What happened to Spring? The groundhog saw his shadow and predicted an early Spring. I think I recall a couple days of reasonably warm weather, but then the chill of Winter returned with all the trappings of cold, snow and miserably raw days. I heard someone say that the groundhog was charged with fraud and we are left with confusion and uncertainty with our outdoor Spring plans.
It is Holy Week. Unbelievably, I am watching snow fall on the trees on our hill and the roofs of our out buildings. Schools are delayed or closed. The daffodils and hyacinth that were opening their blooms are bowed down and covered with snow. Yes, I'm confused having all this cold and snow the week of Easter. This is not how I envisioned the days leading up to the holiest day on the Christian calendar. But, thankfully, I have clarity and certainty about this week of remembrance, if not the season change from Winter to Spring. No matter what the weather, this week is remembered for the most cataclysmic events in the history of the world. Our God and Savior made himself known to the world and the world rejected, betrayed and abandoned Him.
I have the Blessed Assurance of knowing that God came into the world as an innocent infant and lived His life among His people before making the ultimate sacrifice on Good Friday. Our God was willing to take the sins of the world upon Himself to bridge the gap between Him and His creation. God's plan was perfect because it left the undeniable message to us that our creator loved us so much He would give His only son in order to have us with Him.
I'm trying to follow Jesus' final days throughout the pages of the Gospels. I know Palm Sunday marked his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, complete with the foretold ride on a donkey and the cheering crowds with their palm branches. I believe Monday to have been the day He visited the temple and cleared the moneychangers from the Holy place. I hope to get some new insight on the events that occur as I follow Jesus' footsteps that then lead him to His Last Supper on Maundy Thursday and the heartbreaking actions that then occurred on Good Friday.
Yes, I may have some confusion and uncertainty about this crazy weather, but I have nothing but absolute belief and faith in the one remarkable act that our God performed that third day following the crucifixion. Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of our God, where He intercedes for us, because He loves us. Of that, I'm sure!
I'm wishing you an awesome day and the rest of the week leading up to and including Easter. Take care and stay safe. luv, Susan
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
IT'S WONDERFUL TO FEEL HOME
I'm looking out my window at a wooded hillside covered with snow. It is beautiful falling on the cedar trees and blanketing the ground, but give me a break here, it is almost a full week into March. I am so ready for watching the buds on the trees and the flowers push up out of the earth. Instead, we have taken a couple giant steps back into winter. I will say I'm blessed to be in a warm house with four little white dogs to help keep me company.
The Upperroom devotional reading for today gave me a wonderful reminder about my life. The writer was from a family whose father's career kept them moving around the country. This subject was brought up at the Amen House on Monday. Our new volunteer, Bob, was an Airforce brat, as he put it. His family moved around so much that he can't even pick a place that he feels he's from. He said he went to five different schools in the second grade and five different high schools. I could understand this, as we moved several times during my school years and I always felt like the "new kid".
When Mark and I were married, a career promotion took us away from Kentucky, to New England. I thought that sounded romantically exciting for newlyweds, so off we went. After two years in Massachusetts and six in Rhode Island, the romance had worn off and with two small children in tow, I was ready to head back home. Thankfully for us, Mark's company was able to relocate us back to Kentucky, where we spent the next twenty one years raising our children. I was determined that they would go kindergarten through graduation in one school system. I didn't like being the "new kid" and didn't want them to have to experience that. Henderson, Kentucky was home for them, but it never felt completely that for me. Now that I'm back in Central Kentucky, close to my family, I feel like I'm finally home.
As Christians, however, we have a more permanent home. We realize as we grow into our identity that this world is merely temporary and we will not truly be home til we reach our heavenly home and our eternal life with our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we get there, we will be welcomed home by all those wonderful saints who have gone before us. I believe that home isn't defined by the geographical location of your dwelling, but by the relationships of those around you. I was able to feel "at home" wherever God led us, whether it was Bowling Green, Kentucky or Chepachet, Rhode Island because we made wonderful relationships with those around us. As I look back, God had a reason for us to be every place we were led. I am so thankful to have been a friend and neighbor to those special people He brought into our lives.
As we were brought to each place, I sought out my church because I knew that I would have so much in common with the people who worshiped with me. I was not disappointed by my home churches in Henderson or here in Georgetown. God has a way of leading us where we belong, if we're willing to follow. I got a kick out of watching the Southland Hour on Sunday, as our little church was cancelled due to snow. Their minister, Jon Weese, was identified as the "lead follower". I like that. We are sheep, He is our shepherd, may we be willing to follow Him.
I'm sorry to ramble, just wanted to share my thoughts on the morning reading. I am convinced that we should start each day with some sort of devotional and prayer time. It's also important to end each day with thanksgiving and reflection. As someone who works with fabrics, I know the importance of hemming in your day so it won't tend to unravel. If you don't want your day or life to unravel consider spending a little time at the beginning and the end with God and His word. It only takes a few minutes to let Him show you how much you are loved unconditionally by Him. Today's devotional reading is from Psalm 139. I choose verse 5, "You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me." My day is more manageable when I know His hand is upon me.
Time to get moving this morning. I'm sure the birds have the food that was out for them almost gone by now and I know the deer will be coming by for some corn. I hope you have a wonderful and safe day. Take care. luv, Susan
The Upperroom devotional reading for today gave me a wonderful reminder about my life. The writer was from a family whose father's career kept them moving around the country. This subject was brought up at the Amen House on Monday. Our new volunteer, Bob, was an Airforce brat, as he put it. His family moved around so much that he can't even pick a place that he feels he's from. He said he went to five different schools in the second grade and five different high schools. I could understand this, as we moved several times during my school years and I always felt like the "new kid".
When Mark and I were married, a career promotion took us away from Kentucky, to New England. I thought that sounded romantically exciting for newlyweds, so off we went. After two years in Massachusetts and six in Rhode Island, the romance had worn off and with two small children in tow, I was ready to head back home. Thankfully for us, Mark's company was able to relocate us back to Kentucky, where we spent the next twenty one years raising our children. I was determined that they would go kindergarten through graduation in one school system. I didn't like being the "new kid" and didn't want them to have to experience that. Henderson, Kentucky was home for them, but it never felt completely that for me. Now that I'm back in Central Kentucky, close to my family, I feel like I'm finally home.
As Christians, however, we have a more permanent home. We realize as we grow into our identity that this world is merely temporary and we will not truly be home til we reach our heavenly home and our eternal life with our God and Savior, Jesus Christ. When we get there, we will be welcomed home by all those wonderful saints who have gone before us. I believe that home isn't defined by the geographical location of your dwelling, but by the relationships of those around you. I was able to feel "at home" wherever God led us, whether it was Bowling Green, Kentucky or Chepachet, Rhode Island because we made wonderful relationships with those around us. As I look back, God had a reason for us to be every place we were led. I am so thankful to have been a friend and neighbor to those special people He brought into our lives.
As we were brought to each place, I sought out my church because I knew that I would have so much in common with the people who worshiped with me. I was not disappointed by my home churches in Henderson or here in Georgetown. God has a way of leading us where we belong, if we're willing to follow. I got a kick out of watching the Southland Hour on Sunday, as our little church was cancelled due to snow. Their minister, Jon Weese, was identified as the "lead follower". I like that. We are sheep, He is our shepherd, may we be willing to follow Him.
I'm sorry to ramble, just wanted to share my thoughts on the morning reading. I am convinced that we should start each day with some sort of devotional and prayer time. It's also important to end each day with thanksgiving and reflection. As someone who works with fabrics, I know the importance of hemming in your day so it won't tend to unravel. If you don't want your day or life to unravel consider spending a little time at the beginning and the end with God and His word. It only takes a few minutes to let Him show you how much you are loved unconditionally by Him. Today's devotional reading is from Psalm 139. I choose verse 5, "You hem me in - behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me." My day is more manageable when I know His hand is upon me.
Time to get moving this morning. I'm sure the birds have the food that was out for them almost gone by now and I know the deer will be coming by for some corn. I hope you have a wonderful and safe day. Take care. luv, Susan
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