Friends are Blessings

My heart sank when my dear friend told me she had to go back in for a second mammogram on her right breast. The doctor had seen some dark tissue. After the mammogram, if he still found something irregular, they would immediately do a sonogram. I prayed, I cried, and I tried to give her courage.

The day of the testing, I waited by the phone for her call. I kept praying for her along with others who've been on my prayer list. The clock's hands moved slowly.

When the phone rang, I answered quickly. Her first words brought tears of joy. The shadow had been fibrous tissue...nothing to worry about. She thanked me for my prayers and we praised Jesus together.

I find myself thanking God so many times through the day for His many wonderful blessings. My friend is one of those blessings. I know He wants me to thank Him by sharing His love with others, and I try to do that. But, when my eyes close and I'm on my knees, I not only lay my burdens at His throne, but I give thanks as well.

God is good, all the time.

Praising Family

Every day, I feel so happy and blessed with what God has given me. I have a wonderful husband and we are truly best friends. We fuss at each other and we disagree sometimes, but most times we laugh together and make decisions together. We support each other and care for each other. It's wonderful to have someone I can share anything with and know that whatever I say, he won't turn his back on me.

The blended family we have created is awesome! Together we have eight children. Through the years we made a lot of memories. Now, we can sit together at family gatherings and reminisce and laugh. Even now, we learn things our children did which they didn't tell us at the time! I love the sense of belonging to a family.

We are also blessed to be a family of Christians. And we have a wonderful church family. As I close my eyes, I see all of our families blended together into one huge family, surrounding us with love and protection. And I see God's loving arms wrapped around all of us.

I opened my bible this morning and this is what I read in Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 (NLT, Tyndale Red Letter)

"I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, 'Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?' It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

Look! Grapes!!

Two years ago my hubby planted a grapevine starter. Last year, the vines produced one tiny bunch of grapes. This year the vines have grown substantially, climbing up the arbor which supports a "porch swing" hanging on chains. The grapes are so cute, like tiny little green balls. We aren't experienced in growing grapes, but we will do our best to nurture and care for the vines, pruning as necessary, in hopes of having a bountiful harvest.

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

HIDE AND SEEK

Romans 10:20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, "I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me."

When I first became a Christian, I loved the feeling of being among fellow believers. Church was a warm, safe place to go and have my spirit renewed. All my friend spoke the same language, asked the same questions, sought the same reassurance. I opened my heart and welcomed Jesus to bless me. He has provided for me in my times of need, carried me through my times of trouble, and restored my faith, time and time again.

Lately, I've started to worry that I'm not carrying His word to others to bring them into His fold. I'm not a preacher. I'm a faltering Christian. But, I know that I am doing His good deeds when I reach out to others and share what I can--a smile, a helping hand, forgiveness, love.

Just as the scripture above says, I am showing God's love to those who may not be seeking Him, and in doing so spreading good seeds for His harvest.

Thank you for visiting and remember to thank Him for all the blessings He bestows.

Anything Can be Bought For a Price

I look in the mirror some mornings and wonder if I should color my hair. I see a lion's mane of white, sometimes unruly, locks. Coloring my hair would give it more body, more fullness and controllability. But it would also mean having to spend money for vanity's sake.

I have friends who are always longing to change their bodies. Some want unnaturally white teeth, some want larger breasts, less wrinkles... All of these can be purchased. Just look at the television and magazine ads. For a price, most anything can be bought.

This morning, determined to call my hairdresser for a change, I opened my Bible and my eyes fell on this verse:

Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

So my hairdresser will not receive my money today. I was reminded that God created each of us in His image and that He loves us just as we are. The biggest price has already been paid. Jesus paid the price for our salvation by dying on the cross.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that what others my see as flawed, You see as beauty.

Rejection Hurts...

I moved from a friendly small town in the midwest to a suburb of Washington, D.C., when my children were not yet old enough to attend school. My first shock came when we entered a grocery store and I smiled at the clerk who waited on us. No return smile! I tried smiling at people I'd pass and found not one friendly face. Weeks and months passed. Still whenever I reached out to smile or share a friendly word with a stranger, the only thing I received in return was a cold, or distant return glance. That was a very hard time of life for me.

I wonder if that's what God feels when He smiles down on us and we ignore Him. Jesus walked the earth and people refused to listen, denied Him, and killed Him. How His heart must have hurt to be dying for our sins while being rejected by the people He'd come to save. Each and every day, God smiles down on us with the blessing of another sunrise, another sunset, clothing on our backs, food for our stomachs, shelter, and more...so much more. Yet, few thank Him.

Today, I still smile and speak to strangers. Sometimes I get a smile in return, sometimes we strike up a conversation, but sometimes I get rejected. It still hurts. Sometimes I think an ungrateful word, or silently call them an unkind name. That isn't what Jesus would do. So, each day I try to remember to share my smile and kind word without expecting anything in return. How can I love others less than God does?