fragile

Yesterday

this child

fell from her bike,

I heard 

the smack of her helmet

against the road.

She sat 

dazed and crying.

I monitored her closely for the next hours, pestering her with questions to see if she was alert, peering into the bright blue windows of her soul, watching, worrying, wondering.

We all know that life is fragile, that changes can happen in an instant.

I'm very  thankful, that I insist on helmets. This one is cracked.

Thank you Lord!

everyday miracles

The common ailment of being just too busy 

is cured by occasional enjoyment of a natural wonder

albeit as simple as the flowers growing in the beds against the house.

And, really, there is nothing simple

about the flowers growing.

Alanna Faith D'Addazio

A few days ago, a wee infant girl was laid to rest. Family and friends stood around the grave to pay tribute to this child.    Worthy to be loved, worthy to be cherished, worthy to be honoured. 

 

 She was born and died on the same day, July 21st 2009.  40 weeks under her mother's heart, 10 hours in her parents arms, and forever and ever with her Lord.

We wonder about this loss. Her parents will never see her smile, never see her learn to walk and to talk, will never see her off to school, off to work. The intense grief over a life that ended too early. 

What is the goal of our lives? To leave an imprint? That wee Alanna Faith did.  To be loved? That she was! Ultimately? To worship the Lord? That she is doing now and forever.

Tiny child, how your mother's arms ache for you, how your father wishes to protect you and to love you. How your siblings would have loved to watch you grow.  How the sorrow is written all over the faces of your parents.  I stood there at the funeral and wished I could say the right thing, to share some of the grief.  I  choke up and shed tears  but the grief is theirs. What can I do but pray for them?

Lord wrap your arms around this family.  They have been a testimony of your grace. Help them to  focus on the eternal and give them peace for the temporal.

Amazing Grace

We had an amazing sermon in church yesterday by Dr. deVisser.

Jeremiah 3:6- 4:2

The Cure for Backsliding

1. (vs 19)Remembering the Lord's intentions. 

He had given his people a beautiful land and blessed them greatly. An image of a husband and wife in the honeymoon stage is given.  Today we should remember that Christ died for us to give us eternal life.  He has blessed us with countless gifts.  God has promised us His faithfulness and that regardless of our failings He never fails. Remember that when your faith is low. 

2. (vs 21)Recognize  the pain of separation.

The Israelites turned to idols, expecting prosperity from them. At some point they realized that this was not giving them what their souls needed.  Just as the prodical son started to realize that the life he had chosen was empty and foolish. Living in sin does not pay. Today we have our own idols.  Each one of us can take some time to think about this.  What are my idols? Perhaps my home? My children...don't I wish for them to be smart and successful, artistic? talented? My self? What takes up most of my thoughts and energy? Do I devote as much time to the worship of my God as to the other things in my life?

3. Answering the call.

God doesn't mince words. He still calls the Isrealites unfaithful, but He promises to "cure you of your backsliding".  He doesn't deny guilt but promises to cure. How close are we to the Lord? Do we pray for a daily increase in our faith and fellowship? In Phillipians 3 Paul says "everything is a loss compared to knowing Christ my Lord"! Is that how I live my life?  If our main goal is serving God everything else will fall into place.

4. (vs 24-25) Assess the damage.

Be ashamed of your sin. Sin leaves scars. you can't just go back to the honeymoon phase.  There is loss.  Consequences. Think of the idols in our own lives. How does the pursuit of them hurt us and our families?

5. (ch4:1,2) Expect new blessings.

God promised that he would bless not only Israel but also the nations surrounding them.  Restoration is possible. He can bless us too and use us, scars and all, to bless those around us.

Don't settle for a 2nd  best life by not being fully committed to your Lord. God always loves us without compromise.

chats

Walks give opportunity for discussions.

Norah: "the worst is when your brain tells you not to hit your brother and you just do it anyways"

Mom: "it is called sin, and we all do it. Children, moms and dads, opas and omas, ministers, people in the Bible, even the apostle Paul talks about that in the Bible"

Marten: "well Tommy sins the most!"

Mom: "why would you say that?"

Marten: "cause he does...and that rhymes"!

little ones

Tiny sparrows fallen from a nest are huddled in the grass.

The parents are anxiously twittering about, busily carrying food to the delinquents.

It is a rainy day, and we help the wee ones by putting a basket roof over their heads.  Mama and papa bird are ok with that and can easily access their babies.

I wonder if they appreciate our concern.  Do they realize that we are trying to help? Likely not.

Their creator cares for them, perhaps the children's care for them can reflect that.

How many parents don't feel they are in the same predicament?  Wishing their little ones were safe in their nests.  God bless the little ones and God bless those who love them.

old paint

How many pairs of eyes 

have squinted 

at these layers of paint, 

wondering if the color was right?

Knocked out kitchen cabinets 

expose the work of decades of hands

and I wonder about the,

previous dwellers of this home.

I put a little colorful bit of plaster 

in a bag, to remember them by.

bountiful

Bountiful

these berries

on the bush

ripe for plucking

and tasting.

Bountiful

these blessings

in my life

readily there

for  taking.

Lord heal me of  frustration

open my eyes

always to the bounty.

"pond-flipped-over" (3 year old's observation)

Yesterday morning girl challenged boy, "there aren't any frogs in your pond".

Off they run, with viewing buckets and a net, so that boy can prove otherwise. And he did!

What an beautiful gift for children to grow up where they can run and explore and discover the created world. What a blessing when the creator has placed this appreciation in their hearts.

Contentment comes not from packing as much as we can into our day but from enjoying to the fullest each moment as it passes.  Not an enormous list of accomplishments but each one savored and perfected.

As a parent, I need to pour energy and zeal into the tasks given, but pour my heart and soul into the raising of my children. Not because they are mine, but because they are my Lord's.

These are the things that we talked about as friends, thoughts and phrases comfortably passing back and forth through the quiet country air. Some words allowed to drift away on the breezes others tucked into our hearts.

It is good to take some time....

Chatsworth

It is quiet, where my friends live,

excepting the crickets 

and the frogs from the pond,

the coyotes and a crackling campfire.

Longtime friends that welcome

and drop their busy schedules

to sit on the porch

and reconnect.

It restores,

the quiet and the conversation

sifting words and thoughts with love.

eastern sky at sunset

Sunset

But beauty seen 

  is never lost,

God's colors 

  all are fast;

The glory 

  of this sunset 

  heaven

into my soul 

  has passed

John Greenleaf  

  Whittier

boy

Leaping and jumping 

growing and learning

smiling and laughing.

Topnotch boy,

happy birthday to you.

about one of his gifts....a line trimmer landscaping tool....

"you know mom, I've always wanted one of those since I was a kid!"

sister's comment..

"I'm SO GLAD that you are five now!"

little brother's comment...

"When is it my buthday?"

I check in on them at night, and kiss the five year old cheek, and wonder where  the babies have  gone!  Wiry little arms clutching the blanket.  Skin healthy and tanned against the pillow case.  Contented in his sleep. I wish him health and happiness, but more than anything  pray that he has a love for his heavenly Father.

God bless you dear one!

gardening

Here is one for the gardeners in the family...

Generations of mankind have discovered that gardening is work for philosophers, and that the daily planting and weeding will make a philosopher out of him who never was before.

I mean philosopher in the true sense, not simply a placid soul who can accept life without protest, but a mind awakened, fertile, discriminating.

John Erskine

"Set your mind on things above"

Set your mind on things above,not on earthly things.

Colossians 3:12

How do we switch to become eternal thinkers instead of temporal fretters?

In our minds we know that God is our loving Father and that this life is fleeting.  Our hearts keep forgetting.

Scripture and prayer can set the tone for the day. Lord put your spirit in our hearts so that we do think of the everlasting before the fading.  

What are our plans for the day? Priorities?

Dreams and aspirations? No small wonder that we get discouraged.  But God doesn't disappoint.  Faithful and forever God.  

Pray to God that today we pick up our task joyfully. That we can stand back and see the eternal picture.

(have a listen to song #12 on the playlist)

harbour in Barrie

Light lingers in the western sky, 

colors of sunset.

Look instead

at the eastern palette

the sinking sun illuminating,

briefly

 but beautifully.

My friends'

dearly beloved passing on,

foreign grief for me.

A spectator of their sadness.

Life lingers then sinks,

momentarily illuminating in its wake

but forever kissed by The Son.

evening

The rewards of walking in the evening

evening lighting,

fresh breeze blowing,

sun descending.

early morning

rewards for rising early;

morning lighting,

redwinged blackbird singing 

full moon descending.

promise

Sparks of creativity are quickly doused by to do lists and feelings of busyness.  

Do I pick up my camera or my paintbrush? My devotional or my dish brush?

 

Relentless time leaves me shaking my head. July already? I didn't plant my vegetable garden? The flower beds are neglected? New lavender plants forgotten? I've only once picked a bouquet of peonies to grace our dining room. Hardly even stopped to push my nose into their blossoms.

Why be so busy? Summer starts and we rush into swimming lessons and vacation bible school.  Renovation projects.  Blessings that make busy.

Where is the reset button? The replay button?

The pear swells with  promise.  The raspberries just starting to produce. All in season.

Fruit of our labour too will show in season.

Who am I to complain? To wish to halt the cycle of the seasons? Unplanted vegetables? Unfinished porches? Delayed renovations?  Humbly I think of my cousins who have just buried their last parent. Of my friend who has discontinued treatment for a dying mother.  Of a relative whose infant cannot live outside the womb, anticipated birth and burial. 

Eternity awaits.

 

oh canada

"Oh Canada, 

Our home and native land..."

It is a blessing to live in a country like this.  Freedom and space.

Yet as the urban sprawl relentlessly grasps at more land so the freedoms can also be dragged away.

God sits eternal on His throne but nations come and go. How long will Canada be true and free? Sometimes my maternal heart is anxious for my children and their children.  May God continue to bless this country for generations and centuries to come.

Today we celebrated with Canadians of many backgrounds.  Pony rides, bubble machines, clowns and icecream cones..  

Discouragement.  It immobilizes. 

 It is human.  

It is wrong.

I've been anxiously waiting since spring for a new kitchen to replace the shambled one.  The contractor seems to have gone down the tubes along with our deposit. 

Our septic system needs an expensive overhaul.

Little ones come smiling down the stairs.  One on his bottom.  The other more daring, head first like the dog.  They launch themselves at me and squeeze me tight.  Their sister is already at the table chatting cheerfully.  The rest of the family left for work an hour ago. A thriving business that also employs our teenagers. 

I will try to shake the discouragement.. Quiet time with my God this morning puts life back into perspective.  How necessary for a thankful life.  How often the Bible lies untouched in our haste to get about a busy schedule. 

The rain I grumbled about left sparkling remnants on the blossoms.

Blessings abound all around me.