You are Everything!

You Are Everything (Matthew West)

I'm the one with two left feet
Standing on a lonely street
I can't even walk a straight line
And every time you look at me
I'm spinning like an autumn leaf
Bound to hit bottom sometime
Where would I be without someone to save me
Someone who won't let me fall

I'm the one with big mistakes
Big regrets and bigger breaks
Than I ever care to confess
Oh but, You're the one who looks at me
And sees what I was meant to be
More than just a beautiful mess

You're everything good in my life
Everything honest and true
And all of those stars hanging up in the sky
Could never shine brighter than You

You are everything that I live for
Everything that I can't believe is happening
You're standing right in front of me
With arms wide open
All I know is
Every day is filled with hope
You are everything that I believe for
And I can't help but breathe you in
Breathe again
Feeling all this life within
Every single beat of my heart
You are
You are
Jesus, You are

You are everything

(This song says it all for me.)

Maddie's Eyes

23 Years Ago Today!

Erin was born to us 23 years ago today in New Orleans. We were in the middle of a heat wave and it was 102 or so that day. Back in the day, we didn't find out the sex of the baby so we were totally surprised and excited when the doc said "How 'bout a girl?" I already had a boy so I figured I'd have another, especially when this baby was so strong and big and kicked me so hard that she tore the cartilage in my ribcage. Ha! But we had a beautiful red-haired, blue-eyed almost 9 lb. baby girl. Later that year her hair turned blonde and her eyes brown and she has grown now into a beautiful woman/wife/mom who loves Jesus. I'm thankful every day to the Lord for blessing me with her. Happy Birthday, Erin!

Madison is FOUR MONTHS OLD!

So Many Needs

It's amazing how many prayer requests that I pray about daily. So many things have happened lately. I daily pray for the "D" ladies. Their names all start with D. One who is a recent widow and still so young. Another 2 who are in the midst of very bitter divorces...long-time faithful church members. Another who has had 2 miscarriages in the last year. Now a new request. A couple who meant a lot to me through college years (I was in their wedding). Always had such a wonderful outlook and family. Their children were true blessings. One has strayed terribly and now is in jail and is looking at probably the next 25 years in prison. They are devastated, of course. So these are all just reminders to me that I am so blessed. I have NO problems in comparison to these. I know that problems are just around the corner however. I am not an exception. I pray I will be able to handle things that happen and will depend on Him as I've prayed for others to do.

Devotional Thoughts

Today my reading was Luke 7:50. Jesus told a woman, "your faith has saved you, go in peace". This just touched me quickly. I've read this verse many times. But I read some commentary on it by Beth Moore that made me see some things more clearly. My sins have been forgiven, are forgiven today, and will be forgiven tomorrow and every day. My faith has saved me from hell, condemnation, from myself, from a world that has no hope except in Him. I can, because of this gift, go in peace. I can have peace in my daily life knowing that I have a secure eternity with God and my precious family and friends. I have peace available to me in life's small joys, big blessings, hard problems, and little irritations. I just have to remember it's there deep within me just like the joy I have deep within me because of Him. I'm so unconscious sometimes of my blessings, the way the Lord works in me and around me. I pray I may be more aware daily of His presence, love, forgiveness, and peace.

Celebrating 75

My father turned 75 years young in Siesta Key this past week. He celebrated with a cannonball into the pool. Wow.

Siesta Key

When I see the words SIESTA KEY many memories come to mind. Our family started out going there when I was 18, my brother 15, and my sister, 2. Our grandmother also came. That was back in 1976, right after I graduated from high school. We have come every other year since then, even going when we were on the mission field in Guatemala. We may have missed a few through the years, but not many. When I think of this place I think of beautiful sunsets first of all. The whole family gathered together walking and watching. We are now up to 17 people with spouses, grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. I think of going into town and shopping and getting ice cream at Big Olaf's. Many years we drove to St. Armand's Key and shopped and even went to Marina Jack's for special meals like Erin's birthday one year. I think of wiping out in the waves whenever a storm has passed or just floating on the ocean when it was like a lake. We were there a few years ago after a hurricane had passed and the wind was wild. It's amazing that I was there last week with my granddaughter. So much time has passed. So many blessings. I thank the Lord that we are all still here. I cherish the time I have with my folks.

Realizations

I find myself struggling more and more with the different personalities around me. I formerly tried to ignore my irritation and blame myself and let it go. More my problem than theirs. But, lately, I have no patience and it's quite amazing the thoughts and reactions I have that I try to keep private and out of my facial expressions. Really sometimes comical. But I read today in my devotional time about the fact that God really values more my heart and my thoughts than He does my actions. I can sit and be outwardly sweet and "Christian" in my reactions to people but He knows my heart, soul, and mind. Hmm.
Another thing...I have had a problem with pride...I don't do this or that questionable or unchristian thing and try my best to keep my life clean but I also DON'T do the things that I should..like have a compassionate heart and jumping quickly to serve others.
Yeah, today's devotional took care of some of my pride.