My Angel

My angel entered my world sixteen years ago. She came surprisingly early by a week. She arrived a tiny, wide-eyed little bundle of blessing. I wept as she lay in her bed, clutching her daddy's finger. We didn't know how to be parents, but were trusting God to lead the way into this new world. I was happy.

I am happy. My little angel has grown to be a godly young woman. I love watching her determination and skill on the soccer field. I smile as she plays with her sisters and brother. I cry with her when things hurt, and laugh with her in the silliness of life. I admire mostly her love for God that has developed in her heart and has evidenced itself in her life.

They say that time goes faster the older you become. I wish it weren't true. In a few short years she will be heading off to college in an adventure of her own. I know that will make me sad.

For now, I am glad that my angel is home with me. Sixteen years have gone too quickly.

(My Angel with her Grandma)

Forgotten Book

I have passed over this book for a few months now. My excuses: no time, no interest, fear, anger. Surely, I needed to read other books. Ones on grief. Others on teaching. Maybe a book to make me laugh. The other day I walked by the neat pile of books where my Bible was properly placed next to my desk and God said, "Take it. I want you to read this."

I believe the Spirit thrust out my hand to grab God's Word, wakening a desire that had been dormant for too long. I opened His Word, settled in my office, doors closed, with my feet pulled up cozy waiting to hear from God. He has heard me all along. He has held me in the hurt, in the joys, in the pain, in the relief. That day, I took the time to sit and listen to Him. I would love to say that I had some earth shattering, life changing revelation. What I did receive was a feeling of peace and love from my faithful, loving God. The Words of His book brought me another step closer in healing my heart.

When God allows my world to be rocked, He wants me to rest in Him and what I know to be true about Him. The only way to know that truth is to read His Word. I have been blessed to have been saved since I was six years old and to have been brought up in a Christian home where godly influences were prevalent in school and home as well as church. All that knowledge and influence is a good thing, but it only becomes real when I internalize the truth of that knowledge.

I struggle still with the why's of God's plan. Yet, as I slowly come to a place where I can listen more attentively to His Word, that plan becomes more acceptable. Notice I didn't say understandable.

God's Word is alive and powerful. His Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, so that I can be prepared for what He has for me. His Word is a lamp and a light for the paths in my life.

I need to reach out and grab that book more often.

Listening Little by Little

Maybe it was the caffeine from the venti Earl Grey I enjoyed that evening.

Maybe it was the thoughts traversing many paths in my mind.

Maybe it was my sweetheart snoring next to me.

For some reason, I was still awake.

Quiet nights are the new normal, yet lately

They have become more peaceful.

The blessing of quiet is that I have a chance to listen.

My mouth is silent.

God has my attention like no other time of day.

He continues to woo me to him as his child that he loves.

I still dig my heels in and resist at times.

Why?

The other night God blessed me in the quiet

I was thinking of my precious children and the days of their births.

After the visitors had gone home and Daddy was home sleeping after a long day,

It was just my newborn and I together in the stillness of my room.

From my heart came the song "Jesus Loves Me".

God's truth resonated in the words.

My children are growing bigger now, growing in God's love.

On this particular night, I wished that I could have sung to Julia.

I wished I could have held her close and whispered in her ear

Gave her kisses

Taught her how much God loves her

God calmed my heart as the tears flowed on my pillow.

He sang the song to me.

Jesus loves me (that means me, Sandy) this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little ones (such as Julia) to Him belong

They are week, but He is strong

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

Yes, Jesus loves me

The Bible tells me so.

God whispered in my ear, calmed my heart

And in the darkness of the night, sent me off into sweet sleep

I struggle with listening to God.

He is softening my heart, healing my heart, opening my heart

To feel his love poured in my life

To listen to his still voice in my life

To regain that awesome love relationship that He wants with me.

Nights are quiet

Am I listening?

Play-Dough

Truth be told, I am not a big fan of Play-Dough. Somehow, it ends up ground into carpet, stuck on clothes, and just plain messy. However, in a weak moment, I said yes to the pleas of my little man and his little sister. Now I am proclaimed the judge of "Family Cakes". My princess has now joined in the fun and the three of them have been playing for quite a while in the kitchen making their own cake designs with Play-Dough. I think I have even seen them rolling a bit of fondant. Too funny. The biggest blessings – listening to their pleasant conversation, seeing their creativity worked out, and having a few minutes to myself to get things done before we head out to art and basketball. Who would have thought . . .

The Making of a Snowman

Take freshly fallen "sticky" snow,


A family of six all bundled up,


Three well rounded balls of snow,
A scarf, hat, carrot nose, and chocolate chips for a mouth,


And you have the best snowman in Lake George.

A Perfect Reading Spot

Have you ever found a spot to read that seemed so perfect you could spend hours there? I found one of those on a visit to my most favorite store, Barnes and Noble. My little one and I ventured to a cozy spot in the children's section, one that was set off in a corner with windows from ceiling to floor.

The floor was piled with books, inviting you to dive into reading. The décor, one of trees and animals, provided the aura of imagination. The light of the noon sun streamed in bringing warmth to a dreadfully cold day. My little one collected a pile of books, mostly of princesses, and we settled on a bench to read.

The time went too fast, and we were off on to our next engagement. Spending a moment with my little one in an environment so enjoyable is one of the blessings of this Christmas break.