Psalm 127 - Children, Our Heritage

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 ³ Children are a heritage from the LORD,
   offspring a reward from him.
⁴ Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
   are children born in one’s youth.
⁵ Blessed is the man
   whose quiver is full of them.


Interesting!

The last few days, I have had the opportunity to sit and just ponder the nuggets of information and spiritual insight that were uncovered at this month's women's worship service - Thirsty Thursday.  Our speaker, Lisa, boldly removed her mask of veiled spirituality and shared with the us the reality of the hard aches and heartaches of child (and adult-child) rearing.  She encouraged and challenged us to be REAL in our relationships - with each other, our families,  and with our God.  We must stop pretending that, because we are "Christian", we should have ALL the answers or should be (or pretend to be) "perfect".  

My mother always said that I would pay for my raising.... 
Contrary to vs. 3, sometimes the circumstances we endure with our children do not feel like we are being "rewarded" ......However, in the midst of the hours of worry and disappointment are countless hours of pride and comfort!  I thank God for the opportunity to be a parent and feel very blessed that He entrusted the rearing of three precious souls to Craig and I.  I have reminded my children that the only manual for child-rearing I know of is the scriptures.   It would be so great to be able to say that I always read its directions before proceeding with my parenting. But, just as in real life, I frequently just tore into the project THEN attempted to figure out what I should have done after a malfunction occurred.

NO.... I'm far from the perfect parent but I am nonetheless a very blessed parent!

Thank you Lord for blessing me with my small quiver!

Psalm 126 - Planting Seeds of Hope

Life can be so serious!   In the past week, we have been overwhelmed with the news story of the young man (how badly I want to say "punk") that took the lives of the six individuals in Arizona.  His is the true face of evil.  The lives of the wounded and families of the deceased will  undoubtedly be changed forever.
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Though I believe it to be possible, healing doesn't normally occur as a supernatural sudden event. My experience teaches me that healing is a process.  It takes time, proper treatment and patience!   Sometimes the treatments are painful and there will likely be days that seem like the nightmare will never end!  

I pray for the families in Arizona and I pray for others that may be experiencing personal pain right now.  

My prayer is that with the support of friends and communities, the time will soon come--

where the bondage of grief will be turn to songs of joy. 

that the witness of a life well-lived will plant a seed of hope

and that the tears of pain will be replaced with lots of laughter!

¹ Our enemies took us away from Zion [our place of comfort]
      But when the Lord brought us home,
      it seemed like a dream to us.
 ² Our mouths were filled with laughter.
      Our tongues sang with joy.....

⁵ Those who cry as they plant their crops
      will sing with joy when they gather them in.
 ⁶ Those who go out sobbing
      as they carry seeds to plant
   will come back singing with joy.
      They will bring the new crop back with them.

Psalm 125 - Surround Us, Lord

 A simple prayer this morning:

 ¹ Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
   which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
   so the LORD surrounds his people
   both now and forevermore.
 ⁴ LORD, do good to those who are good,
   to those who are upright in heart. 


SURROUND US, LORD!