Gift

A tragedy stopped me in my tracks today.
First I prayed for all those hurting.  There was a depth in my heart that felt this pain and so I prayed.
As I continued about my evening, I thought about the impact on so many people.
Yes, one life not present hurts so many.  One more candle light snuffed.  One more family never quite the same.  More friends with a hole that will never quite be filled.  
And while I prayed and yearned for mercy and comfort for this family.
I became aware and grateful for what I have.
Though I am as broken as they come, I am still here.  I get another shot at this thing called life today.  Not because I am particularly special or deserving but because I still have breath.
Yes, I could pull out many things but the most pressing is that in a few minutes I get to look into the eyes of my husband when he returns from work.  Forget for a moment that our schedules exhaust us and stretch our patience.  For a moment, we'll forget about the imperfect and revel in what is right.
Life. Love. Together. Hope.
Oh what gifts.  All of what we have is given by the hand of God.  Yet so often I take it for granted.  Or complain about what is NOT right.  There is so much not right. So many hurting people.  So many frustrations, so many stressors, so many dangers, and difficulties that lie ahead that we may not even be aware of.  But honestly, I don't even have to look beyond myself to see what is not right.  There is so much not right within me.  And all of that will be dealt with.  Thanking God that Christ dealt with what I could never have dealt with and the rest will have their moments.  But only a moment for there is too much good today to dwell in the bad.  I struggle with being upset with the imperfect around me.  But not tonight.  Tonight as I continue to lift up those who are overcome with sorrow.

I will also rest and be grateful for all the good I so often ignore or overlook to rest in my complaints or burdens.  No, not today.  Life is a gift.  I will be grateful.  May we not forget, no matter how dark or trying, the breath we have been given is a gift.

Marriage is:

Marriage is:

Discussion  of things that were formerly yours alone to decide
Compromise for the good of the whole

Sacrifice for love of the other

Investment of time and energy

A lot of hugs and 'I love yous'

Forgiveness on both sides

Humbling admitting needs or faults

Laughter at odd hours of the day

Being willing to do what you don't want to do

An adventure everyday

Imperfect and messy

Accountability for tasks or actions

Building a storage house of inside jokes and memories

Learning and growing together

Worth every ounce of effort 

A glimpse of Christ's love for us.
Beautiful

Day by Day

A calling to join God in his work, however that my look for each individual person, does not negate our close intimate relationship with Him.  He is of utmost importance and calls us to seek after Him.  With all my breath and in all my days, I never want to lose sight of what is far superior over everything else – walking with Him.  It is not walking with him to avoid misstep or to gain wisdom in a situation though that is a part of it, but the joy is walking with Him in the coolness of the day as one journey’s with a friend.  One of my favorite activities with friends is finding a beautiful trail to wander along together while our conversations drift from one topic to another.  This is no different than my treasured moments with The Lord.  This walk is not for the purpose of a destination but a settled enjoyment of one’s friendship with the King of Kings.  It is a return to Eden, a return to perfection, where humans were with God in freedom and enjoyed full access to the relationship with their Creator.

This quiet daily walk will not excite the media and may never make history but it is the quiet walk that I live for.  The world may never know me, but I will revel when my Father in Heaven calls my name.  He is calling to you, will you meet Him today?

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