by those who love me has me thinking about all the quilts made by and for our family over the years.  Both of my great-grandma's and my grandma were quilt makers.  I have a heritage of quilt making on both sides of my family.  A heritage of making something uniquely beautiful that serves a very practical need. But beyond the snuggly warmth of those quilts, there is the love that goes into making them for us.  Each little piece that was cut and pieced together to create amazing designs that were not visible before they began.  They took ordinary pieces of cloth and turned them into unique masterpieces. My first quilt is threadbare and used very carefully now.  Momma made it for me using the Grandmother's Fan design, which she copied from one of my great-grandmother's quilts.  It required hours of cutting pieces of fabric, sewing each piece into fans, and then into squares to be sewn together.  Once all the piecing was completed, Momma carefully layered t

God uses all sorts of people to do His work.  I've had relationships with people who were like sandpaper or even more like sandblasters in my life.  Those encounters usually left me feeling raw and exposed, but I believe those people were a necessary part of God's refining love.  He gave them to me, so He could remove the callouses around my heart; callouses that were preventing me from being tender toward Him and others. Thankfully, He's surrounded me with others who are always happy to see me, and stick close when I make messes...people who are like a well used quilt that wraps me in the quilt maker's love.  Those people are living pictures of God's love for me.  They are love in action.  Their love goes beyond feelings and thoughts to actually doing life with me.  Those are the ones who press in closer and surround me with their strength and courage.  They allow me to draw from their storehouse, so that I will not grow weary and give up.  They link elbows wi

A precious friend recently gave me a book she bought at a second hand shop.  She actually keeps them on hand to give to those she believes will be blessed by its message of truth.  It's one of those little cardboard books you buy for very young children, and I'm telling you this because... The LORD's been trying to teach me truth about my identity for quite some time now.  Maybe all my life.  For some unknown reason, I've always struggled with being valuable.  Don't be confused.  I knew I was loved and valuable to those who were significant to me; God, George, family, and close friends.  The problem was my understanding of that love.  It was shrouded in obligation.  I believed they were obligated to love me because of who they were; because of their God-given role in my life. Yes, I know how skewed that is, but there it is.  It's an ugly un-truth that I actually held close and nurtured.  I consoled myself with it when I didn't succeed at something, or I

We recently went home to GA for my family's reunion.  That's a long trip, so we usually stop over in NC and spend a night with our daughter's family. Anyway, while there, Jeremy showed us his new First Person View (FPV) Camera he bought for the quad-copter he built. The camera comes with these big black goggle looking things that you strap on your head.  You guessed it!  George and I had to try them.   Wow!  I could see everyone and everything Jeremy pointed the camera towards. Truthfully?  It was more than a little disconcerting to have no control of what I was seeing.   I couldn't change what I saw by turning my head or body, but I could sit still and get a changing view.  I didn't have control of the camera, but the camera was controlling what I could see!   If I was in a cartoon, my lightbulb would've been flashing overhead.  I haven't stopped thinking about how the FPV camera was like seeing from God's perspective.   I've also been th

George recently said something to me that rocked my world.  He told me to quit trying to be someone else because he loved the girl he married.  Wow!  I'm a chatterbox and easily excitable (George kindly calls me passionate).  I tend to be impulsive and yet struggle a lot with doubt.  I stand on the fence of indecision too many times.  Why?  Fear of doing it wrong.  Fear of disappointing those I love!  Anyway, what George said was freedom for me.  He likes who I am.  He's not waiting for me to grow up, change or mature before he likes who I am. I'm trying to carry that same truth into the spiritual.  The One who created me the way I am didn't mess up when He made me.  Every single one of my unique and quirky characteristics were chosen and given to me with intention.  Yes!  I need to be redirected and I need to learn to use who I am for the right purposes, but... The One who made me will lovingly redirect me when I do anything that's con

Today I'm exploring the other side of "pocket" freedom.  I'm thinking what I put in my "right pocket" brings as much freedom as what I choose to leave for God to handle. It took me a little while, but I was finally able to answer the question of what I want.  I had to know that before I could choose what to put in my pocket, right?! What do I want?  I want the LORD's perspective.  Having His perspective will allow me to quickly discern the deceptive half-truths of this world.  I need His perspective on who He is, who I am, who others are, and every situation I encounter.   I might be wrong, but I think knowing God's perspective will spur me to action; free me to live full-tilt AND without fear.  Plus, it will help me clearly discern what belongs in my left pocket! In seeking His perspective, there are three things I must practice with intention.  1) Keep reading His Word because the Bible reveals Him and how He thinks. 2) Pause in what I

Wow!  We just had our 2018 church conference.  Our guest speaker was Bob Goff.  Let me just say, he definitely knows how to share truth with humor along with a gentle yet powerful punch.  I was literally hooting with laughter even as the LORD was exposing my heart to a deeper understanding of who He is and who I am in Him. I cannot possibly share all the nuggets of gold I was given, but one opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on freedom. Quote: "Our faith is the sum of everything we hold onto and let go of." - Bob Goff Would you believe Bob has cut the left pocket out of everything he owns?!  He told us this is his daily reminder to let go of anything that has no value or benefit; anything he cannot control.  Anything put in the left pocket falls to the ground and is left behind.   My take away?  Freedom is learning to let go of anything that is not mine to carry.  To let go of anything that is not mine to take care of or correct.  To let go of anything

Good Morning!  I'm learning sight plays a crucial role in my ability to live in the freedom Jesus paid to give me, so I've been researching physical sight to help gain a deeper understanding of the spiritual sight I want.  Did you know clear eyesight is a three part process? The absence of light is darkness.  No one can see without light!!!  We have absolutely no eyesight without light!  But... Our pupils respond to even the smallest amount of light in a matter of seconds.   They  dilate and pinpoint to allow more or less light in, but that is the limit of their abilities.  Cone cells begin working as soon as the pupil allows even the smallest amount of light to hit the retina.  Cone cells help our eyes adapt to the darkness in about 10 minutes, but they can only give us limited clarity. Rod cells play the final role of eyesight.  Rod cells complete the process of clear vision, but it is a very slow process that develops over a period of several hours. Taking this i