Fork in the Road

Have you ever read Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken? Making choices in life is always a challenge? Which way to go? What do I do? How do I do it? Do I really need to do this? What do I want to be when I grow up? (Still asking myself that question). My husband recently challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and apply for a new job. I was quite nervous, because frankly staying where I am is easier than charging into the big unknown. I did heed his advice though and am now training for a new job. I have moments when I think I am not smart enough or not talented enough, or simply don't have enough want to. Other moments, I think...ok..I can do this. We are also exploring the possibility of pursuing our master's degrees. Wow! Big changes! I am at a fork in the road and have to make a choice. I hope it is the right one...if not...I will certainly learn and grow through it. Every path leads somewhere...every step a new journey!

Bloom where you are planted

There is joy in seeing another person's life bloom and grow because you have been committed to their best. (Gary Smalley, January 10, 2008 devotion "Honor" http://www.smalleyonline.com/articles/devos/jan10.html)

I love bulb plants...they grow and reproduce over and over...what is only one turns into a multitude. My favorite is canna lillies. There are yellow ones in my yard. Each year they die out during the winter, and then in the Spring, they explode! I love teaching...I get the honor of investing in someone and watch the flower-well, sometimes I see-the blossoms! Just one that opens and spreads it petals towards the Son to absorb the light of His presence, makes all those dark, cloudy, fruitless days worth it!

In Memorial

It matters not to God whether we are now, or ever, conscious of our existence or capable of “higher thought.” The value of a human life does not depend on exercising one’s intellect; it comes from God’s fatherly love for each human, created in his image. His love is present long before our brain waves can be measured at six weeks’ gestation, and long after our brains no longer function so well. His love is present long before our heart begins to beat at 22 days after conception, and long after our heart begins to fail. His love is present at every step and misstep of our lives.
Flyer, Respect Life Program (2007)

Annesley and Adrianna Adorno
January 5, 2008 & January 6, 2008

Lives not lived, but shared and remembered

East to West

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." Psalm 104:12-14

Thank God that He forgives because He knows that we are simply made of the the dust of the ground. Our humanity makes us vulnearble to the whims of our own flesh and emotions. How often I have given in and sought my own...how often I have done that which was right in my own eyes, instead of what was right in God's. How often I have been brought back to my knees, just to tell God that yeah, it is me again...made the same mistake...once again...dived off head first without asking Him for direction...yep, me, in all my foolish self-reliance, but....Christ who is infinite mercy and knows me, forgives me, and loves me. He gave His very life for mine, so I could not only have eternal life, but abundant life here while He tarries or until He calls me home. He, unlike us really does forgive, He casts my sins as far away as the East is from the West, not to drudge them up, recall them, or relive them. If only I could learn to love like He loves, see like He sees, forgive like He forgives, and live the life He has for me! If only....

Prayer

How many times has someone said to me, "pray for me," or "please pray..." and it goes in and out, something like a greeting, "hello" and "goodbye." They are just words until it is personal. Today it was personal-today, I needed to know there was someone who would pray, and there was. In an instant, countless people chimed in to pray for someone they didn't know. I am so thankful...thankful I can approach the throne of grace, and thankful others will gather to pray for me and my family. No matter how this situation turns out, God is faithful, and He does indeed answer prayer. Thank you, Lord, Thank you, Lord, Thank you, Lord!

Book Review

New year, time to get my act together. In the past year, I didn't allow much time for reading, but so far this year, I'm off with a bang. Every once in awhile, I find a book that has more than entertainment value. The book I Promise by Gary Smalley is one of those books. I am about 2/3 of the way through it and it is changing my thinking. I hadn't considered how deep seated beliefs affect the way I react in a situation. My belief system needs some adjusting and now that I realize there is a problem that needs to be fixed, I can make changes to better my life, my marriage, and other relationships. Pick it up...it may have the same impact on you! http://www.smalleyonline.com