Day Dreaming

Can't seem to focus my thoughts much these days...I thinkI need a holiday.

Battered and Beautiful

I don't even know where to begin, except to say that I have an incredible group of females that surround my life. Women who love the LORD, are passionate about the things that God is passionate about, love with all they have, give away of themselves in a way that touches the heart to let you know you are not alone. They are brave, true, beautiful, and strong. Yet, for all of these women they have come across seasons and situations that leave them bruised, battered, and feeling alone. My heart breaks for their stories and I carry the weight (a weight I know I should not) but I think if handled carefully it is a part of God that He has given to me, to truly feel the brokenness of these women in a way that enables me to pray for them with true and genuine emotion and fervor.

To you, the women I love and I am so thankful to call family these words of affirmation and encouragement are for you.

"Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe." Psalm 61:1-3

"Because he loves me, says the LORD, I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm 91: 14-16

"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:7 & 8

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid for I am with you..." Isaiah 43: 4-5a

This is the truth that we so often discuss and exchange with one another. As you sleep I pray it resonates within you so that you are filled with hope. A hope and a protection that can not come from any other.

I love you. Sleep well dear friends.

Putting the Pieces Together

The image above happens to be a 1000 piece puzzle currently resting on our kitchen table. It has been there roughly 2 months now and slowly but surely we are finding pieces that match up with one another that create this spectacular view. However, even when I take the time of, oh lets say, 5 hours of searching out pieces and trying to place them together I still don't quite finish the puzzle, which can leave me feeling quite devastated, but also gives me something to look forward to for the next day. A type of treasure hunt to find pieces that go with other pieces.

I like to use analogies that express and share my life story. Not sure many people would be too interested in my life if I just gave the boring day to day facts that make it up. And the general analogy that I think I always preferred was one that my life is like a quilt and slowly the pieces are coming together to fashion and create this great piece of artwork; but I don't quite agree with that anymore. My life is like a puzzle. I think in some ways everything is all here, but it is putting it all together that takes time and energy. It takes different people that come along and take their section of the puzzle and invest into putting it together, sharing their perspective in my life. It takes me sometimes stewing over things for seasons only to let it go, move on, and come back to it later but with a fresh perspective.

Yup, my life is like a puzzle. A beautiful, colorful, imaginative puzzle that is invested in, poured into, and still definitely in the works of being completed.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

My parents have been a huge influence over my entire life, but over the last year in particular. Maybe now I am only able to grasp this reality because I am older and realize that hey, I just might not know everything. This particular thought relates mainly to my Dad.

He is a man who shares very few words, but when he does they are powerful and mean so much. He has provided for me and more my whole life. He has been there when I succeeded and fallen short. He has loved me beyond what any daughter could imagine (because believe it or not I was not always the up-standing citizen I am today).

He has given me an appreciation for music, golf, the outdoors, and most importantly God. He may not always express himself in the ways I easily receive, but there is no doubt in my mind that he loves me very much and has since the day I was born.

Happy Birthday Dad (a day late)! I love you so very much and could not have asked God for better in the department of Dad's!

Runaway Car

Stop this runaway car
I want to get off, I want to go back
If I left you there then I left it all behind

'Cause all I'm feeling now
Is the weight of the world bearing down
I don't have answers for any of my questions anymore

'Cause I might have been wrong
I might have been scared, all alone
I might have been standing on the top of the world
What a difference a day makes
I turned and watched you walk away
I might have been standing on the top of the world
'Cause I might have been wrong

Tail lights and a seat on the right
And a losing fight, into the night
Oh all the wild horses running down my veins

It's one word and the softest eyes
You say you'll wait and I go hide
If you're still there then you're still all I want

Because I might have been wrong
I might have been scared, all alone
I might have been standing on the top of the world
What a difference a day makes
[ Mat Kearney Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
I turned and watched you walk away
I might have been standing on the top of the world
'Cause I might have been wrong

I might have been wrong
Might have been wrong
Might have been
Might have been

Stop this runaway car
If we're not that gone and we're not that far
If I left you there then I left it all behind

'Cause I might have been wrong
I might have been scared, all alone
I might have been standing on the top of the world
What a difference a day makes
I turned and watched you walk away
I might have been standing on the top of the world
'Cause I might have been wrong

I might have been wrong
Might have been wrong
Might have been
Might have been
Might have been wrong

~Mat Kearney

Beloved

Love of my life
Look deep in my eyes
There you will find what you need
Give me your life
Lust and the lies
The past you’re afraid I might see
You’ve been running away from me

You’re my beloved
Lover I’m yours
Death shall not part us
It’s you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we’ll be
Our Love it unites us
It binds you to me
It’s a mystery

Love of my life
Look deep in my eyes
There you will find what you need
I‘m the giver of life
I’ll clothe you in whine
My immaculate bride you will be
Oh come running home to me

You’re my beloved
Lover I’m yours
Death shall not part us
It’s you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we’ll be
Our Love it unites us
It binds you to me

Well you’ve been a mistress, my wife
Chasing lovers it won’t satisfy
Won’t you let me make you my bride
You will drink of my lips
And you’ll taste new life

Cause you’re my beloved
Lover I’m yours
Death shall not part us
It’s you I died for
For better or worse
Forever we’ll be
Our Love it unites us
And it binds you to me

You’re my beloved
Forever we’ll be
Our love it unites us
And it binds you to me
It’s a mystery
It’s a mystery

~Tenth Avenue North: Beloved