Timshel

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 219: Today, I am grateful for timshel.

I found this great John Steinbeck quote from his book "East of Eden". It is said to be inspired by the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. I love a good Hebrew word and vocabulary building. This one is about choice. 

“But the Hebrew word, the word timshel—‘Thou mayest’— that gives a choice. It might be the most important word in the world. That says the way is open. That throws it right back on a man. For if ‘Thou mayest"- it is also true that 'Thou mayest not'." - John Steinbeck

There it is. Choice. Timshel is about a choice.

Newsflash. Life is not always going to be kind or fair. But that does not change the goodness of God. I know that in the most challenging seasons of life, his grace is sufficient. Reminders of this truth always seems to come at just the right time. Choice has always been our gift, our responsibility, our burden and our greatest power. The gift of a soul breath is a terrible thing to waste on worry and wanting. We can choose joy.

We are given rules, guideline and directions. We choose how to live them out. To love... or not to love. To be kind... or not be kind. To live fully... or to live in fear of the future. To embrace a new day... or grieve what is behind us or fear what is unknown in the future. Our God gives us power in our choices. Timshel.

The wisdom is in the understanding of opposites. "If I may", then it holds true "I may not", depending on the choice. 

...choose this day whom you will serve...Joshua 24:15

Fill up. Pray up. Step up. Make a choice. Thou may... or thou mayest not. 

Today, I am grateful for timshel.

Stand Still

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 218: Today, I am grateful for reminders to "stand still."

I was reading 1 Samuel 12:16 and Earworm woke up to sing Paul Simon's "The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy)". 

Sometimes that happens. I'm minding my own business...and the little earworm that sings the songs stuck in my head wakes up belting out a song I haven't heard for years. If you love music, you probably have an earworm, too. 

Funny thing is... what Earworm comes up with usually compliments the scripture or the moment. Look at this scripture: 

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! -1 Samuel 12:16

Now, look at these song lyrics:

"Slow down, you move too fast
You got to make the morning last
Just kicking down the cobblestones
Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy

(much more song in between)

I got no deeds to do
No promises to keep,

Feelin’ groovy"

This song sings of the joy in eliminating the busy. Oh, I am a victim of busy... and the worst part is, there are times I invite or allow it. There are good and healthy "nos" that keep us free to "be still". 

I hear echoes of Psalm 48:10, "Be still and know that I Am God."

I need the reminder to stand still. If I don't want to miss the good stuff... great things the Lord is about to do. In the stillness is clarity and peace. Contentment comes with trusting that the Lord is good. There is delight in seeking the stillness to listen for His voice. Vision clears when we hear and write His purpose on our hearts. 

We all need a little wilderness. Fortunately for me, that does not require roughing it in the wild, although it can for some people. Some find their stillness in a fishing boat or a forest. I find mine with a cup of coffee, the God's Word and a keyboard. 

Today, I am grateful for reminders to "stand still."

Pearls and Promises

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 217: Today, I am grateful for pearls and promises.

This picture (use with permission by Epic Vision Portraits) I would title "Pearls and Promises". 

Pearls are made by the discomfort of sand in the oyster's shell. Pain endured with grace results in beauty. The bracelet was a gift from her love. 

The "hello love" is full of promise and claiming love. 

The diamond... unique...old and created under pressure and with time. Pressure endured results in something not just beautiful, but incredibly strong. Is it any wonder man has chosen the diamond as the traditional wedding ring stone? Added features include that it is reflective of light and can even cast a rainbow of color. One diamond seller's tagline is "A diamond is forever." It is a promise made to be kept.

The Bible... carried by the bride's mother and grandmother... added to the love story of another generation. It is God's love story between him and mankind. It, too, hold promises that will be honored and kept. These are just "little details"... but they are now forever a part of their special day.  

Part of growing in faith is realizing that God has a big picture and our story is a part of that story. Still, He is in the details. He created us to love the art of the details. He is a God of pearls and promises kept. He moves in his time... but he doesn't fail. 

"With a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever;" -Psalm 136:12

A strong hand... taken by another.
An outstretched arm... waiting for a response.
A steadfast choice to love... that weathers all seasons.
A forever promise.
Love endures much... and celebrates forever.

Today, I am grateful for pearls and promises.

It Fits

Image by Epic Vision Photography

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 216: Today, I am grateful for the moment when everything fits.
(image by Epic Vision Photography)

There are times when you pull an item from the closet or an old pair of jeans... and much to your surprise - they fit. That is a sweet moment. That is a gratitude moment. 

There are other times, we have to wait, work, try, fail, learn and try again. Some things are an easy fit. Others take some time, patience, adjustments and effort. When we choose love... I think it is both.

New love and romance are exciting and fun. Most say they know pretty quick when it really is the one. Other times, it is a surprise. In the case of our children, it is the one who was there all along... but the season had to be right. An easy fit... but some learning, patience and adjustments as life long friendship grows into something even sweeter. A love that says, "I choose you, every day." 

This is another favorite image from the wedding. It is after the moment she puts on his wedding band. It was a tight fit... but it fit. Both of their expressions are priceless. 

I love how the photographer captured so many elements of the ceremony. Real moments. Tangible joy. 

I pray that in 25 years they look at this image and remember the feelings... and the fit.

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.-1 John 4:18

Today, I am grateful for the moment when everything fits.

Silly Moments

Posted with permission by Epic Vision Portraits. — 

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 215: Today, I am grateful for silly moments.
(Image by Epic Vision Portraits)

I warned you that this week would be full of wedding pictures... and short posts.

Life is full of serious moments and a wedding should be at the top of the list, as it is a covenant that we call upon God to seal and bless, so it is kind of a big deal. It was, even in Biblical times. 

In fact, Mary... in her mother's way... urged Jesus into his first public miracle of changing the water into wine when they were guests at a wedding reception and the wine had run out. She couldn't bear to see the hosts... her friends... embarrassed. Her heart was kind. Yes, weddings have their stressful side, so any moment of silliness is a gift. 

I love this picture! The truth is, when the bride and groom were occupied with their alone pictures... the rest of this crew could be found on the swings.The silly is not feigned. Oh no... they are absolutely this goofy and fun. 

What a delight it is to a parent's heart to realize that grown up children have chosen really good grown up friends. This silly crew made the days of the marriage celebration fun for all. 

When you have waited your whole life for a special person... and a special day... nothing should steal the joy. Still, is good to be surrounded by superheroes, Charlie's Angels and happy hearts for back up for the bumps in the road.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. -Proverbs 17:22

I love this crew. 

Today, I am grateful for silly moments.

Mothers and Daughter

Images used by permission by Epic Vision Portraits.

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 214: Today, I am grateful for a daughter and the mother (and father) who raised her.

I almost felt like sending out pink announcements with cute little heels and pearls instead of baby boots when Chase got engaged. The Smiths were getting a girl! 

Now, anyone who knows me know that I have loved and embraced being a boy mom. In fact, I am sure God made just the right choice for our home. Still, as the years flew by, the anticipation grew for the time Randy and I would be granted a girl... a daughter. 

Little did I know... I would hold her before my own son, as she is an older woman by one month. Little did I know that she would be raised by the best of parents in a household of strong faith and enduring love. Little did I know, she would bring him more grandparents than he has ever known ... and one of them he already called Papa Herb and loved. Little did I know, she would slip right into our family, look like my nieces and fit right in everywhere she went. How beautiful is it to leave things to God's timing. What's 26 years, right?

We adore her parents and am grateful for all they did to shape and mold this beautiful daughter we now share. They taught and guided her ... giving her space to figure things out for herself. She is a thinker... a learner... a stargazer... a scientist... a quick wit...and a perfect match to compliment our son. They are two peas in a pod. They fit. 

I am grateful for the other mother and father... and that the sharing that began when she was 24 hours old will be for a lifetime. 

This scripture is taken from a passage about a celebration and feast thrown by King Solomon giving thanks to God for his goodness. The temple built and the Ark of the Covenant where it belongs. Item's dedicated by his Dad, King David, were also returned. So much to celebrate. I love this little snippet of gratitude and celebration after a long wait:

"they blessed the king and went to their homes joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the Lord had shown" -1 Kings 8:66 

To be joyful and glad of heart. To share love... hope and a future. That is the joy that comes with the arrival of a daughter or son. Whenever and however they come to us by God's design. 

My cup is full and overflowing. (Yes... there may be many wedding pictures this week.) Thanks for sharing Emma. 

Today, I am grateful for a daughter and the mother (and father) who raised her.

ABC Order

Daily Gratitude Year 5-Day 214: Today, I am grateful for alphabetical order. 

This is a very full two weeks.  Posts may be short, but gratitude can still be full. 

ABC order as small children call it, is the easiest way to organize names. We all learn to sing "The Alphabet Song" as a wee one, and most can still sing it well into old age. Health departments have recommended using the length of that tune as a way to time hand washing, and it keeps the order fresh in our mind. 

We think of ourselves as beginning, middle and end of the alphabet people by our names. I've mostly known  the letters L, S and V, so I was alway grateful for the the teachers... usually teachers with last half of the alphabet names... would shake it up and let the Z's go first. Anything to keep us thinking on that ordering system. 

When I have the time my pantry spices are in ABC order and the canned goods, too. It makes things much easier to find. It isn't obsessive, but practical. 

When things are in order... when they come in order or are put into order... chaos and confusion are eliminated. Order and peace are related. It is a happy place. 

There are many times the term "in order" shows up in scripture. I've never thought about the definition of the prepositional phrase. 

"in order"
1.according to a particular sequence
2. in the correct condition for operation or use

"order" :
1. an authoritative direction or instruction; command; mandate
2. the disposition of things following one after another, as in space or time; succession or sequence

Our God is order. He takes and makes out of chaos something good. He does things in a particular sequence... unless he chooses to move outside of nature's orderly ways. He knows we feel safe and calm when things are in order. 

He came at the right time to bring a new order and a new covenant. 

You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. -1 John 3:5

That is even better than ABC order. 

Today, I am grateful for alphabetical order.