Thank you for stopping by my blog.

I write day after day because I discover extraordinary lessons from ordinary life experiences. I record my visual portraits of everyday life filled with something sacred in hopes that my reflections might bring an insight that blesses my readers.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Old Prayers






Old Journal teachings

In 2004 I wrote, “I have cherished Denny more than I ever have.  We are just cozying together and reaching a time where we are helping each other instead of working against each other.  I want him to have a long healthy life, Lord.  Please cover him with your precious blood, Jesus.”
“Help me to hold on to the truth that circumstances do not dictate our days but Your sovereign will. I ask that we can grow old together, travel and see more lands, experience more adventures, and our ministry will grow. Extend our boundaries for Your purposes. Amen. ”
Now it is 2012 and these are my same sentiments and prayers.  It reminds me how important our prayers are.  Who knows when Denny’s immune system weakened and he was susceptible to cancer?  Perhaps such prayers as above safeguarded him many years.  I think it is so important to take time to pray for our loved ones.  It is like a prayer savings account.  I add a little each day for my husband, family, and friends.  Sometimes prayers tumble on the pages of my journal years before I understand why I am praying for that person.  As life continues, these people may become ill, divorced, have financial difficulties, or  lose a loved one, or be blessed by new opportunities.  I don’t always write my prayers, but when I do they bless me years later.  I think I learned that from the Holy Spirit.  Storing up prayers for safekeeping on the throne is an investment we all can make for each other.  I am confident that the Lord knows those prayers and answers them.
He is surprised by nothing because He is the creator of our days.  However, we are commissioned to pray.  My walk doesn’t ask why, it just says to be obedient, we must pray.  In eternity, I will know the significance of my prayers, but right now I know it is talking to God and trusting His word, which says in I Kings 8:49, “…then from heaven, Your dwelling place, hear their  prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.”

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Changes within and without.


Changes
As you know, we have experienced so many changes and new opportunities in Fort Wayne.  Sometimes when I awaken, I get up and just look out  my window in unbelief.  The newly planted hydrangeas are in full bloom.  A visiting hummingbird is outside my window hovering over a hanging basket of pink geraniums.  My cement guardian angel sits in the middle of my shadow garden just as she did in Muncie.  She brings peace to my soul as she did there.  I enjoy my backyard stuffed with  hostas, coral bells, and pink astilbes  tucked under the cedars. A gray and white glider sits in the shade of two giant burning bushes beginning to glow.  I enjoy the girls’ fairy garden embellished with their special rocks and shells they have added. Just looking at the fairies riding a frog and a snail remind me of the girls' cherub like resemblance.  Hybrid lilies and recently planted perennials begin their new life with me.
I awaken early here.  It is quiet and I ponder and pray.  I ask God to stay close and hold Denny in his arms.  I pray for a supernatural favor and healing.  I look at Denny with new eyes.  I feel a hard knot in my stomach and wonder if our future will even be more different than our new home, new church, new neighbors, and new friends. 
This summer has been constant changes of patterns, people, roads, groceries, doctors, homes, and walking paths.  However, I am walking this journey with Denny.  We are happy finding our way around new streets, restaurants, theaters, and shops.  With Denny's  recent diagnosis of a tumor and infection, I wonder, what would I do without him?  How would I find my way across this big city alone?  It creates a deeper need to cling to Jesus.  I am trying to gain insights to His plan; His message in all this change.   
 We sold our house in a day, bought another near our son and daughter-in-law and granddaughters in two days.  We purged, packed, and moved from our home of 45 years in 47 days.  He gave us energy and direction in all of these steps.  I know He is with us here and now.  I am learning to just live today.  I thought I knew how to do that, but now I just embrace each day intentionally. Some mornings, life seems surreal; yet, I am sure God is here. 
My walks in Foster Park bring such pleasure as I pass people of different nationalities and hear the bells playing familiar hymns.  I marvel at God’s beauty as giant trees shade me.  I walk through a path of yellow, white, purple luscious flowers and become one with them.  The path follows a river that glides through the forest nurturing and watering the vegetation.  Ducks and birds of every kind fly above.  Rays of sunshine and soft breezes remind me, “God loves me and all is well with my soul.” Selah