Coffee On The Patio...

Most mornings, time permitting, I sit on my back patio with coffee, journal, bible and sometimes my camera.  After the passing of my Mother-in-Law yesterday and the anxiety about the upcoming funeral, I decided I needed to focus on something else...at least for awhile.  I turned my focus to what I could see through the camera lens from my chair on the patio.  My hour or so outside this morning was healing. 

Sometimes you need to see some beauty through all the sadness.

--jackie

Thoughts On Fall...

Every season has it's beauty.  Fall may be the most spectacular of the four seasons, in my opinion.  I sort of like the melancholy feeling this time of year and it's appropriate for me right now.  I'm enjoying the fading blooms, falling leaves and the way the earth is preparing itself for the coming winter. My flower gardens are withering away, getting ready for the months of frigid cold that are ahead.  I like the idea of starting over with each season and this one is no different. I'm looking forward to the upcoming holidays and staying inside spending time doing things that I don't have time to do in the warmer months.  As I walked around my yard yesterday, I tried to notice the beauty in all of the fading and wilting happening around me.  When I looked closely at each plant, area of my yard or portion of the sky ..instead of the whole fading and withering scene...I could really see it...The beauty in the browns and yellows and reds. 

I hope you, too, can see it wherever you are.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season,
      a time for every activity under heaven.

Jackie

 

No...Things Aren't Okay...

One of my favorite pics of Blake and Kobe

My goal for this blog has always been to record my blessings in hopes that someone else will also be blessed by what I've experienced or what I write about.

Sometimes...things just aren't okay though.

One of Kobe's best friends passed away last Thursday morning.  Blake was 10 years old.  He had survived the Cancer that invaded his body when he was a baby.  But...last week his body developed an infection that he couldn't fight off. He was at school on Wednesday until he went home sick in the afternoon.  And...Thursday morning...He was gone. 

We are overwhelmed with emotions.  Sadness, Shock, Disbelief.  And...my new emotion today...Anger!

Helping my son work through his grief and supporting Blake's family are my main focus right now.  Working through my own emotions is exhausting.

The following lyrics keep playing in my head when I allow myself to sit still and think about it all.  I've shared the video below.  

Blake's family and everyone close to them could use your prayers!

"Praise You In This Storm"

by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth