Song of Joy
A Song of Joy Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more. On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands grow weak. The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing as…
How’s your foxhole?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 Bill Guarnere: Once we get into combat, the only people you can trust is yourself and the fella next to you. HBO’s Band of Brothers, quotes Jack and I have lived much of our marriage in the wilderness, much of our marriage in doctor’s offices and hospitals, much of our marriage broke due to extraordinary medical expenses and the costs of coping, much of our marriage either grieving or recovering, much of our marriage wondering if God had forgotten us. With our history in mind, it may not surprise you…
You’re a Good Mama. Really.
The success of love is in the loving – it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done. Mother Teresa I always smirk inside when someone tells me to take care of myself. I know I need to; I know they’re right. And yet, I find the line between taking care of me and taking care of my children to be incredibly fuzzy. Their well being is my well being; their pain is brought double upon my…
Humble Pie
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6 I think we forget something about humility. It’s–I know!–one of the gag words. No one wants a piece of humble pie served up so big and unavoidable and public (why does that always seem to be the case with me?) that there is no choice but to gulp it down as fast as possible. I think we forget that it’s not a bad thing. Mother Theresa said it best: “Humility is the mother of all virtues; purity, charity and obedience. It is in being humble that our love becomes real, devoted…
The “S” Word
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 The time out chair sits in our front room: an old and tacked-leather wingback from one of the Nordstrom shoe departments my husband’s father managed years ago. Strong and water proof (very important during the potty training years), it won’t buckle or tip because a screaming toddle decides to jump up and down on it in defiance.…
