Sunday, April 16, 2006

Easter morning

Ahhh, it is the day of Resurrection. I am always amazed that it is a day of such hope to me. I am thankful to have this hope---hope to see Jesus and to know the final answer. Hope to see my family that has gone on before me in death. Hope to see the truth. Hope to see " no more pain, no more sorrow, no more tears." Hope to see things restored. I am glad to have this Hope. A hope that requires me to believe in what I cannot see.

This year, I have seen the trees getting ready to bud into leaves, and as I was telling my daughter yesterday, they all have a red glow to them. It seems they look like they are dripped in blood. A sign of the blood of Christ, shed for our sins-to cleanse us and make us Holy. I have more understanding of even if we do not speak his name, the stones-and for this matter-the trees will call out his name. Today, I see new life all around me in fresh eyes. I want to savor this spring. To smell it, to see it. To notice the things that will so quickly go by. The flowers that last such a short time. To watch the leaves come forth. The brighter color of green as they are new and fresh.

God, help us to notice this gift from you to us of spring. Help us to get what it means to us too. That we can be made new by knowing you. To have a hope that is bigger then what this world on its own offers. I celebrate the new life of your Son's resurrection today!!!! I am so grateful. Thank you for doing this for me-help me to live it so others can see and know this hope too.

Thursday, April 06, 2006

April flowers

I am grateful today for Susan and her life. This is my friend who had the ruptured aneurysm last October and spent 2 months in the hospital. She called last night as a followup from the recent prognosis of knowing she has another area in her brain that is developing another aneurysm near the one from before. She was told she would need brain surgery to fix this area-and that it would take her back to where she was at the beginning-loosing all she has gained in therapy. It was a very long road last fall with many times we all were not sure she would live. She and her husband found out yesterday that a surgeon at Emory in Atlanta where they live can do the surgery microscopically up through her groin. What an amazing thing! Praise the Living God! What a miracle to see what can be done today.
On the opposite side, my dear nephew was sentenced to 2 years in prison yesterday-with credit for over a year of jail time, so he will probably serve 7 months. He has a serious drug problem.

As I walk through each of these 2 things yesterday, I know that Romans 8:28 is good for both of them. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
I know that both of these dear people in my life are loved and cared for by the LIVING GOD. I know that as I went to sleep last night, He looked over both of them and I can rest.
I am grateful. I am glad. I pray that your kingdom will come in both of their lives and they may know your great love and power to heal and set their feet to the callings and purposes of their lives.

It is spring-saw leaves yesterday on the way to bible study-the trees look odd with them in a way...sometimes you forget how they look dressed up! Made me laugh. I want to notice things this spring--not just be so focused I miss the unfolding of it.