A Kids View of the Christmas Story

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love,

Even Solomon...

I [the LORD] will love them freely...

I will be like the dew and the night mist to Israel;

he shall grow and blossom like the lily 

and cast forth his roots...

Hosea 14:4,5

Our son and DIL gave me these lilies for Mother's Day.

I took this photo thinking I would use this verse for today's post:

And why should you be anxious about clothes?  

Consider the lilies of the field...

they neither toil nor spin.

Yet I [Jesus] tell you,

even Solomon in all his magnificence

was not arrayed like one of these.

Matthew 6:28, 29

But upon consulting the concordance of my Bible, I came upon the verses in Hosea.

I thought, "Wow, they will apply to Grandbaby!"

You see, our daughter is 3 days past her due date

and we're all a little anxious.

So this is the promise I rest on:

When God says it's time,

she/he will grow and blossom and cast forth her/his roots

deep into life with Jesus.

Abundant blessings to you, friends!

Love,

Linking with
Katie Lloyd Photography for Scripture & a Snapshot

Donna at The House on the Corner

Internet Cafe for Word Filled Wednesday

All Means All

 I got to celebrate Mother's Day at Anthony's restaurant near where our kids live.  

This was the view from the window.

Yes, it was a gray day. 

But we Northwesterners  choose to look at the bright side of the weather.

Notice the clouds reflecting in the water.

The evergreen and new-growth green of the slopping hillside.

The boats gently bobbing on the quiet water.

After brunch, we noticed a patch of blue sky and said,

"It's turning out to be a lovely day!"

By contrast, on Saturday our dogwood was glowing in full bloom during a sun break 

as I finished tying  my grandbaby's quilt.

Last Monday I secured  the edges with decorative machine stitching.

It's not perfect, but a whole lotta love went into each stitch. 

True Confession:  I chose Contemporary Christian instead of listening to Country music.

Decided that, as I worked, I'd note lyrics from the songs that spoke to my heart about God's plans for grandbaby's life.  More often than not, lyrics for these songs are based on verses from the Bible.

What better way to pray/sing blessing into his/her life?  

[Don't think that's possible with Country music.]

Yes, it took twice as long to tie the quilt, but it turned my nervous anticipation into peaceful joy.

And, TA DA!

Here's the result:

7 days before her due date!
As close to being a mommy on Mother's Day as a girl can be, without actually holding her baby.

We squinted happily at being together under the patchy blue sky.
Sweet DIL, DH, Son, moi, D#2, SIL
D#1 and other SIL were in Europe

This morning I read this:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:8

As I anticipate my daughter's labor and delivery, 

Jesus applied His Word to our circumstances this way:

"I will give her the gift of My grace in this, too.

Because I love her and her baby, 

they have My boundless provision of mercy and love to protect them.

For giving birth to this new little life is, indeed,

a good work!

So do not be afraid, O little [Karen],

for I myself will help [them].

{Isaiah 41:10}

To which I reply, "Thank You, Jesus!"

Grace, mercy, and love be to YOU today, too, friend.

Love,

Linking with

Ann at A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Monday.

This is a blog hop I whole-heartedly recommend.

The blogs I visit here are nearly always worthy of the time spent reading them!

I truly wish I could figure out how to add Ann's graphic here without the html code.

Again, I ask for my readers' help with this.

Also linking with

Internet Cafe's Word-Filled Wednesday

Meditation, Weeds, and Crocuses

This is how my brain felt when I woke up today at 5:30.

That would be 4:30, if you take into account that Daylight Savings Time

just kicked in.

Takes me about a week to adjust my inner clock in spring.

Never takes that long in fall when we get another hour to sleep

add an hour.

My ritual of drinking 2 cups of coffee with hazelnut cream 

did little to soothe me while reading the paper.

Yes, my heart aches for all the folks affected by those headlines.

But I was anxious.  Couldn't concentrate, much less, meditate, on anything.

Then I thought of my blogger friend, Julie, who's going to give the Lord some meditation time each day during Lent.

Bingo.

With eager movements and an expectant heart,

I reached for and haphazardly opened my Women's Devotional Bible.

Then I had a little conversation with God.

What should I read, Lord?

The devotion you opened to.

"Thanksgiving for All Things"?  Sorry, not today.  

[I wasn't really sorry.  He knew it.  But His still small voice said gently,]

Read it anyway.

Okay, but I'm certain that 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is not on my to-do list today:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Not feelin' it, Lord.

You don't have to.  Just do it because I asked.

[Obstinate silence.  *Anxiously thumbing to another selection*  Happened upon Ephesians 6:11]

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.

But I'm too weak to stand.  I'm so burdened with care.

There's a hymn** about your condition.  

The refrain goes, "Take it to the Lord in prayer."

[Beginning to tear up.]

Okay, Lord.

Life's season is changing again and I never got used to the last one.

I was hoping to share my joy at being a Grandma with my Mom.  

But her health is so if-y.  

After 24 years of living so far from her and missing so many celebrations of life with her...

Are You going to continue to allow her to suffer and then take her...??

[Full-on boohooing now.]  

Her care needs are very high, beyond what I can do for her from so far away or even really if she were here with us.  What do I do about that?

You're doing it.

My daughter is going to be a mother.  I'm going to be a grandmother.

Yes, those are wonderful things.  But again, I'm so far away.

Are we going to miss out on doing life together, too?

Go on.

[Dear Husband] was sick all weekend.  All I could do was feed him antibiotics and food at regular intervals.  Oh, and as much as I love him and he loves me, I feel far from him, too.

#3 child has not found his purpose.  

There is estrangement in the family.

I feel inadequate to help those I love the most.

You are.  But I'm not.  

I'm the One who created your family.  I love them more than you do.  

Did you forget that I have "plans to give you and your family hope and a future"?

[Jeremiah 29:11]

When you aren't joyful and thankful, it's cuz your heart is far from Me.

 You need to draw near to Me daily 

by reading My Word, talking with Me, and waiting for My response.
Oh.

Remember the post you wrote on Saturday?
Yup.
Read it again.  Those words aren't just for your readers' benefit.
They are for you, too.
You were at peace and full of hope in Me by the time you'd finished writing it.
You're right, Lord.  And I feel that way now, too.
Thank you, Jesus.


By then, it was time to kiss my DH and send him off to work.
I usually stand on the driveway, oblivious to what any passersby may think,
and blow kisses to him as he drives away.
He honks and says, "I love you!  See you tonight!"
Love that moment in our day.

I turned to go in, but decided to linger in the morning sunshine
-thank you for the sunshine, Lord!-
to enjoy the crocuses
and pull weeds from between the flagstones.
I don't like it when they go to seed and make more weeds!

I don't mind gettin' my hands dirty gardening.

Time with Jesus, kisses from my man, gardening.
Oh, I feel so much better!

Do you give up listening to Rolling Stones music, chocolate, or shaving your legs
for Lent?
The first two I've actually done.
The third would not be a sacrifice.

Hoping that you are joyful in the Lord today!
Love,
Karen

**Click here to find out more about Joseph Scriven, the writer of the hymn,

"What a friend we have in Jesus,"**

Linking with:

Jodi @ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse for

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

Spring Has Sprung!

I mentioned yesterday that I'm looking forward to my bulbs coming up.
Crocuses are the first of my perennials

to poke their brave little noggins through the soil each January.

I began charting their journey to the surface here.

They've never disappointed me.

Talk about a reason for hope!

This weekend we had a heat wave of sorts.

It's been a blistering 60 degrees since last Thursday, 

which was all the encouragement the crocuses 

and a few other perennials needed to make their 2011 debut.

Like brave little soldiers, they are!

Or, maybe show-off divas!

This little thing.  Just wait till you see what she turns into.

I'll keep you posted.

I divided these day lilies last summer and plopped 'em in another bed.

Their sisters are just across the path.

They will make their appearance in June.  Stay tuned.

And here is my perennial hero.

Mi vida!  [My life!] 

This is the picture I posted on the mcp Project 52 Flickr group last week.

Our assignment for the week was to illustrate a song.

Will you still need me, will you still feed me when I'm 64?
From The Beatles' 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Yes, Yes, I will, God-willing, till you're 104!

All you wanna be photographers out there

-you know who you are-

join us for this fun project.

Here's another way I like to share my photos

and see the work of others photographers:

Link up with Darcy @ my3boybarians:

You can click here to find out how to participate.

How handsome you are, my lover!

Oh, how charming...

Place me like a seal over your heart...

for love is as strong as death...

It burns like blazing fire...

Many waters cannot quench love; 

rivers cannot wash it away.

Song of Songs 1:16; 8:6-7

Thanks for stopping by.

God bless your moments with joy and peace today!

Love,