Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Glorious Color

My neighbor grows this beautiful plant in their garden. 
I believe they are sea oats, not common in Ohio. 
The color on the heads reminds me autumn has 
finally tumbled into Ohio, along with cooler weather
and glorious colors from God's paintbrush.

Continue to pray for the folks in North Carolina,
especially the people working to bring sense from the chaos.
These times make me appreciate the ones who
repair and restore electricity and water and those
who are cleaning up.

Blessings!



 

Saturday, October 5, 2024

You've Got a Friend in Me

John 11:4-7
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

A friend’s a friend forever... 

Reunion class of 1979

Krista, Debbie, and I drove in the wind and rain to Grayson, Kentucky, to join friends we’d known for forty-plus years. The alumni reunion was taking place over the weekend, and we looked forward to spending time with our forever friends.

Our crew of teenage girls met in 1975, while some of us knew each other before we arrived on the campus of Kentucky Christian College. That year in the girls' dorm, God bound us together. Over the course of time, we went our separate ways. I kept in touch with a couple of the girls through letters and brief visits, but it wasn’t the same, until several of us gathered at Helen’s house (she and Terry stayed in Grayson) several years ago. Through Facebook, we’d found each other again, and when we gathered, it was like we’d never been apart.

Like this year, we sang songs, shared prayer needs, hugged, and loved on each other. My soul needed the restoration of these dear friends.

In John 11, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus needed Jesus. Lazarus was sick to the point he died, but Jesus, in His wisdom and knowledge, knew Lazarus would live. Without the dear friendship with Jesus, Lazarus would have stayed in the tomb. When Jesus arrived, Mary questioned why he took so long. This is the time Jesus wept. The bond between Jesus, Mary, and Martha brought the sister’s comfort, and the love Jesus had for Lazarus raised him from the dead.

Our friendships on earth won’t bring people back to life, but they can restore a hurting heart or a weary soul. Fellowship with my friends, who believe Jesus is Christ and God is our Father, fills my soul with joy. I pray you have friends like mine, but more than anything, I pray you are friends with Jesus.

Seek Jesus and fellowship with believers. Jesus listens and loves.

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Please, Pray

I don't have anything clever to say today. 
My heart is hurting for all the communities devastated 
by Hurricane Helene. 
With family living in Ashville, NC and Greenville, SC, this hit hard. 

The devastation is horrific--loss of lives, resources, 
belongings, businesses, and more.

From where I am in Ohio, I can't do much to help physically, 
but I can pray and there are places to donate financially. 

The photo of the cross at Pretty Place in Camp Greenville 
(who suffered a lot of damage) reminds me 
to pray for family, friends, and everyone caught in the devastation. 
Please pray with me.


 

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Embrace the Little

Luke 12:27-31
“Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

It's the little things.

I miss when I was a child, and I played in the yard among the flowers, soft grass, and trees. For hours, I’d pretend to build houses for fairies and trolls. The days rolled by in simple appreciation of acorns, bark, leaves, and twigs. I never gave thought to how they got there. I just knew discovering a new item for my playtime filled me with joy.

Perhaps that’s why I love walking in the woods, along trails where flowers bloom. And I enjoy nurturing a garden of wildflowers and herbs. Although I appreciate other people’s flowers, the ones planted every year, there’s something magical about the ones which push through the soil every spring on their own, like black-eyed Susan’s, columbines, and daylilies.

When I hike in the park with Tim and Rosie, I adore the changing in flora. Different plants seem to bloom all year. Now with fall in our sights, a sweet little bloom has sprouted. The wild blue aster is no more than a half inch in diameter, yet it is one of the prettiest blossoms on the path. The lavender petals and yellow center add beauty to the woods.

That little flower reminds me “big” things are fine, but the little things often mean the most. By things, I mean moments, delights, hugs, smiles, encouraging words, a butterfly, a child taking my hand, a kiss, a flower, my dog’s faithfulness. So many things seem little, but in reality, they are the big. The blessings bestowed by God. Instead of worrying about the big things, seek God in all things and embrace the blessings.

I’m thankful for every one of you who takes the time to read this blog. That’s a little thing that blesses my heart in a big way.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Happy Fall Y'all!

Sunday marked the beginning of autumn. 
The day came in with ninety-degree temperatures in Ohio.
Even at that, I have the hope the days will cool as the month moves along.

I've watched squirrels gather their stores for the winter,
and talked to folks who have canned their vegetables and fruit.

I prepare by welcoming the season with open arms.

I hope this time of year, whatever it brings, offers you blessing and peace.


 

Saturday, September 21, 2024

In Jesus' Name

Matthew 6:7-13
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’”

I went to dinner with my daughter, Sara, and her family one evening. My granddaughter, Ella Cate, offered the prayer for our food. Sara reminded her to address God at the beginning of the prayer, then end the prayer in Jesus’ name. As we ate, Sara and I talked about why she taught Ella Cate to do that.

We address God because He is the creator of all mankind and our Father. We end asking in Jesus’ name because He is the one who restored our relationship with God after Adam and Eve disobeyed.

God made me, He breathed life in me, and He is the one who hears every prayer of every person. The beautiful thing is—He wants to hear from us.

When Adam and Eve failed to listen to God in the garden, they broke our bond with God. But Jesus restored it. He connected us back to the Father through his sacrifice on the cross.

When I pray, I want to address God and seek Him. Then, I want to speak the prayer in Jesus’ name. The Holy Spirit is in this too. The Spirit speaks when I can’t. He carries my prayers to God.

As Jesus teaches in the Lord’s prayer—Speak to God in reverence, seek to be a part of His kingdom. Do the tasks and touch the lives He lays on your heart. Ask for provision and forgive others. Seek protection from the temptations in this world, and be covered with grace, so the devil stays away. All of this in Jesus’ name.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Golden Beauties

Even with the lack of rain in our area, these beauties are blooming in the park.

The showy golden blooms of the helanthus decapetalus (thinleaf sunflower)
brightened the path we walked on. 

I'm always amazed at the variety of flowers in our area, and the glorious colors.

Their golden hue reminds me cooler weather is coming soon.