Forgiven Much

I think back to where and when these feet of mine must of taken their first step. And I look to where they are standing now. What a journey!  There are times I wish they would of taken a different road. I often wonder if I would be standing here if they did. So much Grace and Mercy has been poured into my life.

These feet of mine have carried me through a wonderful childhood. Memories abound. This old barn beam may not look like much to you. To me it's a moment in time. A time when two little girls were running and laughing. Going in and out of Grandpa's barn that use to stand so proud. It's nothing but a memory now. A great wind blew her down. I have what is left. An old piece of wood and the memories that cling to it.

These almost 40 year old hands would help me climb up into the loft and day dream with my dear sister.....about made up stories and  songs that only her and I can still sing to this day. These hands of mine have held dollies and toy cars. They often were intertwined with big sister's hand. Their journey went on too. Sometimes it has been the wrong path. They needed a map, a guide.

They now wipe tears and noses. Cook meals and make blankets, they do laundry and hug children. They are often found caressing the cheek of my  husband. They have done much, not always right, but not always wrong. They are forgiven, along with the rest of my body and soul. They have been found and guided.

You see my feet and hands have learned much on their journey,and they have been forgiven much, So that they can teach these little hands how to love and pray on their journey.

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- For she loved much. Luke7:47
Jesus said to the woman your faith has saved you; go in peace. Luke 7:50

I'm still learning on my journey, but now my Journey is with Christ. He leads the way.

The Ripple Affect, Make Some Waves!

Did you ever just touch the water with your finger tip? It makes an ever slight miniature wave. You barely have to get your finger wet to make the water move. I had my son put the tip of his finger in one side of the pool just to see what would happen.With just the tip of his finger a single ripple moved out towards the center of the pool. I had my doubts that it would ever make it to the other side, but it did. Then with enthusiasm we prolonged this little experiment to see what would happen if he put his whole finger in, and instantly not just one ripple but three moved to the other side of the pool. Before we ended our science experiment, we had to try his whole hand. When he put his whole hand in the water, the whole bottom of the pool became blurry with all of the movement of the water and there were too many ripples to count.

What if we dipped into church that way, so to speak. If we just put even the tips of our fingers in to help. The ripple affect would start. Now imagine putting your whole hand in, what if you were brave enough to take that leap of faith into unknown water. {outside of church} Knowing there may be jelly fish that could sting you, sharks that could devour you, and whales that could swallow you whole! I know, right now your thinking I'm being a little bit dramatic. Just put your sea caps on and get your sea legs ready and just go with me here.

Jonah jumped in. Not because he wanted to.  God told Jonah to go to Ninveh. Instead of listening to God Jonah ran, he didn't want to get his feet wet. All because of fear and unbelief that God's plan would work. so what does he do, he boards a ship. Not too bright for someone who was afraid to take that leap of faith. We all know what happens in the end. Jonah gets thrown over board and a big huge whale swallows him whole.

Now I've never been inside a whale before, but I can imagine the shear terror that Jonah was in. Once over the pure shock, what do you do inside a whale for three days? Besides the obvious, like thinking of a way out. Jonah was not only thinking of a way out, I bet he was thinking what a fool he was for not listening to God. He should of known God would have taken care of him. He should of put his trust in him. Easier said than done you say? At times I would agree with you, but sooner or later we all have to make the decision to take off the floaties or swimmies which ever you prefer and swim for Christ! Set sail with Captain Christ!

Why are we as believers in Christ so afraid to make waves? Why don't we rock the boat? Every one else does and it's not for Jesus. People are not afraid to make waves for issues such as gay rights, legalizing abortion, not supporting our troops. the list goes on. Why are we not passionate about our Jesus? Why are we not making waves? All it takes is a finger tip to start a ripple. What if we all jumped in at once? Imagine the waves! Forget waves, I'm talking Tsunami!!! Oh beloved all the great, wonderful things that God could accomplish through His little swimmers. Think of the waves washing over all of the lost, how they would wash them clean.

Did you ever notice how important water is to planet earth and all who inhabit her? Of course you have. Most of us have been in a situation where your not the least bit thirsty until someone tells you you can't have water. Suddenly you become so dry that your mouth feels like the Sahara Dessert. Nothing else will do not soda, not juice, not milk. Just WATER!!!

Do you think it's just a coincidence that we need water to live and that God uses baptism by water as a symbolism of new life. Jesus took a leap of faith! So we could rise up out of the water into new life and cause a ripple affect. So that you and I could be washed by His blood. Jesus caused some serious waves. Don't let those waves slowly fade away. Get your swimming trunks on take that leap of faith and go make some waves!

Cotton Candy Clouds

At different times of the day, if you were here with me you would see me run outside with my camera just to catch a glimpse of what the Great Artist has painted for me. I love to take pictures of the sky.

Every day is a different tapestry loaded with beautiful colors and shapes. There is no other artist that can out do His creations.That can out paint His paintings. Every Picture is an original that someone along the way will soon try and copy or explain it's exsitance. Some even try to explain these creations away. Telling us there was no painter, no artist, no creator.

I believe it takes so much more faith to think that all of this did not have a creator.

Every day He paints me a picture. Some days have brilliant colors and other days just have various shades of grey. No matter what color my day is I am truly thankful that He has chosen to paint me another day.

On this paticular day He chose to paint me Cotton Candy Clouds.  Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2

Flowers and Friends

I hear the wind outside talking to the trees, it seems to be blowing in Spring. The signs are every where. Flowers are opening and peering out from their sleepy slumber. The land scape is dotted with the colors that only the Creator can paint.

As a child I remember watching the tulips grow. And I swear if you stood there long enough you could actually see them bloom. Flowers are like the friends you pick, beautiful and unique in every way. Just as the Creator has dotted the landscape, so too has He dotted your life with the many colors of friends.

Each one has a different quality, They fill your heart with Joy, Laughter, Understanding, Forgiveness, And Love!

But that's only if you take care of them.......Remember them.......Take time for them.......And Cherish them.

I have been reminded this week that I have been neglecting my flowers....I mean my friends. Well both. Truth be told my patio looks like a grave yard for what was once beautiful flowers. I lost them, My flowers I mean.

My friends are still around, you see they have been waiting for me. That one phone call that says I care. A letter sent through the mail to give them a smile. Just like these flowers my Friends are Beautiful and I want them to know they are not forgotten.

I can always buy more flowers, but I would never beable to replace my friends. To all of you, my Beautiful Friends........I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

This Time Around

Precious moments wrapped up in love, I'm  wishing I could make this time around stand still.

This time around I want to remember every first like it was just yesterday. I want the memories to stand clear and vivid in my mind. Never having to second guess a moment. My heart is overwhelmed with Love again. How much Love can one heart hold? It is truly amazing that my heart could hold even more Love this time around.

This time around I want to cherish every smile, every tiny breath, and every squeeze from her tiny little hand.

You see, I know all too well, I've learned from experience these precious little gifts grow up way too quickly. and when your young and new at this time of raising kids you tend to over look the little things and never once do you think that this time could speed out of control and slip away. If your like me you lose your patience too quickly, and think about the lack of sleep too much. Instead of the tiny miracle that God has given you. This time around I'm not going to be consumed with me, but filled with Love, and patience.

So this time around I'm gonna slow down, stress less, and laugh more. I'm not going to worry about what needs to be done and enjoy watching her and them grow. I Love being a mom!

Life in Dark, Dismal Days

Pitter pattering rain and the skies are grey. Waking up this morning to a dismal day. Death has come the night before and the new day seems to have no life at all. Although I still hear the birds and this is when the frogs come to life, their song seems so distant so far away. Along with our loved one so far, far away.

But then a slight kick as this child moves with in me and I am reminded that dark, dismal days don't last forever. And as the found soul rises to meet our Father, so too will the sun rise again.

For life is just hidden in darkness until the light shines again. You can still hear life even in the rainy days. You can feel life sitting beside you with a loved ones simple touch, You can feel life with in you with a baby's soft kick. It takes time to heal the pain. A hurt that never really goes away, but just fades, fades into the darkness where it will someday stay.

God Shine your light on this family right now as you walk your child home and show him the Radiant light, where the days are never grey and every corner is illuminated with your beaming glorious light. Until we meet again Uncle Bob. Love is never far away!

Praying For a Miracle and Receiving a Slightly Bigger Mustard Seed

It seems my faith is always being put to the test in one way or another. Does your faith ever stop growing? Oh, I hope not! My faith seems so little at times, smaller than the tiniest mustard seed.

 My faith does have growth spirts and like growth spirts it can be painful. But this time my faith grew with out pain. Oh the Joy of praying hard for a miracle and watching that miracle take flight.

"I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'move from here to there', and it will move;

The miracle of salvation never ceases to put me in awe......to put me in tears, tears of Joy. For when you truly understand His saving Grace, it's a falling to the knees moment. I am in awe of the One who creates all miracles. Even with my tiny mustard seed faith, He has moved a mountain.

"And nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." Matthew 17:20-21.


No one is unsavable. He came for the world, not just a select few. Does my faith have room to grow? Absolutely!!
My little seed started growing years ago, And it humbles me to say that it is of the tiniest of seeds. So I stay in prayer to remember that I need Him...I stay in prayer to remember He is the miracle giver. He is the Mustard Seed Faith Giver!

The Sun Catcher

Tucked away in the hills of western New York stands an old farm house that's missing a sun catcher.

For years this old beveled glass would catch the rays of the sun as it set in the west. Filling my grandparents dining room with colors of the rainbow, but as time and the years wore on the rays of the setting sun could not penetrate through the years of the hurt and dirt that covered the old beveled glass.

This old window has seen dark times and worked hard to accept the sun through it's prisms to fill the dim corners of that old farm house. And every once in a while you would see a shimmer of hope shine through. That light would give our family the warmth to press on. For the window had accepted the sun all those years ago and you can't put out His light, but you can hide it with dirt and cover it with years of regret and hurt.

Time has a way of changing and moving things in your life. My Grandparents have long since went home to be with the Son. Soaking in His rays of light.

The old sun catcher found it's place in our new home 1200 miles away. It hangs in our dining room filling our home with warmth and love.

For in this home we have accepted the Son and we allow His rays to fill our lives. The sun catcher reminds us to wipe away the dirt and hurt to let the rays of the Son shine through you!

As I was taking pictures of my sun catcher I unexpectedly caught the angel sitting on a shelf on the opposite side. The beveled glass multiplied him. See what the Son can do..................

Thankful

I am reminded every day, the sacrifices this one man makes for his wife and quiver full. The time and years he has put in. The dreams and hobbies he has put on the back burner while his little ones grow.

He rises every morning with the sun. Even on the days it's hard to get out of bed. I've seen him rise with body aches and fever and still he pushes on. What drives this man? What makes him sacrifice so much? What makes him love this much? I am................Thankful and yet that still doesn't seem to be enough. To be thankful, I mean.

This man of mine truly realizes the important role he plays in our lives. The man that fills these shoes, no one else could. We are meant for him and him for us. He is God's gift. He was picked out especially for us. And through his actions I see his faithful love, I feel secure and well taken care of.

This man that goes to work with out fail every morning, is the same man that nudges me out of bed on Sunday mornings to get ready for Church. He is the same man who loves me unconditionally through all my craziness. This man that keeps me grounded in life when life seems to take flight. I am...................Thankful and yet that doesn't seem to be enough, to be thankful, I mean.

This man who has sacrificed so much to give me what I need and way beyond my needs he also gives me my wants.................... I am Thankful and yet that doesn't seem to be enough, to be thankful, I mean.

Hurtful words, Tape, and Forgiveness

My two girls decided to make a family book. Working together, having fun, and filling the house with laughter. And though they are 4 years apart they are still close and knitted together.

Carefully filling the pages with colors and hand drawn pictures of each family member. Writing words of love. Except for one word that stands out from all the rest.

Can you see it?

No one noticed it except the one it was meant for. Their intentions were good.

They did not write it to hurt, but it did.

And he did not forget that hurt. He held on to that hurt for two weeks until he came across our little family book. This little boy at the tender age of six so full of energy and what I like to call monkey doodles......is not BAD. He is delightfully busy.

Seeing that book brought that hurt to the front of his mind, and he did what he thought was the only right thing to do.

He started taring and tearing up. He didn't stop until every page was gone. Especially the one that caused the hurt.
Wether they are written or said, hurtful words run deep and are hard to erase even as little as they may seem.

And sometimes they can never be erased no matter how much patching up and tape you use.

I think their are two lessons to be learned here. First, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up. According to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29. No matter how insignificant the words may be to you, they could be larger than life to someone else. Even when you have nice words to follow, that one negative word erases them all and stands out like neon lights to the one it's intended for.

 Second, We still must forgive. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving eachother, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32. As I am writing this my two bubbly girls {who were not aware of the hurt that one word caused, until I told them,} are now in their room making a new family book with only positive, loving words for building eachother up.