Away in a Manger

Be near me, Lord Jesus! I ask thee to stay

close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,

and fit us for heaven, to live with thee there.

Yesterday, in church, I was too sick to participate in the singing of praise songs and carols, so I closed my eyes and just listened. I need to do this more often. Too often the words of a song gets lost in repetition. This verse of "Away in a Manger" will be my prayer throughout this Christmas season.

Our time here on earth is to prepare us for heaven and eternity with Jesus.

Gratitude journal cont.

61. Riley- has a growl-y 3 year old voice that is sometimes hard to understand, but he always has something to say about everything. He'll talk your ear off if you let him.

62. Maggie - is enthusiastic and passionate about music, school and play.

63. Kayla - has owned a special place in my heart from day one. She's sweet and genuine in spirit. Wanted Grandma to play with her, which I gladly obliged.

64. Ella - is competitive, sly, selfish and stubborn. Don't get in her way! IF you can get her to smile, she'll steal your heart away.

65. Avery - my shadow. Grandma had to sit next to her at the table; on Grandma's lap whenever possible; holding hands; holding her; captured my heart.....will miss this one terribly.

66. Emma - so grown up already! Sensitive, smart in school, talented in many ways. This girl will go far!

67. Josie - very spoiled, but very sweet. What baby of the family isn't?

68. Family who accepts me as I am.

69. Smooth landings.

70. My own bed and pillow.

Gratitude journal cont.

51. He carries me

52. sweet memories of my Mom

53. new shoes

54. gentle rain

55. boundless grace

56. making plans for Thanksgiving

57. Skyping with grandkids

58. another birthday for my husband

59. cell phones that work on dark country roads

60. fur kids who fill an empty house with life

Gratitude journal cont.

41. a good book
42. safe travels
43. feeling included
44. being loved by God
45. joy that's coming
46. strength for another day
47. the hope for Heaven
48. God is a constant in my life
49. a husband who eats anything I make
50. a tolerable work situation

Sunday Morning

You are forever in my life,
You see me though the seasons.
Cover me with Your hand,
and lead me in Your righteousness.
And I look to You,
and I wait on You.

I'll sing to You Lord a hymn of love
for your faithfulness to me.
I'm carried in everlasting arms,
You'll never let me go, through it all.

Lord, even through my doubt and unfaithfullness, you are here in my heart.
Please help me erase my doubt and help my faith to grow anew.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Gratitude journal cont.

31. a granddaughter with a tender, caring heart

32. her parents who taught her to be so

33. renewed friendships

34. warm, sunny November day

35. red maple leaves still clinging to our tree

36. modern health care

37. nurses who are compassionate

38. fleece jackets

39. down comforter

40. God is still in control

Gratitude journal cont.

21. Two wiggling furry bodies greeting me at the door.
22. Hard working farmers plowing their fields after dark.
23. Harvest
24. Orange harvest moon.
25. An aunt who calls me her third daughter.
26. A warm house.
27. A son who is growning up.
28. Making plans with girlfriends.
29. Praying for a friend.
30. A good sermon.

Some thoughts for this week....

....if my happiness is determined by my character, what is my character?

If my character is determined by my choices, on what criteria do I decide?

If my choices are determined by my values, what do I value?

If my values are determined by my vision, what do I see?



"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal." author unknown



"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... Hebrews 12:1-2

Gratitude journal cont:

11. Fog hovering over the river

12. Triplets full of smiles and giggles

13. Family together for brunch

14. Praise music

15. Amazing beautiful sunset, again!

16. Frost like a blanket covering green grass

17. The ever-changing seasons

18. My never-changing God

19. Christian radio stations

20. A welcome home hug after work

My Gratitude Journal - I'm grateful for:

1. A God who knit me together and knows me inside out

2. A fall afternoon with girlfriends, my sisters in Christ

3. Warm apple pie with melted cheddar cheese

4. Hot, running water for a morning shower

5. Anti-inflamatories to ease the pain

6. A God who carries me

7. Mother-daughter time

8. Mother-son time

9. My job

10. Cool, crisp fall mornings

Words

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Romans 8:26



So often I find myself without words. Perhaps its my lack of higher education or just my introverted personality, but more often than not....I just don't have the words to express my inner groanings. While visiting family in another state recently, I was trying to verbalize how I was feeling about the part of the country I'm currently living in. I guess I must have been babbling, because when I looked at my audience of 3 at the end of my babblings, their faces had traces of confusion and bewilderment.

According to Paul, the Spirit is the translator of my prayers. God knows and understands the desires of my heart without me trying to put them into logical sentences. My tumble, jumble thoughts He comprehends and they make perfect sense to Him.



I wish I could write like Karie or Amy or Sara. Perhaps this is something I need to work harder at. But I really wish for the words to form on my tongue...not just groanings rumbling in my heart.
God understands my weaknesses. I pray for His strength to carry me through.

Today I am purchasing a small notebook to carry with me.
I have been reading aholyexperience on a regular basis and have the desire to begin a gratitude journal.
Today is another gift from God, another day to live for Him. Another day of grace and gratitude.

This morning's.....

....fruit of my labor. I actually picked 4 pints, but had cash to purchase 2. When the gentleman ahead of me in line was charged $29.00 for his 10 pints, I knew I was in trouble. I did enjoy the cool morning breeze, birds chirping, geese making a low fly-by, and the sun warm on my shoulders. Memories of picking wild raspberries in northern Wisconsin with my aunts came to mind. I remember their chatter...sometimes in Norwegian, perhaps to protect my innocent ears...and their laughter. My grandparents farm also popped up in my mind. There was a row of raspberry bushes along the path that led to the woods. Grandma would hand my cousin and I each a pail with instructions to "go see if there are any ripe berries, but be careful of the stickers!". Raspberry picking is rather tedious; one by one, trying not to get stuck by a thorn, and gently, so not to squish the ripest berry.

I don't know what I'll do with these red beauties yet. Right now, they just look pretty on my kitchen table.

As far as the east is from the west....

"For as the heavens are high above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

As a father pities his children,

So the Lord pities those who fear Him.

For He knows our frame;

He remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

For the wind passes over it, and it is gone,

And its place remembers it no more.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting

On those who fear Him." Psalm 103: 11-17

On a motorcycle dinner ride Saturday night, we had the honor of witnessing another incredible sunset. This is one of the many things I love about living outside of a large city! During the winter, I get to see the sun rise on my way to work, and I watch it set on my way home. To me this is a promise from God. No, not that I am promised another day, but that His steadfast love has held me and will hold me from sunrise to sunset and to sunrise again. I'm safe in His care and am wrapped in His love and mercy.

A few words for thought.....

What to do when facing "the impossible"?

Take the example that Moses set for us:
Fear not! (know and trust God)
Stand firm! (take your stand and do not waver)
See the salvation of the Lord! (expectation rooted in promise)
Be still. (The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. Ex. 14:14)
Go forward! (No looking back!)

It happens in a blink,
It happens in a flash,
It happens in the time it took to look back.
I try to hold on tight, but there's no stopping time.
What is it I've done with my life?
It happens in a blink. (Revive)

Good question.....What have I done with my life?

Faith is...

"Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark." Old Scandanavian saying.

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step out into the darkness, FAITH is knowing one of two things will happen...

There will be something to stand on or you will be taught how to fly." author unknown

Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Just thinking....

It's funny where life takes us. When we're 16, we are certain our future will be bright, expecting only a few bumps in the road. Then we turn around and suddenly we're 56. The bumps were actually mountains and we are on the downhill side, picking up speed as we go! Life has been full of lessons learned, mountains climbed, blessings abundant and God's grace for each day. I thank God for each of those lessons, mountains, blessings and His amazing grace!