Shimmering Trees Through The Breeze.

Every winter’s day

deserves a pot of soup,

vegetable, chicken, or spud,

it’s not a mistake,

Each makes a grand soup

for eating

on a stoop.

whether you sit in the dark,

watching the kids play

or sit by your piano

writing songs,

with only keystrokes

to brighten your day.

Something about

the smell of soup cooking

makes me smile,

like the joy of finding

seashells on the beach.

It be a cool walk

on the beach today,

thermos of cocoa in my hand,

off to see a friend,

from long ago

and far away.

The joy of soup

and memories.

The wood blazes

in the fireplace

scent of cinnamon

in the air

candles are lit………

the steaks are on…the grill

potatoes wrapped in foil

in the embers,

fresh tomatoes sliced,

oranges on the counter,

ice tea in the mason jars,

all thats missing

is you!!

Daydreaming,

again!!

Remember my friend,

my daughter,

there is strength

with the Lord.

When life seems dark,

and trying,

The LORD is not far away,

HE knows the burdens you carry,

HE knows what you need,

Pray when you need to,

HE will hear you,

And Heal your beloved.

HE will LIFT You,

HE will CARRY You Both,

HE watches

over your little family!!

Look to the smiles of your babe,

to get you through,

Miracles surround you,

Take time to enjoy

all the little things,

the breeze you feel

as you step out

the door,

the sweet smell

of honeysuckle,

the smile on his face,

the joy you feel

when you smile,

Keep your chin up,

YOU are not alone!!

No room at the Inn,

The Inn is full!

An empty stall,

in the manger,

a little bit of shelter,

A roof overhead,

walls to block the wind,

a simple place…..

some would say

a dirty place

But to this weary couple,

desperate for any shelter,

it is a welcome place

to spend the night,

a young woman

about to give birth,

to a child,

not just any child,

Our Lord,

the boy who

would be our Savior,

Our Redeemer,

Our KING!!

Simple beginnings,

faithful parents,

Simple ,

yet an

everlasting message

of God’s Love!!

Exemplified

in CHRIST

the babe

in the manger.

This baby…

Our Savior

Teacher,

Redeemer,

Mediator,

Our King!

As Christmas

approaches,

Where is

your emphasis?

the decorations,

the parties,

the gifts,

the rush.

Take time

To ponder

who’s birthday

We celebrate.

A time to

CELEBRATE JESUS.

What better way

to celebrate HIS LIFE

then to emulate it,

What would JESUS do?

WHO would HE seek out,

Where would he spend

HIS time?

There are many,

who seek for signs of HOPE,

Where can they find it?

Become the hands of CHRIST,

Spread HIS HOPE,

Spread HIS LOVE

Giving is TRUE JOY,

HIS Joy,

The lasting

JOY!

Merry CHRISTmas!!

GOD is great,

GOD is Good,

HE hears our hearts,

when words

are left unspoken,

HE understands,

HE blesses,

HE protects,

Beyond compare,

Our FATHER IN HEAVEN

Who sent HIS son,

JESUS CHRIST

to rescue us

from sin.

To pay the price,

That we may

once again

BE HIS.

This morning while sitting on the edge of the sofa, my daughter  and I were discussing  what our financial situation will be like this month.  And just like most americans, we live paycheck to paycheck.  Except our checks come at the first of the month, together they equal about six hundred dollars.  For the most part, we can survive on this. We live in low income housing, which helps tremendously. However, when major expenses come up which might be a car repair, or licensing of the car, or computer repairs.  Those things bring us into arrears. When that happens, its stretches the budget even more.  It’s a hard situation to recover from.

I haven’t worked for two years, due to my health.  My daughter and I have gotten really close.  Sometimes I forget she’s a kid still.  She picks up when I am stressed over money, or worried when we don’t have much food in the house.

Through this trying time, she has learned how to be thrifty. She understands how to stretch her dollar.  When her friends blow money left & right on expensive clothing and shoes, etc.  She knows that for the price of one shirt 20.00, she can go to a thrift shop like Savers or Good Will, and buy 2-3 outfits for the same price.  She is happy to do that.  She has been a trouper, through it all. 

We have very few extravagances, we live with the basics. Her only extravagance, is a pay as you go phone with Virgin Mobile.  Her phone plan runs 35.00 per month, she gets that instead of an allowance.  She said she would rather have the phone then the cash.  So that is what we do. 

She has been shopping with her friends a few times, she is astonished with the amount of money they often have to blow. We rarely have money for shopping trips to the mall. But she’s a typical teen, she likes going to the mall and occasionally window shopping with her friends.  

Well as we discussed the month ahead, and what we needed.  She began hinting  that she wish she had some money.  I said,’ Honey what is it that you need?”

‘Nothing, mom.’

‘Well what is it that you are wanting?’ 

‘Nothing, in particular. Just thought it be neat to have some.’

I asked, ‘Do you want to come on a ride with me? We need to get out of this apartment for awhile.’ At first, she said no.  We plotted out what our needs were for the month.  So when we got to the bank, I did something that I don’t usually do.  I took out 4 five dollar bills and handed them to Erin, and said ’ These are for you to spend on you, don’t blow it all in one place. You’ll need to pick up a relaxer with it too.’

‘Oh, but Mom we can’t afford this.  This is a lot of money!  For some people, $20.00 is nothing.  But to us, it’s a lot of money. Let me give it back to you mom, to use as gas money.’

‘No, Erin. This gift is for you, for all the times you have done without, and said nothing.  It is a hard to go without all the time, to always stick to a budget. Years ago, while I served a church mission In one of my mom’s letters.  She counseled me , if you ever get to the feeling down or homesick, take a few dollars and treat yourself. It will help you get through.  And it will keep your spirits up…….And Erin, today you need a pick me up.  So let me do this for you.’

So today, she picked out her purchases. She weighed each selection, somethings she put back.  Some items, she held out til she found it on sale.   But she made that choice, it wasn’t me.  If a purchase was more then she thought it would be she questioned the clerk about it.  If the purchase price was more then she planned on spending, she had the clerk take it off the sale.  She was cautious, she chose those things that would give her pleasure over the long haul, not just today.  And I kept my mouth shut.  At the end of the day, I was pleased with how she handled the money entrusted to her.

Though our lives may seem difficult to others, I know she is gleaning from the experience.  She knows what it means to share, both to the one sharing and the one receiving.  She knows what it is to go without, she is learning gratitude to a God that loves us and provides even when we don’t know how HE does it.

We are both learning gratitude, and wonder at God’s providence. As I cradled her in my arms earlier in the day, reassuring her that the finances were my burden to bear, not hers.  I wondered  how many times my Father in Heaven and  Christ  have cradled me in their arms, and whispered ‘Child, I’ve got this.’  

Probably more times then I can count.

It’s a slippery slope

when you brag about 

power,

when you flaunt it

like a signature,

Who does that?

Bragging…

like rain

moistens the trail

making

the slope slippery.

those with sure feet,

stay away

from the edge

and cling

to the WORD OF GOD

they cling 

to the whisperings

of the HOLY GHOST

and in their

times of trouble,

they cry out to JESUS

For HE is there

to rescue,

to intervene,

TO LEAD away

from trouble,

JESUS has

no need

to brag,

for HE knows

who HE is,

THE SON

OF GOD.

Jesus hears your prayers…….

and answers

when you least expect it,

and often in ways

you least expect it,

whatever you do,

don’t give up,

Keep praying,

HE is near by!

Answering

your prayer…..

Stay close

to the Lord,

HE will not

lead you astray!!