Psalm 136

Psalm 136

Give thanks the LORD, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever.

Give thanks to the LORD of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever.

To Him who alone does great wonders, for His steadfast love endures forever. 

To Him who by understanding made the heaves, for his steadfast love endures forever.

To Him who spread the earth above the waters, for His steadfast love endures forever.

To Him who made the great lights, for His steadfast love endures forever;

The sun to rule over the day, for His steadfast love endures forever;

The moon and stars to rule over the night, for His steadfast love endures forever...

It is He who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever;

And rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever.

He who gives food to all flesh, for Hist steadfast love endures forever. 

I've heard it said that you can insert your own thanks and praises into this psalm. So, here is my personal version.

Give thanks to The One who lived and died for me, His steadfast love endures forever. 

Give thanks to The One who took my sins, His steadfast love endures forever. 

Praise to The One who loves me so, His steadfast love endures forever.

He blesses me daily, His steadfast love endures forever. 

He has given me an awesome family, His steadfast love endures forever.

An amazing husband, His steadfast love endures forever. 

Friends who make me laugh, His steadfast love endures forever.

A job that I love, His steadfast love endures forever.

Beautiful days of sunshine that make my heart dance, His steadfast love endures forever. 

Frosty Fridays in November to be enjoyed, His steadfast love endures forever. 

Happy Friday.

Coziness

     I think that in some ways, I am an old fashioned girl at heart. Ever since I was little, I've been fascinated with the times gone by.  I'd imagine myself living on the prairie, being a pioneer. Recently I got a new pair of boots which in my head look like something that Laura Ingalls Wilder would have worn. I put them on, head to school, and feel like an old fashioned, one roomed, school teacher and it makes me smile. Last week my husband and I attended a barn raising. The very term "Barn raising" pulls me back to that old fashioned place.  We strapped on our work boots, tramped through the mud, had fun with friends and watched as the barn took shape. Fall is here and there is a pot of cranberry tea simmering on the stove. We have plans to make caramel for apple dipping, and as the wind howls outside coziness abounds.  All these things blend together creating a quaintness and charm that makes the heart smile. So find a cozy spot and have a lovely evening. Happy Friday.

Metamorphosis

     The first day of Autumn happened a week ago and the colors of the season are beginning to show their faces. I love Fall. With the coming of Fall has come new changes. I started a new job recently. A job that I was so excited to get and have loved from the get go. I am a teacher. Finally. Years of college were starting to wear on me and I wondered if I would ever stop being on the student end of things. And then, just like, that I get a call saying the job is yours. I love working with kids. It is energizing and oh so fun. I love it when the kids call me Mrs. Williams and I love telling funny stories from my classroom. Like I've been fighting a cold lately and the other day I blew my nose during class. One of my third graders giggled and commented that Mrs. Williams was using her nose for a trumpet.
      One of the topics we have been studying lately is Insects. Some insects go through a process called Incomplete Metamorphosis. The three stages of this are egg, nymph, adult. As I was thinking about this the other day, it occurred to me that in a way, as followers of The One who gave us life,  we are going through these same stages.  You see, after the egg hatches into a nymph it must molt multiple times before it finally emerges as an adult. So often in life, we go through changes and think we are finally there only to realize that there is yet another step ahead of us. This can get frustrating. But you know what, I think that we are going to be in the "Nymph stage" as long as we walk this earth. Because know matter what we learn or how we grow, we are never going to get it all figured out. And that is perfectly okay. In fact that is how we have been designed. God wants us to learn and develop and grow in Him. But until we finally meet Him face to face we will always have learning to do.
     This is truly a lesson I need to get through my head. So often, I look at myself and get frustrated. I get frustrated because I don't understand something or because I see so many imperfections in who I am. But I'm human, I'm never going to be perfect. But Jesus, the One who loves my soul and died for it wants me and you to know that we are doing okay. Keep allowing yourselves to learn and grow, allow The One who loves you to guide you through the changes and ups and downs. As new understanding comes we will molt and then do it again. We are Nymphs. But someday, we will meet Jesus in person. And on that day we will molt for the last time and be complete.  Paul says in    1Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."
     So, I encourage you, don't get discouraged. No matter where you are in life or in your understanding of who God is, allow yourself to rest in the hand of the One who designed the system. He will get you through. Keep growing, learning and going deeper with Him. Happy Monday




"We are all butterflies. Earth is our chrysalis.”
  ~LeeAnn Taylor

The Responsibility

     This morning I was cleaning the gunk out of my wedding ring and it got me thinking about something. Just a little over two years ago, I wrote about The Promise. My Love had just asked me to be his wife and I had a beautiful, new, diamond ring on my left hand. I wrote about how, just like a diamond ring symbolizes the promise of forever, The One who breathes life into our very souls has given us a promise. A promise, to save us, love us, and keep us.
      As I looked at my ring and scrubbed away the soap scum and dirt, it occurred to me that just as I needed to occasionally give my ring a good cleaning, so also, I must take care of the Promise from the Creator of my soul. You see, promises come with responsibility. The responsibility to guard them. Just like my ring collects grime and thus looses its true shine, so too can a promise. The Lover of my soul has promised to be with me always, but when I allow fear, doubt, carelessness, or whatever sneak into my life, I allow a build up to dull the shine of The Promise.
     Now, this does not mean to say that the promise is any less true. Just because my wedding ring may not shine as brightly due to crud, does not make it any less precious. It is still a diamond set in gold. Nothing can change that fact. It may not shine as brightly as the day it was placed on my finger, but that has nothing to do with the love my husband has for me or with the state of our relationship, it simply means that I have failed to take care of it.
     The same is true of The Promise that I have received from the One who calls my name. He is steady and His promises are rock solid. But how have I done with my responsibility of taking care of the promise? All too often, I let fear and doubt cloud the shine. I fail to trust Him and soon I take a look at the promise and begin to panic. I panic because it has become cloudy and I fear that He has, just maybe, stopped caring. Just maybe, He has given up on me. However, just as a diamond is always a diamond, dirty or not, so too is His promise. It never changes.
     And so, it is our responsibility to guard our promises. Be it the promise between a husband and wife to love on another till death or the beautiful promise we have received from the One who died for us, we need to guard it. To make sure that we don't allow anything to dull their shine.
    And so today, If you are struggling with fears or doubts, if something has crept in to dull the shine of your  promise, I challenge you to take a stand. Realize that though you may not see the sparkle right now, The Promise has not changed. A diamond is still and always will be a diamond, gunk or not. Polish with faith and dust with trust, and before you know it the sparkle of The Promise will once again dance. Happy Saturday.

"God never made a promise that was too good to be true." ~Dwight L. Moody

Psalm 145:13-14
"Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down."

2 Corinthians 1:20-22
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."

The Blanket

     When I was a kid, I remember being in bed and being concerned for the safety of my feet. You see, my mind had decided that there was a floating, green, hand that really wanted to sneak up and grab them. And the one thing that would keep me safe was to have my blanket on. For some reason exposed feet were sure to be attacked, but covered feet were safe. And so, I made sure that my blanket covered my feet. It's silly really, because if there had truly been some foot snatching menace, I'm pretty sure that my blanket wouldn't have done the trick, and yet, there was security in being covered up.
    Today, I still struggle with fears. The green hand is no longer a threat but fear still finds a way to plague my mind. But guess what, there was a simply solution to dealing with the foot snatcher and there is a simple solution in dealing with the fears, doubts and worries that so often try to snatch my mind today(Though I still need to be constantly reminded of this). The One who breathed life into my very soul covers me with His protection every day. Fear and doubt try to entangle my mind and make life miserable, but the answer is simple, allow The One to be there for me, to cover me with His protection, love and grace. So whatever is trying to drag you down today, don't worry, The One who is there for me is there for you too. Your feet are safe. Have a great day!

 “I like to hear a storm at night. It is so cozy to snuggle down among the blankets and feel that it can't get at you.” ~L.M Montgomery

Isaiah 41:10
"fear not, for I am with you;
 be not dismayed, for I am your God;
 I will strengthen you, I will help you,
 I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Happy Monday

      Today has been one of those days that are just good. I found out this morning that I got the summer job that I had applied for a couple months ago and had given up on getting. I cut up sweet and juicy pineapple and strawberries.  I went back to visit my student teaching class of fourth graders. I baked a cake and hugged a baby. Oh sweet summer! Happy Monday.

"“Bees do have a smell, you know, and if they don't they should, for their feet are dusted with spices from a million flowers.”~Ray Bradbury

The Songs

     Your life is a song. A song that is just you. The notes and melody are uniquely yours. This song dances through every moment of your life with sharps and flats, accidentals and grace notes. It is your song. As I have been thinking about our lives and the music they create, I began to think about how when we share our lives with others, the individual melodies begin to blend and harmonize creating an entirely new piece. Thus, each relationship has a unique song all its own. There are songs of love and songs of friendship and family. Songs of shared moments and common ground.
    My song has blended with many different ones over the course of my life. Friendships that have been short and sweet, little musicals that only play for a time, and others that continue on, filling the air with music. Sometimes, melodies that you would never put together by choice somehow begin to intertwine and something beautiful comes from the unexpected. A new song that no one would have thought of.
     Your song does not necessarily remain static either. As you grow and change, the melody of you swells and grows. There is always a common thread, a repeating motif that holds the very essence of you, but the notes and tempo may, on occasion, change. That is why it is so beautiful. The music is always flowing and changing. Always you but always new.
     The wonderful thing about sharing life with people is that sometimes, the good in others rubs off on us. Our song begins to take on a small piece of another's song. Thus, even when you are alone, there is a piece of the other with you. So today, start to realize the beauty, not only of your song, but also the songs of the people in your life. And most importantly, listen for and enjoy the unique songs of your friendships, your marriage, your family. Happy Friday

"Music is forever; music should grow and mature with you, following you right on up until you die." ~Paul Simon

Today

      Today is beautiful. I woke up this morning to grey skies and rain. And then, the sun began to make an appearance. I'm sitting outside on my steps next to my lovely garden. Which in my case is 5 pots of green plants, flowers and pinwheels that make me smile.  The sun is shining overhead and the warm sunshine is dancing with the sweet coolness of the morning morning breeze. The lovely splish, splash of left over rain running down the eves mingles with the music I have playing. Oh and the birds just decided to add to the song. Happy Tuesday.

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." ~Luther Burbank

The Wheel

     Have you ever dealt with fear? It can be like a giant wad of knotted string that, try as you might, you can never seem to find the end of. Fear has a way of getting in your face and consuming all that is good. It occurred to me the other day that fear is like being on a hamster wheel. You run and run, trying to figure the fear out or at least get away from it. Yet, no matter how fast you run, it is a never ending circle that takes you no where and wears you out. 
     Sometimes when you are running on this wheel, your heart might catch a glimmer of truth. It's a gentle whisper urging you to simply step off the wheel and you will be free. And this sounds to good to be true but before you know it, fear chimes in and says that if you step off, all will be lost. It tells you that staying on the wheel is the only way. And sadly, we all to often buy into that lie. For as unpleasant as running the wheel is, the thought of all being lost is even scarier. And so, we keep running. Trying to out run the fear or at least come to a place that makes sense. We wear ourselves down, going on nothing but fear and feeling empty and hopeless lacking all peace and joy. And every once in a while, truth gently whispers, "Just step off, it will be okay." Your heart longs to do just that, but fear raises its head and you feel helpless to everything. You feel you must keep running.
      But my friend, Hope is there. Joy and peace are waiting. The beautiful world you see blurring by you as you run is waiting for you. The terrible gut wrenching fear that you are doomed unless you keep running, that is the lie. And, if you get the courage to step off the wheel, you will find that the fear that was driving you so hard is nothing more than a tiny wheel in a cage.
     We all struggle with fear at different times, but the One who gave us life doesn't want that for us. I know that for myself I have to make a choice every single day. I have to choose whether or not I'm going to trust in Him or step on that wheel. Sadly, I often make the wrong choice. But there is always hope and the promise of a new day. So today, step off the wheel. Enjoy your life. The One who loves you more than you will ever know is waiting. Trust Him. Have a great day.

Isaiah 41:10
"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

College

     It finally happened. The last day of school came and I sit here now, having turned everything in and said good by to my student teaching class. It is so crazy to think about the fact that I am actually done with school. That my days of being a college student are over. I can remember my first day of college. I was technically still a senior in high school taking a couple post secondary classes, but it was a big day. I was 17 and so excited.  I got my student ID picture taken and shyly watched all the goings on. I met some awesome people that day, people who are still a part of my life today. Now today,  7 years later(1 year of PSEO, 5 years of full time classes and one year off), I come to the end of this adventure. As I fold up my college years and put them away, I know that they hold memories that I will always be fond of. I will always think about choir and smile and the times spent in the student center doing everything but my homework. The small bookstore where so many stories and moments were shared. Times spent in the dorm hallway laughing over coffee and being silly.
     So as I pack up this adventure I want to say thank you to all the people who helped me through it.  To my Mom who proof read so many papers and my Dad who put up with my tears as I tried to figure out loans and paper work. To the friends who let me pour out my woes and who in turn made it all fun. And to my husband who encouraged me constantly and patiently got me through countless homework meltdowns.
      So, I say my goodbyes to college life and hello to whatever tomorrow holds.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”~Elenore Roosevelt

Music

     What do you think of when you hear the word music? There must be a million different answers to that question. Music has been a big part of life around here lately. Instruments are frequently picked up, notes strummed and voices blended. Fingers are getting calloused and fun is had.
     Music is a lot like life. Sometimes we hit the wrong notes, need to be tuned or just can't seem to find the right key, but it's also fun and beautiful. Life, like music, often holds way more potential than we tap into. So often I sit down at the piano and play what my fingers know, but there is so much more music within both my hands and the piano, if only it could find a way out. Life and music hold the ability to be stretched and built upon. Life is flowing with ups and downs and so is music. Music is full of facets and different sides and so is life. From the deepest of bases to the most lilting soprano, the sounds twist and dance themselves into a symphony and that is life. Have a lovely afternoon.

“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”
 ~Victor Hugo

“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.” ~Aldous Huxley

My Home

     My home is small, tiny actually. A little side apartment in a old yellow house. There are two bedrooms, a kitchen in the corner and a living room. A house with a tiny table for two and musical instruments for many more. And today, there are 10 people packed in. Camp chairs are out, cookies are being baked in the kitchen and music is being made. The guitar strums, the ukulele hums and voices soar. Life is beautiful. So today, I hope that your home is full of good things no matter how big or small it may be. Happy Sunday.

"The home should be the treasure chest of living." ~Le Corbusier 

The Invitation

     Today I got something in the mail. I received an official invitation to something that I have recently been getting rather excited about. It was an invitation to my college graduation. That's right I am finally graduating. It's been almost six years since I started my first official year of college seven if you want to count the few post secondary classes I took my senior year of high school. So many stories were written during these years. I grew up.
     After my first year, I took a year off. I got on a plane all by myself and headed out on a grand adventure. I went to Namibia were I spent five months, met a group of truly amazing people and made some pretty cool stories. I pet a lion, got stitches in my head, swam in the ocean and decided what I wanted to go to school for.
     It was also during this year that my family grew when my parents decided to adopt the sweetest little brown eyed girl, who I dubbed my "Sugar Baby."
    After this I came back and set my mind on finishing school. I went on choir tours, made amazing friends and studied hours of my life away. I had a unique summer job three years running that involved trucks, steel toed boots and a stop sign. I took the next big step when I decided to move way up North to finish my degree at a small state college.
     I took some fun classes and some that I couldn't wait to get through. I met even more amazing people, including the love of my life. I got married, started my own home with my husband and learned how to cook.
     And that invitation that I received in the mail is so much more than an invitation to a graduation ceremony. It is the invitation to all that comes next.

"It looks like the future is really bright." ~ Michael P. Anderson

Spring Time

     It's here once again... Spring. The sun was warm on my head yesterday as I walked through the newly formed puddles. There is just something about Spring. It comes every year, and yet, time and again, I am filled with the wonder of it. Spring wakes up the sun so that he can begin to dance and spread his warmth with every turn. Spring brings the rippling song of snow melting into puddles, Spring brings the birds back home to sing their happy songs. Spring brings baby goats and maple syrup. Spring brings a sense of joy that seems to appear with the flowers and fill our hearts and souls with color. Spring brings hope and excitement. And Spring is truly a reminder of grace. So today, let the beauty of Spring overtake you. Breathe in deep and let the hope, joy, peace and grace of the Creator of Spring fill you up to the very brim. Happy Wednesday.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12
"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'" ~Robin Williams

“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”~Virgil Kraft

The Bad Dream

       Early this morning, I had a terrible dream. The pain felt real, I was in distress and I called out in my sleep. Then, the love of my life put his arms around me and told me to wake up, that it was only a dream. I could still feel the twinges of fear, but in that moment when he woke me up, I knew that it was nothing more than a bad dream.
        As I lay there thinking about this, something occurred to me. So often in life, fear and doubt creep in. They tell you things that fill your heart with dread and make you want to crawl under the blankets and hide. Then, just when you feel like you can not take it another minute, something extraordinary happens. The One who breaths life into our very souls, wraps His arms around you and tells you to open your eyes.
       He holds you close and whispers, rest in my love, the fear is just a bad dream. But like so many bad dreams the fear and doubt seem so very real and suffocating. You wonder how you will possibly make it through. And yet, when you give the fear and doubt over to the One who holds your heart, you suddenly realize that you are alright and that there are so many beautiful dreams just waiting for you.
     So, wherever you are in life right now. Rest in His arms, let His love saturate your soul and allow the beautiful dreams a place in your heart. Happy Friday.


John 14:27
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

Winter

      Winter is one of the those times of year that I have a love hate/relationship with. Every year as Fall comes to an end, I wait with anticipation for that first beautiful snow fall. And then, one day it finally happens and everything is so lovely. Snow is everywhere, the air is crisp and winter is fun. Then, as the months drag on and the temperature starts to plunge into the negative regions of January, Winter and I take a turn in our relationship. It's really all one sided. Winter seems to love me because I get tired of it and tell it to go away and it patiently continues on. The problem is that I get tired of the cold and the cold and generally the cold. I begin dreaming of the day when I can run out to the mailbox without dressing for the arctic. And then, just when I am about to tell Winter that I am done with him, he goes and does something to redeem himself. For example, yesterday I woke up to the most beautiful sight. Winter had snuck in and painted the world in its own unique pallet of whites and sparkles. The trees were adorned in millions of crystals and the sun was out to play. And my heart swells with the joy and beauty of it. And really, winter has a lot of redeeming qualities. Ice skating, sledding, ski lift rides, broom ball and strategically placed snow balls.  So, there you have it. Enjoy the snow.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”
 ~John Steinbeck

Moments

          For awhile now, there have been thoughts that cross my mind and moments that touch my heart. Yet, time and again, something seems to stop me from letting them flow freely from my mind into the written word. Moments of pure joy.. Moments of peace when I am overwhelmed with a knowing that God is right there with me. Moments of realization, when I see that I have come along way and that what once seemed like an unavoidable, uncontrollable fear has fainted away and I am left with joy and the hope of something new.
         Moments with friends, knowing that I am blessed. Moments with sunsets, when I marvel and God's goodness. Moments when a song starts to play and my heart simply must dance. Moments of color when all I want to do is paint the moment in swirls of magic. Moments of pure joy when the little brown eyed baby sitting behind me in Church is singing her two year old heart out. Moments when the voices of my friends and family rise together in beautiful four part harmony as we sing songs of praise to the One who created the moment.
        And so dear friend, may you be blessed by this sweet, Monday, night when Spring seems possible. Breathe in deep, delight in the day, dance to the music, and know that the One who breathes life into every moment of every day, loves you.

“What day is it?"
It's today," squeaked Piglet.
My favorite day," said Pooh.”  ~A.A Milne