Boojoyful

 A few of our neighborhood Geese November 30 No one around here likes having geese on their property.  They are ornery, messy critters.  They are a fabulous lesson in teamwork and camaraderie though.  While, I'm not certain that they work on restoring one another if they fall into sin, I do know they lighten the load taking positional turns in their "V" flight formation and they have one another's back on land. Rarely, so you see one wandering off alone.   The Body of Christ has been designed to function in a similar fashion to a flock of geese.  Many hands make for lighter work, so we should share one another's burdens, and we bestow a blessing when we stick our necks out for one another!     " Live creatively, friends.  If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comment for yourself.  You might be needing forgiveness before the day is out.   Stoop down and reach ou...

This little one is counting the days until December. November 29 Slumbering soundly beside my bed, on a mattress on the floor, the past couple nights has been this lump of love. Her two year old brother sleeps down the hall in his crib. A house can be decorated and all aglow, but it's the love and excitement of little ones at Christmas time which brings it to life. It's been so much fun having them here, although yesterday I broke my little toe and then stepped on a white metal jeep with my other foot and cut the bottom of my foot!  I laughed as I limped around and popped another homemade snickerdoodle  in my mouth giving thanks for grandchildren. Last night we watched a movie called Santa Paws, which was a knock off of Annie.  It led into a great conversation about those who are less fortunate in so many ways. There will be those without presents under the tree, maybe their houses are not warm, nor their families filled with love.  Our granddaughter though...

November 28 No one likes to wait! But it's a key element in life.  It would be interesting to look back on life, especially as a teacher and a parent, and see how many times I said, "Wait! Wait!" I bet we could quickly make a top ten list of our current "waits." The She Reads Truth  author for this final entry related to thanksgiving writes of living life always waiting in hopes the next season of life will be better. "All that hoping for the next season stopped when I found myself in one unchangeable, immovable time. There was nothing I could do to change my circumstances . There was no way around this time of life, and the only way I was going to come out on the other side was to endure...  I learned that sometimes waiting is the season. Sometimes endurance is the lesson. Sometimes simply getting through it is the most sanctifying, holy thing you can do... I was forever changed when I stopped looking to the next season to make my life better and...

November 26-27 Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
 Prone to leave the God I love;
 Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above. 
-  from “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” by Robert Robinson Last week I referenced how a two year old had wandered off from his home in this rural community we live in. A whole community went searching and it was hours before he was found.  If we are honest, we will admit we've all wandered off from God.  It makes me sick to my stomach to look back on 44 years of a faith walk and remember all the times I tried to do it "my way" without God.  I wish He'd snatched me back in just a few hours. The She Reads Truth author for this entry describes holding her third child, a son, in her arms as he took his last breaths.  She writes: "I felt empty, forgotten, dropped. I began searching for God—where did He go during this? Why had He let my child suffer so much on earth?... My wandering often...

November 25 Life is definitely different after the stroke. Whether it is simply my priorities which have changed or more than likely some brain readjustments, it's different and it's okay!  Everything sequential seems to take so much longer. Cooking, which was a joy, is now a chore. Decorating for parties/holidays used to be one of my passions. I could get up at 6AM and work on Christmas decorating even if it took until midnight to complete.  This past week, after four days of attempting to decorate, I told my husband to just put all the boxes away, I'd had enough. Tis the season for wants.   Santa is making his mall appearances this weekend and will have a lapful of little ones listing their wants.  So many of those gifts will disappoint before Christmas day is even over, but the festivities and traditions of the season still bring joy.  What is your greatest heart tug ( want ) right now.  Whew! President Elect Trump probably wants his cabinet in place...

A childhood friend is a wonderful nature photographer in Nashville. Aren't these turkeys terrific! November 24 As I studied this lesson, The Doxology came to mind.  When I googled to see if I could find it on Youtude this amazing acapella opening to a wedding came up! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbjpG0SeXYU We have so many blessings, but the ones we are quick to give thanks for are the tangible/earthly  ones. Family, food, housing, jobs, friends, etc. Likewise, when we enter a time of prayer, our wants  related to those in our face needs surface  more quickly. Our greatest blessings and therefore our greatest needs lie in the spiritual realm and are heart related. The  She Reads Truth  writer for this entry reminds us: "For the believer, plenty and want are both constant states of being.  Yes, we all have real, felt needs. And we have noticeable, tangible blessings. But beyond the surface—in light of eternity—our constant...

November 23 "Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon." Psalm 31:24 MSG Okay, the Psalm above is my newest encouragement prayer! I'm going to teach this one to the grands. Picking up a prisoners' prayer list from church transformed my perspective on my day. What do these individuals give thanks for? Giving thanks in tough times can be a tough order.  I've been praying with several friends who are surrounded by family members in situations involving prison time, house arrest, or legal limitations. These are not quick fixes. In one friend's case she's been waiting thirty years for her son to get out of prison. Whenever these people share their updates my first thought is, "God, what good can come from this?"  Then in a mental flash I'm reminded He can work all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose.   So the first prayer becomes one of salvation for all...