Musings and Marvelings on my Jesus Journey

  I am marveling about... The Touch... Of the Hand of God. The other morning I looked out the window and once again was touched by the beauty of the dusting of fresh snow on the row of evergreen trees in our back yard. It was just a touch, mind you, a feathering if you will...but it transformed those trees into something so picturesque and lovely. I had to reflect on what a difference God's touch can make. Just a touch from the Lord... -can turn a disapointment into a stepping stone, -a challenge into a milestone, -a heartache into an ebeneezer, -a detour into a fresh journey, -a question into an understanding, -a time of confusion into a time of surrender -a fear into a victory. Often, it takes time. It is not something that happens overnight, like a winter snowfall. At times, His touch looks more like a peaceful sense of calm as He provides strength and hope in the wait.  There is no mistaking the effect of the touch of God on our hearts. We all need it. God's touch. Every d...

  I am musing about.... wishing you all, my dear readers, a... Happy New Day  AND  a Happy New Year!! There is something about the marking of time that reigns significant within the human spirit!  I think we all appreciate a new opportunity, a chance to reflect and evaluate, an obvious way to acknowledge the passing of time. There is something redeeming about a new year. A new chance. A time to "start over" if you will, to approach life afresh. But there is where I want to take this, dear readers. Are not God's mercies new every morning? Is His grace not there for us each and every day anew?? How good He is! How understanding and generous as He promises, we His struggling creation, to be there for us, time and again, with an outpouring of His "steadfast love" and an abundance of His available help and grace!  He does not give up on us. His love never runs out. It is fresh every morning (actually every moment). It is there for the taking. We just need to humble o...

  I am musing about.... Preparation! I have a feeling that most of you moms are like me...in preparation mode! Preparing our homes for family festivities; planning menues, prepping food, wrapping gifts, making lists, washing linnens, baking goodies, shopping (by car or by click), adding decorating touches here and there...the list goes on. We prepare with excitement and anticipation as we look forward to our door swinging wide open as we welcome our dear ones home. Our minds may be in overdrive and our "candles burning at both ends", but we are motivated by the joy of having our family assembled together once again. So as I take a break from the wrapping, and sit down at my laptop, my mind goes to this idea of "preparation". Am I preparing my heart daily for the time to come, when our King, our Heavenly Father will swing open the glories of Heaven and welcome us each home, into the joys that He has been preparing for us. Does not His Word share that "In my Fath...

I am musing about... Seeing through "newborn eyes"! What is it about the wonder and joy of watching a newborn open his eyes and look around, taking in the world around him for the very first time. It grabs at your heart with sweet intensity, it awakens awe.  We just got home from California and being with our son and his family as they welcomed their third child, a precious little boy, Oliver. As I held his cuddly little body (swaddled so tightly and lovingly by his mother), and gazed into his sleeping face, I couldn't help but stare. And stare some more. Just taking it all in. Feeling the love swell inside for this newest member of our growing family! His sisters were taken in as well, oohing, and aahhing, kissing and smiling. Baby brother was here! As I watched his innocent little face, it would contort into the funniest expressions at times. It made me smile and sometimes, even chuckle out loud.  And then his eyes would flutter open, only to quickly close again. A seco...

 I am marveling about.... A Man named Jason. A man who had a big heart. He had a love for Jesus that was palpable and a concern for others that was undeniable. His life was hard. Really hard. But it was blessed. Really blessed. He knew his parents' and family's deep and abiding love, and he knew the support and friendship of many, oh so many! Back during his teen years and early twenties, he was care free. Enjoyed his friends. Partied. Then came that fateful day. He and his friends, out on the Mackinaw. Doing what they had done often before. Diving from a tree limb into a deep area of the waters. For some reason (well, he said he was showing off) he attempted a flip which took him beyond the deep area and landed him on a sandbar. And it broke his neck. Life would never be the same. He became destined to life from a chair. Unable to walk or even use his hands and arms like they were meant to be used. He became dependent on others to care for him and see to his most basic needs. ...

  I am musing about... Pilgrims. Do you like "the pilgrims"? I like them. I loved the stories we heard in school of how they came from across the ocean in search of religious freedom and greater opportunity. I was touched by the accounts of the hardships they faced; loss at sea, sickness, extreme cold, needing to clear a wild land to build rustic shelters and prepare virgin soil for the planting of seeds. All while dangers surrounded them on every side. I love the redeeming story of that first Thanksgiving; a table laden with the fruits of their first bountiful harvest. A time of gathering with friends, new and old, those from their home land and those from their new land. I love the beautiful story of the kind natives who came along side them, providing practical help and instruction. It was a joyful time of giving thanks to God for His provision and faithfulness. The early pilgrims helped form the backbone of our country. They exemplified courage! They exhibited a strong an...

  I am musing about.... Silence I am sitting here in front of my laptop in a place of silence. No big revelations about what to write about. Except, actually... there it is, I will write about how.... there are times...  when God is silent. His presence is felt. We are assured of His nearness. But we hear....nothing. Nothing but the beat of His heart in the love He pours out as shown by the many provisions that surround us, the way He cares for us. Nothing but His breath in the blowing wind. The breeze; His touch as it epitomizes His creation and His power; ever present, constrained at times, awaiting it's full manifestation. Nothing but His voice in the sounds around us, if we are truly listening.... the laughter of children, the bubbling of a brook, the voices of praise, the cry of a newborn baby, the song of a bird in flight.... Nothing but...maybe... Silence, quiet, solitude.... A gift in itself. Sit in it. Bask in it. Learn from it. Grow in it. Lean into the silence and k...