...and Winnie the Pooh replied, "Oh bother!"

This getting "back into the saddle stuff" is harder that I thought. My days, weeks and months are whizzing by and I find I get a very small percentage of what needs doing done. Our family is in the thick of preparing for our oldest daughter's wedding in September, and "old Mom" is starting to feel just a bit anxious about all the details yet left to be attended to. Kind of like worrying about having a baby when in reality, it will come irregardless. I watched a wedding show on TLC this morning and it only complicated my emotions....enough of that! I am resolved to make sure that this be a "fun" event for Lindsay (& Ryan) and that we do all we can do ... and all we can do is enough.

I do love this stage of life with my children. Alas, the parenting part is secondary to the friendships we have developed. Getting beyond the birthing, nursing, newborn, toddler-hood, elementary up's and down's, teen angst, independence and now starting their own families gives in many ways a tremendous feeling of accomplishment and thankfulness that all we did wrong didn't "scar" their tender souls irreparably. I remember going to their beds at night as they slept, thinking back over the day and feeling that either my words or actions may have been too harsh to them .... what if they remembered those things the rest of their lives and grew up to not like me???!!! God is gracious in ALL his ways though, isn't He? He spares us as much as our children sometimes.

Well, my friends, not much for you to take home from here today, but thanks for letting me vent. I love you each and every one & pray that as you parent, or be it a friend, you will sense God's presence in your life as well as his forgiveness and graciousness. That we all could grow up to be just like Him.

The old hymn that plays as I write this morning..."I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene. And wonder how HE could love ME, a sinner condemned, unclean. How marvelous, how wonderful, and my song shall ever be, how marvelous, how wonderful is my Savior's love for me".
It doesn't matter how far we go...but how much nearer we come because His love compels us. When someone loves us, and we believe and sense it in our minds and hearts, it is impossible to shut them out. A couple of weeks ago the thought came to me that God didn't have to go to such great lengths to show us His love....He didn't have to keep on trying to prove His love to us, but He did it anyway. He didn't have to create a world for us to enjoy, or the love of a family to be a picture of His love for us. He didn't have to give us children to love and nurture so we would understand the love He has for His only son, and how He in His mercy and grace for us, gave His son in our place. Picturing that, as a parent, is unfathomable for me. It makes me realize that I don't even come close to understanding how much He loves me. Scripture is clear when it says that God's love is "far beyond all we could ever ask or think". . . and how much more we so easily become immersed in all that this world offers and mistake it for God's best instead of being consumed by all He is and wants to be in our lives. Consider how much He loves you today...It's amazing!

Helloooooo again!

I have had lots of reader's ask where I've been. That would be the "question of the century"! Suffice to say "I'm back...well, somewhat." Some lessons take longer to learn than others, right? Be patient with me and I will try to get back into this saddle and sit up straight. Ever read Gulliver's Travels?

God's Recipe

The thought just came to me ... why don't we just follow God's recipe for everything ... wouldn't things always turn out right then? The other day my Whitney (daughter #2) was laughing about how her boyfriend doesn't do things in an "orderly fashion." Surprise, surprise! He had decided he wanted to bake a cake and instead of following the directions he just threw everything in the bowl all at once, then wondered how come it didn't turn out like he had imagined. Isn't that just like life. Either we get the "cart before the horse," or just "take over the reins." Then we wonder what in the world went wrong when we find ourselves disappointed in the results. Ahhh, just a thought. Thank-you, God, for giving me this crazy, "technicolor" mind of mine that only you "get"... these analogies go a long way with me ... for the friends that I treasure and most of all for the way you love us all.
Beauty of Our Friendship

Friendship is a Priceless Gift that cannot be bought or sold,
But its value is far greater than a mountain made of Gold.
For gold is cold and lifeless, it can neither see nor hear
And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer--
It has no ears to listen nor heart to understand,
It cannot bring you comfort or reach out a helping hand
So when you ask God for a gift
Be thankful if HE sends not diamonds, pearls or riches
But The Love of Real True Friends.