Happy Thanksgiving

Well, it’s Thanksgiving Day. Today, I complete my list of blessings. Of course, you know that I would save the best for last. If I had a calculator and would start adding them up, I could name so many more than I have on this list. My home, my health throughout the years, my dog Frodo, certain relatives, all of God’s provisions of food and clothing, and other material possessions, are all things I’m thankful for.

The other day I looked up the word “blessing” in dictionaries in our home. Today I looked it up on Dictionary.com. (After all, I’m a modern day grandma.) There were six results, and the second and third meanings are the ones that apply here. The second meaning is “a special favor, mercy, or benefit” and the third is “a favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.” Nothing fits these descriptions as marvelously and wonderfully as my salvation. Of all that I could stand up and proclaim as blessings from God, none can compare to what He has given me in Christ. My salvation is a special favor, mercy and benefit. It is a gift bestowed by God, which has brought me happiness beyond measure.

Those of you who know and love the Savior, stand up with me today, Thanksgiving Day, and praise the Lord for this, our best blessing. The others that we have will fade away, or die, or disappoint, or leave. Jesus never will do any of these. He’ll never leave us or forsake us—He’s promised us this and He keeps all His promises. So as thankful as I am for the six blessings which I have outlined during these past seven days, I am not resting on them for eternity. I’m only resting on Jesus.

Thank you Lord, for my salvation.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Fairest Lord Jesus,
Ruler of all nature,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I cherish,
Thee will I honor,
Thou my soul’s glory, joy, and crown.
~Munster Gesangbuch, 1677; tr.1850, 1873

Blessing Number Six

Lately, I’ve been hearing and reading quite a bit about what it’s like to follow Christ in other countries. I’ve been viewing various PowerPoint presentations and looking at many magazine pictures of Christian people in other lands. Many of these people live under conditions that we can’t even imagine. Some have mud and dirt on them, or bugs, or even worse, they sometimes have marks of dried blood. And what always humbles me is that many of them are smiling.

It often makes me ashamed when I think about how much I take for granted the freedoms and opportunities we have here in this country. These freedoms and opportunities don’t only extend to us as Christians, but also to individuals in a general sense.

I touched on all this in a recent post which was called “It’s My Privilege.” God has been kind enough to allow me to be born here in America. I have a lot of concerns about this nation and I must admit it worries me to see some of the things that are happening, but I still wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. As I discussed in the other post, I’m still proud of my country and I’m grateful that I have the privilege of praying for it.

Thank you Lord, for my country.

My country, ‘tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing:
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims’ pride,
From ev’ry mountain side
Let freedom ring!
~Samuel Francis Smith, 1832

Blessing Number Five

Do you have any friends? I do. Just a few, of course, because you seldom have but so many. Now, I’m not talking about people whom you hang out with and have fun with, though certainly this is something that is often true of friends. I’m talking about much more than that.

I have someone who called me once when she heard I had a potentially serious medical problem and she cried over the phone because it hurt her that I had to go through that trial. Those tears came from a heart of love. Through the years, she has been consistent in her readiness to step in and help if she thinks I have any need of any sort whatsoever. Quietly, in the background. That’s one friend.

I have another person who lets me pour out my heart to her whenever I have something tearing me up inside, even if it’s something dumb. She recently called me at ten in the evening to tell me she loves me and that she’s glad for my friendship. That was all she wanted that night. She’s young enough to be my daughter, by the way, but we usually forget about that. That’s another friend.

There’s this other lady who is sure to direct my thoughts to the Lord whenever we talk. But if she sees me step over the line into sinful attitudes or actions, she has been faithful enough to wound me and point it out. That’s one more friend.

There are a couple of more sweet folks who are dear and real, but I don’t want to make this too long.

When my mom was here in our home, dying from cancer, it was the darkest time in my life thus far. The first friend mentioned above came to sit in the room by my mom’s side from time to time. The second friend above sewed beautiful warm nightgowns for my mom to wear while lying in her hospital bed at our house. The third friend mentioned came weekly with her husband to have prayer and sing hymns with my mother. They were all lights in my darkness.

These three people and I have rejoiced together, wept together and prayed together. Time has only strengthened the bond, even if we go weeks without talking. Our ages haven’t mattered, nor has our skin colors. God has given these people to me to make my life richer. Do you have any people like this in your life? I hope so, for your sake.

Thank you Lord, for my friends.

How beautiful the sight
Of brethren who agree
In friendship to unite
And bonds of charity;
“Tis like the precious ointment shed
O’er all his robes, from Aaron’s head.
~James Montgomery, 1771-1854

Blessing Number Four

In our day, I am sad to say, the Church of Christ is characterized by many factions, disagreements, hurt feelings, accusations, fallen leaders, anger, unbiblical practices, bad doctrines, worldliness, and the list goes on and on. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that the Church is by and large in a sad state.

However, scattered about the world are some large, but more often small, pockets of believers who gather together as local congregations seeking to honor their Savior and remain faithful to His Word. They meet together under many external conditions, some of which are hostile, and the worshippers come in a variety of colors and speech. I belong to one of these congregations.

My husband and I have been a part of our local assembly of believers for more than twenty years. It’s one of the small pockets. It’s a group bearing a few scars, which is quite common nowadays. It’s been through some waters, but has emerged without drowning. We’ve walked through a huge fire and some small brush fires, and while scorched a little, have not burned up. We have love one for another, have peace within our walls, have a love for the Word of God and have a yearning to see more souls in God’s kingdom. We have a couple of pastors who are trying to lead us in righteousness, and while I’m sure not perfectly, they are doing their best. I do believe they love us and are trying to keep watch over our souls. The Holy Scriptures and its doctrines are held in high regard. What more could I ask for in a church?

Yesterday, we heard a report from a fellow pastor who has a ministry in Zimbabwe, Africa. One of our young people recently came back from helping this pastor with that work. The people in our congregation are excited about assisting this pastor and his wife in any way we can. As small as we are, that’s the way our church is—always ready to help where there’s a need. I’m just glad to be a part.

Thank you Lord, for my church.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.
~John Fawcett, 1782

Blessing Number Three

If you know me, there’s little doubt that you’ve already figured out the third item on my list of blessings. Of course, it’s Selena. What more can I say than what I’ve already said time and again? The birth of our first grandchild occurred on Labor Day and she went home with her daddy and mommy two days later. My entry for that day seems to be appropriate for now and I ask that you go and read it, because it’s still an expression of my heart today. (Home Sweet Home)

Now, two and a half months later, we know her even better and love her even more. I’m sure that our love will continue to grow if, by God’s grace, He gives us more time with her. We consider her to be a gift beyond measure, and I’m praying that early she’ll come to know and love the Good Shepherd.

Thank you Lord, for my granddaughter.

Gracious Saviour, gentle Shepherd,
Our little ones are dear to thee;
Gathered with thine arms and carried
In thy bosom may they be
Sweetly, gently, safely tended,
From all want and danger free.
~Jane E. Lesson, 1842

Blessing Number Two

One of the dictionaries in our home has a definition for the word “blessing” which I particularly like. In the second sense of the word, it reads: “A means of happiness or welfare; a beneficent gift.” This meaning of the word definitely describes what our children are to us.

We have two chosen daughters. That’s another way of saying that they came to us via adoption. They were “born in our hearts” rather than by physical birth. And to put it in a way that I read on another blog which I frequent, we are linked to them “by law and by love.” I can truly say with gratefulness that they have each been a means of happiness and welfare for both my husband and me. They have brought us much joy and have increased our sense of well-being, especially as our feet have landed on that rich golden soil of our senior years. And one of them is still at home and a teenager!

And I can add that the “beneficent gift” abounded even more two years ago when our older daughter married a young man who has so far proven to be a loving and devoted husband, seeking to lead his family in a way that honors God. So our two children have grown to three!

Where there is beneficence there is a benefactor. Our children are a good gift that we enjoy from the almighty Benefactor, the giver of all that is right and good in this sin corrupted world. It’s not that we deserve it any more than anyone else. But He gave it to us anyway.

Thank you Lord, for my children.

Now thank we all our God
With heart and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things hath done,
In whom His world rejoices;
Who, from our mothers’ arms,
Hath blessed us on our way
With countless gifts of love,
And still is ours today.
~ Martin Rinkart, 1636

Blessing Number One

The Lord has been so gracious to my dear husband and me. In June of this year, we celebrated our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary. I couldn’t have had a more faithful and dependable man for these years, and in this day and age, from what I keep hearing, this is no small thing.

If it had been left to us, we would have failed long ago. But, thankfully, it is God’s sustaining love that keeps us and has kept us and caused us to learn the lesson that must be learned by all married folks: It’s not our love for each other that keeps our marriage intact, but our commitment to it and to Christ that sustains our love.

Thank you Lord, for my husband.


O perfect Life, be thou their full assurance,
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope, and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.
~~Dorothy F. Gurney, 1883

Count Your Blessings

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Psalm 68:19

Well, it’s exactly one week before Thanksgiving—it really did sneak up on us! At least it did on me. If I had to pick one single holiday as a favorite, I think it would have to be this one.

What a perfect time to reflect on the goodness of our God. He is the giver of every good and perfect gift. To honor the upcoming holiday, I thought I’d make a post a day of seven things for which I am thankful. Most of us, myself included, certainly have no trouble getting discouraged or concerned about this or that. So, instead, for the next week, let’s just try to praise the Lord together, shall we? If anyone wants to add a thanks in the comments section, feel free. I’m sure everyone who frequents this place knows one thing in particular which (who) will be on my list.

Jesus truly is the fountain of blessings in our lives!

Come, thou Fount of ev’ry blessing,
Tune my heart to sing thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
Mount of God’s unchanging love.

- Robert Robinson, 1758

It's My Privilege

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.1 Timothy 2:1-2

Yesterday, I exercised one of the greatest privileges that I own as a human being—the right to vote. Today, we all got the results and as is always the case, there were a few of those results that I was pleased to hear about and many that I was not pleased with. I’m not here to talk about politics today, but to speak as an American.

Even amidst much disappointment, I’m still proud of my country. In our homeschool eighth grade, my daughter has a Civics Activity Book that she’s working through. It’s another reminder to me of the government that we have. I am again amazed at the wisdom of some great men who framed it over two hundred years ago. There were no computers then. No airplanes. No telephones, let alone cell phones. No digital cameras. Just great men. Men with some faults and weaknesses and sin, but great men.

So now, two hundred plus years later, there will again be a transfer of power in a major branch of our government, and it will take place without bloodshed. A little bit ago we heard our President speak, not with threatening words, but about liberty and democracy while telling his opposing party that the people of this land expect him and them to “work together.” That’s the way our country is. That’s America.

I may be disappointed about many things, but I’m still proud and thankful to be a citizen of this particular land, even with its shortcomings. And I’ll continue to pray for our leaders, no matter who they are, because the Lord has told me to. Join me won’t you, in praying that our children and grandchildren will still have a great nation to grow up in. Remember, being able to pray this way is another great privilege.

Two Reminders

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Psalm 119:73

We had a great time at our church this past weekend. We had what we call our Fall Bible Conference, which included our annual Thanksgiving dinner as well. It was a wonderful time of fellowship and enrichment for most of us and it was especially so for me because Selena and her parents came to join with us. It was another first for her--the first time visiting her grandparent’s church, the one in which her mommy grew up. She met quite a few folks who are dear to her PopPop and Nanna (and to her parents).

There was someone there who I have been wanting her to meet from her beginning days. On Saturday, she met a special little baby girl from our church for the first time. Since this little one is a part of our congregation, I see her quite a bit and know her pretty well and I always tell her about my grandbaby. I always talk to her about her “friend.” You see, she preceded Selena into this world by only three days, so because of that, I figure that they are friends. So it was something of a treat for me to see them “together” off and on during that day, in and out of the nursery.

We’ll see what God does with that friendship thing, but both of them are reminders of our Creator God. They are both fearfully and wonderfully made, and have been reminders of that to many of us in their recent days in the womb and then in their births and now in these early days of their lives.

I’ve been praying for the soul of my granddaughter even before she was born and those prayers will continue. I long to see the day when she becomes a child of God. I’ll be praying that He’ll be giving her understanding, and that she’ll be learning His commandments. And I, and I know many others, will be praying the same thing for her little “friend”.

Smells, Tastes, and Other Things

You have set all the borders of the earth; You have made summer and winter. Psalm 74:17

I thank the Lord for all of the seasons, but autumn is, and has always been, my favorite. Typically, there is a sense in which I “come alive” after summer (my least favorite). I know many people agree with me. Here are some of the things I like best about this time of year:

§ The smell of popcorn
§ Coming into a warm house on a blustery day
§ Taking walks
§ Pumpkin (sweet potato) pie
§ The return of the juncos
§ The death of mosquitoes
§ The color of the leaves
§ Thanksgiving
§ Getting up an hour later (when daylight time ends)
§ Raking leaves (good exercise)
§ The World Series
§ Hot cider
§ The smell of turkey cooking
§ Another chance to voice our displeasure (or support) at the polls
§ Apple cake
§ The freshness of the air (no humidity)
§ This year, the arrival of Selena

If anybody wants to talk about something they’d like to add (or delete) from this list, feel free. Did you notice how many items on this list are related to my stomach? Guess I better watch out or all those lost pounds will return by spring!

A question: Why is it that each of the other seasons has only one title that is used to refer to it? Why is this season called both fall and autumn? Just curious.

Sometime, Somewhere

Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:14

Selena has not learned to patiently wait yet. Like any full-blooded, healthy six week old individual, when her stomach’s empty, she wants to eat and she wants to eat NOW. Nothing can be more pleasant and delightful than a happy and contented baby with a full stomach, but on the other hand…well, you know how it is at the time when they need a meal. They just don’t handle delays well.

My granddaughter has many lessons to learn about delays. They’re the same lessons that all of us have had to learn. Many are just little day by day things, like waiting for dinner when we’re hungry. But delays are often difficult, sometimes downright painful. For some of us, God has seen fit to withhold a desired thing for a long time. Sometimes He’s put us through a season of grief or suffering that is a long time ending. I know a few people who are going through such times right now. Today, I have another gem for them. It’s another one from Streams in the Desert. I just have to post it here; it is so packed with truth.

I hope it’s a blessing to someone who is weak and weary right now. I also hope our little Selena will begin to learn its truths someday, along with all of the other lessons ahead for her. I even think that’s beginning to happen already.

Unanswered yet the prayer your lips have pleaded
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail? Is hope departing?
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer;
You shall have your desire sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Nay do not say ungranted;
Perhaps your work is not yet wholly done.
The work began when first your prayer was uttered,
And God will finish what He has begun.
If you will keep the incense burning there,
His glory you shall see sometime, somewhere.

Unanswered yet? Faith cannot be unanswered,
Her feet are firmly planted on the Rock;
Amid the wildest storms she stands undaunted,
Nor quails before the loudest thunder shock.
She knows Omnipotence has heard her prayer,
And cries, "It shall be done"--sometime, somewhere.

--Charles D. Tillman, 1894

They'll Come North Again

It was so nice to see the robins on Tuesday. While I was on my way grocery shopping, they were all over the place in our neighborhood. For a minute I was confused, because our familiar red breasted friends had all been gone for a few weeks, I thought. You know how it is with robins. Around here, people tend to think of a sighting of one in early March as the first sign of spring after the long, hard winter. Then, usually at some point towards the middle to end of September, you realize that they have gone. They come and they go, telling us winter is gone and then in the fall, that winter is coming. Anyway, the ones that were outside a couple of days ago were obviously just a flock passing through from north of us somewhere.

I think the migration of birds is a wonderful thing. It is just another of the wonders of nature that the scientists are not really able to explain. As far as I’m concerned, it is just another proof of the answer to the second question of the children’s catechism. As I’ve said time and time again, I want our grandbaby to someday know these things. What else did God make? is the question asked after she learns that God made her. Well, of course, God made all things. I would like someone, if they could, to offer some other explanation for what happens every spring and fall with the robins, grackles, juncos, and a host of other birds. Who guides them? Where are their maps? Who tells them when it’s time to leave? Where are their calendars? By the way, have you ever watched the goings on at a robin’s nest? I had the privilege of having a ringside seat to just that, right next to my front porch last summer and that totally settled it for me. God was and is the Creator of all things. Someday all of my grandchildren will know it too. I’m sure of that. All they’ll need to do is watch the birds, right?

One more thing. This gives me a good excuse to post another favorite poem from Streams in the Desert. It’s a good one for anyone who happens to read this and is going through trials right now. Each year, we’ll let our robin friends remind us of these truths:

"Oh, every year hath its winter,
And every year hath its rain--
But a day is always coming
When the birds go north again.

"When new leaves swell in the forest,
And grass springs green on the plain,
And alders' veins turn crimson--
And the birds go north again.

"Oh, every heart hath its sorrow,
And every heart hath its pain--
But a day is always coming
When the birds go north again.

"'Tis the sweetest thing to remember,
If courage be on the wane,
When the cold, dark days are over--
Why, the birds go north again."

A Week of Firsts

Over the meadow and through the woods,
To Grandmother’s house we go!

A special visitor came to our house today, and she was all dressed in pink and white. That’s right, Selena made her first trip to PopPop and Nanna’s house, and I sure do hope that it’s the first such trip of many. While she was here, I walked her all around, with her back to my chest and her eyes wide open, showing her each one of the rooms in the house that her mommy grew up in. I think she liked it. She even got her diaper changed on the bed her mommy once slept in. She also got to lie on, and throw up on, the same homemade baby's mat that her Auntie Nee once laid on (and threw up on). I hope there will be many more times for each of these things.

This whole week was a week of “firsts” for my little granddaughter. She went to church for the first time; completed her first month of life; and exhibited her first real smile—appropriately, to her mommy. God willing, there will be many more times when she will do this or that for the first time. So, I’m thinking again about a certain “first”: the first catechism question that I spoke about back in June in my Yahoo blog, when she was yet in the womb. I’m looking forward to the day when she hears that question and responds with the correct answer. The question is, Who Made You? and the answer is God. It's a very simple answer, I know, but this little short word opens the door to everything else she'll need to know.

There will be a first tooth, first step, and much more, but the first time she answers that question all by herself will be really something! And it will be even better when the day comes that she understands it and believes it!!

Let's Keep Trusting

In recent days and weeks, many of us have been rejoicing over additions to our families. I know that on blogs I frequent and in my writing groups, new babies have been abounding. Among these new arrivals have been a particularly large percentage of new daughters and granddaughters, it seems. And there are still more coming. But today my thoughts keep going over to the Lancaster County Amish community, where there are many who have tragically lost daughters and granddaughters. I’m sure you’ve heard about it. For many of us, these dear folks have been heavy on our hearts and in our prayers. I know for me, this has been so hard to process. I am telling myself, and telling all of us, that we must keep trusting in our God even in such a time as this, when sin and evil rears its ugly head and brings harm to the harmless. And He would have us to grieve along with even those we do not know.

Today, I think I’ll meditate on the following words I found in one of the Streams in the Desert devotions. I think I need to. Maybe you do too.

I do not ask that He must prove
His Word is true to me,
And that before I can believe
He first must let me see.
It is enough for me to know
'Tis true because He says 'tis so;
On His unchanging Word I'll stand
And trust till I can understand.
--E. M. Winter