They Walk Among Us

Alison Krauss - who knew she sang gospel? Apparently everyone but me. Royce & I enjoy her country songs but one day on Pandora radio we heard her singing gospel and now we love her even more! I just recently discovered her song: In the Palm of His Hand. (You will the link at the end of this post.)

Now, I realize that not everyone who sings a gospel song is a child of God. I get that. However, I also understand that God's children are everywhere, often incognito. Their lives are hidden in Him and they go about their daily routine like normal people doing normal things. But, beware, inside these seemingly normal people lies the power of the universe.

WOW --- that's better than any Hollywood movie - better than the best novel. Think about it: within these average people resides an extraordinary God who listens to and answers their prayers, covers their lives and heals their hearts. Who knew? Who can tell? They dress each in their own way, talk of their individual lives shared with family and friends. They come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. These strange folks are as different as the aliens in Men In Black, yet they walk as an army on this earth and gravitate towards one another with built in radar.

So, how can you tell when they are present? How can you know when they are close?  By breathing the atmosphere. Relax in the peace - look closely at the way one responds when hard times hit; look deep in their eye when a friend comes upon troubles; listen closely when they describe their day; come near when they reach to hug; all of these things will give them away. Usually, it isn't what they say as much as how you feel in their presence. It's the quiet ones you have to watch out for.

They walk among us with average lives but beware - -  God is listening to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SosID4Eo7t4   (Alison Krauss singing In The Palm Of His Hand)

The Proposal

When my grandson first invited us to witness his marriage proposal, I was thrilled but admittedly a bit hesitant. Proposals are normally intimate, but when it all goes down in a shopping mall, perhaps a little outside viewing would be acceptable. And so it was that last night Granddaddy and I along with about a dozen or so of their friends stood outside a photo booth in Arbor Place Mall and waited with cameras and phones poised for the couple to emerge.

What I did not expect was the little screen on the outside of the booth that displayed what was happening inside the booth. This grandma's heart was beyond words to be a part of this momentous occasion. As it turned out, the photo booth proposal inside a busy mall was absolutely perfect. The friends gathered around outside, the cheering and clapping as passersby gawked and laughed - it was all just perfect. And of course the fact that she said yes was important, but we all knew that would be her answer.

This morning I've been mulling over last night's events and thinking about how wonderful it is to see the first of our next generation step out in faith towards his future. We are a combined family with six children and fifteen grandchildren. For 28 years we have worked, prayed, fought, laughed and loved our way to becoming a real family. Yes, we still have problems, differences, good days and bad, but we are in fact a family. One that has been woven together over the years by God's grace and a lot of patience, forgiveness and love from each other.

So, here we go with another level. Cortney brings her own personality, talents and giftings to mesh with ours. Most importantly, she brings her faith and belief in God. I thrilled to know our next generation begins with two people sold out to God and committed to building a Christian home.

Families are a small version of the body of Christ. I believe the Lord puts us together in a way that brings glory to His name and benefits His kingdom on this earth. We have a specific responsibility as a family unit to further His purposes on this earth. With each addition we have one more person to stand with us in prayer, one more person to bring revelation and insight to our family; thus we are made stronger as a family.

Cortney is a beautiful young lady with a gentleness and purity that is endearing. She is also a wonderfully gifted artist and a natural teacher with patience for working with children. Her love for Thomas and his family is apparent and heartwarming. She will soon become a wife, a daughter and a granddaughter. (We don't have "in-laws" in our family) We are blessed to have her among us.

Welcome Cortney - we are thrilled to have you on board!

Lovin' the season...

Simpleton That I Am...

Life gets better and better as choices get fewer and fewer. Simplicity has become a wonderful friend to me. Whether it is in housekeeping, entertainment, finances or just daily routine; less is just well ... more.

I love the kind of day that slowly unfolds with no agenda other than to live it. The pleasant aroma of coffee brewing mixed with that delicious smell of bacon frying. So, ok, if that doesn't happen til 11:00...it really is fine to eat lunch and breakfast together. Its called brunch. Something the working folks can only enjoy occasionally.

Watching an old B&W movie in my p.j.'s and enjoying the popcorn that goes so well with it; rambling through the day talking to my old Friend at length or just taking what comes my way, makes for a satisfying day. It is amazing how many places I see the hand of God in my life. Perhaps my favorite time comes along about dusk when I can sit on the back porch and watch as the light filters through the tress in perfectness and that sweet hush surrounds me.

Of course, every day isn't like this. Many days are full of errands, people, projects, cleaning, cooking, running, running, running, and I enjoy them as well. But, I'm realizing that more and more often, the simple days of just 'being' come along. And more and more often, I enjoy them thoroughly!

No great moral here - no great advice - just the ramblings of a lady who has made peace with life. God is good to me and I am thrilled that I have time to enjoy His blessings. Come sit with me on the porch and we will visit and ponder on the important things of life: like what's for supper!

Lovin' the season...

Dancing on Diamonds

Vacations are fun, relaxing, exciting and refreshing; but home is.... well, home is home. Its good to be back in GA this morning. True, no sunrise to watch over the ocean, but the fall weather is wonderful and a new season is dawning as summer comes to a close. This morning I'm straining my emotional and spiritual eyes to see what this new season will bring. Of course all I see is cool weather, pretty trees, lots of leaves to rake and snuggling in by the fire. But my Father sees more.

I know its true, the natural reflects the spiritual, so I'm pondering on where I am in the natural. To some people I'm in the fall of my life, to others I'm only beginning. To God, I'm right where I am supposed to be. His timing is always perfect and His love is greater than any plans the enemy can conjure up.

Today I can walk out my door and put one foot in front of the other with a confidence that He is guiding my every step. There is comfort in knowing that if I turn to the right or to the left I will hear a voice saying, this is the way, walk ye in it. What a happy thought - - - if I could skip I would. And dance in the field with my dear friend, wearing wildflowers in our hair.  (You know who you are and we will do that one day...ok, maybe in Heaven, but we will do it!)

Did you ever really watch a child run? They give no thought for where their feet hit the ground; they run with abandonment and strength; arms flinging naturally at odd angles and eyes open for whatever comes. Most of us cannot run like that in the natural, but we can in the spiritual. With an openness to see his face. O, the beauty of that face! Let's run today - and skip - and jump with excitement when we see Him.

These storm clouds looked very threathening, but that's all they did: threathen. A short time later they were gone and all they accomplished was to make the waves more fun to play in. Don't let the storm clouds spoil your day - the sun is right behind them.

Livin' in the season

Sun, Sand and Can't Sees

Royce & I spent this week in a condo at New Smyrna Beach. As most of you know, Royce has been "on restriction" because of heart issues since last April. This getaway was long awaited and much needed. Goodness, the man is like a new person!

I guess you can say this trip marks the end of a quiet season with much time for soul searching; but also the beginning of a new season in our lives.

We are anxious to see what the Lord has planned for us next, but until then, we are enjoying relaxing on the beach; meeting a few new people and eating lots of fresh seafood!

 Seasons pass through our lives in an endless stream of highs and lows. This week has definitely been one of the highs.

(We learned a new term this week: "can't sees." ...those tiny little gnats that pester us that are so small you "can't see" them. Who knew?? )

Hope you enjoy the photos! God's beautiful world is awesome.

Livin' in the season in New Smyrna Beach!!