Precious people

We are so thankful the Lord brought us here.

Our hearts feel at home and a large part of that is due to our church.

Anne especially has felt welcomed and included.

When people, at church, heard she’s working on starting her own baking business, they were enthusiastic.

She was asked to bring sweets to church, for fellowship time.

The ladies at the weekly Bible study she attends also asked her to bring refreshments.

Yesterday, she had a batch of muffins ready to go when I was forced to go to bed due to a migraine.

Bethany drove the muffins to a neighbor’s house for her to take.

Anne helped Jase as needed with schooling and I slept until lunchtime.

I apologized to her several times for causing her to miss Bible study during lunch.

The Lord had an extra blessing for her.

A sweet older couple, who have loved us like crazy from the first time we meet, pulled into the driveway.

They got out and walked to the front steps, much to our surprise they didn’t want to come in.

They just wanted to return the muffins leftover from Bible study, along with two containers.

Bethany had taken cookies to their home and last Sunday she took them each a little spice cake beautifully decorated.

As Anne took the bag holding the containers, the lady stopped her.

“There’s a gift for you in that one,” as she smiled at Anne and pointed.

Anne thanked and hugged her.

I quickly put my feet in my husband’s slippers by the door and went out to hug her.

They said their goodbyes and left.

As I was preparing to return to bed I realized I’d forgotten something in the dining room and returned to find Anne standing by the table with a look of astonishment on her face.

“Oh! Mom, look what she gave me!”

She held out a beautiful necklace.

“Bless her heart!”

She tried it on.

“I’ll wear to church on Sunday,” she responded her eyes bright with emotion.

I agreed.

As special as the necklace is, it’s the heart of the little lady who greets everyone with equal care and loves which makes her gift a treasure.

Value in this life should be measured by it’s eternal impact.

Nothing on earth will continue into eternity besides the souls redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 13:12 NKJV — Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.

May we love as He does and testify of His salvation through our daily activities living unto Christ and shining the light of truth to all.

Hebrews 13:16 NKJV — But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your sacrifice and redemption! What a wonderful gift and what joy we have in Your promises. Lord Jesus, please help me to live daily as Your disciple, loving and living in Your truth. Lord Jesus, please help me to be honorable and quick to repent when in the wrong. Lord, please make my heart humble before You, for pride is dangerous. Lord, I never want to walk in anything which is selfish or worthless. Lord, please protect my eyes from looking on worthless things. Please protect my heart and mind that I not fall into believing lies. Please protect my lips, that I might not speak words which would harm. Lord, please teach me daily from Your Word that I might not sin against You. Thank You, Lord for so many, many precious people in my life! I am truly blessed with priceless treasures all around me. Thank You!! Amen.

December 15

Today’s prayer:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
Psalms 133:1‭-‬3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You so much for these words. What truth it is! Lord Jesus, I humbly ask that You bring our lives in line with Your Word. That those who are called by Your name shall be united in You. That our lives might reflect You. Lord, for too long we have allowed opinions, hurts, and disagreements to splinter the body of Christ. Lord, let it be so no longer, but instead bring us to the foot of the cross, where all is level. Lord Jesus, we look to You this day. Please help us to live lives surrendered completely to You. Please heal the hurting and sick, please return the prodigal, save the lost, and protect the innocent. Lord Jesus, I love You. Thank You for first loving me.

October 18

Today’s prayer:

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:5 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You. These words are encouraging. Please let it be so. Let Your church be of one mind. Let the church be unified and pure before You. Lord Jesus, reveal Yourself to each of us, that we might see and know You personally, that our lives might be purified by Your Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, hold us in Your hands and teach us from Your Word. Let Your light so shine among us that we repent from everything which is contrary to Your Spirit. Lord, make us like Yourself. Lord Jesus, make me into Your image. Please continue to teach me humility, honor, and truth. My life is Yours, do with me as You will. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You for Your love. Amen.

A blessed Sunday morning

I drove down Saturday afternoon so we could get up early and drive up to visit a church which we love, but due to the travel, don’t attend often.

My husband and I have been blessed to know Pastor Rod and his wife Patty since before we were married.

Their son and my husband were Boy Scout friends.

And they’ve invited us up for a visit many times recently.

Their concern and prayers for my health as well as our family’s struggles have been consistent.

Pastor Rod’s texts to my husband have been such an encouragement to both of us.

However, we knew that I might not be able to stay.

I’ve not been able to attend a regular church service in months.

So as the worship began, I sat, while everyone stood.

I prayed silently, while everyone else sang.

I praised God with my hands, using the tiny amount of ASL I have learned to it’s fullest degree.

As the worship flowed into teaching I was nervous.

My chest was doing okay, but I never know when it might require my speedy exit.

Yet, I sat and listened and followed along in my Bible.

And as the sermon ended with prayer my eyes began to fill with tears.

I had been through an entire service without any asthma trouble.

Pastor Rod met us afterwards.

We told him of our blessing: the first time I had made it through an entire service without struggle in months.

His compassion was evidenced by the fatherly hug he gave me.

Afterwards we went to lunch.

At first my breathing was difficult and constricted, but my rescue inhaler worked and we enjoyed a meal and conversation.

As we got into the car I looked at my husband.

His face showed the same joy my heart was singing.

We truly had such a blessed Sunday morning.