Bmeandering

Bmeandering

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Monday prayer



The back of the castle Ravenwood in Hocking Hills where we stayed one night last week.  The statue is in the middle of a maze of bushes.  The part in the middle of the castle here is the sunroom off the big dining hall.  We ate our breakfast in the sunroom.

Teachers' inservice begins for me.  So I will be working this Monday. All staff (elementary, middle school, and high school) will be together for the first time since the teachers' last day. 

                                                     Here is Monday's prayer.

                                        "When I Need to Stand Strong in Times of Weakness"
Dear God,
            I thank You that You give me the strength I need to live through each day and to face all that I must face.  The greatest thing I face today is nothing in light of Your ability to do miracles in it.  Strengthen me by the power of Your Spirit to stand strong and courageous in the midst of intimidating situations.  Give me the power to rise above all opposition and any fear I have as I look toward the challenges in my life right now.
Thank You that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Amen.

By Stormie Omartian
   
                                          Blessings on you all as you begin this new week!

                                                                 The front entrance.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Friday Psalm


Ravenwood Castle on 50 acres in the middle of the Hocking Hills in southern Ohio

This is where we stayed on our last night.  My husband surprised me with this.  It was built 15 years ago to replicate a Celtic castle and it's authentic looking inside and out.  It's a Bed and Breakfast.
We had a lovely time.


I've just gotten back from the vet's.  The girl cat, Scruffy is not diabetic, just extremely stressed from this stressful summer.  I'm getting ready to head down to our lake place and thus she will be put in her carrier with her brother and taken down there also ---more stress.  Well, Scruffy, welcome to my world.

We had a wonderful time, but getting home brought a load of stress.  I have teacher days on Monday and Tuesday and then we start actual school on the day after Labor Day.  I will attend an inservice on Monday and high school meetings on Tuesday and then work in my room on Wednesday (I'll have some time on Tuesday also). We have 'homework' for Monday, and I figure I'm not the only staff person to wonder where I put the book given each of us at the last staff meeting in June.  Guess what I'm going on a hunt for in my basement?
 I got word last night that a student whose mission in life seems to be "make everyone pay for his lousy life up to his adoption two years ago" is coming back to our high school. Vocational school kicked him out. 
Please lift this up in prayer. 

There is much to praise God about.  Here's the weekly Friday Psalm.

Psalm 47
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.

1) O CLAP your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!

2) For the Lord Most High excites terror, awe, and dread;
He is a great King over all the earth.

3) He subdued peoples under us,
and nations under our feet.

4) He chose our inheritance for us, the glory and pride of Jacob, whom He loves.
Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5) God has ascended amid shouting,
the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

6) Sing praises to God, sing praises!
sing praises to our King, sing praises!

7) For God is the King of all the earth;
sing praises in a skillful psalm and with understanding.

8) God reigns over the nations;
God sits upon His holy throne.

9) The princes and nobles of the peoples are gathered together,
a [united] people for the God of Abraham,
for the shields of the earth belong to God;
He is highly exalted.


One of the side views of the castle

Back home


We arrived home today after 5 wonderful days away.  Our cats don't understand  why they can't sleep with us tonight. They don't understand why I don't like a cat butting my face, signalling that he wants petted in the middle of the night or why I don't like being awakened to a cat giving herself a thorough tongue washing bath in the middle of the night.  Well they can wonder as they sleep down in the basement where they have several quite comfy places to sleep.  I will catch you all up soon.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Friday's Psalm and my husband's retirement







The neighbors had a retirement and going away party for my husband last Saturday night.  He's lived in this house in this neighborhood for 21 years---most of those at the party have been here almost as long or longer.  I have been a blip on the neighborhood screen---they welcomed me, accepted me, and have been good friends to me.
But Mike is different.  He's the guy all the others go to when they have a problem with the lawn mower, the air conditioner, the car, or in the case of our neighbor boy's accident---the press.  The saying goes, "If Mikie can't fix it, it can't be fixed."  That goes for the emotions too---he's a loving friend who's there no matter what --even if it's 3 am ---he was there with R & D downtown Cinci at the hospital when Ch. had his accident that killed his girlfriend and another friend.  He's a brother to these guys and they to him.  They all paid him a wonderful tribute and we pulled off a complete surprise.

This is his last day and tomorrow he and I head off on a mini vacation in the hills of southeastern Ohio.
I may not be blogging for a few days. But before I go, I had to post the Friday Psalm.

Psalm 34

1. I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2. My life makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.

3. O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt His name together.

4. I sought the Lord and required Him,
and He heard me,
and delivered me from all my fears.

5. They looked to Him and were radiant;
their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.

6. This poor man cried,
and the Lord heard him,
and saved him out of all his troubles.

7. The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him
and each of them He delivers.

8. O taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.
. . .
There are 14 more verses, but I'm stopping here.

Blessings to you all as you 'enter' your weekend!



My husband was head of IT (computer stuff) for John Morrell, a pork products company.

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Paradoxes of a child


See this toddler princess?


My Irish Lass Granddaughter

Do you see the paradoxes?

The toddler pudgy arms, hands, and fingers;
the slightly chubby cheeks
still full of baby

the bright yellow finger nails
one of  the latest fads
juxtaposed against the tiny pretend bowl of fruit

the tousled hair swept up in a pony tail
loosely draping her face

ringlets bouncing off her back
announcing her energy
her playfulness
her little girlishness

the pearl earrings
peering out amongst
the wisps of Irish red hair
announcing
"I'm a big girl!"

the practical play shirt
underneath
a princess dress

the bright plaid bed skirt
proclaiming
this is a girl's room

though  you won't
see Disney motifs

maybe some flowers on a comforter
the colors themselves
 an oddity
in a home decorated in  primitive style

But then  this child
doesn't fit into any
precise niche

She is unique
 God's gift
unfolding gradually
spreading joy
as she grows
and changes
and
figures out
just who she is

While I and others
thank God
for giving us
her


"I will praise thee;
 for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:
 marvellous are thy works;
and that my soul knoweth right well."
Psalms 139:14


"Know ye that the Lord He is God:
it is He that hath made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him,
and bless His name.
Psalm 100: 1-4

                                           My contribution to imperfect prose on thursdays

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Yikes! Where do I start?






This is what your home looks like when you live in another house 4 hours away on the other side of the state AND your husband is living here, working 12 hours/7days a week, and trying to get it ready to sell.

He had to empty out the bedrooms so a guy could paint them. Most of the furniture is back in the bedrooms; this is stuff from the closets and misc. other stuff that needs sorted.

My job is to make sense of it all.  Oh joy! Those of you familiar with my other posts can just imagine how the fibromyalgia brain is reacting to this!

Good things:  I went through a big plastic drawer container that had cards, letters, pictures, etc.
 I found: 8 notes from my mom (gone now for almost 11 years)
about 20 notes and cards from dad (gone for  4 years),
2 letters from my Uncle Leo who's been gone about 2 years--he was favorite uncle,
the banner my husband put up 12 years ago with "Will you marry me on it?,
all sorts of other letters and notes,
and a notebook from my American Lit class with pertinent info on the material I now have to teach to my juniors. 

How's that for a gold mine?  I started to tear up at seeing my mom's writing again, so I put her notes away for another time when I can sit, read, and cry--it's been so long since I read something by her.   Some of you may think I'm a bit nutty, but I think those written words are priceless.

I went through another bin of my journals and read some entries---some date back to when I was 15---I blushed at some.

Threw about 5 pairs of shoes that I kept here 'just in case' when I came to visit and needed a pair. I will never wear them and they're not in good enough shape for Good Will.

Today:  There more plastic bins of notes that I may just take up home and look through.  But the big project is this room:



This is our bedroom torn up.  My husband has some more plaster repair work on the walls to do tonight. Then on Thursday  he will move all the furniture and his clothes into the living room, because the painter is painting this room next week.

My husband and I are taking a much needed break at a cabin in an area of Ohio called Hocking Hills.  Old Man's Cave is one of the features, but there's so much else.  Mainly we want to just have time alone with each other, our books, God, and nature.

Then there's another 'to do' list for up at my place (soon to be our home) before I start school.  He will return here after Labor Day and finish up.  Then the house will go on the market.

Meanwhile my brain is saying, "Stay here and read blogs.  Don't mess up my wires with all that 'stuff', PLEASE!"  Alas, I must face the mess. 

Maybe repeating, "This means we'll be living together again." over and over will help.


But seriously, this has been 7 years in the making.  We had a year break after 2 years, but then 4 years after that break (the break was when I was laid off and came back here, knowing they would call me back the following year after 2 retirements). Much prayer has gone into this and we are both grateful to be seeing the end of us living apart and the beginning of us waking up each morning to each other and kissing good night again. 

We got together late in life. I had gone through a divorce that I didn't want and after getting to a place where I felt on more solid ground (took 2 1/2 years) I called up my high school sweetheart.  Two friends had done their homework: he was not married and was completely out of a five-year relationship that had never been intended for marriage.

  Long story, short: 2 1/2 years later we married--both 44.  I had two grown-up kids, he had none and this was his first marriage. We just celebrated our 12th anniversary. 

God took heartache and gifted me with a man who didn't want to change me---who accepted me and loved me just the way I was.  Everyone's dream, right?  I feel the same towards him (I'm not counting the little quirks/irritations--that's standard stuff you learn to live with). It's not been fun living apart.

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."
                                             Hebrew 10:36

"Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications."
                                     Psalm 86:6

God has taught me a lot in these past 7 years and particularly in the last 4.  Patience was one of my weaknesses.

 When God decides to teach you something, take a big gulp of air, because you could be in for a long swim, some of it underwater!


This is my contribution to tuesdays unwrapped

Monday, August 16, 2010

Monday Prayer and Ireland Pics



                                                  More Pictures from our Ireland Trip



                                                   "When I Need Hope and Joy in My Heart"

   I  submit this day to You, Lord, and all that is in it. 
 This is the day that You have made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it.
  I refuse to entertain any negative thoughts. 
 Help me to not give place to fear or depression.
  I will not dread any part of this day but will find only joy, peace, and purpose in all of it. 
Thank You, Lord, for all that this day holds because I know it is good.
  
                                                                          Amen.

                           This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
                                                                  Psalm 118:24

                                             
                                        I hope your week is full of joy, peace, and purpose!





Friday, August 13, 2010

Friday Psalm


  More pictures of Ireland as I end the week and begin the weekend with my weekly Psalm post.


Psalm 40

1. I WAITED patiently and expectantly for the Lord;
and He inclined to me and heard my cry.

2. He drew me up out of a horrible pit [a pit of tumult and of destruction],
out of the miry clay (froth and slime),
and set my feet upon a rock, steadying my steps and establishing my goings.

3. And He has put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many shall see and fear (revere and worship)
and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.

4. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied)
is the man who makes the Lord his refuge and trust,
and turns not to the proud or to followers of false gods.

5. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonderful works which You have done,
and Your thoughts toward us;
no one can compare with You!
If I should declare and speak of them,
they are too many to be numbered.

6. Sacrifice and offering You do not desire,
nor
have you delight in them;
You have given me the capacity to hear (and obey);
Burnt offering and sin offering You do not require. . .


9. I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great assembly.
Behold, I have not restrained my lips,
as You know, O Lord.

10. I have not concealed Your righteousness within my heart;
I have proclaimed Your faithfulness and Your salvation.
I have not hid away Your steadfast love
and Your truth from the great assembly. . .


16. Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You;
let such as love Your salvation say continually,
The Lord be magnified!

17. But I am poor and needy,
yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me.
You are my Help and my Deliverer, O my God, do not tarry!





Two aspects were pointed out in my
The Everyday Life Bible-- featuring notes and commentary by Joyce Meyer

 First: Joyce Meyers says, "When the Bible speaks of 'the pit,' as it does in Psalm 40: 2,
 I  always think of the depths of depression.   The psalmist David often spoke of feeling as though he was going down into a pit and calling out to the Lord to rescue him and set his feet on solid, level ground.
Like David, nobody wants to be in the pit of depression.  It is a terrible place."

J.M goes on to say how the devil uses that time to bring up every negative thought imaginable.


I have been there in that pit too many times and I second what she says.

 She ends this notation with telling us to learn to resist descending into the pit and "be like David;
cry out to God and allow Him to set your feet upon a rock and bring stability to your life."

Since I have spent a lot of time this summer seeking God out and spending time being still and listening,
I am finding it easier to cry out to Him
 and easier to allow Him to set my feet on solid rock.

I hit a rough spot this past week. 
 As soon as possible I went off by myself and sought time in the Word and thus with God. 
I calmed down. 

I later had to talk some things out when the person sought me for this purpose. 
Yet even though initially I was wary, I ended up being able to really listen
and hear what the other person was saying.
I was also able to understand much better where that person was coming from.

I stumbled at first in telling my side of it, but got better at it as the talking progressed.
I owe that to God.  I cried out to Him and He heard me and helped set my foot on solid  rock.
I praise Him.







Second:
 J. M. says "According to Psalm 40:6, God has given us the capacity to hear and obey Him.
God delights in the atmosphere of our obedience. 
Naturally, it does not do God any good to talk to us if we are not going to listen and obey!"
J.M. goes on to tell a story about a highly successful minister who was asked at a pastors' conference
to tell what he did to build his church.
Some of them did not like his answer.
It was simply: "I pray, and I obey.  I pray, and I obey."

J.M. states that God doesn't want things from us like the burnt offerings in the Old Testament.
He wants us to listen to Him and obey Him.


Simple but profound, isn't it?  I 've been working  on praying and obeying.
Part of it is when I'm called into praying for someone--
I  know to DO it right then!
I don't need to know the whys and what fors--
I just need to pray.
 





Verse 10 spoke to me all on its own with no prompting from Joyce Meyer!
I interpret it to mean that I need to show God's righteousness, faithfulness, and salvation
 in all that I do.
I'm not to hide His steadfast love and truth.
That is especially so for me at school.
Those students who provoke me the most are the ones who need God's love the most.
So if I'm the instrument of God that I want to be, I show that love to them
Folks, that is HARD.


Much for me to ponder.
Much for me to praise Him for.







                Blessings to you all as you end your 'work week' and begin your weekend!


















Thursday, August 12, 2010

Reflections

Grandchildren as babes. I don't have a baby  picture of C who is 11.





A. is now 17-months-old





P. is now 7 years old.
D. is now 5.





The Irish Lass is now 3.





What is there about a baby that reaches out and clutches your heartstrings?

There are women who ooh and aahh over every baby they see
They have to hold and cuddle the baby
Breathing in the soft scent of powder and lotion
and innocence

I am not that way.
I am not drawn to the most recent addition
to couples present at my grandchildren's birthday parties
I do not cradle the baby in my arms
while a sanguine smile perches on my face
That's someone else, not me

SHE irritates me when she does that.
There's something about that smile that troubles me.
I've seen it before directed at my family and me
That family is part hers now
she is married to my ex-husband

I save my arms and smiles for my grandchildren
But then I was blessed early with them
They are hers in name, but not blood
Though now she has one who shares her lineage
So maybe the smile will be different


How do I sound?
I don't know
I forgave them
I forgave myself
and
I share willingly now

But memories don't easily go away
Photos stay in my head
long after they have been put away in a box
like the photo of her curling my daughter's hair
in the bathroom that my daughter and I had shared
in the house that was legally mine--
my name on the title
I can close my eyes and see every detail

I can still hear the clatter of pots and pans in the background 
as I spoke on the phone with my daughter
She was in my kitchen
using my pots and pans
items I left for my teenage daughter to use
Instead she was using them to cook dinner
for my daughter

My daughter is grown
and has a husband and a son
She has room for both her and me
which is how it should be
how I want it to be

God just whispered,
"You and I still have some work to do.
Be still and listen
Know I am your God;
I can provide peace and comfort.
Together we will deal with the memories
and the fear that you might do something wrong
and lose again.
An irrational fear
but no less real."

I am ready to be still and listen.



Be still and know that I am God. . .  Psalm 46:10

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
For the Lord shall be thy confidence.
Proverbs 3: 5, 6, 26a

This is my contribution to imperfect prose on thursdays

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Back Home and Missing my 'Riches' in Texas


I arrived  home last night
I'm missing them all
today
This house is too quiet
no sound
of the little man
scurrying
babbling
giggling
no smile
to look up and see
on my daughter's face
Sigh--Texas is just too
far away
from Ohio


Thanks to my neighbor
my flowers were well tended
They were reaching out
to greet me
colors bountiful

I'm thankful
for their color
and their calmness

still---they don't
sign:
please
thank you
I'm sorry
all done
no more
and
they don't say
"a voia"
for yes

Yes, flowers are wonderful,
but
grandchildren
are
PRICELESS

I have RICHES
 in
Texas

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Monday Prayer from Texas

This is my daughter and grandson going into Target.  Grandma/mom wanted to spend some money on them.
We've been doing a lot, but still spending quality time at home.

I'm tired, but happy and thankful.

I went to their church with them today and loved the music and message. 
 I had a wonderful, spirit-filled experience there.
It was Gateway Church in South Lake, Texas.

Later we went to J's (son-in-law) mom's and stepdad's and swam and watched Aaron play and play
and play some more in the sandbox.  He loves the sandbox, even over the pool! 
We had a wonderful supper with them---a fun time.



Here's the prayer for heading into this week.
It's from another of Stormie Omartian's:
 PRAYERS for Emotional Wholeness--365 Prayers for LIving in Freedom.


When I Need Help in My Relationships

Lord, I pray that You would help me to be at peace with all people in my life.
Deliver me from strife in any relationship.
I pray for all my relationships to have a deep element of Your peace flowing through them.
Help me to be holy as You are Holy, so that I become someone people enjoy being around.
Help me to always reflect Your love and grace to others.
Show me how I can be a blessing to the people in my life today.

Amen.

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews12:14


                                                     Brunch on Saturday.
             
Blessings to you as you begin your week!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Friday Psalm


This is Aaron, my 16-month-old grandson.  He's standing on the back porch of his home in Texas.
I am now in my daughter's and son-in-law's bedroom on their computer.
I am visiting them and the little man for 6 days.
I flew in yesterday and fly back to Ohio on Tuesday.
I didn't think he was going to be at the airport to greet me, because it was past his bedtime, but they surprised me.
I'm loving every second here!
Even the 106 temperature can't dampen my spirits!

Here is my "Got through the week and am heading into the weekend" Psalm.

Psalm 33

1. Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2. Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3. Sing to Him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4. For the work of the LORD is right and true;
He is faithful in all He does.

5. The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of His unfailing love.


6. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,
their starry host by the breath of His mouth.

7. He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
He puts the deep into storehouses.

8. Let all the earth fear the Lord;
let all the people of the world revere him.

9. For He spoke, and it came to be;
He commanded, and it stood firm.

10. The LORD foils the plans of the nations;
He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of His heart through all generations.


12. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people he chose for His inheritance.

13. From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind.

14. From his dwelling place He watches
all who live on earth--

15. He who forms the hearts of all,
who considers  everything they do.

16. No king is saved by the size of his army;
no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18. But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him,
on those whose hope is in HIS unfailing love,

19. to deliver them from death
and keep them alive in famine.


20. We wait in hope for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.

21 In Him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in His holy name.

22. May Your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,
 even as we put our hope in you.

King James Version


Blessings to you all as you enjoy the weekend.
I plan to enjoy mine!


Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Mother-in-law lessons:posies and rules





Once
a
week
 black tray,
favorite snippers,
and
I
Hunt.


My
 flower beds
diameter small
 but
Production big.


In
 my other life,
first mother-in-law
taught beauty
of
just
 a few blooms
thrust into
any container
 Striking fancy.

My
tea pots
and
non-traditional
'vases'
tucked away
in another house.
We
 will meet
Soon.

But
along
 second-life journey,
I have kept
 open eyes
for
Posy vases.




Some favorites
came from
Ireland
where
love of my life
and
I
celebrated
50
Together.


Another favorite:
 white vase
angels
barely visible--
Aged precious.



 Belonged to
Grandma special.

Sits
by  recliner
where
I:
commune
with God,
read newspaper,
learn from HGTV,
or
snooze
lapful of
 Scruffy cat.


Angels
intermingle
with
favorite photos
while sitting
on
cat coaster
protecting
 Antique chest.



 Rest  of posies
placed
throughout
my home---



spreading joy
in
every room
graced with
their presence--
even
when in
Mason jar.





I learned
several lessons
from
that Mother-in-law.

One:
do not
 give
food or drink
to
 grandchild
when instructed
"No."

She
never reaped
 consequence
of
chocolate milk
in
granddaughter's system;
I
Did.

Now
a grandmother,
I
obey
my children's
 Rules.

Another lesson:
 spread joy
in home's corners
with
just
a few
colorful stems
peaking from
small
Power holders.


                                              
I
appreciate
best
the
Posy lesson.

My
children
appreciate
best
the
 Directions lesson.

                                            Written in response to One Shot Wednesday

I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds.  Psalm 9:1

















Sunday, August 1, 2010

Monday Prayer and Commentary: Facing the Unknowns




Many of us are facing unknowns.
With me--
it's  finding the next house
 to be made into a home;
selling or renting this tiny house.
Will the Cinci house quickly sell?
What will it be like to
once again
live
with
my husband
every day
seven days a week?

Will both job offers to my husband
pan out?
If so,
which one will he choose?

How will this body
hold up
in the Texas heat
for six days?
Humidity and Fibromyalgia
are not friends.
How will my visit
with my daughter and family
go?

For one:
it's obeying God
and
stepping out
on a branch
by starting
a book discussion blog-
a faith based one.
Will the branch
hold her?
How
will others
respond?
How
will she
respond?

With another:
it's an illness
threatening to flare up.
that dread--
that clutching fear
that once again
the fight resumes
against
the lousy reality
of a chronic illness.

For another:
it's being with
an 'opinionated' mother
for several weeks
while siblings
take a break,
and one of them
faces a traumatic situation.

For another:
it's the aftermath
of one distracted moment
behind
the wheel of a car
and the consequence--
a young girl's death.

For a family:
it's mourning a young girl
who
no longer
fills their home
and their lives
with her voice.
Grief
leads into
possibly
the worse unknown.

For yet another:
it's dealing
with
the results
of a long ago
accident
and
living life
to
its fullest
within
the constraints
of her body.

For others:
it's the uncertainty
this economy
has brought
to their lives.
Precious home and land have been sold.
A couple made the summer home
their only home
and sold the main one.
(Don't assume the summer one
is luxurious;
often
they are
not.)

Some are jobless
and
simple pleasures
that were routine
are now
too costly.
The change in lifestyle
represents
the uncertainty
of the ability
to pay the basic bills.

I'm loosely surmising
from snippets
revealed
in blogs.
Strange
how this blog world
has connected
many of us.
Now many of us
belong
to a group
who
prays
for each of these
situations
and
needs.

What we should
 not do
is fear.
That IS the CHALLENGE.


Lord, Free Me from Ungodly Fear

Lord, You are my light and my salvation.
You are the strength of my life.
Of whom, then, shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
I will be strong and of good courage,
 for I know You are with me
wherever I go. (Joshua 1:9)
Free me from all ungodly fear,
for I know fear is never of You.
I pray You would guard my heart and mind from the spirit of fear.
If I experience feelings of fear,
I pray You would replace them with Your perfect love.
If I have gotten my mind off of you and on my circumstances,
help me to reverse that process so that my mind is off my circumstances
and on You.

Amen.

God has not given us a spirit of fear,
 but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
II Timothy 1: 7

A Book of Prayer: 365 Prayers for Victorious Living
Stormie Omartian