A Letter to Married Couples

Dear Married Couples of Many Years,

Love. Something we share every day. As we begin to make plans for our wedding, and marriage, love is constantly "in the air". I find myself watching other couples enjoy each other and their married life. I used to watch the young ones, the ones who were just married, but more and more I find myself watching you. The ones who've been married for decades upon decades.

Has it been easy? Hardly! Yet you've stuck together through it all. Some of my favorite couples at work have been like this, and they enjoy each other's company. They come have coffee and chat for an hour before going out about their day. One of my favorite couples from church came in for a waffle cone (and lunch!) the other day. Feeling inspired about my waffle cone post, they headed out for a tasty treat.

I loved watching them. Always giving each other their full attention. Holding hands; putting her arm around his waist; sharing an ice cream cone; enjoying the front porch bench. Same at church, he plays the piano and she smiles wide as she closes her eyes to listen to him. He always makes sure she is taken care off. Always looking out for one another. Just being together. It is beautiful.

John has learned that quality time is one of my favorite things. I can tell I'm loved when he just sits there on the couch with me while we watch a movie, or play a game, or I read a book. That's when we have a thought or a question come to mind that spirals into a deep conversation. Some of the time we just figure out how to resolve an issue, or what we can do that is best beneficial to the other.

Love is a subject you could never write enough about. There are not enough words in the heavens to cover all the aspects and facets of love. This is a snapshot of love, the love I'm excited to share with John. Knowing in the life ahead it'll be hard, but every night when the day is done, we can end it by being together. Remembering the love we share by God's grace and glory.

So thank you to you, the older couples I see daily, weekly, monthly, or even once a year. Your love for each other is shown through the time you spend together. I see it in your eyes for your spouse. I see it in the way you put your arm around the other during service, in line, for no reason except to say "I'm here and I love you."

Thank you for your example,

Moriah

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

Philippians 1:9-11

March Musings - Day 30

Food is important. Like really important. I usually do a pretty good job at eating 3 balanced meals a day with a snack here or there. This evening though, I was nauseous. I ate a good breakfast and lunch like always, but a lack of dinner (even though it wasn't even late yet....this was at 5:30-6 oclock!) make me feel terrible! (Thankfully I have a super sweet fiance who I am slowly getting addicted to Panera ;) hehehe!)

It got me thinking about my new Bible. I have a great one for reference, but for reading and learning, I needed a new one. If I go without reading, I get spiritually nauseous and can't think straight. Yet if I read God's word, and rely on it for getting though the day, I will feel much better! I'm thankful for my new Bible, and am quite excited to use it!!

Shadows of hope!

I encourage you to read Romans (particularly chp 4, the beginning of 5, and chp 8). I did so the other day, and it brought such inexpressible abounding hope, that I became misty eyed. To read stories of the ones who walked in faith before us, and see ourselves living in the same way is incredible! Abraham and Sarah are quickly becoming my favorite people in the bible. As I was reading Romans 4, verses 20-21 jumped out at me. They are a powerful poignant reminder of God's promises to myself, to John, and to the world around me:

Too often we don't give God enough credit. God is God; He is the ultimate supreme King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Compared to Him, we are nothing. We truly are. He created us, and He knows what our lives shall be like from this day forward. If we cling to Him, and those shadows of hope that linger during the hard times, we shall emerge victorious!

Two more verses I'd encourage you to look up are, Romans 8:37, and Romans 16:20. Romans 8:37 is my favorite verse. In fact, I wear it on a necklace quite often to remind myself that God knows what's going on, and I need only to trust Him. Romans 16:20 made me misty-eyed again when I finished reading through Romans. To see God's sovereignty over all is a humbling thing. To know He intercedes for us, is another.

Romans 8:24-28 (ESV)

For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (ESV)

 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

I encourage you today to read the Scriptures, to not lose hope, and see the Lord working in the shadows (not the literal form, but behind the scenes) to bring us closer to Him!

Purposeful Pain

Recently, I've been getting some nasty knots in my back due to work. Usually they're in my shoulders, so after a few days of stiffness, and if I remember, I'll ask John to rub them out for me. Sometimes it just needs a little rubbing, and other times it needs quite a bit more. After all is said and done, my shoulders are relaxed, my back feels better, & my neck as well. I'm very thankful for John removing the knots. The pain from rubbing out the knots can be nothing, or rather intense. Occasionally I will squeeze his other hand to death so he can keep going. I know deep down that if I just wait until he is all done, I know that I'll feel right as rain again.

Now, keeping that in mind, why do I forget that important truth when God does the same thing? 1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV) says "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." The painful trials we may face in our life, whether it's a paper cut or a deep wound, God will work it out the rest of the way. Sometimes we just need to have patience and wait it out. Sometimes we just need to squeeze his hand and cast our cares* upon Him. I encourage you today to remember this as you go about the rest of your day and into your week. You may be going through something painful, but it's for a time, and God will work out those knots the rest of the way for your good!

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 (ESV)

*Isaiah 41:13 and Psalm 55:22

Write Them On Your Doorposts

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

~ Deuteronomy 6:5-9

God is Sovereign...this is not our Kingdom

Our country is doomed, there is no doubt. The perfect America is fading (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Yet we panic because we think this is our kingdom, our place, our purpose. It isnt! We can not change the way people think, but we can remember what God tells us to do. We must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8)! There is a purpose for everything, and God is still good in the midst of the miserable ways of men! Read Isaiah 40...God is sovereign over us all! He brings rulers down (40:23); He is higher than all we can imagine (all of chp 40 shows this)! I truly dont know why I was suddenly burdened to write this, but I was. Keep your eyes on JESUS (Hebrews 12:1-3!)!! I watched "The Hiding Place" put out in 1975 tonight, and Corrie ten Boom herself made a cameo at the end. She said, "There is no pit so deep, that God's love is not deeper still". So do not look at the world! The world is corrupt! Instead remember Romans 12:2! (I am purposefully making yall look these verses up because I want you to truly read God's word for yourself). Let God transform you, and work in you! Let His light shine before men, so they may see your good works and glorify the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16)! We are a chosen people, so do not worry about what a day may bring (Matthew 6:34), but proclaim God's excellencies (1 Peter 2:9-11)! God has a plan for you, and its gonna be hard and its gonna be rough. We are going to experience things we dont want to, but that is when we need to remember that God is in control! 

Psalm 27

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me, 

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord;

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!

There is no pit so deep, in which God's love is not deeper still! -- Corrie ten Boom

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 
― Corrie ten Boom

"If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” 
― Corrie ten Boom

The Rock - A Word of Encouragement

Psalm 18:2 (ESV)

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. 

When life is crazy, busy, swirling, and chaotic, remember this:

When you find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place, remember God is your rock, and He will get you through the hard place!

Psalm 94:22 (ESV)

But the Lord has become my stronghold,

    and my God the rock of my refuge.

Being Thankful No Matter What

My head hurts.

My reading glasses are bugging me.

My head hurts for the umpteenth time.

The slightest noise from the kids sounds like a tuba in my face.

Its kinda gloomy out.

I am tired.

And snappy.

I post things Im thankful for every day. 

Each blessing is a gift from God.

Sometimes its easy to say what Im thankful for when I have an amazing day.

But on days like this it is hard.

Especially when youre dealing with wet affectionate cats who decided to go out and play in the rain.

Or when the kids are playing together, and show you with great loud excitement, the worlds theyve created in their Polly Pocket Land.

And then you remember:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

{1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV}

I remember the other day, when I was walking from the library, I thought of everything wrong at the moment. 

Yet God reminded me of Philippains 4:11-13.

It was a timely reminder to be content, appreciative, grateful, and thankful for all God has done.

So back to the beginning of my post.

 My head hurts, yet I have medicine to take to help and heal it.

My reading glasses are bugging me, yet I can adjust them a little and read properly with them.

My head hurts for the umpteenth time, yet I have a warm cup of coffee to drink to help soothe it.

The slightest noise from the kids sounds like a tuba in my face, yet they arent arguing and they are keeping themselves contentedly entertained with their Polly Pockets.

Its kinda gloomy out, yet its finally raining and we need the rain desperately.

I am tired, yet I can rest on the porch with my blanket and coffee.

And snappy, yet I can choose to be gentler with my remarks.

God has blessed me, and you, and all of us for that matter!

We need to choose to be thankful, no matter what!

Beautiful Blessings - 8/9/15

~ Giggling with my giggle bug!

~ Watching the first stars appear in the sky.

~ Being able to help someone with my sewing skills.

~ Listening to trains outside.

~ God bringing Proverbs 3:5-6 to me when I needed it! 

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

    and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

    and he will make straight your paths.

Beautiful Blessings - 7/12/15

~ Enjoying angel food cake and strawberry rhubarb jam.

~ Watching "Monk" with family and a friend.

~ Harmonizing with my sisters as we sing a song based on Psalm 23.

~ Remembering Psalm 118:24 and rejoicing about the lovely day that the Lord made!

~ Reminders from God to fully trust Him even when things dont make sense!

Photo-A-Day - Day 30!

"Future" - the past 2 days I have seen sun-dogs, moon-dogs, and rainbows! All have been poignant reminders of hope from God for me. What beautiful reminders they have been!!!

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Photo-A-Day - Day 22!

"Life" -  Matthew 10:39!

(I took this yesterday, but I wasnt able to post it lol!)

Photo-A-Day - Day 15!

"Words" - to make up for yesterday's lack of post, here are some verses from Psalm 119! God's words are encouraging, life-changing, and something I am very thankful for!

Photo-A-Day - Day 7!

"Unique" - A story of 4 quarters!

The story starts with a pair of shoes. Canvas ballet shoes to be exact. The shoes were bought so that we could do our shows at various nursing homes in our area. Though something was overlooked, and we found out that we had overpaid. 

My ballet instructor gave us 4 quarters in change so that we were even. The quarters were left in an envelope - completely forgotten - while the shoes were used for our shows. 

One day, it was a dismal day, and we were in a rough patch. It was that day in which I found the 4 quarters. A glimmer of hope on a depressing day. The quarters were then forgotten after the rough patch was over, and it was lost in a sea of envelopes. 

Every Mother's Day, our Church hands out baby bottles for a local organization that is pro-life, and does so much with the little they have. I've personally raised money for them before, and sometimes through miraculous ways! We took home a baby bottle last year but we never took it back on Father's day, so we slowly added change throughout the year to it.

Today I stumbled upon the envelope with the 4 quarters. Its time for them to go where they are needed next, and they are now in the baby bottle for New Hope. As I dropped them into the bottle, I saw that the bottle is almost full. On Father's Day, we will take the bottle to Church, and from there it'll go to New Hope, to bring new hope to those who are needing it most!

Those 4 little quarters have brought hope to many! Through the shoes that we use at our nursing home shoes, encouraging me through a dismal time, and finally to bring hope to women who need it most! 

God is good! :~) <3 God is so very good! 

Psalm 111 (ESV)

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
    in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord,
    studied by all who delight in them.
Full of splendor and majesty is his work,
    and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered;
    the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him;
    he remembers his covenant forever.
He has shown his people the power of his works,
    in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
    all his precepts are trustworthy;
they are established forever and ever,
    to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people;
    he has commanded his covenant forever.
    Holy and awesome is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
    all those who practice it have a good understanding.
    His praise endures forever!

Overcome

(the neighbor's cat)

There is a cat. She's a cat of our neighbor's, but she has decided that she needs to be as annoying as possible to us and our cats. She's a sweet petite thing I will admit, but she thinks that we're now part of her family. I think she'd live with us if she could. How did she get this way? Subtly, very subtly.

We knew she was our neighbor's cat, so when she came in our yard the other day, she was welcomed warmly. A mistake on our part, I will admit. We enjoyed petting her, and watching her roam our yard. And within a few short hours, we realized our mistake. She doesn't get along with our cats for one thing, and when we tried to get her out of our yard, she refused.

When her owner came, he tried to take her home a couple different times, yet she still returned. She sneaked herself into our yard and next thing you know, she'd be laying in the middle of the garden, or staring down one of our cats. Now trying to keep her out of the yard is proving to be a difficult task. We like the sweet kitty, but she needs to stay with her family. Today alone I've already had to shoo her home a few different occasions.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ~ 1 Peter 5:8-9 (ESV)

Sin and temptations are the same way. They worm their way into our lives, and when we realize what's happening, they can be a pain to remove from our lives. Just like the cat, we need to be on guard for when the temptation returns. It's not a sin per-say, but something in my life that is like this is stubbornness. Oh, can I be stubborn!

Over the past several months it's something I've truly noticed, and with some prayer & work on God's part, I'm slowly trying to overcome it. Let me say it is so easy to be stubborn. In fact it's painful not to be stubborn. So then I have to make a choice, do I stay stubborn or do I yield & submit? It's hard to decide sometimes, but God's way is best.

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. ~ Ephesians 6:21 (NIV)

If you just leave the sin and temptations in your life, it's just like letting that pesky cat roam into your yard and doing nothing to remove it. But, if you pray, stand firm, and remove them, then bit by bit, you can overcome them. Some of them will be pesky and continue to test you. Stubbornness is still testing me, and quite possibly always will. Three verses come to mind.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33 (ESV)

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ~ 1 John 5:4 (ESV)

So today I challenge you to take some time to think, pray, and ask God what in your life needs to be removed. What do you need to overcome? It is a hard, yes. But! It is worth it! 

Just write....

It's one of those beautiful spring days in which you just want to write.

(Our first daffodil! Spring is so vibrant and lovely!)

I'm not even sure what I'd like to write, but I'd love to do so.

So here I sit and type.

(And eat my breakfast. ;~)

The kids are outside playing so the house is quiet..

I've been wanting to write, but haven't been able to figure out what.

I wrote about being sick with mono back in March, and I think I have begun the road to improvement.

Throughout this mono I've come down with pneumonia, a cold, a couple migraines, and I think now I have another cold.

This is definitely a test of my patience, faith, and steadfastness in God.

It is so easy to get down, depressed, and discouraged about oneself.

If God hadn't seen me through this, I'd be a mess!

I laugh to myself because I am a mess.

I'm far from perfect, but God is perfect!

I've been thinking about Psalm 138:3 (ESV) this morning:

On the day I called, you answered me;

my strength of soul you increased.

I've called to God so many times to help me through this.

Every single time I've called, He has answered.

He has been strengthening me in every way.

And I can't thank Him enough.

God is so good!

Psalm 73:28 (ESV)

But it is good for me to be near God;

I have made the Lord God my refuge,

that I may tell of all your works.

I'm not sure how I'd like to wrap up this long rambling post.

Remember, no matter what you're going through, look to God!

Sounds cliche, yet it's the best decision you can make!

And now I shall go enjoy this lovely spring weather with a book and some tea!

Au revior!