Pineapple On The Ceiling

The other day as I cut a pineapple, I was reminded of an incident from the past... One day several years ago when our children were still at home, we were all talking and laughing about something at mealtime when, suddenly, one of them threw a little piece of pineapple up onto the ceiling. There it stuck and there it remained...to our delight, for it gave us something to laugh about, even now-about 20 years later! On the day that we left that house I know I must have glanced at that piece of pineapple one more time and wonder if I should try to clean it off...or let the new occupants wonder what happened. I chose the latter. Laughter and a merry heart is a wonderful medicine and those who are able to see the humorous side of things are certainly blessed. Just the memory of certain moments in our lives are capable of bringing a smile to our face and joy to our hearts and make life worth living. Take time to enjoy the memories...or to make wonderful new ones that you can look back on without regret and give praise to the Lord who gives us those moments.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

My Tears in God's Bottle

Tears are important to God. He made us and our emotions in such a way that sometimes tears form as evidence of those emotions and they also act as a healing agent. Tears are not always because of pain or sadness, they can also be because of joy! In any case, we do not need to be ashamed of them. Never believe it when someone says that they are a sign of weakness. Don't forget that Jesus also cried and shed tears. Things that touch your heart and move your soul are capable of forming your tears.

A verse in Psalms has for a long time been a precious one to me for it shows that the Lord knows about and cares for whatever we're going through that is causing our tears. Psalm 58:6 says "...put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?" I like the thought that He cares SO much for us that each tear is precious enough to store in a bottle that He has just for that purpose. Not only that, but it seems that maybe He writes about those tears in a book! How wonderful is that?!

"Thus saith the Lord...I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears."-Isaiah 38:5

Heritage

On this Father's Day I would like to remember my Dad by sharing a little bit about heritage. Having recently received an old document about my family has made me think more about my family history, roots and heritage during the past few days. Much could be said here but I am just SO amazed and grateful for this blessing from the Lord. I'm sure there are skeletons in the closet and, in fact, that sort of thing never seems to stop happening but the past several decades have given our family something about which to be proud and for which to be thankful. My parents were Baptist missionaries and they left to each of "us 7" a super-rich, Biblical, Christian heritage. Not only their making sure that we learned and understood Biblical doctrines and practices, but also their godly and inspiring examples, will forever be remembered by us. To top it off, Dad and Mom left us 6 books which they wrote! As I paged through "Our Family Missionary History" once again, I was smiling because I knew that our rich heritage would be known by generations to come of their offspring. Whether each of us choose to embrace that heritage, believe their Biblical teachings and live similar godly lives is certainly up to each one, but the knowledge of it is there and we are without excuse. Daddy, I miss you so much but am happy that you are there with your Lord and Saviour...and Mom and Bonnie and Hannah. We'll see you in the near future!

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him." (Proverbs 23:24)

Blue Glass

Blue glass plate in the dish drainer...shining in the sun. Blue glass bottles in the window. How does one explain how it brings joy to see these beautiful things??

 

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

Prayer

As I was talking to the Lord yesterday concerning a certain problem, I was reminded for the umpteenth time in my life about the importance of prayer. As the beloved hymn says, "What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer".

I'll be the first to admit that my prayer life isn't as strong as it should be. But, oh, how precious is this privilege! It isn't something to take for granted or to "use" just when we're in trouble. Prayer is an intimate form of communion with our Saviour and Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ. How He waits and longs to have us come to Him. "Talk to Me", I often hear Him say, "I want some time alone with you".

We do not have to have an image in front of us, or something in our hands, or talk to some saint in hopes that they will relay our message. No, NO! We can boldly and confidently go into His presence and bare our hearts before Him. And Who better than the Holy Spirit to intercede for us?! We have no other, we need no other, there IS no other that can hear us and meet our needs...than the Lord. I'll have you know that that's grounds for gettin' excited!

 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Pruning

This morning I decided that it was a good time, with the blue sky and sunshine, to prune a couple of my plants, especially the Rose of Sharon, which had gotten a little too tall and out of shape for her own good. With pruning shears in hand, I clipped the tip, and sometimes alot more, of every big and little branch, not worried at all that perhaps I was being too drastic. Must've learned that from my pruning-happy husband...although I've been known to fuss at him for pruning (what I thought was) way too much! Anyway...I know that, come Spring in 3 or 4 months, she will begin to reward me with all of her beauty! I'll try to remember to send you a photo of that later on.

 I don't know whether pruning is painful to a plant but I do know that it leaves it quite ugly...but only for a short time. Pruning in the form of discipline from God in our lives is definitely painful and, temporarily, is an ugly thing-from our point of view. But wait awhile and we will certainly see the beauty that results from the drastic measures He has to sometimes take. He cuts off branches and buds that are dead, useless, way too big for our own good and detrimental to our health, growth and development. But He does it in love, knowing the beauty that will unfold, a beauty that will bring glory to Him and make Him smile for joy. All because He loves us!

 "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11)

A Little Budding Rose

                                     A Little Budding Rose                                                          by Emily Brontë

It was a little budding rose, round like a fairy globe,
And shyly did its leaves unclose hid in their mossy robe,
But sweet was the slight and spicy smell it breathed from its heart invisible...