Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parents. Show all posts

Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Day After


I am sitting here in the quiet of our home, this morning, thinking about the joys of yesterday. It was such a peaceful, sweet, relaxing day and I smile just thinking of it.

The first joy of the day was that Riley, before going in to see the Santa haul, wanted to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and to thank Him for the gift He came to give. It is wonderful to see that the teaching of the true meaning of the day has sunk in on our sweet, youngest son. 

The second joy, was seeing the look of pure happiness on Riley's face as he realized that he had gotten his, ask for, karaoke machine. Now Riley's joy of music, in all forms, is so amazing to us. Most Down syndrome children have a hard time with rhythm. and he did for a while. But as he continued to plug away at trying he has accomplished playing the drums, and the xylophone on a scale that surprises us and makes us so proud of him. 

Now singing is another thing.  Riley takes after his paternal grandfather on this. Neither one can carry a tune what so ever. But that did not stop Riley from singing at the top of his lungs all afternoon, with the karaoke machine. We were relegated to the concert all afternoon too! All we could do was smile. He was in heaven.

Another joy of the day was getting to speak with my folks on the phone and getting to spend the day with Rodney's. We are so blessed to have both sets with us. I know that not all of our friends have the joy of this and we are so lucky. Both of our parents love the Lord and love their children and grandchildren with all their hearts. What a gift they are to us.

One of our biggest joys this year is that our oldest, Phillip, is a happy man with his new bride. We love that he is content now and that she loves him and respects the wonderful man he is. She is so good to our grandchildren. Peace has come to their home. We truly thank God, for that.

I could go on and on with the list of the joys of the day, there were so many for us and I know that there were so many for you too, during your day. Isn't Christmas a wonderful reminder that God is so good. As we continue on with our lives after our restful, joyful day of yesterday, let's not forget to remember who gave the day to us. Let's not forget to praise and thank Him as He is with us everyday, giving us life, peace, help, joy, and most of all His love!!!


Psalm 147:1
The Message (MSG)


147 Hallelujah!
It’s a good thing to sing praise to our God;
praise is beautiful, praise is fitting.



How true this verse is. We would do well in the coming new year to remember everything good comes from Him! Everything beautiful comes from Him! And as we praise and thank Him we will find that the joys will just keep on coming!


Have a Blessed and Happy New Year friends!



Blessings!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Lover's in this life.

Philippians 1:9-11

The Message (MSG)
9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
 
 
As I was reading today this part of the verse popped out. "Live a lovers life".  What does this mean? To everyone this could mean something different. My first thought was of Rodney.  How he loves his Lord in a way the permeates his being. How he takes care of us as his family. How he loves me more than I could ever imagine How he guides and loves our boys as they traverse their lives. How he loves and respects his parents and sisters.  How he loves his congregation and worries over them as a mother hen.
 
Of course these are my thoughts of an earthly example of love. The life I live here. I know I too love our family, as Rodney, and would do any thing I could to keep them happy and safe. I know all kinds of women who are loved, and love, and would do all they can to protect there families as well!
 
As much as God gives us these loves and expects us to take care of them, I know He is talking of more than this.  He wants us to show the kind of love that He showed. Not only to the ones close to our hearts but to everyone around us. Be lovers to the person in line at the grocery store, to the teachers of our children, to the person who does our dry cleaning, even to the person who cuts us off on the highway. Christ showed compassion to all, Martha, Mary, the woman at the well, Zacheus, Nicodemus, Thomas and even the thief on the cross. He never judged, just taught, fed, protected and above all LOVED. Oh to be like that!!

May we all be lovers today!

Blessings!