If Jesus walked in

If Jesus walked into the sanctuary of your church or mine next Sunday morning, where would he sit? You know what I think? I believe Jesus would look around a bit and find the person or persons who are in the most need, and slip in beside them. The ones who are most lonely, the ones feeling the most pain, the ones who are hurting most right now---are the ones he would touch with the gift of gracious acceptance.

Margie and Sarah

A friend of mine just wrote that her ailing mother, Margie, had gone on home be with Jesus. Sarah was very close to her mother. Over the last few years, Sarah took efficient care of Margie. She was beyond a "good daughter".

At one time I asked on FaceBook "Who is your hero?"

Sarah immediately wrote that it was her husband. He had taken over a lot of her chores and always been there to comfort her while she was caring for her mother. I hope now she is leaning on her hero for a little while more.

Mothers are important factors in our lives. They teach us girls "how to be ladies", how to cook and clean and care for our families; they teach us to be God fearing and never be afraid to love. Most mothers are the foundation of a home. They teach the boys how to be kind and loving to their wives and sisters; as well as, how to be a man. They are our strength in times of need, they are our friend in times of sorrow.

I think of the strength and the grace under fire that I have always seen in Sarah - those traits didn't "just happen". I am thinking those came from her wonderful mother.

I think, also, that the greatest legacy that children can give a parent, is to carry on in life the traditions, values of life, morals, and love that was shown them. What better gift to give to the next generation?

Though I know my friend is grieving, I also know that she is rejoicing. She is rejoicing because she knows her mother is at peace and is resting in the arms of Jesus!

I wrote Sarah a note. A simple note. I reminded her of the babies who had burned to death in a fire in Houston. I told her God needed Margie to come help and care for those babies. God had a job for her." Sarah responded that put a smile on her face thinking of her mama rocking those babies.

God always has a plan.

Life is for the living, but God's eternal life is for those who've accepted Jesus as their personal savior. Rest in peace Mrs. Lee. And, Sarah, I hear a rocking chair creaking!

Praying Wherever

I haven't written in almost a month. This thing- that thing - no reasons - lots of excuses.

I have started praying more. I find myself talking to God in the weirdest of places - the bathroom - the closet - and I'm learning to listen more.

One of the things I have started doing on FaceBook is when someone says, I need a prayer or there's a prayer request - I post my prayer right then! I don't post it for self-gratification - I post it to let the person know - YES I am praying with you and for you - I post it as I pray. I am posting it because God says, "if you deny me before men, I will deny you..." If that person posted then, then I am going to pray when they post - I won't wait until later - they post because they need the prayer then - not later.

I do not ever want to be denied by God.

And, what better way to witness to someone who may not be a praying person or may not know how to pray - but to pray online in front of the world?

I have lost FB "friends" over my prayers. I quickly realized those aren't friends. A friend will want you to pray with them and for them and will never be afraid of the power of prayer.

Prayer has been taken out of our schools - people are afraid to pray in public. I REFUSE to allow that! We are still in America people - where we have freedom of religion and speech!

Speak out - Pray out - Be known as a praying person - and I do believe that you will be forever blessed! Ya'll pass a good one!

I sat here listening to the storm roll in this morning, feeling safe and secure in my old house with the heat already churning warm air out of the vents in preparation for the impeding cold front, wondering how many of us are really prepared for the storms in our own lives?

I wondered how many of my friends or people I pass in a given day know Jesus as their personal Savior?

I know without faith, prayer, wisdom and fortitude I couldn't have made it through some of my life's storms. Without the word of God in my mind or studying it, I wouldn't know how to handle myself.

For years growing up we rely on others to keep us safe and sound in the storms - but as adults - we have to maneuver those roads ourselves.

"When I was a child I spoke like a child; I acted like a child, but when I became a (wo)man I put away childish things."

I'm very blessed that in my life's storms I have a rock to cling to... I hope you do as well.

When things go wrong, we must choose the way of courage. We must go on with life, doing the best we can, living one day at a time, trusting God to bring it out right. The psalmist did not say, "I will meet no evil"; he said, "I will fear no evil."

"My plate is full." I keep thinking to myself as I went through the house picking up things that were just "left" where they landed - many things that I didn't put - and I suppose that imaginary person who lives here "IDUNNO" put it there. I have PI/quilt/construction businesses. Each, requires a certain amount of my brain and time - somedays one has to take precedent over the others. "But who put all that on your plate?" asks my conscious. "I did" I respond.

I did because I have to make a living - I did because I wanted that other house and I didn't want it torn down - I did because it gives us something to do together. I did it. And, most days rather than less days - I can handle it all without frustration(s) nor anxiety.

I stopped long enough today to think what all is going on in our world. I think we have accomplished a lot and will continue to do so. My grandmother used to say "idle hands are the devils workshop".

I also thought about all the begging, pleading, crying, prayers that God hears from all of us each day. His plate is full as well, I am sure.

In thinking along that line, I suppose I will try to shoulder what God has blessed me with - as I know He will put no more on me than what I cannot bear - and in the end - I am so much richer for them.

I shall not whine, but give thanks for the trials or tribulations - in the end - I will appreciate the blessings that much more.

I will attempt to count my enemies as a blessing - as they make me stronger and more reliant upon God and myself.

Sometimes we are our own worse enemies - we volunteer for too many things, say "yes" too many times, and over burden ourselves way too often. I'm going to start asking God for more guidance before I jump up and volunteer. And, I'm going to praise him for the abilities in life that He has given me.....

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Jess

Jess is undergoing a lot of medical tests. We believe that he has the beginnings of Alzheimers. "A" is not nothing nice. We have very "lucid" days - and then there are the "foggy days" . Recently we have had fewer foggy days - only because we've stuck to a routine and there hasn't been any confusion around him.

I've made up my mind, that as this "A" progresses, I want to accept and not always be right - I'm thinking that will cut down on arguments. I don't always have to be right. And, in his mind, he is right. As long as I can keep thinking straight for both of us, that's fine.

I want to dance every chance we get, hold his hand as often as possible, I want to walk in the rain or on the beach. I want to steal a kiss during the day. I plant memories in my mind of things that he does, the way he walks, how hard he works. I want to be spontaneous - but not to a point that it confuses him. I want to listen to him as he speaks his mind. I want to finish projects that we have started.

And, even if there comes a day when he doesn't know who I am - I will always know who he is.

Once we know for certain - we will blog our journey.