Tuesday, November 27, 2012

sweeping out doubt

Routine house cleaning is a good thing.
And today I'm doing some house cleaning on the inside- 
sweeping out doubt-in my heart.

Heart. . .Do you truly believe that God is sovereign over all things?. . .and that He satisfies you with good?

. . .and do you really believe that as high as the heavens are above the earth so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him?

. . .and do you believe that He hears your cries, that He will strengthen your heart and incline his ear-really?

. . .and do you  desire the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom above all things?
(or Heart, do you desire a piece of the kingdom for yourself?)

And when my heart answers No! or Maybe! (or Yes to that last one!). . .
I'm hopeful still, since the Gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful to confirm truth in my heart-and yours.

Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountiful with you (Psalm 116)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

celebrating with pie

Last week I drove to west Texas to visit Mercy for her 24th birthday (she's the baby).
Sky and dirt are different in the Panhandle- enormous clouds hovering over the orange, pink sunset and fields of cotton bolls dangling from plant skeletons .
I was tempted to stop, to pull out my  camera -that's what I do when John and I travel together.
The dusk was exquisite-but this time I was alone, driving through the Panhandle.

So, Mercy hosted a dessert party for her friends; I made carrot cake with cream cheese frosting like she remembers. . .
Mercy also remembers eating pumpkin pie for breakfast.
Mom, will you make a pumpkin pie? of course.
You'll cut the pumpkin and cook it up like I remember? she asked.
 I told Mercy that now I make pie with canned pumpkin-it's delicious.
So, I made the pie- and Mercy put little pieces in white boxes for her guests to take home to eat for breakfast, just like she remembers.
I had a wonderful visit with my girl.  Then I came home and cut up a pumpkin . . .beautiful

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Mondays and every day

Last week I rolled out of bed before dawn-unusual for me on a Monday.
Sundays are busy, so Mondays should be slow and easy, I tell myself.
 John rode off to school on his bicycle in a shard of light
 and I locked the door behind us -
I thought about my groaning flesh (the resistance)
and I remembered my opportunity to give a hand. . .

Recently I heard about the life of  Queen Margaret of Scotland (1047-1093)
She lived in a spirit of inward poverty, loved others selflessly, compassionately-
And after her death, it was said of Queen Margaret,
She died every day she lived 

So-I'm thinking about Queen Margaret. . .and me
thinking about how it looks to die to myself on Mondays
and every day
(because "He loved me and delivered himself up for me")