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Raking Leaves

My mom and I were raking leaves today, and we found spring. Fall is my preferred season, but seeing spring up close and in color today raised it a bit in my eyes. I usually see spring as a muddy mess. Seeing the bounty under the half-foot of dried leaves, smelling the fresh air, touching the bed of leaves, and hearing the birds sing was spring in person. Today’s beauty was Easter alive and well.

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Easter is rebirth, renewal, and Christ returning for me – my sins ARE forgiven. No one else ever has to die for me. If I ever meet a man worth marrying, I want someone strong enough to live life with me, because Christ already made the ultimate sacrifice.

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Posted by on April 8, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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Harriet: Heaven Shines Brighter

When I hear, “Treasures in Heaven”, I think of the loved ones who have gone there before me. The treasure will be to reunite with them. Last week, the light in Heaven went up a notch or two when Harriet arrived at the gate.

Harriet is one of the many women in my church whom I consider a grandmother. Her light on earth could not be dimmed. She endured the bad and shared the good. As with most of us, her health was not always as good as desired. No matter, she lived her life with grace, dignity, and faith.

When I would ask on Sunday after worship how she was doing, she’d often reply, “I am here today.” She lived in the moment. Each day was a gift and each person in her life was a blessing. I wrote a tale of her on this blog a couple of years ago, and I’ll share it again. It just goes to show that some people have to get REALLY old before they get old at all:

“I was walking out of church with a woman in her 80’s. She was taking notes. I was in my 30’s. I was taking notes.

“She then says to me, “Ever since my stroke, I have to take notes to remember upcoming events and prayer requests.”

“Ummm, I’ve been taking notes to remember such things since I was in my teens!

“Morale of the Story: Some of us have the mental capacity of a stroke victim … without benefit of a medical condition.”

Harriet was a blessing to know, a living inspiration, and I will greatly miss her in the flesh. Yet, I will hold her in my heart always. In spirit, she lives on.

Morale of the Story: Death is not the end, it is another beginning with peace of mind, heart, and body.

 
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Posted by on January 31, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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That Peaceful, Easy Feeling

On this Sunday, I woke feeling so many things. Sadness for those with lay-offs, healing for those with this nasty flu, concern for a tsunami in Alaska, loss for those who have lost loved ones, and the list goes on.

It is still Christmas-time at church. The advent candles are still lit. The Christmas tree is still decorated. There are candles in the window with holly. And the nativity on the altar.

The nativity has these beautiful ceramic pieces, off-white, and glazed. They shine in the light of the sanctuary and the candles. The angel sits up a bit higher than the rest. It was the angel that my eyes lit on most during the service.

I sat with friends, and my mom sat two rows back with her friends. We sang hymns of love and hope. We prayed for God to remain with us. And the angel sparkled all the while.

By the end of the service, I felt hopeful. Friends, prayer, music, and the peace the angel brings: With these I feel refreshed. My heart lighter. The smile allowed back on my lips and in my heart.

Morale of the Story: Hope spring eternal. Sometimes I just need a few drops from that spring to fall on me to be reminded.

 
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Posted by on January 7, 2013 in Uncategorized

 

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