Looking out the window at a beautiful winter wonderland. The peacefulness of the snow capped trees and landscapes never ceases to amaze me. No matter how cold and blustery it may be outside and believe me in Northeast Ohio it can be down right fierce. The snow globe view from the window is quiet, peaceful and soothing.
Schools are closed today, my children are camped out in their bed tent happily watching a Christmas video, I hear the rumble of the snowplows and feel content with this uneventful day. Our second "Snow Day" of the season.
As I sit here, I am able to quiet myself and reflect on another year. To look back and see the ups and downs, the good times and bad. To recall the laughter and tears and through it all know that God has been there. Even the times I felt so alone, feeling as though no one understands. Having children in your life is a blessing and I cherish each giggle, hug and need I get to fill. I have been there in sickness and in health. Having a special needs child has its own unique challenges but God gave those special children to special parents. That's right. He choose you! The Holy Word of God tells us in Psalm 139 that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (v.14). Our children are fearfully and wonderfully made. God's hand is always upon his creation. Just as he created this beautiful "Snow Day" he created you and your children. Our beauty is in the hand of the Lord.
As I close, I want to finish this passage and remind you that the Lord's Word does not go out void. He has a plan and a purpose and his word is true. "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth." Psalm 139:15. Like Adam from dust we have come and the Living God himself gives us life. We are a new creation in Him, born again. Be blessed and remember you are fearfully and wonderfully made. That you are here for this day and this time...just like this "Snow Day."
Monday, December 13, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Acorns...
It has been far too long since I have written. Much has happened over the past couple of months and now the holidays are quickly approaching. The air is crisp and cool. The trees are mostly barren with a few leaves clinging on. I awake to frost on the ground. Yes, it is fall. Yes, it is November. And yes, it is time for change.
As I think of fall and all its splendor. I am reminded of the acorn. The acorns that fall from the large oaks. So small but so important. Food, shelter, life. Majestic in its presence. As I ponder the acorn and think about how something so small, so plain, so overlooked could grow into something so precious I am once again amazed at the glory of the Lord. Like the acorn often I feel so small, so plain, so insignificant but then I remember what the word of God says. God does not see his people as small, plain, insignificant or overlooked. The Lord God knew each of us before we were knit together in our mother's wombs. He knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows the intimate details of our lives. He knows our coming and going, he knows when we lay and when we wake. If we take a moment to reflect on how God sees things...our perspective is renewed. In Isaiah 61, the word of God tells us; "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." The creator of the universe, the giver of life, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega....he calls us righteous and we are for the display of His splendor. God's hand is upon those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave his only son for he so loved the world (John 3:16). Remember to call upon the Lord as his servant David, be in relationship with the Lord, confess your sins and pour out your heart.
As we approach Thanksgiving. Be joyful. Be thankful! The Lord God, loves you. He wants you to draw near to Him. Be thankful for the good and bad. You are not alone and no matter what you are facing today, you can draw your strength from the Lord God. He is our rock and our foundation. God is calling his church to repentance and dependence. We are His bride and he is coming to take us home.
As I finish this post today, I want to encourage you to spend time in the word of God, to pray, to reflect and to be secure in Christ Jesus. Remember the little acorn. Look at what God turned it into....an Oak of Righteousness, a planting for the display of His splendor. Read Isaiah 61 the Lord God has a message for his people...he has anointed you to preach the good news...that is Jesus Christ. Amen!
As I think of fall and all its splendor. I am reminded of the acorn. The acorns that fall from the large oaks. So small but so important. Food, shelter, life. Majestic in its presence. As I ponder the acorn and think about how something so small, so plain, so overlooked could grow into something so precious I am once again amazed at the glory of the Lord. Like the acorn often I feel so small, so plain, so insignificant but then I remember what the word of God says. God does not see his people as small, plain, insignificant or overlooked. The Lord God knew each of us before we were knit together in our mother's wombs. He knows the number of hairs on our head. He knows the intimate details of our lives. He knows our coming and going, he knows when we lay and when we wake. If we take a moment to reflect on how God sees things...our perspective is renewed. In Isaiah 61, the word of God tells us; "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." The creator of the universe, the giver of life, the beginning and the end, the Alpha and the Omega....he calls us righteous and we are for the display of His splendor. God's hand is upon those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave his only son for he so loved the world (John 3:16). Remember to call upon the Lord as his servant David, be in relationship with the Lord, confess your sins and pour out your heart.
As we approach Thanksgiving. Be joyful. Be thankful! The Lord God, loves you. He wants you to draw near to Him. Be thankful for the good and bad. You are not alone and no matter what you are facing today, you can draw your strength from the Lord God. He is our rock and our foundation. God is calling his church to repentance and dependence. We are His bride and he is coming to take us home.
As I finish this post today, I want to encourage you to spend time in the word of God, to pray, to reflect and to be secure in Christ Jesus. Remember the little acorn. Look at what God turned it into....an Oak of Righteousness, a planting for the display of His splendor. Read Isaiah 61 the Lord God has a message for his people...he has anointed you to preach the good news...that is Jesus Christ. Amen!
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Super Mom...
Here I am sitting this Sunday evening and find it hard to believe summer has come and gone, the coolness of fall is setting in and yes school has started. With this comes new challenges and yes....kids do share germs no matter how careful you are. After just 10 days of school both of my children have gotten their first cold of the season. But I know, this too shall pass.
I was reminded today in my reading that God tells us to cast our burdens upon him. His yolk is light and He is right there ready and willing to help if we just ask. Jesus is the light of the world and we are to walk by faith not by sight. Sometimes...many times, in my own walk I have a little trouble asking for help. You know that "Super Mom" syndrome, the I can do it all and I'm in control of it all. Well, I cannot do it all and I am not in control of it all. Let's face it when we take things into our own hands and don't seek the will of God...you just get worn out. It's like paddling up stream without a paddle.
So, as you begin this new week. As life happens...remember this passage from Matthew 6:25-34.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? " And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Be blessed and do not worry. You do not have to have it all together to be "Super Mom."
I was reminded today in my reading that God tells us to cast our burdens upon him. His yolk is light and He is right there ready and willing to help if we just ask. Jesus is the light of the world and we are to walk by faith not by sight. Sometimes...many times, in my own walk I have a little trouble asking for help. You know that "Super Mom" syndrome, the I can do it all and I'm in control of it all. Well, I cannot do it all and I am not in control of it all. Let's face it when we take things into our own hands and don't seek the will of God...you just get worn out. It's like paddling up stream without a paddle.
So, as you begin this new week. As life happens...remember this passage from Matthew 6:25-34.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? " And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Be blessed and do not worry. You do not have to have it all together to be "Super Mom."
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Finding Beauty In The Ordinary...
So, last night my kids surprised me by picking flowers from around the yard. I just love the wildflowers that grow in open fields and along the edge of the woods. Lovely isn't it? Nothing fancy...plain and simple...picked with love and shared.
This morning as I sat at the computer, my bouquet by my side, I could not help to see its beauty. I was reminded to open my eyes and to look around and see the beauty in the ordinary. Smiling faces, wagging tails, sunshine....okay, yes its hot but sunny days make me happy. As I've gone about my day, I've tried to slow down a little. Taking note of the butterflies while waiting at a stop light. Noticing the beauty of my drive, taking in the trees, flowers and landscape. Taking care to look closely at the beauty in God's creation. It is all around us! I am fortunate to live in an area where we have four seasons. We are currently in the dog daze of summer with temps in the high 90's but I know in just a couple of months the leaves will start to turn and the days will grow shorter and the evenings a little cooler.
Take the time this week to slow down, laugh, smile and enjoy the beauty that you just might not take the time to note from day to day. May your journey be blessed and may you discover the treasures that lie in the ordinary.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Getting Started...
The past couple of months the Lord has been taking me through a growing period. Not sure where this will lead but He's definitely got my attention. He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future". This verse has really been prominent and I know He is reminding me that no matter how hard our struggles have been in past years, He has not forgotten us. And He has gotten us through the really tough times.
See, here's a little history for you regarding our son who is now eight. Well there were many doctors who didn't think he had a strong outlook but God had other plans. Our son Joshua was born premature at 24 weeks. He suffered a grade IV brain hemorrhage his first day of life. God held that little boy in his hands and has continued to do so ever since. He has ceberal palsy, epilepsy and is on the autism spectrum. Life isn't exactly easy or what we had planned but life is good. I can't imagine a day without Joshua. He laughs, he runs and jumps and talks and well he's a lot like most other little boys except he had a really rough start and is catching up the best that he can. Will my son be healed? I guess that depends on how you look at it. Each day is a gift from God. He knows the plans He has for him...plans for a hope and a future. God is good!
See, here's a little history for you regarding our son who is now eight. Well there were many doctors who didn't think he had a strong outlook but God had other plans. Our son Joshua was born premature at 24 weeks. He suffered a grade IV brain hemorrhage his first day of life. God held that little boy in his hands and has continued to do so ever since. He has ceberal palsy, epilepsy and is on the autism spectrum. Life isn't exactly easy or what we had planned but life is good. I can't imagine a day without Joshua. He laughs, he runs and jumps and talks and well he's a lot like most other little boys except he had a really rough start and is catching up the best that he can. Will my son be healed? I guess that depends on how you look at it. Each day is a gift from God. He knows the plans He has for him...plans for a hope and a future. God is good!
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