surely goodness and mercy. . .

Last month some of our children and grandchildren dropped in for visits from far off places.
Ahh- how I long for things to be perfect when they come- you know, perfect food, perfect sleeping arrangements, perfect weather, perfect conversation- and of course it's never perfect.
But south Texas is lovely in the spring and I'm simply grateful that from time to time they find their way back.

One evening over coffee and ice cream we played the compatibility game and the get to know you better game- someone tossed this one into the ring:

 "If you were stranded on a desert island and could have 

just 3 books of the Bible,which 3 would you choose?"

So. . . what do you think? and what do I think?! Everybody wrestled, everybody answered, and everybody selected the Psalms. I overheard a murmur, What would I do without the Psalms?

I've been walking this winding path with Jesus for at least 40 years, but a decade ago I began to drink deeply and cherish the Psalms- daily God feeds my soul through this rich book. I could write a weekly blog post reflecting on the Psalms- perhaps I will. . . .

Psalm 23 is on my mind today, one that's engraved in most of us since childhood- the rhythm is familiar and I almost miss the treasure-

. . . Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life and you shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Surely (inevitably, without fail) God's goodness and mercy shall follow you. . . forever, all the way to the end, dear friend- and so I pray for you today.

the best covering

I love how God created the world with smooth things-  like vanilla ice-cream, bar soap, new baby skin. . . and He created textured things- like succulents in a pot, wholewheat toast and steel cut oats, nubby wool and knitted cables- all so lovely!

And life in God's world is smooth and textured too - you know, the hills and valleys, curves, crags,  straights. I remind myself that He owns and fashions it all for his glory and my good.
So- last week my days and nights bumped and dipped with unexpected encounters, long phone calls, lots of reminders that I live in a broken world. . .
I was laughing and weeping, resting and groaning all week. I read Proverbs 2- Ahh, I need more wisdom, Lord!

And even as I beseeched the God of wisdom for more of Himself, I received a text from a young friend; for a few years I discipled her through a rough patch of life- and then my friend and her family moved far away-

I think of you often, Darcie! I am missing you and our conversations!

I miss your sweet home and John too. I would love to cover you in prayer.

As I continue to pray for my life and how I can best honor God, so many things

have happened to help me soften my heart and love others. I see God's work 

more and more and am so thankful. How can I pray for you specifically this week?


Pray for me, friend, that I would grow in WISDOM. . . I love you!

"The Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright. . .And He preserves the way of His godly ones." Proverbs 2