All 10 Popes

This poem I wrote awhile back in 2009. Things have changed much and at the same time they haven't. Maybe you too, struggle with this great idea of God's grace..... Merit/Demerit Jesus today I was a good little Christian Opened my Bible right away Folded my hands to pray I didn’t lie, cheat or steal Nor did I cuss at the guy who cut me off when I was behind the wheel Jesus ,don’t you think I deserve a merit A merit to receive your grace today To deserve the blessings you have showered upon me A merit for the sunshine For my health For my husband who works so hard And the 4 children by my side Jesus, don’t I deserve a merit? But what about yesterday Jesus? I didn’t open my Bible right away Didn’t fold my hands to pray I might have lied, cheated and stole Maybe I didn’t cuss that guy out loud for I knew the children would hear But what about the thoughts deep with in my soul? Jesus, did I deserve a demerit? A ...

>   The snow falls again and I give up and give in to the messiness of raising a brewed of children. I surrender. Fighting against it merely frustrates the soul.      "Do you think they'll always be close like this?" he asks me right quiet. "I hope so," I reply My heart aches a little.   It's hard to remember what is really important. To not rush around all the while rushing them growing up quick-fast. Or not to wish ourselves into another phase of parenting.   And so as the snow does fall away so do my expectations.  Because really, we only get one chance my dear friends.  

  "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." "Do you know how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Elizabeth Elliot said she willed herself to, "Just do the next thing" almost daily after her missionary husband was speared to death in the jungles of Ecuador. And as I look into the Word of Truth, starting from the very beginning of it all...reading through, to the right end of it all, I realise that these oft-used quotes speak to the heart of how I feel about working through the Old Testament one big book at a time. "Just read the next book," is often what I tell myself when reading is long and laborious and the list of names or tribes or laws seems to never end. There are many, many parts of this God of the Old Testament, this very same God of the New, that I did not know. Parts I would like to close my American eyes to and pretend don't exist because I don't understand. And I don't understand for many...

      Dearest Son, I look at the world, and I look at you. You, this beautiful boy. Out you came, this wrinkled little bit, into this world, broken, full of pain with a body struggling to breathe. You grasping for the very thing that could give you life. And this world, it seems to suck it out of us right quick sometimes doesn't it? I look, and I see and I think what is it that I want you to know because you are now 8 which is another 2 years away from 10 and that, halfway to 20 and son, it goes by fast. And what's a mom to do with all that she wants you to know when you are growing up fast-strong in boy years and I am panting far behind in momma years. What do I want you to know? What is a mom to do when she knows right then, right when you step out in to this wide open world of ours that every. single. thing. you have ever been taught will be backwards to this upside down world of ours. That...

Water runs deep in the well of a mother's love.       This Boy     Sheeeesh, I do love him. In his cowboy hat...     shootin' a gun...     in his bundies.     I don't think I'll ever forget sitting on the floor at my step-mother, Pat's baby shower for one of my little brothers. I remember her weeping after reading Love You Forever by Robert Munsch . I was a little embarrassed.... for her, I mean. Who cries over (of all things) a silly book about a boy and his mother. I thought that maybe that is just what very pregnant woman do. My little brain just didn't understand. Nope, didn't get it.   Now I do.     Now I do.... :)         

There is much the Lord is teaching 'round these here parts. So much so that I have not been able to articulate them even in my mind in such a way that makes sinse on paper...in a way that I think is thoughtful. Usually, that is where the writing begins...with some prayer and meditation. Reading through the Bible has stirred much inside me, but it's hard to know where to begin....so I'm not going to...not yet anyway. So instead, I'll post this pretty picture of Paris. Yeah, sometimes it's pretty unreal that Justin and I were there together! And until next time...  my heart is filled with joy and peace knowing that Lord, You are in control. I rest in knowing that I may plan, and plan but you, Mighty God are the One who guides my steps. May my walk with you deepen as I grow in knowledge and the truth of your word and who this Jesus really is. You mercy is new every morning and you give grace that fills me overflowing. Humble I come in awe o...

There are two choices 'round these here parts...   be miserable because of the snow....     or go sledding...       we choose the sled! Well, most of the time anyway.       We do read a lot too....   Isn't that true of life itself? See the good gifts . See the blessings even in the midst of the fog and sometimes pain, or be miserable. Only by focusing our mind on what is true and real today are we about to do this. Feelings can be false. Feelings can lead us astray. And contrary to popular belief (and every Disney move ever made ;) ), following your heart is not ever a good idea. (Jeremiah 17:9). This is not mere optimism like taking lemons and making lemonade or a sticking your head in the sand and pretending life doesn't exist beyond dew drops and rainbows approach to life. No, this is a methodical choice, sometimes moment by moment. It's hard when life is hard and "s...