"Oh, look!" I exclaimed in dismay to my husband. "I think my flowers are dead!" Sure enough, the leaves of the brilliant zinnias I had put in pots on the porch were withered and wrinkled. At first, I thought it was from the heat of the sun and figured it would be better when the cool night air came through. However, there was little improvement the next morning.
Resignedly, I poured water into the plants and was surprised when the next time I looked, the flowers had recovered and looked fresh again!
I couldn't help thinking of the Water of Life that Jesus pours into our parched and thirsty souls, refreshing us and giving us a new perspective when we seek Him. Our scowls and frowns relax and our spirit is renewed, just as the wrinkled leaves of the zinnias respond with renewed beauty!
God always gives us more. Recently when the offering bag was passed in my row at church, I remembered some money I had in my purse from the sale of some farm eggs. Although my husband usually contributes, I also did that night. The next day, I received an unexpected amount, more than I had given! The following week, the same thing happened when I gave in the offering. The Lord blessed me again! As my mother always said, "You can't out-give God!"
As I think about it, I recall that on impulse I gave a generous tip to the attendant who did my nails awhile back. Later, after I got my hair done for our granddaughter's wedding, I, uncharacteristically for me, tipped liberally to the stylist. Her pleased reaction was worth it, and I left feeling good!
When one of our sons was leaving with his family after the wedding, he handed me a couple of restaurant gift cards. We enjoyed one, then a few days later I presented the other one to a cashier for our lunch. Obviously a new employee, she seemed surprised and couldn't figure out how to make it work. Finally, her supervisor was called, and after several frustrating moments of pounding and pulling on the cash register, she returned my card and gave us our food at no cost! That means we still have a free meal coming!
I could go on about other unexpected blessings, but suffice it to say, "Jehovah Jireh, my provider," for Jehovah Jireh means "The Lord will provide," Genesis 22:14.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Tuesday, June 25, 2019
Gathering
Smilingly, our son Jamie approached me and put his arm around me. Our family visiting here for their niece's wedding had just finished a happy time of food and fellowship at a nice restaurant in town and were bidding each other good-night as they all went to their hotel rooms.
I looked up questioningly at Jamie, who chuckled and said, "Isaac told me, 'Go give your mom and dad a hug.'" Isaac is their 5-year-old, who doesn't say much but thinks ahead. I had to laugh at the little guy's thoughtfulness of his Mimi and Pa-Pa. Not getting to see us very often, maybe our youngest grandchild was a little bit shy.
It reminded me of our visit to their home in Texas a few months ago. I had brought small gifts for the three grand kids, which they opened with excitement and were admiring, when Isaac disappeared. Shortly he came back with an odd assortment of gifts he had gathered for each of us, wrapped in Kleenex and put into tiny containers of various sizes.
After the Saturday evening wedding, most of our out-of-town visitors went to church with us on Sunday morning. After the kiddos were sent to various class rooms, our grown-up kids came to the Berean class where Howard was substituting for the regular teacher. It was such a joy to have them there and to be able to introduce them to our church friends!
Going into the sanctuary for the main service, a teacher saw me and remarked, "A little red-haired girl named Madeleine knew all the answers in class! That girl is smart!"
"Yes, she loves to read," I beamed at the compliment to our granddaughter. He said he believed it, and couldn't say enough about her!
Her 12-year-old sister, who plays the cello at school, discovered a violin at our house and soon was producing passable music on it, also strumming on Pa-Pa's guitar! I love to see the progress of learning in the new generation!
It was hard to see everyone leave to their far away homes, but we have wonderful memories, reminded by the stray football beside a tree where the Great-grands, Jaxon and Mason, played or the stray ball or plaything left by the little girls, Lainey, 3, and Lacey, 8 months.
God bless us everyone!
I looked up questioningly at Jamie, who chuckled and said, "Isaac told me, 'Go give your mom and dad a hug.'" Isaac is their 5-year-old, who doesn't say much but thinks ahead. I had to laugh at the little guy's thoughtfulness of his Mimi and Pa-Pa. Not getting to see us very often, maybe our youngest grandchild was a little bit shy.
It reminded me of our visit to their home in Texas a few months ago. I had brought small gifts for the three grand kids, which they opened with excitement and were admiring, when Isaac disappeared. Shortly he came back with an odd assortment of gifts he had gathered for each of us, wrapped in Kleenex and put into tiny containers of various sizes.
After the Saturday evening wedding, most of our out-of-town visitors went to church with us on Sunday morning. After the kiddos were sent to various class rooms, our grown-up kids came to the Berean class where Howard was substituting for the regular teacher. It was such a joy to have them there and to be able to introduce them to our church friends!
Going into the sanctuary for the main service, a teacher saw me and remarked, "A little red-haired girl named Madeleine knew all the answers in class! That girl is smart!"
"Yes, she loves to read," I beamed at the compliment to our granddaughter. He said he believed it, and couldn't say enough about her!
Her 12-year-old sister, who plays the cello at school, discovered a violin at our house and soon was producing passable music on it, also strumming on Pa-Pa's guitar! I love to see the progress of learning in the new generation!
It was hard to see everyone leave to their far away homes, but we have wonderful memories, reminded by the stray football beside a tree where the Great-grands, Jaxon and Mason, played or the stray ball or plaything left by the little girls, Lainey, 3, and Lacey, 8 months.
God bless us everyone!
Monday, June 24, 2019
Wedding Day!
What is it about weddings that is so touching? Everything was pretty routine as pre-wedding photos were taken, even with all traipsing to the outdoor archway amid trees where more photos were added for posterity.
I was so caught up in the preliminaries for our granddaughter Allison's wedding that I was focused on the procedures, the actual vows and solemnity not yet penetrating my consciousness. The long trip to the chosen venue was tiring, and the wait for the ceremony was long, since we were there ahead of time for preparations.
At long last, it was time. My husband and I were transported in an open vehicle, since the walk would be strenuous with Howard's cane. As grandparents of the bride, we were seated up front where we had a perfect view of the nuptials.
Presently, the lovely bride was escorted down the aisle by her father, our son Greg, carried by the strains of chosen accompaniment wending through the leafy bower. Everyone was all smiles as heads turned for their glimpse of the procession.
Then when Allison was welcomed by her bridegroom, emotion got the best of me. Suddenly I was overwhelmed by the comparison of the church becoming the bride of Christ! It was such a holy moment, knowing that God sanctions marriage and that it is a reflection of The Marriage Supper of the Lamb as described in Revelation 19:7-9:
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready."
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in white linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
May your marriage be blessed, Allison and Matthew!
s acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
I was so caught up in the preliminaries for our granddaughter Allison's wedding that I was focused on the procedures, the actual vows and solemnity not yet penetrating my consciousness. The long trip to the chosen venue was tiring, and the wait for the ceremony was long, since we were there ahead of time for preparations.
At long last, it was time. My husband and I were transported in an open vehicle, since the walk would be strenuous with Howard's cane. As grandparents of the bride, we were seated up front where we had a perfect view of the nuptials.
Presently, the lovely bride was escorted down the aisle by her father, our son Greg, carried by the strains of chosen accompaniment wending through the leafy bower. Everyone was all smiles as heads turned for their glimpse of the procession.
Then when Allison was welcomed by her bridegroom, emotion got the best of me. Suddenly I was overwhelmed by the comparison of the church becoming the bride of Christ! It was such a holy moment, knowing that God sanctions marriage and that it is a reflection of The Marriage Supper of the Lamb as described in Revelation 19:7-9:
"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready."
And to her it was granted to be arrayed in white linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
May your marriage be blessed, Allison and Matthew!
s acts of the saints.
Then he said to me, "Write: "Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!" And he said to me, "These are the true sayings of God."
Wednesday, June 19, 2019
Rewards
BRRING, went the phone yesterday. I picked it up and heard a familiar voice. "Mimi, this is Reid!" Oh, my grandson, whom I don't hear from very often.
"I just wanted you and PaPa to know that I'm going to be on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network)! We're flying out tomorrow!"
Well, I knew he travels with the Christian artist, Jason Crabb, but I had never seen Reid on TV.
"I'm playing the guitar for Jason's song!" he explained. I joined him in his enthusiasm and was so glad that he was getting to use his gift that he has honed to perfection.
Although we don't get the channel he will be on, I've always loved TBN, a Christian station in California founded by the late Paul and Jan Crouch, now overseen by their son, Matt. Reid said the program would be on video to be shown later. Maybe by that time, I'll get to see it!
I couldn't help but think how blessed we are with our remarkable grandchildren! They all love the Lord and are fine upstanding people! All 20 of them!
It's amazing how God works. Reid's parents did not want him to go to a secular college, so he enrolled in Lee University in Tennessee where he made outstanding Christian friends. It was through these friends that he met and joined Jason Crabb's ministry.
And it was there that his sister, Corrin, who followed in his footsteps, met her intended and will be married in October!
This week-end, we will be going to the wedding of our granddaughter Allison, who is a school teacher. We will get to see children and grandchildren living far away who are coming to the wedding.
Jesus apparently loved weddings. so I'm sure he will be pleased! Wish you were here, Reid!
"I just wanted you and PaPa to know that I'm going to be on TBN (Trinity Broadcasting Network)! We're flying out tomorrow!"
Well, I knew he travels with the Christian artist, Jason Crabb, but I had never seen Reid on TV.
"I'm playing the guitar for Jason's song!" he explained. I joined him in his enthusiasm and was so glad that he was getting to use his gift that he has honed to perfection.
Although we don't get the channel he will be on, I've always loved TBN, a Christian station in California founded by the late Paul and Jan Crouch, now overseen by their son, Matt. Reid said the program would be on video to be shown later. Maybe by that time, I'll get to see it!
I couldn't help but think how blessed we are with our remarkable grandchildren! They all love the Lord and are fine upstanding people! All 20 of them!
It's amazing how God works. Reid's parents did not want him to go to a secular college, so he enrolled in Lee University in Tennessee where he made outstanding Christian friends. It was through these friends that he met and joined Jason Crabb's ministry.
And it was there that his sister, Corrin, who followed in his footsteps, met her intended and will be married in October!
This week-end, we will be going to the wedding of our granddaughter Allison, who is a school teacher. We will get to see children and grandchildren living far away who are coming to the wedding.
Jesus apparently loved weddings. so I'm sure he will be pleased! Wish you were here, Reid!
Sunday, June 16, 2019
Sunday Surprise!
I couldn't believe my eyes! My husband had placed a lone chicken in the duck pen with the two ducks in hopes it would make the ducks feel at home. They had done nothing but stare longingly at the chicken pen for the past two weeks!
Looking out the kitchen window as I washed the supper dishes, I watched in exasperation when I saw the ducks happily swimming and splashing as if showing off for the chicken! A ramp had even been placed onto the kiddy pool to entice them to go for a splash. which they had viewed with disdain until now!
I didn't know there was such a thing as duck psychology, but apparently there is! I love and appreciate animals, but nothing like Howard does! He has utter patience with them, while I throw up my hands in despair when something happens like it did today!
We had come home from having a Father's Day meal, and found that the goats were out! Again! I wasn't too concerned until I came up to the front porch. My plants! My beautiful, tall, tree-like plants had been shredded! The pots were spilled with dirt all over the porch, and what was left of one of the decorative plants lay stripped and ragged!
It wouldn't have been so bad, but we are expecting company in a few days as family members come for our granddaughter's wedding! Well, my spouse has promised to replace the greenery, so I guess I'll live. But it really does get my goat!
Looking out the kitchen window as I washed the supper dishes, I watched in exasperation when I saw the ducks happily swimming and splashing as if showing off for the chicken! A ramp had even been placed onto the kiddy pool to entice them to go for a splash. which they had viewed with disdain until now!
I didn't know there was such a thing as duck psychology, but apparently there is! I love and appreciate animals, but nothing like Howard does! He has utter patience with them, while I throw up my hands in despair when something happens like it did today!
We had come home from having a Father's Day meal, and found that the goats were out! Again! I wasn't too concerned until I came up to the front porch. My plants! My beautiful, tall, tree-like plants had been shredded! The pots were spilled with dirt all over the porch, and what was left of one of the decorative plants lay stripped and ragged!
It wouldn't have been so bad, but we are expecting company in a few days as family members come for our granddaughter's wedding! Well, my spouse has promised to replace the greenery, so I guess I'll live. But it really does get my goat!
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Lost and Found!
For over a month, I have not been able to post on Heartthoughts! I could only use an old blog site, which I did a few times. But thanks to my computer savvy grandson, Adam, he saved the day and here I am!
Now what to write about! Well, it's Howard's 81st birthday, and the family is preparing a big cook-out for lunch! I jumped the gun and made him a preliminary cake yesterday, but being a lemon pound cake, it was gone in short order. Today we're doing a sugar-free cake, which should be delicious.
We are so excited for our granddaughter, Allison's, wedding next week! What fun we had recently at her Bridal Tea. Games were played, and bathroom tissue brides were created. Some really skillful ladies, one being the groom's mom, wrapped and decorated me, so good that I won the prize! I won another word game, too!
Besides enjoying the coming ceremony and reception is the anticipation of seeing kids and grand kids coming from far and wide to enjoy this happy occasion! Another granddaughter, Corrin, is getting married in October. She has been planning for weeks, if not months, for the big event. We can't wait, and we are contemplating transportation possibilities for this Georgia wedding!
June has always been a busy month for us. Not only is it Howard's birthday, but Father's Day, our anniversary on the 20th, and my birthday on the 27th! Our local kids surprised us this morning with a new computer for both our birthdays! We have never had a desk-top before, and it is wonderful!
Howard has been enjoying reading all the birthday wishes from so many friends today! Such warm regards from former neighbors, church friends of past and present, and phone calls from family. Friends are friends forever!
Now what to write about! Well, it's Howard's 81st birthday, and the family is preparing a big cook-out for lunch! I jumped the gun and made him a preliminary cake yesterday, but being a lemon pound cake, it was gone in short order. Today we're doing a sugar-free cake, which should be delicious.
We are so excited for our granddaughter, Allison's, wedding next week! What fun we had recently at her Bridal Tea. Games were played, and bathroom tissue brides were created. Some really skillful ladies, one being the groom's mom, wrapped and decorated me, so good that I won the prize! I won another word game, too!
Besides enjoying the coming ceremony and reception is the anticipation of seeing kids and grand kids coming from far and wide to enjoy this happy occasion! Another granddaughter, Corrin, is getting married in October. She has been planning for weeks, if not months, for the big event. We can't wait, and we are contemplating transportation possibilities for this Georgia wedding!
June has always been a busy month for us. Not only is it Howard's birthday, but Father's Day, our anniversary on the 20th, and my birthday on the 27th! Our local kids surprised us this morning with a new computer for both our birthdays! We have never had a desk-top before, and it is wonderful!
Howard has been enjoying reading all the birthday wishes from so many friends today! Such warm regards from former neighbors, church friends of past and present, and phone calls from family. Friends are friends forever!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)