From the Archives. When you have to let go... and let grace take hold this season.

"In every situation God is doing a thousand things that we cannot see and do not know."

-John Piper

Lately life’s blows have left me speechless.

If you know me then this is a feat in and of itself. (Wink, wink.)

At times it's been over-whelming and yet we have been quietly trudging forward. The verse that says,

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 has never been more poignant. (Matthew 6:34)

And while I could go on and on about our own families “stresses” my heart is more heavy laden for those dear hearts of my friends and family around me.

One dear young friend who is grieving the loss of not only her mother, but the grandmother who raised her. Both passed only a week apart.

A mother who is grieving the gut-wrenching loss of her baby.

A brave heart who is fighting the attacks of the enemy as she heals from the damage left by childhood abuse.

A few of my friends who are about to celebrate their Christmas season for the first time without their loved ones. 

A friend who was told his place of work would be closing at the end of the month when he has 4 little mouths to feed.

One who is about to undergo another barrage of medical tests as the Doctors search for a diagnosis yet again.

Another in debilitating pain, still trying to work and support the family.

And more than one of my friends are dealing with the pain of affairs and divorce.

Yet still, there’s more my friends, so much more.

I am sure you have been there because life is not always rosy, and every rose has its thorns as well.

 I am reminded of something the Lord revealed to me on a cloudy, rainy day as I sat in the airplane awaiting the take-off. The rain dripped down the windows of the plane and carried the heavy cares of the day downward to the ground.

The heavy clouds hung low, dark and gloomy, but as the plane made its decisive turn  on the runway and began its ascent. As it continually pointed its nose upward towards the heavens something amazing happened.

Onward and upward we plunged into the dark clouds. They grew so thick around the plane that I found myself unable to see through the masses of gray apparitions. 

Suddenly a flash of blinding light broke forth searing my eyes. I blinked several times and had to look away, but yet there it was…The blue sky, the sun, they were still there even during the storm.

The deep azure expanse of bright glowing sky was all the more alluring after the hopeless pallor of the storm clouds. The rain drops that were being pushed back across the window pane from the ascending winds, sparkled in the suns bright and blinding light. A light that caused the once gray clouds from below to almost glow, stretching into fluffy white rolling plains here above the storms.

And then I heard the Lord whisper to my heart,

 “You see my daughter? I am still shining even during the storms of life. I am still working good things for my children. I am always here.”

And so my friends, in our dark nights when our questions and "whys," pour out in a torrent into our tear stained pillows, this I cling to...

This I absolutely know.

Our God never grows tired or weary and He never ever stops working for our good.

Isaiah  40:28-31

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So like a sweet friend encouraged me the other day, I will let “grace take hold” for I have nothing left to offer and in the end I know the result will be His masterful craftsmanship.  A life's work that will point gloriously to the Lord because it is showered in His beautiful finger prints.

The "F" Word... from the Archives.

Yesterday, a wonderful friend of mine and I were sharing about our concerns and frustrations in life with each other over the phone. What we were sharing seems to be the general theme I have heard shared from many lately. It has to do with the “F” word, but not the one you might be thinking of.

Failure.  

Whether our failure is only perceived, or an actual gory mess that we have blundered our way into, we are all trying desperately to dodge this seemingly tenacious beast. There are times in our lives when it seems that no matter how hard we try, whether in our marriages, our families, our jobs, or even friendships we just fail.

There can be a crippling sense of shame that follows this slithering beast named failure. Paralyzing us as it wraps it tentacles around our hearts and minds, digging deep into the areas where our doubt and self worth intermingle. Like a haze of fog it clouds our views of the reality of who we are and who our God is.

The further we descend and entertain this beast the more he takes liberties with other areas of our lives and hearts. He infects us with his lies about our true nature... About whether God could really still love us. He bleeds images of our Heavenly Father shaking his head in disgust and disdain at yet another failed attempt in our life.  

Confidence can begin to crumble away like the land when it is in a drought.  Instead of running to someone for help as we begin this fall, often times the shame folds over our mouths like duct tape. We turn from the ones who love us and wander quietly away. Secretly hoping someone will notice the shadows of hopelessness overtaking the light in our eyes, but too scared to speak up.

Whatever the cause for your sense of failure; whether it’s a temptation you continually fall into; a ministry or business that has never really gotten off the ground; or you are caught in the contagious trappings of comparing yourself, your looks, your success to others… Please know this.

Stop. 

Stop looking down at your problems, your imperfections, and shortfalls. Stop looking down and look up.

Like a little child being bathed by their mother. She coaches her child to keep looking up as she washes the shampoo from his hair.

“Look up at me. Keep your eyes on me.”

She whispers gently to her beloved child trying to keep his head tilted upward so that the stinging soap can be safely washed away from his precious eyes. When her child is overtaken by doubt or fear and looks down, that’s when the soap pours down over his little face, stinging and burning his eyes.  What was it our mother’s told us?

“Look up.”

It works the same with our Heavenly father. He does not look at us and shake his head in disdain when we try and fail. He looks at us and coaches us in gentle whispers,

“Look up. Keep your eyes on me. The enemy will try and steal your joy, but I sent my son for you to follow so that my joy could be complete in you. Keep your eyes on me. It is in your weaknesses and perceived short comings where I can shine through you and do the impossible. I love you and want only the best for you. You are my child. “  

If our eyes are on Him we will see how He truly is. A father overjoyed in our open hands that may be unskilled, but when placed in His capable hands can do the amazing. When we fall, He is there whispering, “Look up my child." He offers his shoulder to lean on and His truth as our solid rock to stand on. When we repent he washes the shame away in the warm healing waters of forgiveness. He offers His shield during the attacks of the enemy and He whispers constantly, “Keep your eyes on me. This battle is mine.”

There are two stories I encourage you to look into this week, both are in Matthew 14: 15-32. Each time there was a key integral moment between human failure and the Lord doing something impossible through someone. In both situations the choices were caught between looking at the persons circumstances, and human inabilities or looking up at our Lord to what He can do with our weak hands, and diminished supplies.

Take courage my friend. 

God loves you more than you could ever imagine.

I am praying Paul's prayer for you today.

Ephesians 3:14-21

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Are you struggling too friend? 

How can I pray for you?

So I am going to Hell... Why can't we just be friends?

Hello my friends!

It's been a while I know... 

Life has been full of hard transitions and blessed ones as well. Even though I have not been writing here in this space I have indeed been writing. I am working on a project I have put off for too long now.
My eyes are doing very well now. (Actually better than I even expected! Thank you Lord!)

I wrote this piece months ago, but figured I should finally post it. It follows along with the theme, "Lets Talk Church," which I started in hopes of furthering discussion within the Christian church about the church. Without further ado here it is. 




This week I read a poignant piece posted by Thom Rainer. It is formulated by comments made over time from one of his readers. She cuts right to the core of some of the issues plaguing Christians today. Please take a few moments and read, 

“What do Non-Christians Really Think of Us?”

While it's true we are called to be a witness for Christ and to be ready to give an answer for what we believe and why, there are times when I believe we miss the mark by making this our only goal. Like hunter's on the trail we seem to place bold red targets on people's hearts and then go in for the shot firing away with our Christianese-verbiage and 3 point plan tactics.

Jesus tactics though were so much simpler. His call for us was as well.

Jesus call for us, in my own simple paraphrase was, “Love God with your everything and love and treat people as you would want to be loved and treated.” Matthew 22:36-40.

While working with our teen groups over the years we have placed a heavier importance on this than any formula for witnessing. Listen more than you speak. Asking the right questions and then being an intentional listener can speak more volumes than having all the right answers. (Yes, we still teach them the deep Biblical answers.)

We challenge them to care more about the person. What are this persons concerns? What are their joys? What do you share in common? What can you learn from each other? In other words, take the target off of their head and commit for the long haul to actually be their friend.

I remember when I first learned this in high school. Before choosing to follow Christ I found myself the “project” of some well-intentioned Christians a few times. I was also on the receiving end of some of their hurtful comments etc. You know the extremely blunt, but truthful one's that they spit out of their mouths like poison,

"You're not a Christian so you are going straight to Hell!"

Yes! Now that really made me want to know more about their Christ!

And they seemed so very approachable and full of love as they said it and all... (Sarcasm anyone?)

I thank God that I also met some wonderful people who simply loved me where I was at despite my impending doom in Hell. They listened as much or more than they spoke and let me have the space to figure things out without fear inducing pressure tactics.

Their evident and heartfelt love for God kept me curious, while their open love for me gave me a safe place to wrestle with God on these issues instead of people. I assure you His Holy Spirit is irreplaceable in someone discovering God's word and plan for salvation. 

Since you already know what I eventually chose to do I will finish with a few questions. Please won't you join the discussion?

I realize everyone has a different story and experience in regards to their choice to follow Christ or to not follow Him. 

What is your experience? 

What do you think about Thom Rainer's post?

Irony and Updates...

Oh the irony that my last post was about quitting. Especially when I  had no intention of quitting... I had written that post a couple of months earlier and it just happened to be posted the day after my eye surgery. Seriously!? lol. Sometimes, life's timing can be hilarious.

Eye surgery that has left me with some rather annoying issues with computer screens, therefore I haven't written in well, what feels like foreverrrr...

Sorry that is me being over dramatic. I haven't written in over a month.  I do know at some point my eyes will finish their healing process and I will be up and running again, but for now I have to sit back and be patient.

 I have moments where I wish I was one of those amazing writers that could just whip out something and not worry about having made any grammatical mistakes, but "le sigh" that is not me.

I make mistakes. They need to be corrected...Which means too much time on this glaring screen and it makes my eye go a bit wonky.(Wonky is my new favorite word... I don't even know if it is actually a word? And how does one spell it, but hey it applies nicely to so much of my life right now. So wonky it tis.)

On the other hand? I can see! I was legally blind before and I can see. I mean seeeeee! It's been a joy, quite the learning process, and an adventure to go through this surgery. When I can handle longer periods on the computer I will share more about the whole experience. There is a lot I have learned about trusting in the Lord and in leaning on others.

Just know this my friends, I have not quit on you or on writing. Occasionally I have even tried writing with a blanket over the screen of my laptop which confused my kids to no end. lol (Can you see there faces?! "Uh. Mom? What exactly are you doing?")

Lastly, since I haven't been able to write on my blog or be on the computer as much, I have had more time to pray for you, and this is probably more important work for me to do anyways. ;)

So my prayers are with you! And if you have any requests please let me know.
God bless you all greatly. I look forward to the day when I can share with you that my eyes are completely restored and I can get back to writing and sharing with you again.

Sorry if this is rife with errors... I will not be checking it as my eyes are now passed wonky stage...ACk!

When the silence makes me want to quit...

Silence...
And then you hear the soft chirping of crickets...

Can you hear them?

They use that noise on cartoons and television shows alike to convey that no one is really listening...

Or that someone just delved into a conversation killer.

Have you been there?

That awkward moment when you wonder why you were talking in the first place?

There are days when writing feels like that. I wonder why in the world am I doing this?!

And then God whispers,

"You are part of my story and I am asking you to share it."

This week I'm sharing over with the Bibledude.net crew again.

Will you join me as I share a little of what God has taught me about why our story matters?

Write on Dear Writers... Write On! <--Click here to read on

Whether you are a writer, mama, grandpa, pastor, coffee addict, former alcoholic, sinner extraordinaire, or quiet introvert...

God has given you an amazing story of grace and grit to share.

 The question is will you?

What's stopping you from sharing your story and how can I pray for you today?




Joining Inspire Me Mondays

Mid-Summer updates... On my life, the blog, a book, our freedom, and a prayer request.

Hi Friends!

How are you all doing? I am doing pretty well. I am ever so grateful that summer is here! Honestly there were days this last winter when it "felt" like summer would never get here. Can I get an, "Amen!"?

Mid-Summer Updates...

We have had a summer full of the "unplanned" events. Like a car finally kicking the bucket. (We drive them till they die people... And believe me, "Stick a fork in that car 'cuz it's done". Farewell silver bullet the last 10 years or so you have served us well. RIP) 

There have been storms, a tree half down, a flood in the basement, and a  pretty tedious, but cool fence being made from pallets. I think my husbands thoughts on it are, "Will this project ever come to an end!?!"

The good news is this fence soundly advertises, "Hey, all you bunnies, ground hogs, and deer out there? These are our veggies that we have toiled over for our family to eat...NOT you. Move along little furry creatures...move along.)

The hardest event this summer has been that my dear friend's sweet father passed away all too soon. I cannot do this justice with my simple words, but yes I did attempt to. (Here and here)

We are about to plunge ourselves into some new transitions which are both scary and exciting to us. There are more things, but I must say, each event  I have mentioned whether they sounded good or bad...were all laced with God's hand of grace and love. They have contained some amazing blessings as well.

My friend's kiddos came to stay with us for a while. We have a newer car for my hubby to drive and I am no longer in fear when he climbs into the "death trap". The fence while not yet finished is doing it's job. And I have a couple of friends kicking my booty into better shape. A big ol', "Booyah!" to that! And it's Summer! Finally!!! Summer!

On the New Page...

Some of you may have seen the new page on my blog called, "Let's Talk Church".

I am simultaneously nervous and excited for this to get going. I haven't figured out if I will be posting on this topic once a month or more frequently. Any thoughts on this? Any suggested topics I should cover?

The last post was full of great conversation in the comments I am grateful to those who spoke their hearts and minds in the discussion. I am telling you these comments were over-flowing with convicting and humbling insights. I thank you all for taking part in it. I am praying for more and more to step forward into these conversations.

On a power-packed Book...

I am also excited as I finish up reading an exciting book. I mean just reading the different Authors' introductions for the book gave me goosebumps... or as my teens call them, "God-bumps."

These are, the aforementioned teens that use the phrase, "God-bumps". This crew is full of some amazing faith-filled activists. They will politely correct you if you say, "They are the church of the future." With a, "No, we are the church right now." Love em'!

I will be reviewing it on here soon, but honestly go pre-order a copy.(There is a link in my side bar)

If you are struggling with where to start with volunteering or in searching out God's heart for the least of these, then this book is what you have been looking for. Whether you agree with the different Author's perspectives or answers to the problems their information is sound and bountiful. More to come on this friends. ;)

Umm... Yes, I definitely love this quote!

On Freedom...

This week we have the 4th of July! I am grateful that we live in a country where we are free. It seems like people are chattering away in discouragement over the different decisions being made by the courts and government... 

Some even saying we are not truly free.

And while I have been there at times myself, grumbling away... I have to put this reminder out here. 

Friends we are living in a free country. 

We have the freedom to work these things out and no I do not agree with all the limitations that some of our leaders are insisting on, but I can say just that.

I can say I don't agree with them to the press.

I can say I don't agree to my law-makers and reps.

And the police do not show up and take me away.

I have not been imprisoned or beaten by the authorities..

And eventually these things can be worked out.

Until you see the other side of the fence where persecution truly reigns. Where dictators rule and rampage with abuse and genocide.

I literally shutter when I think of what others are going through...

We are free.

We are free to lobby, debate, and stand up for our rights.

 Please take a moment to breathe deep and realize the blessing of the freedoms you do have.

A Prayer request..

Lastly, can I ask for your prayers? I am going in for eye surgery this week on July 5.

Could you pray for a quick recovery and complete healing with no complications? I would and am so very grateful for your prayers and for this opportunity.

I am trying to get things ready on my blog so the posts will still come while I am recovering. I hope and pray you have a blessed week!

How can I pray for you?

God Bless you and yours greatly,

-Heather

A tune for your thoughts and meditation today...I am so grateful that I am set free.

Farewells can be easy? Say What!?

Sometimes I procrastinate the inevitable...
Like the fact that Google Reader is about to say farewell and I will be out of a lovely e-reader for all of the blogs I subscribe to.
As of July 1st, it's gone for good friends. Have you switched to a new reader yet? I highly suggest doing so right now. If you are anything like me, you may find your self waking up on Monday morning thinking, 
"Oh crud, I was supposed to do this 2 days ago!"

So I am taking a moment right now, as I write this, to switch e-readers and I wanted to help you out as well. 

Why?

1) I value your readership here at Awakened and would love for our bloggie friendship to continue.

2) If any of you are like me, enjoying the summer of freeeeedom...You might have missed this update or may forget its almost here! (Ack!)

Here is a very quick and easy to understand post about the different alternative Readers available for you to switch to before 
July 1st. 

Read this one while I go attempt a switch myself and then I will let you know how it went...

Farewell Google Reader pt 1

More options are explained here...

Farewell Google Reader pt 2


Again the easiest way to keep in touch with your favorite bloggers is to subscribe by email.  Then they continue to arrive in your inbox without any issues. ;) 

If you haven't subscribed to Awakened yet, it's right up there to the right. Make sure you click the "confirm subscription" in your email otherwise it will not go through. 

Okay, that was easy and an utter non-event. just the way I like any technical situation on the computer to be! 

I chose to switch to Feedly because it advertised that you could switch your Google reader account seamlessly without having to manually add in all of your blogs again. (Plus, I am sometimes a creature of habit and it has a function that displays my feed just like my Google Reader did. "Le Sigh" 

Guess what?!?!

They weren't kidding around. I am happy to say it took all of 2-3 clicks and within a minute everything was switched over. 

Now it's your turn friends. Please, check out the links that explain it all in a simple and easy fashion. Then choose which alternative to Google Reader you want to switch to and get to it.

Just remember you need to do it now before July 1st, because after that you will have to manually re-subscribe to each of the blogs that you follow.

Also if you missed it, I was sharing over at Bibledude.net again. I love this amazing crew of writers who are in love with Jesus. Here is a link to my article. 

I am grateful especially for the comments. These people are sharing some fantastic insights! I hope you will share yours as well.

Reflections on Bird feeders and the Church

God Bless you and yours this week!

-Heather

P.S. Don't forget to either subscribe by email to your favorite blogs or switch to a new e-reader before JULY 1ST! ;)

99 Balloons and Unfinished Stories...

If you watch the video, I kid you not tears will fall, and yet it's beautiful. The love that is displayed here is amazing in it's depth and purity. Oh that all the sweet children could know this love. Could experience it's sweetness and acceptance. 



When Dan King of Bibledude.net showed it to us and asked if some of us would be willing to write an, "Unfinished Story" to help support these beautiful parents and their ministry I remember thinking, "Of course!" (And then I ran to get a tissue for my tears.)

And yet, when I sat down to write one of our unfinished stories not one of them seemed quite right. I thought I would share about our different miscarriages, or the times I was in the hospital and doctors offices while they tried to figure out what in the world was wrong with me now. Maybe even about when my  energetic and spunky daughter suddenly developed a debilitating auto-immune illness for 8 months...

Again not one of them seemed quite right.

Then one night sitting in one of our teen girl's small groups, God brought this one back to mind. 

In the Searching I Discover I am Found. 

It's short and to the point. Some of you may not understand it and that is okay my friends, but I have quite a few friends who have experienced this in some degree or another. Some of you reading this may know it all to well. My heart goes out to each and every one of you.

I am grateful, so very grateful that God loves us so intently and deeply that we can be called His son's and daughters.

I pray today you know this my friends, 

1 John 3:1

"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!"

Romans 8:38-39

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

For more information on their story and ministry visit, 
The atypical life blog.



Sharing this week with, Inspire Me Mondays!

When you have to let go... and "Let grace take hold."

"In every situation God is doing a thousand things that we cannot see and do not know."

-John Piper

Lately life’s blows have left me speechless.

If you know me then this is a feat in and of itself.

At times it's been over-whelming and yet we have been quietly trudging forward. The verse that says,

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

 has never been more poignant. (Matthew 6:34)

And while I could go on and on about our own families “stresses” my heart is more heavy laden for those dear hearts of my friends and family around me.

One who found her daughter has wandered into the dark and dangerous territory of a cult.

A mother who is grieving the gut-wrenching loss of her baby.

A brave heart who is fighting the attacks of the enemy as she heals from the damage left by childhood abuse.

Another that is planning her sweet Daddy's funeral after he was taken too soon.

A friend who was told his place of work would be closing at the end of the month when he has 4 little mouths to feed.

One who is about to undergo another barrage of medical tests as the Doctors search for a diagnosis yet again.

Another in debilitating pain, still trying to work and support the family.

And more than one of my friends are dealing with the pain of affairs and divorce.

Yet still, there’s more my friends, so much more.

I am sure you have been there because life is not always rosy, and every rose has its thorns as well.

As we sit here with a silly flooded basement and a hubby who has been ill, sick kids and some of our own life’s plans thrown up in the air, it really all seems minor in perspective.

 I am reminded of something the Lord revealed to me on a cloudy, rainy day as I sat in the airplane awaiting the take-off. The rain dripped down the windows of the plane and carried the heavy cares of the day downward to the ground.

The heavy clouds hung low, dark and gloomy, but as the plane made its decisive turn  on the runway and began its ascent. As it continually pointed its nose upward towards the heavens something amazing happened.

Onward and upward we plunged into the dark clouds. They grew so thick around the plane that I found myself unable to see through the masses of gray apparitions. 

Suddenly a flash of blinding light broke forth searing my eyes. I blinked several times and had to look away, but yet there it was…The blue sky, the sun, they were still there even during the storm.

The deep azure expanse of bright glowing sky was all the more alluring after the hopeless pallor of the storm clouds. The rain drops that were being pushed back across the window pane from the ascending winds, sparkled in the suns bright and blinding light. A light that caused the once gray clouds from below to almost glow, stretching into fluffy white rolling plains here above the storms.

And then I heard the Lord whisper to my heart,

 “You see my daughter? I am still shining even during the storms of life. I am still working good things for my children. I am always here.”

And so my friends, in our dark nights when our questions and "whys," pour out in a torrent into our tear stained pillows, this I cling to...

This I absolutely know.

Our God never grows tired or weary and He never ever stops working for our good.

Isaiah  40:28-31

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

So like a sweet friend encouraged us the other day, I will let “grace take hold” for I have nothing left to offer and in the end I know the result will be His masterful craftsmanship.  A life's work that will point gloriously to the Lord because it is showered in His beautiful finger prints.

Sharing with Inspire Me Mondays, Mercy Ink

Prayers and a story unfinished...

As I write this today I have tears wetting the corners of my eyes. Even though laughter echoes through my home as dainty little feet pitter-patter around and precious sing song voices call for a fashion show bounce off the walls and into my heart.

Two little munchkins twirl by in a swish of tulle and lace in their dress-up gowns of blue and pink… 

They are little moments of sunshine on this grey, wet, and rainy day.

But I know as this unfolds here that my dear sweet sister in Christ is holding her Daddy’s hand.

She along with her mother and sister are bravely making big, hard, heart wrenching decisions as her Daddy’s life hangs in the balance.

As the sounds echo in the hospital room, as she sits, stands, and paces weary from the mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion.

While she walks the halls of the hospital with questions fraying the edges of her mind and she stretches her tired frame from the many days of riding a roller coaster that no one intends to buy a ticket for. One filled with hospitals moves and surgical procedures, hopeful moments and scary ones too…

I ask and plead for you to pray for them. I ask for you to pray for her sweet Father for healing.

 If you met him my friends, I am sure you would adore him too.

My poor words cannot do justice to his quiet, friendly, and easy going nature. A nature which takes great joy in discovering the items others have tossed out, and deemed worthless. He would then work tenaciously to restore these objects, giving them renewed purpose and life again.

A beautiful reflection of how our Heavenly Father works in our lives daily.

And so as I hear the voices of her sweet girls playing with mine filter like rays of sunlight through my home…

 I ask that you would hold her, her sweet Daddy, and their family in your prayers as the sounds of hushed voices, machines, and beeps echo in their ears.

Today as my mom put it,

“God is all powerful. If God wants him now we cannot stand in His way...”

We will be praying.

God will let us know whether it is time for him to go home to his beautiful place in heaven or whether her  sweet Daddy is to bless us with his presence by remaining here for some time to come.

Please pray my friends.

Will you join me?

James 5:13-15a

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

Phillipians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.