Beautiful Chorus

I remember as a child laying in bed hearing my Dad playing the piano at night. Especially on Saturday night, before Sunday church. Sometimes during the day he would have me help him figure out how a song went-he played by ear. But the nights, those times were my favorite. No one and I do mean no one can play the piano or sing like my father. Even as a teenager when I didn't want to hug my Dad let alone spend time with him, the songs kept coming. I don't think it was intentional, but meaningful to me nonetheless. As I sit here tonight, Saturday night, as an adult in my parents' house, I can hear him playing for my Aunts and ministering to them. I am reminded of those nights laying in my bed. And that we never know who is listening to us, or watching us. We can have an eternal impact on someone's life, without even knowing it. How I pray that my life reflects that of my Heavenly Father-reflecting who He is and showing His love even when I don't know it.  May my life be like my earthly father's song, a beautiful chorus-a constant reminder for others that God is always there.

Baby X

Today I'm thinking about a little one I will refer to as 'Baby X'.  A couple of weeks ago we got a very random phone call from a good friend informing us that, he too had received a random phone call about a baby that was going to be put up for adoption. We didn't and still don't know too much about this situation as it worked out in a different way and hopefully where baby X gets to stay with family. However, the call started a process in my heart. Instead of hoping that we could bring this baby home, I was nervous, but more than anything, I began praying for baby X. My heart broke for this baby and I wanted God's best-His calling, His protection and His divine plan for this baby. It was an amazing thing to hurt for this Baby and even though at times, I was a little disappointed that things didn't work out, I was more at peace that the plan for this baby would be ordered by God. I thank God for sending this possibility into our life and for what this little life has done to my heart.

Under Construction

Just the other day, hubby and I were driving through town and I noticed that yet again, there was construction on the road: building bridges, adding lanes to a highway, etc. There always seems to be construction and it always seems to take longer that I would expect for them to be done. It's inconvenient to drive through and takes me more time to get to my desired destination. I have a plan and allow myself extra time, but sometimes it's not enough to compensate for driving through closed lanes or around flagmen. There are times when I'm going somewhere exciting, like to visit family, when I cringe if I see the construction signs. This is because I know that there is no way for me to tell how long the delay will be. I know it's necessary and even like the improvements to the roads once it's done, but during the process, it's not so nice.

As we were driving through construction on this particular day, I was thinking about our life. It has been a year since hubby and I made the move back to my home state-OK. This past year has personally be one of the hardest of my adult life-for many reasons.  And, I realized that in many ways, there should be a sign hanging from my neck saying 'under construction.' This past year I have had plans, places to go, people to see, dreams to fulfill and the faith believing that God would make it all happen. And, time after time there were hang-ups. Things out of my control that delayed, destroyed or simply confused what I thought or hoped would happen----construction.  Needless to say, the construction process isn't always so nice.

There is a man in the Bible who had a part in the re-construction of the city of Judah and his name was Nehemiah. He faced such opposition that 'those who built the wall and those who carried the burdens loaded themselves so that with one hand they worked at construction and with the other held a weapon' (Neh. 5:17). They worked and yet were ready for a battle. Needless to say, it wasn't always easy and Nehemiah even found himself praying: 'O God, strengthen my hands.' (Neh. 6:9) As I look back over the 'construction' in my life, I realize that some of it I have a part in with the choices I make and my willingness to follow God's will. I also pray 'O God, strengthen my hands' so that I don't look at the mess that my life resembles at times and get discouraged. I am thankful that God knows what it will look like, what this part of my life will be like and He sees a beautiful mess-like the earthen vessel, cracked and yet made whole by His blood and used for His purpose.

I look back over my life and see the things that the Lord has done-pictures of who He is and His faithfulness. I am thankful that  "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6  Even though I realize I want to always be 'under construction', growing and changing and drawing closer to Jesus, I am thankful that during the times I get weary and tired-He is 'my strength' and He isn't through with me yet.