Fight On, Soldier!

I read an article in the newspaper yesterday that brought tears to my eyes and a heart-felt appreciation for our men and women in uniform. Let me give you the headline and first paragraph to launch my thought for the day.  "Double-amputee returns to war. Norcross (my home town) native loses his left leg, part of right foot in Iraqi blast. When a bomb exploded under Dan Luckett's Army Humvee in Iraq two years ago-blowing off one of his legs and part of his foot- the first thing he thought was:  "That's it. You're done. No more Army for you."  Disappointedly, he thought that his dream of being in the military was over and I wondered how many more would have said the same words but in a different tone and attitude, maybe something like this: " Yep, I'm done, I have given all I can give. Now, Walter Reed Medical Center and the government can take care of me- poor, pitiful me besides."

Happy, Honest, and Hidden Hearts

This morning, I began my Bible study with praying what David prayed in Ps. 119:18- "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." I turned then to Ps. 32 and began reading and meditating on a Psalm that I needed and was benefited much from today, one of the Penitential Psalms simply entitled A Psalm of David, Maschil. I read that that word could mean instruction or contemplation and from the writings of the man after God's own heart and my contemplation on them, let me share some things that I saw and was blessed by in my quiet time this morning.

God Just Wants To Bless Someone!

Yesterday morning, as I was enjoying my cup of coffee, I glanced out our window and saw an amazingly beautiful sky at sunrise. I gaze often at the magnificent handiwork of God that we see in the heavens just above us. I love those fluffy, snow-white, cumulus clouds that look like giant pillows that one could jump up and down on and then nestle down in for a good rest. But yesterday's view was more of the longer and more narrow sort, (I think we learned in 4th grade that these are cirrus clouds); nevertheless, they were set in a glorious blue, North Carolina blue sky with hues of pink and it was breath-taking!  I had to smile while soaking up God's masterpiece as I was reminded of a story that Amy told me as she was driving the children to school. 

How's Your Diet?

Seeing a new doctor recently who may hold some promise concerning Lyme, he emphatically and boldly (how dare he?) inquired -"So tell me about your diet." I was so glad to tell him that I have whole wheat blueberry pancakes most mornings for breakfast while holding my breath that he wasn't going to insist that I give up my Cafe Verona coffee. He did not so I will go back.  :) Most doctors usually are interested in what we are putting into our mouths on a regular basis. We don't like the inquisition but they know that that fact is very important and very much relative to how our bodies are serving us. In a recent blog, I commented that I stopped on the square a few Saturday mornings ago and helped the high school out with buying a box of their Krispy Kreme doughnuts but I don't think that I told you that when I got home, I took out one, yes, you heard right, just one, and ate it v-- e-- r-- y--- slowly with my coffee. Hot KK's and hot coffee, now that is living. I froze the others although I know I could have eaten six but I have learned that sugar is not my friend. Being I have too many "not well" days anyway, I am working hard on eliminating the foods that exacerbate the problem.

We Remember

Today commemorates one of those days where every one remembers where they were and what they were doing when the news began to report the events, firstly, from New York and then at the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania.  Danny, Mark, and I had our breakfast and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of Amy and our fourteen-month old granddaughter. At this time, we were still living in Alpharetta, the Lyles in Duluth, so a short commute meant at least a couple of visits per week and we, as first time grandparents, were loving every minute of it. Amy would tell us that as soon as they turned on Cumming Street, Alicia would begin to joyfully squeal and kick her feet. Oh, yeah, she knew it was going to be a good day!  Little did we realize that this was about to be the worst day that this country of ours had ever endured, at least in my lifetime.

Thoughts on Grief and Goals

Last weekend, we had our two precious ones for a sleepover and as Grandanny and Alicia enjoyed a game of checkers, I received a call from Amy that their much beloved Family Life Pastor was in critical condition suffering from kidney failure. I relayed the story to my husband believing that our granddaughter was already aware of the situation. With tears welling up in those beautiful blue eyes, she asked- "MaMa, are you talking about Bro. Don Shockley?" Then to my affirmative reply, with her voice breaking, she asked, "Is he going to die?"

God's Gift of Music

In my last blog, I noted that I am not much into "clothes shopping"- just a few simple and modest outfits (becoming increasingly harder to find) and I am good to go. On the other hand, though, the store that my husband thinks we should receive discounts from because of my frequent visits is the Christian bookstore. While many ladies can spend hours at the mall, I am delighted to be able to browse for half a day or more in the bookstore, seeking the best books and the best music.  I am a lover of music and while reading my preacher boy's blog yesterday (go there and be blessed, Letting Your Father Drive), I took my Bible and read a "not so familiar", at least not to me, story about the prophet Elisha and as Scripture is so apt to do, I was captured by the verses that were not Jeff's emphasis.