Be Still

As I view this photo, it takes me back to the chilly fall day I had taken my daughters to Guadalupe River State Park.  It was too cold to swim that day, but in my mind’s eye, I crawled over the gnarled tree roots as I had done many times before.  Carefully and slowly I made my way to the water.

I was barefoot and anticipated first touch of the water on my bare toes. They tingled as I slid my foot into the water, big toe first testing the temperature.  It was cool against my skin. I placed both feet into the bubbling, gurgling river as the water fully surrounded me. Making room for me. Welcoming me.  My feet sank slowly into the sandy, murky mud that enveloped my feet completely.  They have disappeared into the bed of the river. Every now and then, if I wiggle my toes, they reappear above the mud.

Small minnows ,dart to and fro, between my legs, tickling me with their tiny bodies as they search for their next meal.

Water, aimlessly floats and meanders lazily, as I bask in the sunshine not wanting the quiet solace to end.

I am overwhelmed by the many colors that my eyes behold. I am thankful as my senses are fully ignited by the beauty surrounding me, engulfing me, protecting me, shielding me. I am relaxed in the beauty of God’s creation.

I am still before Him. I know that He is God.

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Humbly Bowed

Humbly bowed, in your presence Lord.  I call to you, come find me where I am.

I’m begging now, down on my knees. I need you God, to make me pure again.

Here I am, a sinner needing cleansed. Come wash me now, from all this filth and sin.

Forgiveness flows, like blood and water flowed. From Your side, Your life just slipped away.

Thank you God, forgiveness floods my soul. I’m pure again, washed as white as snow.

My sins are cast. Far away from me. From east to west, thank you God I’m free!

 

Am I Truly Thankful

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done. How often through my day do I ungraciously run. Allowing pessimistic thoughts to flow through my veins expecting productivity when what I speak comes out in negativity. Criticism first to my tongue, It should be dripping peace to each and every Young.

Am I truly thankful for all that You have done? The puppies that lay squirming from that little stray. You have given them to us to brighten up our day. Even if there are 8 your timing is never late!

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done? For my spouse after 6 months we were married, through years of coaching life was harried. Now a calm You have placed upon us. His being home is a bonus and a plus.

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done? The messes all around me Lord are so frustrating! Where is this peace that You afford? That is when you plainly say, “I answered your prayer for a family that day.”

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done? If I took the time to write all of the things You have done for me, I would be here all day long. You have blessed me with the gift of song. Yet another gift you gave. God help me daily to behave.

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done? My being at times a challenge can be, but yet again, you placed me exactly where you want me. Encouraging, loving, shepherding and listening. I can see your brow on the cross was glistening. With the love You poured out, your very life. Help me to see life as a blessing not just filled with strife.

Am I truly thankful for all that you have done?Let this day be in me which was also in Christ. Let me be last and You be first. Let my heart beam and with Your love, let it burst. Let it overflow. Let words of peace around me glow.

God, go before me this I pray. Go before me this new day. Let me see Your hand of power, reach every one of us this very hour.

I am truly thankful for all that you have done.

Psalms for the soul part 2

The Shades of Disarray

The Shades of Disarray

By Tara Young

Many shades of disarray I can plainly see.

Why can’t my home be as tidy as I wish it to be?

The hours we read and played today. The laundry piled up high.

To say that I am not discouraged would be a great big lie.

Yet in her eyes I see a glow as first words she read out loud.

Her voice squeaked and screeched as she yelled, “I read! Mom! Aren’t you proud?”

These moments that I have with her are shades of disarray.

The cleaning and the folding will be done as I pray.

Pray that I am worthy of this child placed in my heart.

For in my womb she did not grow, but God gave her a fresh start.

So when I see the disarray, I shrug my shoulders and sigh.

I will get to that, but now, her joy is nigh.

If I wait until she naps, a lot more things get done.

Right now in my shades of disarray, she just wants to have some fun.

 

Thank You.

Thank you for hearing me when I call.

                                     Thank you for picking me up each time I stumble or fall.

Thank you for always being just a call away.

Especially when I tend to foolishly go astray.

Thank you for loving me regardless of what I do.

Thank you for drawing my wandering heart back to you.

The Amazing Adventures of Mrs. Farmer Girl and Mrs. Candy

I was out checking the garden and saw these giant purple things that had fallen to the ground. Being the curious person I am I broke it open and the dog jumped up to grab it. Thus, realizing, “Hey, I might be able to eat that.” It smells sweet and is super juicy and the bright, vivid color of a beet.

So, after a few minutes of research,  “Mrs. Farmer Girl” as she asked me to call her and myself, “Mrs. Candy” set out on a prickly pear hunting adventure.

Of course, no outing would be acceptable without dressing up just a little!  I always wear my hat in the sun but hers was a bit over sized. 🙂

Accessories are everything!

A new friend nearby encouraged us.While taking this photo, Mrs. Farmer Girl decided now would be a good time to play with the cactus, so this picture was a bit rushed as I had to do extractions.

So we finished our search with a small load. We went to the kitchen and prepared our delightful goody for sorbet.

You do have to take precautions because they have little spines that are quite painful.

Mrs. Farmer Girl didn’t touch them, she just sprayed them 🙂

Cut them in half and scoop out the center with a spoon.

We whipped them in the blender, strained the seeds (at Mrs Farmer Girl’s request and poured what remained into our ice cream maker. The Recipe we used was from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/prickly-pear-sorbet-recipe/index.html.

Out of pocket expense…

1/2 cup sugar 🙂

I did not save the skins for serving, I used a beautiful piece of my china instead:)

Mrs. Farmer Girl loved her portion. I am saving mine for later 🙂

Thus ended the exciting adventures of… Mrs. Farmer Girl and Mrs. Candy

Our next adventure may come sooner than I think!

Hello Sunshine. Good morning Lord.

Just peeking over the tree

You’ve given this beauty for all to see.

Rays that stream across the sky.

Bringing hope to the tear filled eye.

In this day let us walk with You, when we are weak please carry us through.

 “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalm 30:5b ESV

The Throne or the thrones?

Mother’s day started out superbly!  We were out of town on a trip.
I got to eat a breakfast I did not cook. WOOHOO!
The children and husband were as sweet as could be.
Then I started to feel ill.
It continued on a downward spiral until I spent the majority of mother’s day near the throne. The John. The Loo. The Head.

Of course this morning as I am feeling somewhat better, I questioned the necessity of seeking the throne. Do we seek God only when we are sick?
Do we only long for Him when we feel like we can’t go on with life the way it is?
How often do we only turn to the Lord when we have a need, and spend less time with Him when things are going smoothly?

Or

Do we seek Him daily as a true burning desire to spend time with our maker? He is the one who rejoices over us with singing. The one who loves us with an ever-lasting love.

Are we seeking things of this world that are just meant to be flushed down the toilet, or are you and I seeking things that bring a true and deep relationship with our Heavenly Father? One who longs to show us His truth?
Things of this life are not eternal. Plain and simple. We often spend so much time on things that don’t matter that we forget God has a plan for us. To further His kingdom and not worry so much about what we can get, or buy or even save up for. We want more and more and nothing satisfies. These things just don’t matter. What do I waste time doing? Is it Facebook? Is that taking time away from God? Is it TV?  Computer Time? Reading?  What are we doing to waste the time God has given us? Flushing it away never to be redeemed. Are you and I redeeming our time?

We need to spend more time seeking His Throne and His plans and not the thrones of this world that are just being used to flush endless hours of nothing down the toilet never to be gotten back.

Let’s stop wasting time on things that don’t really matter! 🙂

As I was reading…

Praying Scripture for the Kids

I was reading Psalm 119 this morning and I began to pray scripture for my family.

“Teach me good judgment for I believe in Your commandments.” Psalm 119:66

Lord, I fall short every day but I can’t live in my bed under the sheets weighed down with discouragement feeling like a failure. I would never leave me sweet solace also known as my bed if that were the case!!

Teach me good judgment when it comes to circumstances and people who I don’t know how to handle. Give me the knowledge that I need to process and deal with the things that come into my life. Give me the wisdom of Solomon as I train my children in Your ways.

Help me to guide them for You and into Your kingdom. My heart’s desire is for them to love You. My prayer for them is that they walk in Your path. I ask that when they rise on the wings of the dawn, if they settle on the seas. Even there Your hand will guide them. My hope is that Your right hand will hold them fast. (Psalm 139)

I pray that You would teach them O Lord the way of Your statutes, and give each of them and understanding so that they can keep your law and observe it with their whole heart. Father, please lead them in the path of Your commandments. May they truly delight in them. Incline their hearts to Your testimonies. You have done so much in their young lives, may they see and understand that. Help them not to do things for selfish gain. Lord, please turn their eyes from looking to worthless things that won’t fill them with lifelong peace and joy, but let them see Your abundance. Give them life in Your ways Sweet Jesus.(Psalm 119:33-37)

Bless my children with the fruit of the spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) With love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and especially self-control. That one God has been a challenge for all of us lately!

Father reign us all in to be aligned with Your will so that we can honor You. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.