Thankful In Loss?

 

    My husband and I are at an age where our peers are beginning to pass away. We have lost two good friends, one this week. I have wondered how their wives are going to be able to go on. I have wondered how I will be able to go on if my husband dies before I do.
    Then I remember Jesus; and I know I/we will be able to go on because He has said He will never leave us. I had a little taste of loss when my dearly loved little granddaughter moved to Oklahoma a few years ago. But I found out that I can live without anyone except Jesus. I know I have to have Jesus in my life!!! I have learned that praising Jesus with thankfulness in any situation can bring joy to the most broken of hearts.
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit", Romans 15:13.
"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances", 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
"You are my God, and I will praise You. You are my God, and I will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever", Psalm 118:28-29.

The Heavens Proclaim

    Since we've moved to our house in the country, I've marveled that every day the sky looks different from the day before; each day lovely in its' own way. Being a city girl my whole life, I had never realized there was an infinite variety of cloud formations nor had I noticed the glorious shades of pink and purple that can't be discovered in a tube of paint. I'm awestruck over a Creator who can brush such artistry into being.
    I can remember the first time I visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. I stood there in the "Monet" room with tears rolling down my face. I had only seen his paintings in books before. In person, I was bowled over by such light and such beauty. But that is nothing compared to the handiwork of The Artist who spoke all color and form into being.
    During my days of depression I just saw everything in shades of grey. It's a testimony to God's healing that now I can see the beautiful colors of everyday things.
"The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak, night after night they make Him known", Psalm 19:1-2.

Old Man Winter

    The outside temperature has dropped 35 degrees since yesterday. The strong north winds are driving the wind chill factor down into the teens. This is a chilly reminder that winter is knocking on the door.
    I dread winter. For as long as I remember, I've struggled through the dark and frigid days of winter. I've struggled physically with bodily aches and pains; I've struggled emotionally with the heavy hold depression gets on me.
    And now, at the age of 65, I'm entering the winter of my life. All my aches and pains and negative thinking have been magnified by "Old Man Winter".
    But, as I lay in bed this morning, not wanting to get up, pulling the comfortable quilt of darkness and depression higher up on me, Jesus came to mind and turned my thinking around. He showed me that:
*I'm never too old for His love
*It's never too cold to kick depression away
*I can build a relationship with Him as easily as building a snowman
*I'm never too old to find joy in Him
*I'm never too old to receive the gifts of peace and rest from Him.
    Come on," Old Man Winter", give me your best shot. I'm not afraid of you anymore.
"If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant as though a floodlight were filling you with light", Luke 11:36. NLT

I'm never too old for His love

Trees Sing Their Praises

   The trees in the Ozark Mountains where I live have been glorious to behold this autumn. I'll let them speak for themselves. "Let the heavens be glad , and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise", Psalm 96:11-12.