Living Our Lives Well: Stories & Devotions

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Rejoicing In God’s Miracles

Lord give me the eyes of a child;

To see your hand in every gift and trial,

To marvel at your works, to wonder at your grace,

To stand in awe and glorify your name.

I wrote the song God's Miracles many years ago.

The words above are from that song, inspired by a post written by a friend.

This is an excerpt from her post:

We were driving to church when our son yelled out excitedly from the back seat, "Momma, I just saw one of God's miracles!" I can't even remember exactly what he saw. Regardless, I just haven't been able to shake that statement.

Everyday, God does wonderful, amazing things all around us and we just keep on going like it was nothing. Young children see things differently. I suppose that's one of the reasons we've been admonished to have faith like a child. Our son often marvels over things that seem so everyday to me. I was reading in the Psalms to the kids a few nights ago when he just couldn't get over the fact that God, the Almighty God, wants to be his God too. I remember last Easter when he found a little purple flower growing in the middle of a huge field. He wondered that the Creator of the Universe put that little flower right there for him to enjoy. This morning, he said he was so thankful that God helped him to sleep all night long. Every day brings some new revelation to strengthen his faith in the I AM.

Everyday God puts miracles -- not chance circumstances, not coincidences -- but MIRACLES in our lives. How often do we recognize them? Big things like miraculous healings, well, those are the ones we can't wait until testimony time to share. For some reason, we often convince ourselves that "big" miracles are a sign of God's approval on our lives. Yet, we diminish the importance of what we consider "little blessings" as inconsequential. Even when we do value them, we are embarrassed to share them because it seems childish to think of such things as miracles. Consider this -- ALL of God's miracles are for the simple reason of bringing glory to GOD. Don't be afraid to share them.

Let me ask you this, "What is a miracle?" This may seem over simplified, but -- miracles are something only God can do. It took no more of God's power to heal my dad than it did to put a little blue flower in a field in just the right spot for a little boy to learn that God cares about him. It takes the same power to save a sinful soul from Hell that it does to keep you breathing.

"Momma, I just saw one of God's miracles!" Have you seen a miracle lately?

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Lord give me the eyes of a child...

As adults our lives can become so cluttered with our every day duties and commitments that we can become oblivious to God working and we often don’t recognize those little miracles. Sure we notice the big things; someone getting saved, a health issue resolved, big news from a mission field…but a flower in the middle of the field? And yet, it’s those little things we need to be paying attention to. Those are the things a life of faith are made up of, the things that show that our God is concerned about even the smallest details of our lives. I remember as a new Christian having an experience during a baseball game of all things that made me marvel at the fact that God was truly interested in every aspect of my life. I still had the eyes of a child!

To see your hand in every gift and trial...

Perhaps we do recognize God's hand in something as simple as a little blue flower in the middle of a field...but what about the weeds in our garden? Do we see God in the difficulties of life? I was listening to a devotion the other day about looking for lessons in the valley, asking God, "What do you want me to learn from this trial?" When we look at difficult situations from this perspective we start to see God's hand even in the hard times.

I recently went through such a time. I was terribly hurt by someone close to me and it was hard to see past the disappointment, but when I heard that message, God opened my heart to see that he was wanting to show me some things. Yes, I still felt the sting but I was able to take my focus off myself and learn from the situation.

To marvel at your works…

On Sunday I heard a message preached about how when things become common we tend to take them for granted. He used the Israelites as an example. They probably marvelled the first few weeks of God providing manna, but what about after a month, a year, 20 years? It was definitely a miracle but eventually it became common place and they just took for granted it would be there. I wonder how many even gave much thought to who was providing it. But aren’t we the same? We may even acknowledge these blessings and miracles are from God but we no longer marvel at his works.

To wonder at your grace…

Do I really wonder at God's grace or do I just take it for granted? I'm ashamed to admit how many times I've strayed and yet God is always there offering grace and forgiveness. No matter how many times I lose my way, he’s always there when I finally get my focus back on him. His long suffering toward me is truly a wonder!

To stand in awe and glorify your name…

Yes, give me the eyes of a child, Lord! Let me see your hand in every gift and trial. As I write this I’ve been marvelling at how God has used the preaching of his word as well as this song, chosen many months ago, for just the time I would need it to help me through a difficult time. Lord, I just saw one of your miracles! I stand in awe and glorify your name!

Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31

God's Miracles

(stop at end of song)

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Momma, I just saw one of God's miracles!

And I know he did it just for me.

He planted that blue flower in the middle of the field,

Just to tell me how much he cares for me.

Lord give me the eyes of a child;

To see your hand in every gift and trial,

To marvel at your works, to wonder at your grace,

To stand in awe and glorify your name.

Every day we experience God's miracles,

but we're quick to simply brush them aside.

We count them little blessings, and we say a prayer of thanks,

as we go on about our busy lives.

Lord give me the eyes of a child;

To see your hand in every gift and trial,

To marvel at your works, to wonder at your grace,

To stand in awe and glorify your name.

Everyone wants to tell of God's miracles;

of great healings, and of reaching lost souls.

But greater is the message of a simple childlike faith,

crying, "I just saw one of our God's miracles!"

Lord give me the eyes of a child;

To see your hand in every gift and trial,

To marvel at your works, to wonder at your grace,

To stand in awe and glorify your name.

Lord, I just saw one of your miracles!

I stand in awe and glorify your name!

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God’s Miracles /Lyric Devotions

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice!

Rejoicing In God's Mercies: New Every Day

Where do I begin to write about such a vast topic as the mercy of God?

It's easy to take a few verses of scripture and put them into a song lyric, but to expound on the mercies of God is an overwhelming thought and one I feel completely inadequate to express. As I read through Psalm 145 I'm so overcome by the goodness of our God. When writing the song "New Every day" I based it in part on this Psalm, but the lyrics only touch on such a small portion of scripture to convey its message. There is so much more to be found that an entire songbook could not possibly express it all. So rather than just include a few of those scriptures I feel I need to include the whole Psalm and let it speak for itself.

Psalm 145

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.

One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.

They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

All thy works shall praise thee, O Lord; and thy saints shall bless thee.

They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;

To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.

The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.

Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.

My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

As I read through Psalm 145 one more time, some of the words that stood out to me were verses 8 & 9:

The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Along with another portion of scripture:

Lamentations 3:22,23 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

I marvel at the longsuffering of our Lord; that if not for His mercies we would be consumed. He is slow to anger...how thankful we should be that He is. And every morning His compassions are new... because great is HIS faithfulness.

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.....and I will declare thy greatness.

New Every Day

©DeborahBolack2010

Oh, gracious is our Lord and blessed be His name.
Holy in all His works and righteous in all His ways.
Great is our Lord, and greatly to be praised.
His compassions never fail; they're new every day.

New every day, new every day.
New mercies every morning, fall like dew by God's grace.
New every day, new every day.
God's compassions, His mercies, are new every day.

God upholds me when I fall; lifts me up when I'm bowed down,
opens up His hand; there satisfaction is found.
Faithful is our Lord, extending His great grace.
His compassions never fail; they're new every day.

New every day, new every day.
New mercies every morning, fall like dew by God's grace.
New every day, new every day.
God's compassions, His mercies, are new every day.

Rejoicing In Song: I Will Sing

Last month, when I wrote about my song for the month, I also went through my calendar and added a post title to each song, each one starting with Rejoicing In... When I sat down to write this post and read the title, "Rejoicing In Song" a verse came to mind...

Psalm 137:4 How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?

For the past week, I've been living in a strange land indeed; completely unfamiliar territory. I woke up Monday morning, excited to see one of my sons off to start a new job. I went to bed that night with my mind spinning with the word Leukemia. Two days later we had a diagnosis...our 5 year old granddaughter has B-ALL Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, with chemo treatments expected to last 2 1/2 years.

How shall we sing? By remembering the Lord; His mercy and grace, His comfort, His love, joy and peace, His glory, His victory, His power, His wondrous works.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I had no idea at the beginning of the year why God led me to choose a verse about rejoicing in Him, or why I chose a song of praise for each month, or why I chose a word or phrase to focus that praise, but I can see now that this is what I will need to carry me through...a reminder to always be looking to my Lord and Saviour, trusting in Him and holding tight to His hand; telling of His wondrous works and glorying in His name.

My song for this month:

I Will Sing

Jesus sought me and redeemed me with His precious blood.

Forever I will sing His praise.
I’ll rejoice, for Jesus loves me and abides in me.
I will sing of His mercy and grace.

Yes, I’ll sing of the mercy and grace of God;
of His comfort, His love, joy and peace.
I will sing of His glory, His victory, His power.
I will sing till He comes back for me.

When I’m walking through a valley, Jesus takes my hand,
and guides me to the pastures green.
Then He leads me by still waters, and restores my soul.
Of His comfort and love I will sing.

Yes, I’ll sing of the mercy and grace of God;
of his comfort, his love, joy and peace.
I will sing of his glory, his victory, his power.
I will sing till he comes back for me.

I commit my way to Jesus, and I trust in him,
for He will always meet my needs.
God’s peace keeps my heart and mind through Jesus Christ, my Lord.
I will sing of His joy and His peace.

Yes, I’ll sing of the mercy and grace of God;
of His comfort, His love, joy and peace.
I will sing of His glory, His victory, His power.
I will sing till He comes back for me.

The creator, precious Saviour, Jesus Christ, my Lord,
the Lamb of God, the King of kings.
I will tell His wondrous works, and glory in His name.
Of His victory and power I will sing.

Yes, I’ll sing of the mercy and grace of God;
of His comfort, His love, joy and peace.
I will sing of His glory, His victory, His power.
I will sing till He comes back for me.

I will sing.

~~~

Psalm 23:2-4 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

To listen visit Lyric Devotions

Rejoicing In Isolation: I Will call On You

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

At the beginning of January, I chose my verse and word for the year.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say rejoice.

Of course, my word is Rejoice!

Unfortunately, just a week later, an 'unnamed' illness got into our home. With five people in our house, in spite of doing our best to stay away from each other, we all eventually contracted the virus and I ended up isolating for about a month. I generally spend most of the winter indoors anyway, so staying in our house really hasn't been that bad. Thankfully, we had fairly mild symptoms. It was everything that came with it that made it difficult...my husband having to miss work, my son having the start date for his new job delayed, the way people responded...these were just some of the stresses.

I'm not sure why I decided to do this, but when I chose the word 'Rejoice' for the year, I went through my songs and found any that related to praising God or rejoicing. I took my calendar and wrote the title of one of these songs at the top of each month.

For the month of February, I chose "I Will Call On You."

In joy I will praise you; in peace I will worship you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.
In sadness I will cling to you; in turmoil I will rest in you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.

When things go awry in this world of sin,
I’ll look to you for your wisdom and strength.
When all is well, and I have peace within,
I’ll look to you with love and devotion.

In truth I will seek you; in faith I will follow you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.
In doubting I will turn to you; distressed I will trust in you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.

When lives all around are filled with such pain,
I’ll look to you for compassion and grace.
When prayers are answered; loved ones born again,
I’ll look to you with thanks and with praise.

In love I will serve you; in hope I will wait for you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.
In gladness I will give to you; obeying I will live in you.
In all I will call on you, my Saviour, my Lord.

I'll call on you.

~~~

I guess I knew I would need reminders to rejoice throughout the year!

In the past, I've found that God tends to use my own song lyrics to speak to me and of course, this time is no different. One week into February and the weather outside is frigid, so even though I'll be free to venture out, I think a drive around town will have to suffice for now! But I'm reminded by these lyrics and by God's word that I'm to rejoice in the Lord at all times, no matter what circumstances I find myself in.

Philippians 4:11,13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am , therewith to be content.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

You can listen to the song and read the story behind the lyrics at Lyric Devotions.

My Verse For 2021~~~Philippians 4:4

I was listening to a devotion from Philippians a few weeks ago when I found my verse for the year.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

There was no big revelation or deep thought process, just the knowledge that when I praise God and rejoice in Him everything else falls into place. Philippians has always been one of my favourite books of the Bible and I've been spending more time there lately, often listening to an audio version while doing things around the house.

I always enjoy reading Spurgeon's messages. Today, I thought I'd see what he had to say about this verse. I think he expresses far better than I could what we can learn from Philippians 4:4.

I've taken these excerpts from one of his sermons, Joy, a Duty.

"Further, brethren, notice that the apostle, after he had said, "Rejoice in the Lord alway," commanded the Philippians to be careful for nothing, thus implying that joy in the Lord is one of the best preparations for the trials of this life. The cure for care is joy in the Lord. No, my brother, you will not be able to keep on with your fretfulness; no, my sister, you will not be able to weary yourself any longer with your anxieties, if the Lord will but fill you with his joy. Then, being satisfied with your God, yea, more than satisfied, overflowing with delight in him, you will say to yourself, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." What is there on earth that is worth fretting for even for five minutes? If one could gain an imperial crown by a day of care, it would be too great an expense for a thing which would bring more care with it. Therefore, let us be thankful, let us be joyful in the Lord. I count it one of the wisest things that, by rejoicing in the Lord, we commence our heaven here below. It is possible so to do, it is profitable so to do, and we are commanded so to do."

~~~

"You are commanded to rejoice, brethren, because this is for your profit. Holy joy will oil the wheels of your life's machinery. Holy joy will strengthen you for your daily labour. Holy joy will beautify you, and, as I have already said, give you an influence over the lives of others. It is upon this point that I would most of all insist, we are commanded to rejoice in the Lord. If you cannot speak the gospel, live the gospel by your cheerfulness; for what is the gospel? Glad tidings of great joy; and you who believe it must show by its effect upon you that it is glad tidings of great joy to you. I do believe that a man of God—under trial and difficulty and affliction, bearing up, and patiently submitting with holy acquiescence, and still rejoicing in God—is a real preacher of the gospel, preaching with an eloquence which is mightier than words can ever be, and which will find its secret and silent way into the hearts of those who might have resisted other arguments. Oh, do, then, listen to the text, for it is a command from God, "Rejoice in the Lord alway!" "

You can read the full sermon on the Spurgeon Archive site, Joy, a Duty

Many years ago, I started out to write a song called, A Reason For Joy, but it took a slightly different direction and became, My Reason To Sing. Still, the sentiment is the same and I thought it was a fitting song to begin the year with.

My Reason To Sing

BIAB Rendition

(ignore glitch at end!)

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(intro)

God laid the Earth’s foundation,

and set the world in its place;

raised up majestic mountains,

carved valleys, and spread out the plains.

God made and garnished the heavens,

and set the stars in the night;

designed the morning sunrise,

bestowed on the world his light.

And yet he thought of me,

with a love that spans all time and space.

Yes, created me with a special plan for all my days.

God sent his Son to save me,

forgave me all of my sins.

He gave his word to guide me,

his Spirit to dwell within.

God made my heart to hold him,

before my life had begun,

Then gave me breath to praise him,

and whispered, “There’s songs to be sung.”

And now he lives in me, and he gives me a reason to sing.

Yes, abides in me; my Creator, my Saviour and King.

To God be the glory, he is my reason to sing!
My reason to sing!

~~~

Yes, HE is my reason to sing and my reason for joy!

And so I start the new year with no resolutions, no big plans, no set goals. I step into 2021 with nothing more than a desire to rejoice in my Lord and again I say, Rejoice!

A Mother's Love, Steadfast and Sure

A mother’s love is steadfast and sure, and come what may, it will endure.

trusting God to work out His will and His way in their lives.

The time we have with our children is so fleeting and sometimes we mothers wish we could turn back the clock and perhaps take better advantage of every passing minute. But as much as we would like to keep our children under our protective wings, we understand the necessity of letting go and trusting God to work out His will and His way in their lives.

Such Awesome Love Christ Had For Man

Today's post continues the theme of "He Put a New Song In My Mouth." Easter may have passed but the truth of what Christ has done for us is something to be celebrated every day.

How can I possibly express God's love with mere words?

Will You With the Crowd Cry Crucify?

Last month I shared in my testimony that I came to know Christ on March 18, 1985. That year, Easter Sunday fell less than 3 weeks later on April 7th. When I first got saved I had no Bible knowledge. Knowing that Easter was just a few weeks away, I wanted to learn all I could about what my Saviour had done for me.

One of the first things I read about in my Bible was Jesus’ crucifixion.

What is your response to the sacrifice Christ made?

These are some portions of scripture that describe the time leading up to and including the crucifixion of Christ:

Luke 23:1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.

Luke 23:20-24 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.

Matthew 27:27-31 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

Luke 23:33,34a And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

The account of Jesus suffering on that cross and shedding his blood for my sins made an indelible impression on my heart.

How can anyone who reads or hears of the sacrifice Jesus made not be profoundly affected by it?

An old spiritual asks the question, “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” The haunting tone of the song draws the listener into the scene and truly can cause one to tremble, knowing that though not physically there, our sin was there, and it was not ‘they’ but ‘we’ who crucified our Lord. It was our sin that caused Jesus to walk that road to Calvary. It was your sin and mine that swung that hammer, driving those nails through Jesus’ hands, as he willingly endured excruciating physical pain. But that pain could not compare with the anguish Jesus must have experienced when he, the sinless Son of God, took upon himself the sins of the whole world. He became the sacrificial lamb, shedding his blood for our redemption.

As Jesus hung on that cross, blood pouring from the wounds on his head, his hands and his feet, he looked down at the crowd below, and saw the faces of those who had earlier cried, “Crucify him!” As the crowd continued to mock and deride him, Jesus said, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” In the face of such amazing love and wondrous grace, how can anyone remain in that crowd crying, “Crucify!”? Why not step out from the crowd and kneel at Jesus' feet where his precious blood will wash away your sin?

Several years later, I wrote this song

Will You Cry Crucify?

You can listen here too:

©Deborah Bolack 2001
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~intro~

Walk down the road to Calvary, along the path Christ trod,

and witness there the sacrifice of the Holy Lamb of God.

Watch as the nails are driven in; each blow struck by our sin,

as willingly, Christ laid down his life in such agony and pain.

Will you with the crowd cry crucify, (crucify) and spit in the Saviour’s face?

Will you turn away, and try to deny he suffered and died in your place?

Or will you to the cruel cross draw nigh,

seeking out God’s gift of grace,

where the precious blood of the crucified will all your sins erase?

Hear Jesus say, “Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

The Son of God, who knew no sin, is pleading there for me and you.

Watch as the crimson drops of blood fall on those kneeling below,

for they have found God’s redeeming love,

beneath the cleansing flow.

Step out from the crowd crying crucify, and look to the Saviour’s face.

When you turn to Him, He will not deny. He offers salvation through faith.

Oh, will you to the cruel cross draw nigh,

seeking out God’s gift of grace,

where the precious blood of the crucified will all your sins erase?

Will you cry crucify, crucify,
Or accept God's gift of grace?
(Accept God's gift of grace!)
~~~~~~~

What will our response be? Will you cry crucify, or accept God's gift of grace?

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How Do I Cope With Having An Estranged Child?

I thought I was coping quite well...until I saw her picture on a relative's FB. I thought I had let go of the hurt...but that picture just brought everything back to the forefront.

I wrote last week about pregnancy losses, and as hard as those are, there is a greater loss...that of a child who is still living but refuses contact, as our oldest adopted daughter does.

Looking to Jesus in how to respond to rejection

How is 'True Love' defined?

This is the Websters Dictionary online definition of love:

1.A feeling of strong attachment induced by that which delights or commands admiration; preeminent kindness or devotion to another; affection; tenderness

2. Especially, devoted attachment to, or tender or passionate affection for one of the opposite sex

As I read that definition, I thought, that doesn't seem like enough to keep a marriage relationship going through all the struggles this life presents.

True love, our love story and song based on 1 Corinthians 13

Just Put One Foot In Front Of the Other

Having come to the end of the monumental task of decluttering our home, I thought it fitting to share this story...

My dad grew up near Miami, Manitoba, at the foot of a huge hill, called Mount Nebo. One day a neighbour commented that he was so tired, he felt like he had just moved Mount Nebo with a wheelbarrow. That statement somehow grew into a favourite saying of my mom’s, and one that my husband quotes quite frequently,

“You can move a mountain with a wheelbarrow, just put one foot in front of the other.”

Lost On Christmas Eve

I wanted to share this story of a Christmas our family experienced many years ago....one we will never forget!

It was Christmas Eve, and we were spending the evening with my parents, as we did every year. I come from a large family, and our four children could always count on meeting up with some cousins at Grandma and Grandpa’s house; especially during the Christmas season. By the time we arrived, a small crowd had already gathered.

The old tree from my childhood provides a beautiful analogy for our family tree.

When I was a child there was a big maple tree in our yard that we spent hours playing on.

My brothers hung swings from one branch that reached out across the lane. If you look closely at the photo, you can even see where the stretched out branch has been scarred by the ropes of our swings.

Another branch reached out the other direction, running along the ground and then angling up toward the sky; the perfect climbing tree.

As we grew older, it became the favourite backdrop for many family pictures. Eventually, the tree started to die, and my parents made the decision to have it removed....but those roots stretched deep, and the seeds from that maple tree had been scattered for years. The tree may be gone, but it lives on in our memories and in the many new trees it seeded.

So This Is What Surrender Looks Like

Recently, a visiting missionary repeated something he had heard someone else say,

"Just get up every morning, and do what you have to do."

Pretty simple, right? It really is a very simple statement, but when you think about it, it truly is the essence of living the Christian life, and it was something I needed to hear.

At the beginning of every year, I choose a verse for the year.

My yearly verse can usually be summed up in one word. For 2016, I chose Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.....and the word surrender is what came to mind. At the time, I had no idea how that word would manifest itself in my life. I knew it wasn't something I could force or resolve to make happen, but I claimed it as my word for the year and left it in God's hands to work out the details. Many times in the past few months, I've thought about that word, and have to admit, I was wondering if I had the right word!

Maybe a little update on my life is in order...

My husband and I are both 58 years old, parents of eight children, and sixteen grandchildren. Five of our children came by way of adoption, and three are still at home. We are in our 29th year of homeschooling, and our youngest daughter is nine years old, so we have eight years of school left. Brian has often joked that our pension and the child tax benefit will overlap for about a year. Still, with each year that Danica gets older, I've enjoyed a little more freedom, and I've been looking forward to a new chapter in life.

Then came June, and circumstances changed. One of our adult sons moved back home, and with him came a sweet pink bundle...grandchild # 16. I commented to someone....more than once...."I was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, and someone just rolled a boulder across it for the foreseeable future." As much as I love my granddaughter, I really had been enjoying my bit of freedom. After thirty-eight years of parenting, I wasn't the least bit interested jumping back into caring for a baby. Anyone who has followed my blog over the years will find it hard to believe that I didn't jump for joy over the prospect of a new little one in our home.

Enter the visiting missionary, and his very simple statement, "Just get up every morning and do what you have to do." As I thought about that statement, a lot of things came to my mind....but mainly, the question,

"What has God called me to do?"

Because ultimately, that is what I need to do...Get up every morning and do what God has for me to do. In my Bible, I have a piece of paper dated, February 28, 2007, with these words written on it, "Not My Will, But Thine Lord." I won't go into the story behind those words. No matter what the circumstances, those words are always the answer, and this time was no different. I didn't have to think long to be reminded of what I know God has called me to do. In fact, when I asked my husband that same question later that day, he didn't even hesitate with his answer, "Take care of kids." Yup, that's it....the thing that God has shown me over and over, the thing that he gave me to do when he gave me the desires of my heart. Not something that I could just quit when I got tired, or when things got hard....and believe me, there have been some extremely hard days! No, this calling isn't something that I can just say, "Okay God, it's been great...thank you for answering my prayer and blessing me with this big family, but I'm done now...I want to do something else...maybe some Me time!" Not that it's wrong to take time for myself, but this is the life that I asked God for, and this is the life that he has called me to. My life is not my own; it's bought with a price...Not my will, but thine Lord. I realized then that at this moment in time, what I need to do is help my son care for his little girl. It won't be forever, it may not be very long at all, but for now, it's what God is asking me to do. And as I've said to my husband before, " What do you do when a baby is dropped on you? You catch it!"

And then I had that "Uh huh!" moment.

So this is what surrender looks like...

Surrender is setting aside my desires, and my plans and just getting up every morning and doing what I need to do. The moment I got that, life became sweet again....and that little pink bundle is a big part of that sweetness!

Thank you, Lord for working your will and your way in my life in the most unexpected ways.

A song that I wrote for my sister, Victoria, comes to mind...who knew it would one day be for me?

More Than I Could Dream

Where I Am From

Memories are wonderful, and they are made up of so many different things that come together and leave an imprint in the mind. Sometimes they are as clear as if they happened yesterday, and sometimes they are just bits and fragments...a sound, a scent, a taste, a feeling.

Many years ago, I came across a blog that had a little picture with the words, "Where are you from?" I clicked on it and found that it was based on a poem, and that many people had written their own version, based on their own life. I loved the one I read, so I decided to write my own.

Some of my childhood memories will sound familiar to my kids and grandkids, but many of them will be things that they may never experience. I believe that taking the time to jot down some of these memories is a nice memoir to pass down to future generations. I'd love to have one written by each of my siblings, and my children!