I really don't want to wait for the eternal weight.

I had a long conversation with a very dear friend of mine yesterday regarding something that happened over 25 years ago. I was giving her reasons to hold on to a "momentary affliction" when she was trying to explain to me that she had long forgiven that person. Then this morning in my daily reading I saw this verse:

2 Cor 4:17 "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."

It's for us!! As I look at the word "weight" I think about how exhausting/stressful it is to carry the sufferings around with us... for years!  If I understand His Word correctly, these things happen to us for something... beyond comparison?! That is SO worth not hesitating to forgive. Oh, and I forgot to mention it frees us, not them! Maybe we should be praying more for them!

I hadn't visited my daughter's blog for a long time until last night. Did I ever tell you about her love of music? Her first words were songs. I'm serious. She knew all the words to all of the songs and sang them in tune as a little girl!  (I miss those days!) Oh, sorry. I'll get back to my point.  I found this song on her blog and it was not by accident, although I'm sure it had a completely different life application for her... :)

"A moment that I wait or I hesitate is a moment that I waste."

Lets Grace those around us, especially those who have caused us pain and suffering and get on to enjoying life! Because... "For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God." 2 Cor 4:15.

Thank You!

It's Thankful Tuesday... in Pictures!

Our Dream Come True on a Lake

A few weeks ago.

Lincoln's Famous Pose

John, Chris and Christopher. Love those smiles!

My sweet niece, Ally

Me and Christopher. Love that kid!

My brother, Chris is the "real expert" skier/driver with Loren.

Loren got up on two skis!

Ally is a natural.

I can still slalom at 50-Yay!

Lincoln & Loren

Loren's Girlfriend, Carly.  She's the sweetest!

Patricia lives 5 minutes away!

Christian/ A Natural Fisherman

Bekka and Jake

The whole Gang

Fish Cottage

Top 11 Reasons I can't stop smiling.

I am very grateful that my son passed the bar.  There are so many blog posts that came to mind regarding the good news, but I want to share a few here now so I don't forget.

1). I heard him say, "Thank GOD" and I hope it wasn't just a figure of speech. I hope he really understands God deserves every bit of the credit.
2). I had the need to text or call his father immediately. I somehow think he felt the same. It was very sweet. It's times like these when I hate divorce more than anything!
3). I hope my daughter knows that I am equally as proud of her accomplishments as his.
4). I wish my parents were still living.
5). I'm still sad for my friend whose son took his life not too long ago.
6). I hope my friend's daughter passed; she hasn't found out yet.
7). The love and support of so many people is overwhelming.
8). I secretly worried that the brains I passed on to him may not have been enough.
9).That Mom was right when she said no matter how old our kids are, we always worry about them.
10). That I'm glad we named him after both of our fathers.
11). That I'll be able to sleep well tonight after listening to this song about 15 times.

He is worthy of ALL PRAISE!

SO glad

John and Mom

I'm so grateful God gave me John 26 years ago today. I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment we were able to spend together this past month while he was home, waiting  to see where God will take him next. Lord, please keep him in your tender, loving care and please invade his life this next year. 

Although you see the world different than me

Sometimes I can touch upon the wonders that you see

All the new colors and pictures you've designed

Oh yes, sweet darling

So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine

Oh yes, sweet darling

So glad you are a child of mine

You don't need direction, you know which way to go

And I don't want to hold you back, I just want to watch you grow

You're the one who taught me you don't have to look behind

Oh yes, sweet darling

So glad you are a child of mine

Nobody's gonna steal your dreams

Or tell you how to live your life

There'll always be people to make it hard for a while

But you'll change their heads when they see you smile

The times you were born in may not have been the best

But you can make the times to come better than the rest

I know you will be honest if you can't always be kind

Oh yes, sweet darling

So glad you are a child of mine

Child of mine, child of mine,

Oh yes, sweet darling

So glad you are a child of mine

by Carole King

"Here I am to Worship"... through a blog.

If I didn't know better I would stop writing this post right now and get my camera to snap a picture of what I see outside the window. But I know that if I did that I would get distracted and not get back to my point. I'm looking at my favorite tree in my whole yard. We have a lot of trees, but this particular evergreen has always been my favorite. Right now it has a vine wrapped around it and they have been known to choke and kill many trees. They are pretty to look at, but I know what they can do. I should stop writing and get outside to cut them so I don't lose the tree, but I won't, because what I have to say is a lot more important; or is it??  ;)

I knew something was wrong a few weeks ago when I was trying to sort it out with a friend of mine. We were talking about "shallowness." I did a terrible job trying to explain and long story short, it could have cost me the friendship. I totally missed it, got discouraged and decided to do what my dad always said to do: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." For me, that's where satan does his best work; when I don't say anything at all. My problem was that I couldn't explain it well, so I gave up trying and it got confusing for all parties. I wanted to quit (and I'm sure the other person did as well!).

I did the same thing with blogging.  My thought is that if I can't articulate perfectly, I shouldn't write at all.

Lately I have been a bad friend to many instead of a good friend to few. I've spread myself thinly and have not nurtured the deep relationships I care about most. God spoke to me through a few different people these past few days who encouraged me to get back to it. This is the longest span of time that I haven't blogged since I first started writing here in 2007. As I opened His Word early this morning (first time in a long time!)I went to the first book of the Bible i ever read: Matthew, chapter 5 where Jesus taught about Salt and Light...

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? ..."

"You are the light of the world... Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Lord, l believe You when You say that I am the salt of the earth. Help me to be like seasoning and bring out the best in those around me. Lord, light my fire again. I want them to see your light in my eyes and know that I don't just blend in, but I am different because of You. Thank You for Your Word and for the freedom I have in You and the ability to share what you teach me with others. Don't ever let me be quiet when I should speak (or write) and don't let my light go dim. Thank you for those who have encouraged me to keep writing this blog.