Calling Her Blessed

This is for my Mommy - one of the most beautiful, giving women I know. I am so thankful for my wonderful mother! Why am I thankful for her? Well, let me put it this way...

When God gives good gifts some come in great numbers and some are so precious there is only ONE. So far, God has given me approximately 9 ,125 sunrises and more exciting , magical moments than I can possibly remember. But I have only ONE mother. Put in poetic words...

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

I love my one and only mother. Quite a lot!

I love that she let us have chickens, ducks and bunnies when we were kids.

I love how she would lay her cool hand on my forehead when I was feeling sick.

I love how she read me stories of missionaries and took me to South America to experience service.

I love that she can fix toilets, wire plug-ins, hang sheet-rock and anything you could possibly think of! (Her best kept secret...She is Superwoman!)

I love how her "Mom-hugs" comfort me when I'm coming unglued and how her shoulder is always there to lean on.

I love that she reminds me to pray when I lose my keys or am struggling to make a big life decision.

I love how she sings "The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength" to herself when she's having a hard day.

I love that she thinks I'm funny and laughs at the silly details of life.

I love that her favorite place to be is the woods with binoculars around her neck and a bird book within reach.

I love that she is the best road-trip buddy I've ever found - always up for the "road-less-traveled" kind of adventure.

...I love so many things about her!

Here is the best part! Her love is unconditional! She dealt with my annoying childish habits, nursed me through several bouts of stomach flu and has seen me make a fool of myself on more than one occasion. Still, she loves me. There is no question. I'm the blessed one. Proverbs 31:28

Song of Praise

To Live : In Praise

You know those days when everything goes wrong? One of those days came my way recently. I had just left the doctors office after being told I need to keep off my foot for several weeks. While trying to find my way through Jacksonville's confusing interstate system I was pulled over. As soon as the officer let me go I sought refuge in the nearest parking lot. Checking my email, I found 6 more job application rejections. It was too much. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. "What is going on God?! What am I supposed to do?"

Over the course of the last week God has answered that prayer, but I was not expecting the answer He gave. "Praise. Praise Me". He wasn't asking me to try harder or scheme longer. In the midst of all the confusion and uncertainty God wanted me to sit back in awe of Him and give thanks.

One morning He took me to Psalm 67 and the quote "The Privilege of Praise" in Patriarchs & Prophets page 289. Yet another morning He led me to Mary's praise session in Luke 1 : 45-55.

"My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior...For He who is mighty has done great things for me."

I realized Mary probably still had questions and fears, but she praised God in faith of what He had promised. Powerful.

What would it be like to serve as a continual fountain of adoration and praise?...praise that is neither dependent on situations or circumstance? When I think of living in praise I think of a shelter. I think of it as a place of joy that "no power of hell nor scheme of man" can disturb. I think of a flower with its face turned to the sun. I think of a mind kept in perfect peace as the thoughts are centered on Him who is worthy of all praise and worship.

Beautiful concept isn't it? But concepts stay concepts unless there are practical ways to bring them to life. Here are a few ideas on how to live in praise...

- Count blessings instead of sheep when you fall asleep

- Look through a photo album or journal and remember. He has been faithful!

- Sing a song of praise in the car

- Notice the small, everyday miracles (i.e. I'm breathing!)

- Post up a quote or Bible verse that inspires you to give thanks

Ultimately...
-Behold God. His tender heart. His creativity. His mercy. The natural reaction will be a life of praise.

E is for ...

E M I L Y !

I happen to be housemates with a real "keeper" kind of friend!

Eating Breakfast

Grocery shopping at Publix

Riding in the car

Leading Juniors SS Songservice

...it's all more fun when she's around!

Whether we're chatting about our day or each curled up in our own corner of the living-room listening to an AudioVerse sermon, she's pretty nice to be with.

When I count my blessings instead of sheep tonight, she'll be one of them.