Category Archives: Grace

Simple Rain

Christianity, Grace, mom, motherhood, Parenting, Spiritual Encouragement, Truth, Uncategorized, Who we are in Christ, , , , , , , ,

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Simple Rain

And rain…and rain.

“They waited for me as for the rain, And opened their mouth as for the spring rain.”  Job 29:23

We are in a pattern of rain around here most certainly.  I have been working full time the last week and wondered if all this rain was just my imagination, then my husband informed me otherwise.  It has rained…everyday, at some point or another.  And the pattern may continue for a few more.

But what a difference rain is on a summer day than on a fall day!  I could not be sitting on here on the back porch writing.  I could not enjoy the birds singing as they bathe…yet again.  I could not see the flowers perpetually growing in front of me.  I could not smell the fragrance of the honeysuckle as it tickles my nose.

I remember letting my little guys play in the warm rain.  Oh, how they loved it!  It was as though I had given them the moon!  They were allowed to get wet, soaked, drenched from head to toe.  Of course the first time I allowed this I sent them out with umbrellas.  Ha.  That lasted all of 5 seconds, as those umbrellas became better at splashing one another than actually covering themselves to avoid getting wet!

But what abandonment they experienced!  Not a care in the world.  Splashing through the street, looking for the biggest puddle they could find!  Looking for rainbows as the sun tried to peek through the cloud over head.  Opening their months to receive the best tasting water on the planet.

Yep, you guessed it.  Instead of watching them….I joined them.  No rules, no regulations, no worries.  Just simple rain.  Contentment.  Enjoying life in that moment.  Pure ‘ole fun. Rejoicing in the day, and experiencing His love.

“The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad.”  Psalm 118:24

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

I DO & I DID!

Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, Who I am in Christ, , , , , , , , , , ,

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I DO & I DID

There are two events that I really enjoy….wedding and anniversary celebrations. I have always enjoyed looking in the paper’s social page at pictures of both. The pictures of people that have been married forty, fifty and sixty years or more are the best, especially when the newlywed picture is side by side the anniversary one!

I recently saw a picture of a couple celebrating their 71st Anniversary! The genuine love that the couple had for each other was so evident in the picture. Their grin and the look in their eyes said it all.

I had the privilege of being with my daughters-in-law on their wedding day as they prepared for their groom. I am not sure if their hands perspired or their hearts fluttered…but I do know the looks of love they had when they walked down the aisle looking upon my sons’ faces. The bridegrooms might have had knees knocking, teeth chattering…I am not sure. But the look of deep love when they saw their brides was one I personally will cherish forever.

Revelation 19:7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb had come, and his bride had made herself ready.” Revelation 21:2 “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

I cannot really imagine the return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I can get a sliver of a glimpse because of what I have seen at weddings, but I am sure nothing compares. The bridegroom with come and take away his bride (the body of Christ). No wonder the relationship of marriage is described by the Father as a symbol of His love. He longs for and yearns for an intimate relationship with us. Intimacy that can only come from marriage. Intimacy that deepens over the years as couples face trials and tribulations.

Looking at couples that have been married over 50 years I marvel at the depth of their love. Many times they could have given up. They have traveled down many roads and paths together. Have you ever noticed that the longer people are married, the more that they seem to resemble each other? They always can complete each others’ thoughts and sentences!

We are working on our 35th year of marriage, and it is true! My hubby cannot say a word and make a clicking sound with his tongue, and I know something is bugging him. Or we can look at each other and know what the other is thinking when we have experienced the same social experience. It is so funny!

I believe that is how it is suppose to be with the Father. As time goes by we face many things in life. But as we travel this road of life, the years add up, we become more like our bridegroom, more like Jesus!! We choose to get to know him in an intimate and personal way. Our love deepens, the relationship become the type of relationship in which we know Him so well, we are able to complete the sentences!

I love this quote from Steve McVey, “We are HIS bride, not his hostage.” Married couples do for one another because they want to do for their partner. They do not do so because they are being held hostage by their spouse.

By the same token, we are HIS bride and not HIS employee. The Father allows us to be a part of His work here on earth because of His love for us, not because we need to earn a place in His heart. This is no more true that my husband paying for me to be his wife. I am his wife because I love him. The same is true of the Father.

Try to remember walking down that aisle, or imagine doing it someday and look at who is standing there waiting with open arms.

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Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

The Race of Love

Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , ,

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The Race of Love

I taught school for many years and must say that I learned a lot along the way. Sometimes my kids taught me more than I could ever teach them. I always had a special education room in some form. Their special needs helped me see the world through their eyes.

While I was in college, one of my favorite activities was working in the “Special Olympics”. As you most likely know, this event is similar to the regular Olympics held all over the world every four years. There is a marked difference however. These participants are developmentally delayed or physically challenged in some way.

There is competition. The individuals compete against each other in races, shot put, distance running and other such things. One day something unique happened, yet I found out it wasn’t really unique at all at this competition.

As a “hugger” my job was to hug participants as they crossed the finish line, no matter their placement in the race. A couple of races had taken place and there were hugs, giggles and smiles everywhere. I think I was having as much fun as any of the competitors!

Another race was set to begin. The runners were at their mark. The gun was fired. The runner in lane three fell down. He went down on his knee, scraping it as he fell! There was a gasp in the crowd and you could have heard a pin drop.

Soon the other runners stopped running. They all turned around and went back to the fallen boy. They reached down to pick him up. They brushed him off, checked his skinned knee and starting running again…but this time altogether as one. Most of them did not even know one another.

They crossed the finish line as one. All the huggers were in tears, as was the majority of the crowd. What a precious sight! It was an example of the unconditional love of God to me.

Can we do that? When our brother falls, do we stop what we are doing? Do we pick him up, dust him off and help him finish the race? Or do we go on running, not worrying about the fallen runner? Do we mumble to ourselves how they didn’t do it right and they deserved to crash?

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”

So next time you are in that race…and your competition falls….what are you going to do?

Be blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

*google, shutterstock image, NIV Bible*