...who sometimes cries?

Once again, I'm pretty sure I'm NOT the only one!!!  I just ran across this quote and I just thought I'd pass it along as food for thought...or comment.  I'm not sure it ALWAYS applies...

"People cry,

not because they are weak.

It's because they've been

strong

for too long."

 

~~ attributed to Johnny Depp ~~

 

 

I like the thought that God is taking note of each tear...and He knows the deep feeling behind each one.  Tears can be incredibly cleansing as well as healing.  Rarely are true tears a sign of weakness.  They might be signs of compassion...heartbreak...fear...joy...exhaustion...deep pain...stress...but no matter the cause, God sees.  And cares immensely. 

 

Blessings on all as you start this New Year - it's clean slate is appealing and inviting and offers a new start to those of us who have made mistakes in the past one.  I would encourage you to look for opportunities to make this new year one full of memory-making moments and chances to touch lives for Christ!

 





...who is exhausted but blessed and happy?

God has been so incredibly good to me!  Wow!  Another Christmas spent with my family has been a great reminder of this.  Being able to spend time with my hubby, my kids, my brother home from Andrews Air Force Base, and other family members who have dealt with physical issues over the past year has been a treasured gift. 

I have little to say that would be of any interest to anyone else at this moment, but I do want to express my gratefulness to each and every one who has loved us, prayed for us, cared for us, supported us and encouraged us over the past months and even years now.  Every kind word, every hug, every smile, every card, every moment of time spent, every text, every email, every phone call....every indication that you care has meant so much to Michael and me.  Please know that even though I'm not good at putting my feelings into words and even though I can't write an eloquent blog, I have been deeply touched by the many ways in which you...our families and dearest friends...have reached out to let us...me...know how much you care.  I often feel extremely unworthy of these expressions and thus don't always know how to respond properly.  But my heart has many times been blessed and overwhelmed with the faithfulness of God to show His love and mercy to me through His willing emissaries...like you!

So, yes.  I'm throroughly exhausted!  It's been a crazy busy Christmas season once again!  But on this special day when we remember that most special of moments when our Lord graced this darkened world with the light of HIS presence, I add my wishes to those of many others -

Merry Christmas to you all! 

And may your new year be full of many

wonderful memory making moments

as well as

oodles of opportunities to

touch lives for Christ! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...who wishes people had more faith in others?

Why is it that people always seem to assume the worst about others?  Yesterday I experienced another situation where someone made assumptions years ago and was never made aware of the facts, thus, they still assume those same things today.  Not only that, but they have interpreted other actions of our family in LIGHT of the false assumptions they've held all these years.  We left the situation believing that no matter what we say or do, we will never be able to overcome the reputation we have with that family.  Why could these folks not assume that we had the BEST of intentions?  Why could they not remember that they do NOT have all the facts thus cannot truly interpret our motives from a limited knowledge of our actions? 

And where is their faith in us?  In me?  And why does it hurt so much to find this out? 

Lord, please help me to remember my pain when I am tempted to make harsh judgments regarding the actions of others....especially when I do not have all the facts.  And I know the truth will win out in the end, but it seems like that might not prove true in this situation, so I guess I'll have to be comforted in the fact that You alone know our hearts and minds.  And You are the ultimate judge...