The intention of this blog is just to share with you the way God works in my everyday life. I hope you enjoy!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Counting My Blessings

Thank You, Lord, for everything
for the wonderful promise each new day brings.

Thank You, Lord, for my man so sweet
for our two hearts that as one now beat.

Thank You, Lord, for the simple life
for no public job to cause me strife.

Thank You, Lord, for my boy, Chase.
When I look at him, I remember Your grace.

Thank You, Lord, for the cattle on the hill
for our personal supply of "happy meals."

Thank You, Lord, for my Mom and my Dad
who have loved me through it all, the good and the bad.

Thank You, Lord, for the smell of fresh cut hay
for that John Deere tractor we'll pay off one day.

Thank you, Lord, for my Daddy-in-law
who'll help me with anything if I give 'em a call.

Thank You, Lord, for our beautiful farm
for keeping us safe from all harm.

Thank You, Lord, for my brother so tall,
he stuck with me through the long haul.

Thank You, Lord, for our crazy pets
who are faithful to remind us when we've not fed them yet.

Thank You, Lord, for all my in-laws
when compared to me, they all look so small.

Thank You, Lord, for all of Your love
and that one day I'll see You in heaven above.

~Erin

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Story Time

I truly love to read, but I do not read all the time. During the warmer weather, I am usually outside whether by choice or because my work demands it. I don't have as settled a mindset in the warmer, longer days. I actually love cooler weather, and would rather be outside then, but those are the times I find myself reading continually. I can read a novel in 2 or 3 days, which is bittersweet. I like getting through the book, but at the same time, I like to drag it out a little. I fall in love with those characters. They all have a place in my heart. I can see them and understand them, and I want to know all about them.

Today, it is rainy and dreary, and what I would think of as perfect reading whether. I would love to curl up with my throw quilt my mom made me and nestle down in the cushions of the couch. Pour a cup of coffee and slip into another time and place. It seems that within the pages of a good book, any destination sounds delightful, any time period sounds perfect, any character sounds charming.




My favorite books are Christian Romance Novels. I can read contemporary, but I prefer early America. My heart longs for stories set on the open prairies, usually at a ranch. I like to envision those resourceful women working their hearts out to make their house a home. I love thinking about how simple things were. I almost feel that maybe I should've been born into that time. Then, I think about my air conditioner and I know God makes no mistakes.




I also like stories that take place in Europe, preferably England. I think about Victorian ladies and boarding schools, cobble stone streets and English sea captains, tea time and Scotland Yard. I guess I have my mother, Sir Arthur Canon Doyle, Dame Agatha, and Ms. Jane Austen to thank for that. I have never been out of the country physically, but oh the travels made possible by many a good book. Some by the authors I've mentioned as well as C.S. Lewis and Narnia. When I was smaller, I liked to read of the bear found in Paddington station. Amelia Bedelia and her literal mind were very amusing to me.




Nowadays, I like most Christian authors. I have yet to read an Amish book, but I have heard so many wonderful things about them. My favorite authors are Janette Oke and Lori Wick. My Granny introduced me to the former and I have a sacred collection of her books tucked away. Occasionally, I will get them out and reread them, but I mostly hope to pass them on. Lori Wick, is undoubtedly my favorite. I seemingly crave her books. My fingers tingle as they turn the pages in anticipation, my eyes scan over the words drinking it all in adjective after adjective. Her's are the books that have kept me up many a night. More importantly, the Lord has blessed me with many spiritual lessons through her writings. Each book has reiterated a truth found in the Good Book.




Currently, I am also enamored with audio books. Oh my goodness! How thankful I am at this time in my life that I live out in the country and that it takes awhile to get where you're going. I have even found myself looking forward to doctor's appointments because of the driving time I will have to listen to my stories. Wow! I am telling you, if they still had radio programs I might get rid of my tv!




Speaking of that, since it looks like my satellite will be out until tomorrow, I may just have to go pick out a book and start making some coffee. I may even turn down the heat in order to appreciate the warmth of my little quilt.




In case you're wondering, that's Ms. Marple, named for the infamous Agatha Christie character.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Clear As Mud

Do you ever have those moments where something just clicks? You have pondered and deliberated, hashed and rehashed, analyzed and over analyzed. Then, there it is. Staring you right in the face. As my husband says, "If it'd been a snake it'd bit ya."

Clarity.

Following clarity is usually giddiness that then sets the plan in motion. If you are analytical, rational, logical, methodical, prudent and intentional-like myself-relief washes over you to now see a possible resolve for what was such an entanglement of open-ended equations. I think we all feel a bit like Einstein must have felt when he worked out the equation of relativity, only ours likely pales in how it will impact the entire world. Chances are, these problems that we face only impact us. We are the only ones who care how they pan out. We are the only ones who have spent sleepless nights working this through at many different angles. We've even prayed. Possibly sought advice. Confided in another.

Once we have that light bulb moment, hope follows. We have something to work toward. I think of Border Collies. Border Collies have to have something to do. They are workers. They will herd children or pineapples, sticks or shoes. If they are not put to work-as God designed them-to herd sheep or cattle, they will find something to do. They take pleasure in being needed and being useful. They love to aid in working through a situation.

Sometimes, we know that those light bulb moments, whatever form they come in, are revelations from God. We do not actually have to have experiences like that of John in order to have a revelation. God uses the most obvious and the least expected ways to show us HIM. Tonight, I had a little of both.

We are currently in revival at church. So, the Lord is showing me things that I have been anticipating. I do not mean they are things that I thought they'd be. I mean that at the times I am in the actual service, I am anticipating to hear from God. But, God isn't confined to a box. God isn't confined to the walls of a church. God is not confined to the pages of the Bible-although that is one remarkable, certain place to find Him.

If we open ourselves. If we live in anticipation of meeting with God. He will surely make Himself known. Seek and ye shall find.

After church, I talked with my best friend, Alicia. It is truly a treasure to have a "Best Friend." But for myself, and Alicia, we feel it is more precious than rubies. Both of us have been hurt, misunderstood, taken advantage of, expected to be someone we're not, accused while innocent. We came to our friendship broken, untrusting, skittish, awkward and scared. God has mended our hearts through the gift of these similarities as well as some of our more positive similarities. We have joined hearts. As Anne would say, we are kindred spirits.

My friend always treads carefully when offering advice. She doesn't want to hurt me, but more importantly than that, she wants to guide me in a way that honors the Lord. She helped me tonight. She was used of the Lord to open my eyes to something that He wanted me to see.


Clarity.



Clarity=Peace



Peace=Thankfulness