Words of Love

The idea and inspiration to begin a list of 1000 Gifts- things I am thankful for came from a fellow blogger, Ann Voskamp. She invites everyone to consider thankfulness and gratitude as "a fixture of your soul." Begin your list today by counting the blessings, with your own 1000 Gifts List.

101. Thankful for words of love, a letter from a precious one...

Dear Morgan family,

Throughout the process of life we are faced with many adversities. I feel blessed to have such wonderful people who have had such a constant and positive influence on my life during these times. God has shown me what love truly is by shining his love down on me through your family. I could never thank you enough for the never-ending laughs, timeless memories, and walking by my side in my journey of becoming a woman of God. I truly thank you for taking me into your home, loving me, encouraging me, and allowing me to be a part of your lives. When my family fell apart, I never knew I would be able to be a part of something as special as you are. You have shown me that through any obstacle love conquers all and God is more powerful then we could ever imagine. You have also shown me how imortant it is to love others, as God loves us. These special memories I have shared with your family will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope God will continue to bless your family. I have the highest hopes and best wishes for such a special family as yours. I will definitely miss all the fun trips, delicious meals, and crazy jokes. Thank you again for all your kindness, generosity, and love you have bestowed upon me.I love you all. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. (Acts 20:35)

Dominica

Fly Away

Striking,
Diminutive,
Wounded child
Searching
For home,
A place,
A refuge
Nest here
Teach me
Remind me
Reveal me
Release me
Heal me

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

I prayed for each of my children as I cradled them in my arms. Dedicating them to Him, realizing early that I was just their mother. He was their FATHER. Trusting Him with future relationships, ones that would make a postive impact on their lives.
...a mother's sincerest prayer.

She came to him troubled, uneasy, hurt, and confused on a cloudy, dark, and dreary January afternoon. This beautiful young girl entered my world, too. Admittedly she caught the eye and stole the heart of my oldest son. But what happened in my heart is truly God's handiwork. I am changed forever.

At first I felt like God hadn't heard my prayers. I struggled with their strengthening relationship since I had prayed for someone that would positively influence his life. How could this wounded one?

Over time I have realized that perhaps another mother had prayed for her child, too.

My son who had received

now had the opportunity

to give to someone else.

God answers our prayers from wisdom far greater than ours. I thought my son needed a strong Christian girl; God knew that my son needed to be a strong Christian man.

She questioned,

she observed,

she pondered,

and then she prayed.
She prayed and asked Christ to change her,

to take up residence.

And oh how He did!

She is a living testimony of a life changed,

put on a right path,

touching others with His love.

Wise beyond her years.

Compassionate.

A disciple.

A missionary.

A counselor.

This precious one.

Through my tears I hugged this precious one goodbye this morning. She is flying away to another nest. Another page turns in her life, and mine, too. She taught me so much about God. She reminded me of where I once was, revealed to me things I needed to deal with, let go of, released me from hurts, and healed me in the process.

I already miss you, sweet one. May God grant you a safe flight and a happy landing.

I love you, Dominica.

If I keep a green bough in my heart,

the singing bird will come.

Chinese Proverb

Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul,

And sings the tune

Without the words,

And never stops at all.

Emily Dickinson

More Blessings

99. attending Taylor's graduation from SGC

100. sound of bagpipes playing, reflecting on my ancestry

The love of a family

is life’s greatest blessing.

-English Proverb

Escaping the Trap

"Blue Bird" - Joseph De Camp, c. 1919

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:25, 26

Dr. James MacDonald of Walk in the Word ministries tells about a bird who had mistakenly flown inside his house, now trapped by fear and in danger of hurting itself because of its new environment. The only way to save the bird and keep it from hurting itself was to capture it. It was the only way to give it true freedom. He goes on to say:
" Little did it realize that secure in my hands it was better off than thrashing around the room. As quickly as I could, I got to the front door, launched the bird in the air, and it flew away. Sometimes we feel like the worst thing that could happen to us is to be confined in God’s hands. The Bible often presents us with choices that will form boundaries around our lives. Too often we fly from this protection, banging into windows and walls, looking for escape. If we submit to God’s Word, we fear we’ll lose our autonomy or worse, our freedom-all the while killing ourselves in our frantic independence.”

When Satan entraps us we are deceived and blinded. We are fearful of losing our autonomy, our freedom, and our free will. But if we are honest with God and ourselves, the reality is we have already lost it. Only God can expose truth to us and put us on the correct path. God, in his love, exercises His sovereignty, His dominion, His power. Real freedom and liberty comes when we surrender. That's when He delivers us from the snare, the trap of the enemy.

Filled With Gratitude...

If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul. Rabbi Harold Kushner

93. spending the day with fourteen inquisitive, lively 7-year olds

94. fresh snow pod peas

95. Psalm 23:4

96. safe flight for husband's journey

97. the generosity of others in my path today

More Thankful Thoughts

88. celebrating life with my husband and six amazing young people

89. taking in the beauty of Cirque du Soleil

Blessed are those

that can give

without remembering

And receive

without forgetting.

90. facing my fears on the water rides at Typhoon Lagoon

91. meditating on Psalm 19...a favorite Psalm of one of my favorite teens

92. lunch at Cheesecake Factory

Meditating On His Word

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:2

I have never been a coffee drinker, but while in Bermuda in October where afternoon tea is taken daily, I developed a taste for hot tea. My oldest son is proud of his mom's most recently developed habit. He is somewhat of a health expert and testifies of the benefits of tea drinking.

I watched my son prepare a cup of hot green tea yesterday. I was certain that the water wasn't hot enough because it took longer than usual for the water to change color. But as he waited patiently, allowing the bag to steep in the hot water, soaking it thoroughly, the contents of the tea bag eventually permeated the water. Had he removed it too quickly, the tea would have been weak, having little flavor.

This made me think of how I need to meditate on the Word more every day, allowing it to soak into my spirit.

Ponder

Reflect

Contemplate

Consider

Review

Repeat

Think

Analyze

Feel

Enjoy

In our culture it seems we all desire busyness and actvity instead of just getting quiet and still. Because of this I believe we often miss out on the richness of the promises and blessings in the Scriptures. We are impatient. Therefore we are like weak tea...no flavor....bland and tasteless.

Thomas Watson wrote, The reason we come away so cold from reading the Word is, because we do not warm ourselves at the fire of meditation.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Psalm 119:15