Tuesday, November 27, 2012

my tears in my bottle


I came across this and was struck by its message.  It's a bit long, but thought I'd share...

My Bottle of Tears
by Kristi Huseby

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

I confess I’m a crier.  I cry at movies, at baseball games when the national anthem is played, at graduations, weddings, and funerals.  I cry when I hear a sad story, when someone else cries, when I share what God has done in my life, when I’m angry, and even when I laugh hard enough.

I hate the fact that I cry so easily.  It can be incredibly embarrassing for one thing.  And for another, it puts people in an awkward position.  But crying can be a good thing! God created tears – it is in His design that we cry.

I love the Psalms because they give us beautiful pictures of what our intimate relationship with God is like.  And Psalm 56:8 (NLT) gives us one of those snapshots of God’s tenderness with us when we are experiencing incredible sorrow in our life.

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle.  You have recorded each one in your book.”  (I’m sure I have a very BIG bottle!)

God not only keeps track of all our sorrows, hurts and heartaches, He has recorded them in His book. Every tear we’ve cried He has stored in our bottle, the one He keeps just for us.

I wonder, does my bottle have my name on it?  Is it a special color?  I wonder if God, my Father looks at my bottle full of tears and says, “Ah, that one is my daughter, Kristi’s! Her bottle of tears is so precious to me and I treasure each one. I am intimately acquainted with all her ways and I love her.  When she has cried tears that no one sees, I have seen, I know and cherish each one because I cherish her.”

What a beautiful gentle picture this is of our God – a Father who tenderly collects our tears and holds them close to His heart.

Have you ever stopped to consider that God is keeping track of all your sorrows? He knows each one of them.  He has seen you cry until you can’t cry any more.  He has witnessed your heartache over a difficult child, a wayward spouse, a broken friendship, or the death of a loved one.  He has seen your tears when you have cried all alone in the dark, not sure of where to turn or where to go.  He has recorded each one in His book and collected your tears in the bottle He has just for you.  How precious you are to Him!

Let the tears flow and know that your God cares for you intimately and with great passion!
Father, Thank you for seeing my tears and for the promise that I am never alone in my sorrow.  Amen.

Monday, November 19, 2012

quick quotes


Charles Spurgeon 

"Stand still” – keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.” 

If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people.

Those who do not hope cannot wait; but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Happy Birthday H!



Happy 4th Birthday H!  You’re a sweet grandson, with bunches of fun, lots of laughter, and full of love.  I love it when you sing, when you show me pictures you made, and when you play hide-n-seek.  Have a super day!  I love you bunches and bunches, Nana

Monday, November 12, 2012

i have three wonderful grandchildren

O is a beautiful, charming, bright, and imaginative five-year-old.  I fell deeply in love the first moment I saw her and held her in my arms.  I had no idea how to be a nana, and I admit I was a bit anxious.  I didn’t know much about little girls.  She was the one who taught me.   And, so the story began...


H is a funny, sweet, energetic, and mischievous four-year-old (in a few days).  When I first laid eyes on him and held him in my arms, I fell deeply in love all over again.  I quickly learned about being a nana to a little boy.  After all, I did have some experience with his Dad.  And, so the story began...



J is a happy, curious, entertaining, and active two-year-old.  I fell deeply in love all over again when I saw the first pictures of him.  He grew quickly from week to week, then month to month.  I first hugged him and held him when he was around seven-months-old.  And, so the story began...

I’ve watched each grandchild grow, I’ve seen pictures they drew and colored, I’ve watched them dance, I’ve read books to them, I’ve listened to songs they’ve learned, I’ve learned about their school, I’ve heard about their day, I’ve played hide and seek, I’ve watched them open gifts, I’ve been blessed to be such a part of their lives.  I’m so grateful for Skype.

This nana’s heart overflows with love for these three precious children. And, the story continues...

I'm blessed, seriously blessed...
(photos by their mom)

Thursday, November 8, 2012