Remembering

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children."
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

Today, on this day that we remember, the windswept rain is beating against our windows. The girls are sick, the humidifier is going, and our bodies are tired. But we have so much to be thankful for as we remember. For we still have our family intact, the illness is temporary, and our home is full of laughter. How different it is for many. So easy to forget as we live our day to day. But today, especially, we remember.

I've been doing a lot of this lately ...

"I will sing to the Lord, for He has dealt bountifully with me." Ps 13:6

Something to meditate on until I post again ...

"If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water." John 4:10

O weary Man, footsore and sorrowful, sitting thus on the well, asking for a draught of water at the hands of a poor sinful woman -- you are my Lord and my Redeemer; I believe in you, I love you, I worship you!

Nearly two thousand years have passed since you spoke the sweet words which are now comforting my heart, yet with what power and solace, and blessing, do they come to me at this moment!

'If thou knewest.' Lord, you have told me who you are,you have in mercy revealed yourself to me, I know you to be that blessed 'gift of God' which alone can save and satisfy my soul. The depth and compass of heavenly love are manifested in you, and you have shown me, not my need only, but the sufficiency of your grace and power to meet it.

I am an empty sinner, you are a full Christ!

'Thou wouldest have asked.' This, too, O blessed One, you have taught me and enabled me to do; and my heart's constant cry, Lord give me this living water, is familiar to your listening ears! It is yourself I want; Lord, 'My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land.'

Not your gifts, not your grace, nor even your glory, could satisfy the desire of a soul which you have made to long for yourself. You, the Giver of all other precious things, are yourself the choicest, the 'unspeakable' gift! Lord, into the thirst of my empty heart pour the full stream of your living love! Give me yourself, or I die!

And having asked, I believe you do give, for your own lips have said it, 'He would have given', and I whisper softly to myself the blessed words, 'Who loved ME and gave himself for ME,' realizing the sacred, overflowing joy of pardoned sin, and peace with God, filling and satisfying my soul.

So, dear Lord, my spirit, like a weary bird, folds her wings beside this sweet well-spring of comfort, creeps into this blessed 'cleft of the rock,' and is at rest.

-Susannah Spurgeon- from Free Grace and Dying Love

Just thinking about things ...

Everyone is talking about the recent tragedy that has occured in the Chapman family. It has been in my thoughts so much. We don't know what may happen in the blink of an eye ...

May God give them the strength to bear it.

I'm turning off my sidebar music for a few days. In the quiet - just breathe a prayer with me. A prayer for comfort for a grieving family, and a prayer of thanksgiving for all God's mercies to each of us.

Before I went to bed on Thursday, I tiptoed into Lena's room and dropped to my knees beside her toddler bed. With my head on her pillow, I kissed her tiny curls goodnight. Each day is precious - a gift. Have a blessed Lord's Day and a wonderful holiday weekend.

O For A Closer Walk With God

There is such richness in this hymn. We sang it last night in church, and I wanted to think about it today.

O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!

Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?

What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.

Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.

The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.

William Cowper

The Still Small Voice (taken from The Thought of God)

"There is nothing about God's being , nature, or ways which embarasses us more than His gentleness. We readily think of power, majesty, greatness and sovereignty when we remember God. It is right and good that we should do so. These are all parts of His ways. They do not surprise or unman us because we expect them and are, in a manner, prepared for them. But God's gentleness is somehow awesome and overwhelming to our minds. It catches us off balance and staggers us by its very wonderfulness ..."



This quote is taken from The Thought of God, by Maurice Roberts. Before I married Mr. S, he suggested that we read this book together and discuss it on the weekends. I don't think we finished it before marriage, but every now and again we pull it out. I would recommend reading it, the language Roberts uses is masterful and hard hitting.



Roberts challenges us to reflect more often upon God's grace. We glibly speak of His grace all the time, but do we really stop to contemplate it?



"... the most important acts of God's power are those which, all unnoticed by man, touch the secret springs of his soul and heart. Regeneration, sanctification, repentance, growth in grace -- all are the product of divine omnipotence acting with marvellous gentleness and love upon man's inner being ..."



I am sitting at my dining room table with a mug of steaming coffee. Hubby has gone off for a conference for three days and the house is very quiet. Lena is still snuggly wuggly in her crib. So for now, I am free to reflect in the stillness of my home. I hope these words spoke to you too, friend.

Time With Daddy ...

Last night, after dinner had been eaten by all, Daddy and Selena went outside. This was the perfect time for me to start loading the dishwasher, but I paused for a moment to watch them through the screen door.

When I couldn't see them anymore, I went to the landing of our stairs and looked out. There they were, on the outskirts of the golf course that we live on. Little Lena Boop was so excited. She was literally jumping in her Daddy's arms. She was taking everything in. The trees. The grass. The wind on her face. She was leaning toward the grass, arms outstretched. Dishtowel in hand, I was riveted, looking at God's creation through her eyes. The two of them sat down on a bench and just breathed in the fresh air.

I went outside myself, and snapped the above picture. Time with Daddy.

I thought of the times I have had with my Daddy. Then I thought of my Father in heaven. There have been times just like my baby girl experienced yesterday. Excitement. Taking His word in. Letting His grace fill my soul with peace. Breathing in His rich promises.

In the rush, the busyness of life, the bills, the upkeep of the house, the frustrations and the weariness, I must remember to take it all in. Spend time with my Father in Heaven. Let Him refresh me. What overwhelming love He has for us.

Lord, we have not known thee as we ought. (taken from the hymn by Thomas Pollack)