Another late night conversation with God

Just what is it that we are to learn from prayer?

I've been praying about something for a long, long time, and the other night, I just asked God; "What is it you want me to learn from this prayer?!" I've offered this particular prayer up time and time again, and yet it appears not to be answered ( I know, perhaps the answer is "no"), there has to be a lesson I need to learn. Here are the scenerios I came up with at 2:30 am:

~ God wants me to be patient. (I think I have been more than patient!)
~ I need to know just how to ask to make the difference (I cannot imagine asking in any way that has not been covered before)
~ I am asking for selfish reasons (Maybe..., but I think not)
~ The answer is "not going to happen" (I cannot believe this is the case - I just can't)
~ I don't get the concept of God's timing.
~ Things just are not in place as He would like them to be.
~ Satan is wearing me down. Well, he can just forget that, because where this particular prayer is concerned, I will never quit. I will not give up. I will not accept the answer of "no".

~ maybe that is it. Maybe I've tried too hard to be control and not let Him have His way with the situation. For that, I need to repent.

But I won't give up!!

Happy January 1st

Someone on the radio yesterday said, "I am so glad this year is over - it was a horrible year!"

How can you look back over a year of your life, and proclaim it "Horrible?" I will say, 1990-91 was a low point; my dad died and it was the worst year of my teaching career, but I won't say the whole year was horrible. That is the year I met Mary Beth, who became a dear friend and sister in Christ, and I learned things about myself that were necessary to get me through the traumas that hit me. Not bad things at all.

This past year is one with good memories to recall. Following several medical proceedures the previous year, I was healthy and blessed with good reports as follow-ups. I began a new teaching assignment in the fall which has renewed my confidence in my career and introduced me to new co-workers who are very supportive and appreciative of my efforts. I grew in my love and appreciation of my husband, and my daughters developed into more wonderful, Christ-filled women before my eyes. And, oh yes, Elizabeth was born. So, all in all, not a bad 2008.

I look forward to this year on many fronts. I see retirement nearing and our financial status improving. I know that God is going to continue to watch over me and mine, and that His ways will bless us.

So, I wish for you good memories of the past year, and hope for good things ahead. Watch for happiness, and choose to see the good in each day. Look into the eyes of a child and find love and excitement. Sing.

Christmas re-hashed

What a wonderful week of memories --- I hope you all had the same warm and happy time with friends and family that I've had; I'll hit the high points...





My week off was hectic with finishing shopping and wrapping gifts and heading to Houston. We arrived after lunch on Wed., and Liz was not too sure about who these people were grabbing her. It took a bit for her to warm up again, but I was patient. After all, it had been a couple of weeks since we'd been there, and that's a long time in baby time. We went to Christmas Eve service with the kids, and enjoyed the beautiful singing. Just glorious, 4 part harmonious voices, recalling the Saviour's birth. Then, we headed over to Mom and Dad's, and enjoyed some time of refreshment and visiting.





Christmas Morning!! Dana spent the night with us at the Johnson home, and we had a wonderful time. Liz took it all in, even posing for a "few" pictures, and we all stayed in our jammies quite a while. About 3, we headed over to Albert's for a wonderful dinner and gift-card exchange. The highlight was being splashed with greenbean casserole as Albert carried it to the table in one of the flimsy alumunium pans. Not too bad, and still had plenty to serve!! After the festivities, we went back to Erin's and played more Wii. Santa did good with that gift!!





We came home on Friday, and went to rehersal for a wedding that Andy was officiating. His first, he did wonderfully!! I was so proud of him - he's awfully handsome in a suit with a red rose boutineer!! The Johnson's left Sunday afternoon - Gregg is sick. He has developed Walking Pneumonia and their plans for Dallas got changed. Later....

Anyway. For me, one of the highlights was watching Liz lie on the table and kick and grin and coo; I have to wonder, does the all-encompassing love I have for that baby girl as I look into her dark, full eyes come even minutely close to the love God has for me when He sees me seek His face?
I am so overwhelmed with love and wonder at this child, as I was with her mother and her aunt at that age, that I feel my heart and mind just overfilling with emotion. It's at that moment, when I "Get It." That love that knows no boundaries, that would give whatever I needed to give to secure the safety and redemption of that baby. What my Father sees in me. And in us all -

Pure love.

God's Face

Growing up in the church of Christ, I've never had a picture of Jesus hanging on my bedroom wall or in the auditorium at church; in fact, when I went to my grandmothers, I'd almost cover my eyes to avoid "idol worship" caused by looking at hers. I was always taught that we were not given "graven images" in order to avoid worshipping the wrong thing, and I've read those scriptures about people dying because they saw the face of God. I know all that.

But today, I really needed to see the face of my Father. I wasn't there, spiritually, and I yearned to focus on Who it was I was there to honor. On other occasions, I've closed my eyes and just tried to focus on the whole Heaven thing, while avoiding His face. Didn't work today - too many distractions to filter. It would have been so very helpful just to see the One my heart and soul ache to praise. To have the tangible amid the ordinary would have taken my breath away, which is what worship should do to us -
I'm really hoping this weekend, on the Retreat, that I have that glimpse of Him!