Sunday

Our sweet Aunt Othalyne passed away this week. Although we are so sad to see her leave this world, we are rejoicing in knowing that she has found peace and everlasting life with Jesus.

"And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
    and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever."
~Isaiah 32:17

Sunday

"Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,

to dwell in your courts!

We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,

the holiness of your temple!

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,

O God of our salvation"

Psalm 65 4-5

Sunday

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, 
O Lord, make me dwell in safety." 
~Psalm 4:8

Sunday

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
~2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Sunday

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

~Romans 8:5-6

Sunday

Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

~Isaiah 55:6-7

Sunday

"Sow for yourselves righteousness;
    reap steadfast love;
    break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
    that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."

~Hosea 10:12

Sunday

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.

Lamentations 3: 21-25

Happy Sunday

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans."
Proverbs 16:3

Sunday

"But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; his kingdom will never end."
~Luke 1:30-33

Sunday

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.

~Isaiah 9:2 

Sunday

"Be still and know that I am God."
~Psalm 46:10

A dear friend who has counseled me through many a tough time used to say this to me often. "Be still. Be still and know that He is God." It's a work in progress...this stillness. I imagine that to be still in this world full of busy and chaos is quite the challenge for all of us.

Lately I've been hearing these whispers and rustles. His quiet voice speaking to my heart. I am not always still enough to hear Him above the din of 3 children and life, but I am feeling more and more the need to seek out quiet spaces. Quiet for all of us, the small ones included, so that we might be still and know...know His voice and His love.

Sunday

I was watching Sophia yesterday playing with her BawBaw. They have this game where he throws her  into the air and catches her on her way down. When he grew tired of playing that (she never tires of it) they moved on to "climbing" trees...him holding her up high to grab a branch and letting go just enough to give her the sensation of holding on. She plays similar games with her daddy. I look on with heart thudding. She laughs and squeals. She has so much trust that they will always catch her.

I bathed Lillian this morning, and she fell asleep in my arms with feet still dangling in the water. Not a worry in her head about getting cold or falling in. She had complete peace about her, and she knew that she was safe and that I would keep her warm.

Then, tonight Levi came to me full of sadness. He laid it all out in front of me with complete trust that I would know what to do about it. Trust that just speaking it all to me would somehow help.

And, now I sit here thinking about all of this trust in me....me, who fails daily (maybe even minutely). Me, who never has it all together. I pray that God uses me, shortcomings and all, to point these children in His direction and to show them who they should really put all of that trust in. And, I pray that I lead by example. That I trust in Him with a trust like theirs. That I might be able to feel the thrill of the fall knowing that His hands are always beneath me ready to catch. That I might rest so easily in His arms with His peace in my heart. And, that I might always turn to him to lay my burdens down.

I was reminded so much today and yesterday of God's call for us to be like little children.

One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him.
Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, "Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it."
 ~Luke 18:15-17

Sunday

It is no secret that autumn is my favorite season. I love the cool crispness that begins to creep in...the preparations for all of the holidays...the warmth found in snuggling on the couch with books, hot tea, and knitting. At the same time, though, I find autumn's fullness to be often overwhelming. There's just so much to do, and all I really want to do is listen to the crunch of leaves, snuggle with my family, and knit. Lately I've found myself leaning on certain scriptures and trying to still my heart in the midst of the busy.

From the end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

~Psalm 61:2

Sunday

And Jesus, looking upon them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 
~Mark 10:27

Sunday

 "I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance."
~Ephesians 1:18

Sunday

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
~Proverbs 31:25-31

Happy Mother's Day to all you mamas out there and to my own wonderful mama in particular!

Sunday

 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
~Matthew 7:7-8 

*The photo is of some wild hydrangea's we saw while at Rocky Springs. I wish I'd had a camera other than my phone with me to do them justice. They were gorgeous.

Sunday

The Lord is gracious and compassionate,
    slow to anger and rich in love. 

The Lord is good to all;
    he has compassion on all he has made.

~Psalm 145:8-9

Sunday

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

~ 1 John 4:7-8