47 years

This month, Dale and I will have been married 47 years.

God's mercy and grace!

I have no regrets that I haven't had a "career".

I have no regrets that we kept our kids out of public school.

Mistakes made? Yes. Some things I would like to go back and fix or do differently, but many things I would never change.

I want to hear the Lord call me a "good and faithful servant."

Though as a stay at home wife and mom, I may be looked on as not really accomplishing much, but I have peace about my life, and the rest of my years, I want to honor the Lord.

We are called upon to lead a life of service. I do love to try to serve the Lord and my husband and family.

I  want my husband's heart to "safely trust...so that he shall have no need of spoil" (Prov 31:11)...to honor him..to strive to meet his every need...emotionally, physically...to always be his best friend...to be the one he can always count on.

I want to "do him good and not evil all the days of  'my' life"

(Prov 31:12)

Sometimes I feel lazy, but I want to be this lady..."her candle goeth not out by night" (Prov 31:18) to be busy...to take care of my home...to prepare meals (this list can go on and on) I don't WANT to "eat the bread of idleness" Prov 31:27

I also want my kids and grandkids to always feel they can count on me. I want them to call me "blessed...and my husband to praise me" (Prov 31:28) That's a lot for me to live up to...it's a constant work. 

So, as I reflect on the past 47 years, I see my failures, but I also am overwhelmed at the goodness...the mercy...the grace...the forgiveness...and the abundant blessings of the Lord.

As striving to be that "Proverbs lady", or the "Titus" lady who is to be "discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the work of God be not blasphemed", I want to hear those words "well done".

Because no matter the worlds standards, this is how I can most please and honor the Lord. 

It's not about me...me...me..

It's all about the Lord...and others.

It's true. J..O..Y

Jesus, Others, You. 

THIS...is true happiness. And I'm happy.

Peace....

"AND LET THE PEACE OF GOD RULE IN YOUR HEARTS...."
This verse has been displayed on my little chalk board in my living room for over a month now...and as I look at quite often, I have focused on the word "LET", which tells me we have to "allow" the peace of God into our hearts and lives. Am I...are YOU letting His peace rule in your heart?
So, there can be things in our lives to KEEP us from having His peace. With me, many times, it's worrying and fretting...being fearful...I'm working on that...trying to increase my faith and trust.
But another thing that can keep us from having peace in our hearts in our lives is unconfessed sin or deception. We can appear to "have it all together", when deep inside we KNOW the truth we may be hiding.
It's such turmoil to NOT have peace, but we CAN!
May we reconcile with God...live for Him...be the light He wants us to be!
"Peace, peace, wonderful peace..."

Saw this, then copied..by V.H.C

Take your kids to church.
Make the effort. Wake them up early. Fool with the belts and the buckles and the hair bows. Endure the sleepy, grumpy faces and the misplaced shoes. Run around like a mad woman gathering everybody’s everything and trying to get out the door on time. Hop to the car with a shoe in one hand and your make-up bag in the other. Give those babies a pop-tart and some milk and let ‘em eat it in the car. If its raining, get wet. If its cold, get a jacket. If you’re tired, go tired. But take those babies to church. You know why?
Because Jesus is there.
He’s there. And He’ll meet them there. And you too, Mama.
He’ll be there in the sweet smile of their Sunday School teacher as she greets them into their room. He’ll be there in the goldfish and the apple juice and the filling of their little bellies and hearts. He’ll be there in the hug from a sweet friend and the encouraging smile that assures you that they “just barely made it” too. He’ll be there in the sacred words read from the Bible speaking truth to their little impressionable hearts. He’ll be there in the worship and the raised hands and the watery eyes and whispers of praise.
So take them. Carry all of their Bibles and drawings and toilet paper tube creations. Sit by them in worship. Open your Bible and open theirs. Show them how to find the scripture the pastor is preaching from. Show them how to worship. Explain to them why He’s worthy of worship. Let them see you laugh and cry and praise and study. Forgive their wiggles and paper rustles and know that they’re listening even when it seems like they aren’t. Ask them questions and answer the ones they ask you. Introduce them to Jesus. Tell them of His greatness - his power - his faithfulness. Tell them with your words and show them with your life. Tell them what he’s done for you and how you’ve been changed by His grace and forgiveness and goodness and love. Tell them how they can be too. Point them to Jesus. Over and over and over again.
Take your kids to church. They’ll love it there. It’s the only place where they can go and just be themselves. They don’t have to “be” good enough or smart enough or athletic enough. They don’t have to perform for approval or achievement. They just get to go and hear how much God loves them. Just because they’re them. Just because He created them, they’re valued. Wanted. Their worth isn’t based on the grades they make or their ability to throw a curveball. Its not dependent on their performance or skill level. And they need a little more of that, don’t you think? A little more grace and a little less pressure. A little more love and a few less demands.
Take them to church. Before you take them to the ballfield or the dance studio or the gym. Before you take them on vacation or to grandma’s or to the backyard to play. Take them to church. Let them know its a priority. Show them it has eternal value. Let them see you set aside schedules and extra curricular activities and work and busy-ness to be present with the Lord in His house. I promise you won’t regret it. I promise you it won’t return back void.
Take them to church.
I promise it’s worth it. ♥️

Prayer for our Grandchildren

We have 12 grandchildren. So far, 9 of them have made professions of faith in the Lord for salvation. Our 3 youngest, ages 5, are yet unsaved. My prayer for all my grandchildren this morning is that they would not be "shallow" Christians, but to be strong and give themselves WHOLLY to the Lord...NEVER to be just a "Sunday (so called) Christian"....and live to please themselves. For there is nothing greater on this earth than to strive to love and serve the Lord with your whole heart.

"For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." Romans 14:8

Memories.....

Reminiscing this morning about our parents. I miss my Momma's homemade rolls...there were always leftovers to take home. Dale's Mom always made lots of dipped candy to give us...at Christmas...then in the weeks to follow when we stopped by..."go over there in the freezer and getcha some candy". If you still have your Mom and Dad with you...~cherish~

Happy Thanksgiving

 I thank the Lord each day for so many things. I'm thankful He is my Saviour most of all. I'm thankful for a husband...a daddy...a granddad...who has faithfully led our family in the ways of the Lord. I appreciate his steadfastness...his strength....his integrity...always keeping our family faithfully attending church and serving our Lord. I'm thankful for our children and those who love them as they have chosen to live for and serve the Lord. I'm thankful for our 12 healthy, wonderful grandchildren. I pray they will always love the Lord and serve Him. I'm thankful for our parents and the heritage they have passed on. I'm so blessed and thankful to be part of a wonderful church family. I'm thankful to be born in America...and I love our country. Not just today...but every day I thank Him for His mercy and grace on me!

 

45 Anniversary Photo Shoot...just a few...