Good Saturday morning

As a child I loved Saturday mornings.

I’d run from my room to the giant pillow in front of the TV and watch cartoons.

The afternoons always seemed a let down.

For some reason they were a lot less enjoyable than any other day of the week, but upon reflection it probably had to do with my perspective.

What was there to look forward to after the cartoons were over?

I love that adulthood has brought a clearer perspective.

I still enjoy Saturdays, but my joy comes from something much more satisfying.

It comes from extra time with the Lord and my family.

Some Saturdays are busier than others, but most of the tasks focus around things we do as a family.

None of us “rush” our morning unless the schedule requires it.

Often, it’s the day we get in the most talking.

Personally, I try to carve out extra time in prayer as well.

I no longer look at Saturday as my moment of self-interest, but instead as an opportunity for building.

It’s a chance to build relationships.

No matter the schedule, the expectations, nor the duties, I pray you are able to spend some of your Saturday enjoying the blessings of the Lord and building upon your relationships.

Especially with one which is most important.

After all, life is constantly changing, but Jesus is forever.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this beautiful morning. Lord, I do not know what today holds, but I know Who holds me in today. Please continue to polish my heart to be more like You. Please fill me with Your Word and help me to see Your truth. Lord Jesus, thank You for so many blessings. Thank You for our family and another day to praise You. Thank You for sustaining us and providing for us. Thank You for loving us always. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

A fresh new day

I awoke after bad dreams.

My heart felt the need to pray.

After a while of laying quietly in bed, I removed to pray where I wouldn’t disturb my husband.

Several people came to mind as I prayed.

Both those who have sent me prayer requests and those who have not.

Of course I prayed for each member of my family.

Eventually, I returned to bed, but not to sleep.

Since, I wasn’t able to sleep I continued to pray.

Just before my husband’s alarm went off, I got up.

Headed to the kitchen to make his lunch.

Made a cup of tea.

I’ve had a desire to make some freezer meals, both for us and our son and daughter who are expecting.

Yesterday, God blessed me with the energy to make some and I’m already well underway at more this morning.

I stopped briefly to eat, take my meds, and reflect.

The early morning light on the back garden is lovely.

And it occurred to me that this is a fresh new day.

Clean, without spot, and Jesus is giving me another opportunity to serve.

Sometimes service means rest and prayer.

Other times it means hard work and patience.

Often it means surrendering my schedule to His plans.

But whatever this day’s service is, I do it for the Lord.

After all, He gave me the day, shouldn’t I use it to honor Him?

Therefore, while I’m doing the task at hand, I’ll be praying and praising God.

After all, He is worthy.

Psalm 18:3 KJV — I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for this fresh new day. Thank You for giving me life and tasks to complete. Lord, thank You for Your Word, which teaches, guides, and encourages me, daily. Lord, I want to live unto You this day. Please help my thoughts, my attitudes, and actions to align with Your will and Your Word. Thank You! 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.