A Well-Watered Garden

Saturday was a drizzly, cool day.  It's July, folks!  I say that more for my benefit than yours.  Some of you are sweltering in triple digit heat and would be glad for some cool, moist weather, right?  We, however, have waited 9 months for our normal sunny, dry summer.  It ain't happenin'!

The Lord of the heavens and earth has seen fit to provide more moisture.  So I determined to remember the beauty of my garden, sun or not.  Sun was not in the Lord's plans on Sunday either.  It poured all day!

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

Lilies

Shasta Daisy

Crocasmia and Clematis in background

Petunias

Foxgloves

Lily

4th of July Roses-Fireworks in the Rain!

Hollyhocks

Hydrangea

Autumn Joy Sedum

Mexican Feather Grass

I added this one to remind me that the Lord has given us several sunny days this summer.  

He is still on the throne and my hope comes from Him, not the weather.

Have a wonderful week!

Love,

I'm linking up with these blog parties:

Dayle at A Collection Of This And That

Internet Cafe

Katie Lloyd Photography

Worth More Than Sparrows

See her beak?  

Even the sparrow has found a home 

and the swallow a nest for herself, 

where she may have her young-

a place near your altar,

O LORD Almighty, my King and my God.

Psalm 84:3

A hummingbird built her nest on the lower branch of our fir tree about a month ago.

Since then we've had lots of rain, wind, and even 4" of snow.

I really thought she'd desert her nest after the snow.

Surely her eggs froze, right?

Nope.  

She has a job to do-hatch, raise, and launch those chicks out of the nest.

I realized the LORD Almighty was aware of that mother bird and her nest.

The wind and rain of life challenged my Dear Husband and me, too.

But we had an important task to do-

raise up the next generation of servants of the King of the universe.

By his tender grace and mercy,

that's what we did.

Blessed are those who dwell in your house;

they are ever praising you.

Selah [pause, and think calmly of that].

Blessed is the man who trusts in you.

Psalm 84:4, 12

Happy Wednesday, dear ones!

Love,

Thank you to all of the women who host these fun, inspiring weekly Wednesday hops:
Linking with

Word-filled Wednesday @ Internet Cafe Devotions 

Scripture and a Snapshot @ Katie Lloyd Photography

walk with Him Wednesdays @ a holy experience
So sorry, Ann, couldn't figure out how to add your
wwHW button or graphic.  Could not find your email.
Please contact me so I can fix this.

Wordish Wednesday with Supermom

Wordless Wednesday @ Never Growing Old 

4/92, 3/11, ?/??

There is a date next to these verses in my Bible: 4/92.

Upon the sale of their stock brokerage firm, my Dear Husband and his business partner 

were obliged to live in California for several months to assure a smooth transition.

DH was stressed out.  He hated living away from me and our kids. The new owners were difficult.

He was passing through waters up to his nostrils.

I remember crying out to God for him.  

This passage soothed my worries.

I didn't realize then the significance of the word When.

God did not say, If.

I didn't know how many times and the circumstances under which

 I would come back to that passage during the last 20 years.

I don't know what the next years hold either.

I do know this, though:

My Heavenly Father was, is, and always will be there 

to comfort me 

and empower me with His love.

This afternoon, Mom told me she has to stay in the skilled nursing facility

for another week.  She's just not stable on her feet yet.

I heard disappointment, discouragement, confusion, and fear in her voice.

I felt powerless to help her.

Seems like the best I can do is call, listen, and encourage.

Last fall,  Mom, knowing we were going through tough times, 

sent us a card with this verse in it.

It was a reminder of the truth I learned so many moons ago.

The card has resided on the desk next to my computer since then.

Just don't have the heart to throw it away.

It came in handy again today.

If adversity introduces us to ourselves,

it's also an opportunity to draw closer to God.

Thank you, Lord, that You are near us

in the dark valleys as well as the mountain tops of life.

Please give our family eyes to see You in these circumstances.

May our confident hope draw others to You.

Amen!

May you have eyes to see Him this week!

Love,

Linking with

Spiritual Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday
The Sunday Creative
Weekend Reflections

Scripture and a Snapshot

Best Posts of the Week
Watery Wednesday
Outdoor Wednesday

My Mom

Her children arise and call her blessed.

Proverbs 31:28

Here's my Mom on her 80th birthday, November 11, 2007

She is surrounded by our 3 children and their spouses.

Dad couldn't be there 'cuz he'd been in heaven for 5 years and 3 days.

They were married for 52 years.

Mom had quadruple bi-pass surgery in early October that year.

She has had diabetes for 15 years, been a widow for 8.

We'd planned a big shindig

-that's "party" for those who don't know-

for Mom's 80th birthday:

"What a lady!  Margaret's 80!"

When Mom was sure she'd be strong enough to party-hardy,

family members and friends came from

Arizona, Florida, Minnesota, Washington, Oregon, and California

to celebrate with us.

We reserved Mom's favorite restaurant

PJ's Abby,

and the management graciously allowed 30 of us

to sing one of Mom's favorite hymns,

Be Still My Soul

before they opened.

Rarely has one who shunned the spotlight all her life 

been more, well, in the spotlight!

And deservedly so.

For:

She [was] a wife of noble character...

Her husband [had] full confidence in her

and [lacked] nothing of value.

She [brought] him good, not harm,

all the days of her life.

She...[worked] with eager hands.

She [got] up while it [was] still dark;

She [provided] food for her family...

She [set] about her work vigorously;

Her arms [were] strong for her tasks.

Her husband [was] respected...

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

She speaks with wisdom,

and faithful instruction is on her tongue...

[She is] a woman who fears the LORD

[and] is to be praised...

[Oh, Lord, this is my prayer for her:]

Give her the reward she has earned

[by Your grace]!

Proverbs 31:10-31

As I mentioned here, Mom has had some new health challenges.

She got depressed when we all left after Christmas.  

Isn't she cute?
She and I enjoyed French toast together the day after Christmas.

She didn't eat properly.

Didn't manage her meds well.

Got an infection.

Landed in the hospital for a week.

Has spent nearly 3 weeks in a skilled nursing facility.

That's where she is at this moment.

And I'm here.  So far away!

I told her the Lord has a job for her to do,

lives for her to touch, in that place.

She agreed, suggesting she could start with her 94 year-old roommate.

Oh, for grace to have such steadfast faith!

Lord, please lay Your healing hands on my Mommy.  Show her the good works You planned for her to do and make her arms strong, once more, to do them.  May she experience the joy You promise when we walk in Your ways.  And please guide my bro and me to take care of her well and honor her in all we do.  Thank You for the Godly heritage you've given me and all my family.

In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Thank you to all who've prayed for Mom during this time.

God bless you and keep you in His grace always.

Love,

Linking with Scripture & a Snapshot

 

and

Magical Mouse Schoolhouse

and

Renee Swope's

and

Iris @ Grace Alone