did i do that?

I have absolutely no idea why certain things just pop into my mind. Like today, I first smiled, and then laughed at something I once did. I probably shouldn’t admit it, but here goes.

I did something that a mother shouldn’t have done. But it was fun, really fun the first time. The expression on my little boy’s face is forever etched in my mind. I wonder if he remembers, but I’m not asking. Okay, here it is...I instigated (yes, more than once) water wars inside the house. But, I limited the attacks to the kitchen. I had the advantage of the kitchen sink sprayer, but may have used a cup once. Mopping up the water was so totally worth it!

I’m a little more mature now, at least I think I am.

yet, Yet, YET

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19 NIV

I wonder how often the book of Habakkuk is read...

Get this: there isn’t anything good happening here. We’re talking about food, we’re talking about animals, we’re talking about some bad problems. No grape jelly, no oil, no veggies, no wool, no hamburger, no cheddar cheese, no 1% milk... Ouch, that hurts!

But, even with all these disasters, Habakkuk says “Yet”. Yet what? Yet I will? Yet I will what? “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord!” Wow! That’s like a good attitude.

I’ve been reminded that whatever happens in my life, be it wonderful, or be it horrible, I should rejoice. Rejoice in my Lord!

I’ve also been reminded that I think ‘Habakkuk” is a cool name.

prayer of St Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

Saint Francis of Assisi

blessed, blessed, blessed

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to do what the LORD your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Deuteronomy 5:32 NIV

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I got a call from an old friend today. Her son is the same age as mine and her daughter is a couple years younger. She’s been facing some difficult times lately within her family.

After getting off the phone, I once again thanked God for my son. I thanked God for the decisions he has made throughout his life, I thanked God for teaching him right from wrong, I thanked God for his chosen his wife, and I thanked God for so much more.

By the way, I learned many lessons in my life from my son. I also thanked God for that...

I’m blessed! Seriously, so blessed...

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mercy and grace

God of Mercy, God of Grace

God of mercy, God of grace,
Show the brightness of Thy face;
Shine upon us, Savior, shine,
Fill Thy Church with light divine,
And Thy saving health extend,
Unto earth’s remotest end.

Let the people praise Thee, Lord!
Be by all that live adored;
Let the nations shout and sing
Glory to their Savior King,
At Thy feet their tribute pay,
And Thy holy will obey.

Let the people praise Thee, Lord!
Earth shall then her fruits afford,
God to man His blessings give,
Man to God devoted live;
All below and all above
One in joy and light and love.

Hen­ry F. Lyte, Spir­it of the Psalms, 1834

is it joy? or is it happiness?

I’m happy when I’m laughing and grinning from ear to ear. I’m happy when my smile runs deep. I’m happy when I’m cheerful and glad. I’m happy, but am I joyful? The other side of the spectrum is unhappiness. When I’m unhappy, I often forget that I’m joyful. What? That makes absolutely no sense. Ah, but it does...

Happiness depends on what’s going on in my life. Happiness relies on how I view circumstances in my life. Happiness is contingent on my thoughts and/or feelings about my life. Happiness is conditional on...on...well, on me.

However, Joy is a gift from God. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is Jesus in my heart. Joy is greater than whatever is happening in my life. Joy is strong. Joy lifts me up – high above any sadness, doubt, confusion, difficulty, loneliness, pain, failure, loss, fear, disappointment, challenge, anxiety, depression, anger, or sorrow. Yes, Joy is powerful!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NAS

No matter what, I have joy in my life. I have joy because I know where my joy comes from. I have joy because I know Who is in control of my life. I have joy because He loves me. I have joy because He has a plan for my life. I have joy because He has given me hope in my life. I have joy because he has a future for my life.

'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NAS

At the moment, I'm very chilly. Outside, it's 24 degrees F. Inside, it's...chilly. I'm achy. I don't feel like doing anything. There are loads of laundry to do. I should be in the kitchen figuring out something for dinner. Oh well, the heating pad on the couch is calling me. At the moment, I'm not very happy.

But, none of that matters. I have JOY!

call it thrifty – call it frugal – call it parsimonious

The head of this household arrived a few minutes ago. He had braved the cold and the wind and the rain on his homeward bound journey. He stopped at the grocery to pick up a few items. (I called him at work and suggested that this detour would well serve the interests of us both.)

Anyway, the point of this story is the great deal he/we took advantage of.

5 ¼ pounds of Perdue boneless, skinless fresh chicken breasts....... (drum roll)..... for $9.60.

You gotta love it !!!!!

I even overlooked the fact that he reeks of garlic...

His beauty

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1 NAS
Lord,
Open our eyes to see.
To really see.
The beauty created by You.
Created for us to enjoy.An awesome beauty.
A perfect beauty.
An amazing beauty.
An infinite beauty.
A beauty only You could create...