Blessings

It is Father's Day evening and I am reflecting on the time spent with our girls, their husbands, and our grandchildren. There are so many blessings we enjoyed: all of us worshiping together; our daughters' and John (Rachel's husband) making the Dads' favorites for dinner; watching the three precious grandchildren help in the kitchen and just generally spread love and joy around the house. I realized how special our relationships are - so many families are filled with selfish, self-centered people - they don't really care about family time. But God has blessed us with daughters who are and always have been very close and giving them husbands who are family-oriented. And, Benjamin, Micah, and Rachel Lanae have a naivete that is so unusual today - they see the joy in simple things: snuggling, lots of hugs, colored pictures to give away. They are happiest when all members of the family are together. After dinner we were sitting in the living room enjoying some laughs and stories - Rachel and John had to leave - and as it came time for Tom and I to leave a while later all five of the Peterson family were snuggled on the sofa together. What a joy to have shared today with them. Thank you God for my godly husband who is a great Daddy - and, thank you God for this most precious gift - FAMILY.

Remembering

With Father's Day being this Sunday I find myself thinking more than usual about my Daddy. Floods of memories: hugs, kisses, Juicy Fruit gum, personal attention, church, laughter, tears. All of these memories are as fresh today as when they were made. My father was a godly man filled with immense love for his wife and daughters - his entire family. He was a quiet man whose spoken words held more weight than anything many eloquent people have said. Long before it was en vogue Daddy was a nurturer. He never hesitated to take us anywhere we needed to go - sit by our bedside when we were ill - brush our hair. He was Mr. Mom when Mother was tied up with something (usually one of my other sisters). He didn't have to be asked - he just simply knew when and what needed to be done. He worked 12 hours a day, six days a week, for almost 40 years - but he ALWAYS had time for us. I am so thankful for God sending me to him and my mother. I have no regrets at all when I reminisce about Daddy. (BTW 0 he died January 26, 1993).

But, I am saddened when I look at so many "children" who have never had such a precious relationship with their father. If your father is still living call him, hug him, tell him you love him. I pray that you, too, can one day say you had no regrets.

Friends

Having had a less than perfect past several days, I am here to say thank you God for dear friends. Dear friends who really care about what happens - dear friends who pray without ceasing - dear friends who offer words of encouragement - dear friends who bless my life with their smiles. Many of you probably have a long list of friends; however, my list of friends is on the short side. But every name on that list is precious - every name brings wonderful memories - every name is someone on whom I can depend. As I look back I see how each one has played an important role in my life. There are friends who have cried with me - friends who have laughed with me (a lot) - friends who have called me to task and held me accountable to my Lord - friends who have cried with me (a lot) - friends who have always listened and not felt the need to offer unsolicited advice - friends who have "faded" in and out of my life but are never more than a thought or prayer away. So, my dear friends, thank you for your unconditional love. Your love and compassion for me encourages and challenges me to love others in that same way. God has blessed me beyond words and I am so thankful that I have had dear friends with whom I can share those blessings.

Just Another Day

We could awake each day and say, "Well, it's just another day!" As a Christian I try to look at each new day as an opportunity. An opportunity to speak and work on behalf of my Lord - an opportunity to help someone in some small way - an opportunity to pray, to read scriptures,. Just Another Day becomes a Special Day when we look at it as the gift God has given us. He gives us this gift with no strings attached. We can keep it wrapped up or we can open and use it, wear it, enjoy it! How long has it been since you simply listened to the early morning sounds: birds chirping, sound of neighbors leaving for work - or children heading off to school or gathering with their friends to play. If nothing else occurs for the rest of the day this would be enough to cause us to praise God. But if we look at each day in detail we know that everything that has life and breath must praise the Lord. We can't keep silent when all of nature sings His praises! Make a decision each day to be the best you, the best dad, the best mom, the very best you can possibly -- and be that way for the glory of God!

Tom's Tigger: Death/Grief/Coping

Just a brief post tonight before heading to bed. My life has been inundated with close family members and friends dying lately. I buried my mother last September after a roller coaster ride of illnesses followed by wellness. Then we found out that our dearest friend in the world was dying of stage 4 liver cancer - he died April 28th. And, just this week our son-in-law's grandmother died after a lengthy illness. All of these deaths were "expected" but we are not able to really prepare ourselves for the loss of someone we love. As Christians we know that to be absent from the earthly body is to be present with the Lord. That scriptural promise blesses us and offers a buffer to bitter pain. My daughters, sons-in-law, Tom, and I have made it a point to always express our deepest love for one another as often as we can. We have always been a loving group - but had become complacent, as many other families have done. So, to my dear friends, family, and interested readers I want to encourage you to never pass up the chance to say a loving word, give a hug, or perform a simple loving act to those you cherish.

Today is a time of reflection

When I say "reflection" I can very easily allow myself to fall prey to fretting over past sins/mistakes.  You know -- the "should haves" - "could haves" - "only ifs" - "wish I hads".  I know we have all been down that road - some more than others.  In my first post I confessed that I have the horrible habit of worrying - not just about today, but about yesterday and tomorrow!  I am trying to daily focus on THIS day.  What is my purpose/job today?  How can I be effective today?  How will I demonstrate Christ's love in my life?  I find that when I focus on those things I don't have time to worry or fret.  But, it is very diificult for me - but I remind myself that nothing is too difficult for God.  The difficult part is ALLOWING GOD.  Why is we all want to be the masters of our fate?  How many times have you said:  "I can do that all by myself"  -- "I don't need any help from ANYone"  Speaking from experience, the hardest decision becomes the easiest when I recognize I surrender to God's perfect will.  And, it is at this point of surrender that I find myself thinking:  "Why do I struggle so hard to maintain control?"  Relinquishing control gives such freedom - freedom to enjoy those things that were overlooked because I am trying to control everything -- to be a happy, joyful woman filled with Christ's love -- to be a wife who brings blessings to her husband -- to be a mother and grandmother who is available to enjoy the small things and offer assistance and advice when requested.  I want to be known as God's woman.

I never thought I would do this!

My life has had many twists and turns ups and downs.  And, at the age of 63 I can look back and see that the there more ups than downs!  I have been married to a wonderful godly man for 41 years.  God allowed us to have two beautiful daughters, two godly sons-in-law, and three grandchildren, so far.  Many would view my life as boring - but I must say that each day brings new surprises and joys -- and, yes, sorrows.  I'm sure many of you have heard at one time or another about looking at a tapestry from the backside while someone else has looked at the front.  The one viewing the backside could only see tangles or yarns and flosses and threads.  When the person looking at the front of the tapestry hears the complaint of the mess the other is seeing on the reverse, he calls the "backside looker" to join him looking at the front.  When that person saw the front of the tapestry he was amazed at the beauty, the intricacy, the inspiration that could be seen in the gorgeous tapestry.  As I look back over my life I could very easily dwell on the knotted yarns and fibers, but there is One who constantly takes me by the hand and shows me the front side of my tapestry.  And, there I can see all of the good and beautiful things that have happened to me and been given to me.  I was recently given a gift - a wooden plaque that says:  "Choose faith over worry".  The person who gave it to me knew me well.  Even as a young child I could easily fall into the trap of worry - my mother named a "Worry Wart" at a very young age!  God has led me by the hand, nudged me in the side, and sometimes even kicked me in the rear - all to get my attention so that once again He can show me the beautiful tapestry of my life - a life that can only be sewn by Him.