THINKING!

I guess I am thinking - so many things running through my mind that I can't decide what I thinking the most about. I guess I am thinking mostly about how to encourage someone. I always want to be uplifting and not negative. We see so many negative things in this life. I suppose the best way to do that is to tell you how someone encouraged me.

We all go through times when it seems things go wrong. Sometimes they come one valley behind the other and we don't have time for a mountain top experience. I have a song somewhere that says I'm not in the valley, I'm just changing mountain tops. I think it seems to be just the opposite with me sometimes. I want to say I'm not on the mountain, I'm just changing Valley drops. It is in those times that I could really be negative about life, but I have learned to look around me and see needs far greater than mine. I debated with myself about putting this little writing on. I know it has to be condensed but here goes:

A couple years ago my husband and I were going through a very trying time. We don't usually make our request known at church. We just have special request. But a young mother with nine children was very sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leadings. She pulled up in our driveway one day with a little potted mum and said "I just wanted to stop by and let you know that you are loved and the church is praying for you." She did not stay but that visit meant the world to me. Last Christmas I gave her a Christmas card with a little letter inside and reminded her of the little mum and what a blessing it had been. I don't remember all I wrote but she had stuck it in her purse and forgotten it until several days later. She said she got up real early before her children- trying to get some things done. She came across the letter and said that I would never know what that letter did for her. I wrote this little story about the little mum!

MY LITTLE MUM

"Yes, my Little Mum! What a blessing you have been! You came from the hands of a friend when I was at a very low point in my life. No big plant were you, just a little golden plant with your pot wrapped in red paper. At the time - I sat you on the table and watered you- but eventually you were dropping your blooms and turning a little frizzled at the leaves. Little did I know what part you would play the next couple years. The message I got with you was "You are loved and we are praying for you." Thanks to someone who took time to pass you on to me! You were planted outside in the winter months and not really much to look at. You made it through the winter months because you were protected with a coffee can. You were really out of sight waiting for the Spring to come so you could make an appearance. I started thinking about you weathering the the freeze and the rain and wondering if you would be there when Spring came. Usually what I plant seems to die. I don't have a green thumb! It seemed you were different! You were waiting for the coffee can to be lifted so you could get light. The can was finally lifted and way down close to the ground I could see you had a little green sprout. You were going to make it! You had weathered the storm!"

That made me think of what my life would be without my Savior. Not very significant, nothing much for the eye to behold. Until one day I was handed a Gift! The gift of salvation! I was forgiven and life would be easy. Or so I though. Like my little mum - there would be dark days and days when I felt like I really did not feel like I would amount to anything. I was given the this Gift Of Salvation at any early age. I thank the Lord many times over that I was sensitive to Him as a child. But even then there were days that I did not understand a lot of things. But the Holy Spirit let me know that whatever I went through that He would be there with me. I had a lot of growing to do. Like my little mum, I needed to get out from under the "coffee can" and get a lot more light. The Light of The Holy spirit would help my little sprig of green to grow.

"Well, little mum, I got side tracked. Where was I? Oh yes! You had weathered the winter and now was getting the sun light. You did pretty good and I was looking to the Fall Season when you would bloom. I cultivated around you and then forgot all about you for awhile."

This particular year was a bad year for me physically! I had trouble with my eyes and could hardly see. Everything was a blur! It really was not a serious matter, just aggravating. A simple 45 second prodedure with laser to put my implants back down and I saw perfect. Next, I had trouble with constant pain in my side. The doctor could fine nothing. Knowing I had already had two surgeries for cancer - I feared the worse. In July, one of our hottest months here in Louisiana, I was really discouraged. I was looking out the front door wondering why God's children must suffer so. I happen to look down at the little mum and there to my surprise the plant had buds and flowers. I thought, "You silly little plant, don't you know you are not suppose to be blooming now?" Then I remembered " We love you and are praying for you." I knew then that if God can make flowers bloom out of season just to lift me up, He can take care of the situations in my life and He had everything under control. Tears flowed and I knew that regardless of the outcome of my physical and no matter how the devil had fought in other situations - that He could work out my life to His glory. I just surrendered it all to Him and took my hands off. What made me think I could work out my problems anyway?Wasn't He God, the God of this universe and wasn't He my God? Hadn't He worked so many times on my behalf? I prayed for His forgiveness and once more had my priorities right. Oh, how Satan likes for us to get our Spiritual priorities out of prospective!

I don't know what I expected of the little mum except for it to eventually die. But not so! It lived on and blossomed! I guess I just took it for granite for a while. It did quit producing a lot of it's blossoms but a few were still coming on. Seems it was strugggling a little!

Much like a Christian life! I seem to do fine for awhile and wham! Satan hits like a brick. I won't go into all of my writing but I will tell you that I knew " I was love and someone was praying for me." I also learned that we can have peace in every situation in our life. Nothing is impossible with our God!

In January of this year I had to go to the emergency room for the severe pain. As I walked out the door I looked down at the little mum. At this time it was again covered except for one little branch. There before my eyes, when it should have been frozen, was one blossum that seem to be saying, "I love you and am praying for you." I knew then that God loved me and was going to work on my behalf. It meant surgery and a hospital stay. The day I came home, as I was going into the house I looked down at the little mum and on the stem was one little petal waving in the breeze. It seem to be saying, "I am still here waiting to encourage you and to let you know you are loved!"

What a special little plant! It taught me so much. Mainly that "little things" matter. If a youg mother could take time and stop by with a little mum, what could I do? Surely someone needs a hug! Someone needs a special card sent to them Someone needs to know they are being lifted up in prayer. Someone needs to know that they are appreciated. I seem to have passed up so many opportunities because I thought a little mum didn't matter. Oh! How wrong I was. I went to the Lord in prayer and ask His forgiveness for sitting back thinking that "little things" didn't matter. I ask Him to help me pass out some mums. Maybe not a plant - but other things matter, also. I started looking around church and seeing needs I had never seen before. I started getting out of my seat to tell someone that I loved them. I started sending cards to those that are sick. Sometimes just a note of encouragement. The needs are many and the opportunities plenty. I just started watching for opportinities. The Lord has blessed my life and helped me. Who ever said "small things" don't count?

My little mum is spreading out and getting greener even to this day. I'm waiting to see what else it can teach me. This one thing I know- if it never blooms again - it has done it's work! I know that I have work to do that only I can do. Only at the end of my life will my work be done. I want to hand out a few mums "to make a difference." I want to be a blessing and see more with my spiritual eyes than my physical. I want to be an encouragement to others!

"Thanks, little mum, for making such an impact on me. I hope I will never be the same."

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

I'm so glad I have a Shepherd who watches over me. I read somewhere that if a sheep went astray - that the shepherd would bring him back into the fold. If the little sheep kept wandering off and did not listen to the shepherd- the shepherd would have to break the little sheep's leg. But he just didn't leave the little sheep to heal somewhere. He would gather that little sheep up into his arms, bind up his broken leg and then cuddle him in his bosom until the little sheep healed. He never had trouble with that little sheep again. He knew he was loved and would so meekly follow the shepherd. Isn't that the way with our Shepherd? If we start to wander from the fold Our Great Shepherd may have to chastise us - but when He does He draws us to His bosom and lets us know that He loves us. I remember my Dad doing the same thing to this disobedient child. I was a very young teen at the time. Dad usually did not spank us. He was usually working and Mom had the job of discipling her little flock of six. We got what we southerns called a whupping. I see so many parents having trouble with their children. Did you ever hear 1-2-3? I can't imagine my parents saying 1-2-3- unless they were counting the licks we got. Some read books on how to discipline children. The modern approach! Even go to a psychologist to see what's wrong with their child. Back when I was growing up Mom and Dad had their own psychology. It worked! Thanks to good parents that saw traits in their children that could lead down the wrong road later. I somehow think that counting 1-2-3 and giving children time to be more disobedient will not work later on in their life. Back to my spanking! That's what I prefer to call it. ! I don't remember what I did or said but it must have been that Dad saw something that needed correcting. He gave me a spanking and broke my heart. I thought My Dad loved me! I went and sat on the sofa across the room fom him and sobbed. He told me to come where he was. I just sat there! I did not want another spanking. But by the tone of his voice I know I had better go. He so gently sat me on his lap. I was still sobbing! He wrapped his arms around me and as I looked up I saw tears running down his face as he said "Daddy didn't want to spank you but I did it because I love you." He never had to spank me again. He broke my will and got my respect that day and I have thanked the Lord across the years for that good ole spanking. It made it so much easier for me to say yes to Jesus.

How many times in my Christian life has my Heavenly Father corrected me and then picked me up into His Great Big Arms and said, "I love you, my child but I correct you because I love you."

I am posting a poem I wrote years ago. I had read the 23 Psalm and meditated on it for awhile.

Then penned this poem:

The Lord is my Shepherd, This I surely know.

He gently leads and guides me in the way that I should go.

He leads in green pastures by the water that is still,

Where I can lay down in peace, and know that He is real.

He leads in paths of righteousness, this is for His Name's sake,

The path is so wonderful, no other would I take.

Sometimes He leads in valleys where His face I cannot see.

But I will fear no evil for I know He's there with me.

His rod and staff - they comfort, I wonder what I would do

Without His Love and Mercy to bring me safely through?

When the enemy opresses hard- A table He doth spread,

He anoints me with fresh oil, I have not a thing to fear.

Sometimes my cup runneth over and I feel so compelled

To think of my Great Shepherd - and to others tell

Of His Goodness, Love and Mercy that will follow me all my life,

If I stay true and follow Him and keep my soul upright.

One day I'll dwell in the house that He has gone to prepare

But I will first find my Shepherd, Who helped me to get there.

Then I'll enjoy the splendor of that city so fair

Where we can rest in peace and not have a care.

I Did It!

Yea! I feel like I have accomplished something today. I have learned how to add to my blog list. All by myself. Now that is an accomplishment for this dumb blogger. I told you'll I was blog illiterate. Now if I can learn how to put my awards on the sidebar I will really feel like I have arrived. Anyone want to volunteer to show me? There is so much I don't know about blogging so when I do something I am thrilled. A blogger friend told me how to put a address in my post so you can just click on it. Thanks Deb! Just will put a little post on here: In times of incertainty, wait. Always, if you have any doubt, wait! Do not force yourself to any action. If you have a restraint in your spirit, wait until all is clear, and do not go against it. Waiting! Yes, patiently waiting! Till next steps made plain shall be; To hear, with the inner hearing, The voice that will call for thee. Waiting! Yes, hopefully waiting! With hope that need not grow dim; The Master is pledged to guide me, And my eyes are upon HIM. Waiting! Expectantly waiting! Perhaps it may be today The Master will quickly open The gate to my future way. Waiting! Yes, waiting! still waiting! I know though I've waited long, That while He withholds His purpose, His waiting cannot be wrong. Waiting! Yes, waiting! Still waiting! The Master will not be late. He knoweth that I am waiting For Him to unlatch the gate. I read this in Streams in the Desert and thought it was so good. Seems we have to do a lot of waiting in our Christian life, but if we took things in our own hands what a mess we make. I know first hand. The times when I got impatient and tried to work out a situation in my life I have always gotten in trouble with the Lord. Now I am learning to do my best to wait on Him. How sweet it is when the Lord finds His child waiting on Him. And He works things out for our good and His glory. He's still working on me!

STEPPING STONES

I was looking back on some of my meditations that I wrote years ago. I have always loved to have a pen and paper close by. Somehow I can get words out better through my writings than verbally. When I was a senior in high school we had to write a term paper at the end of the year. I wrote on William Tyndale who translated the Bible into English. I enjoyed going to SLU (South Eastern Louisiana University located in Hammond, La. ) It was only five miles from Ponchatoula, La., my hometown. The library there was quite extensive. Our English teacher told us we could check out SLU. So several of us seniors decided we would go. We went a couple evenings and got quite a lot of info. But the third night we were met by the librarian who ask us how old we were. I don't know how she knew the difference between a high school senior and a freshman in college. (I still wonder). We told her our English Teacher gave us permission to come. (She was a graduate of SLU.) Well, needless to say, that was our last trip to SLU. But I did get my term paper done and made an A on it. My teacher really encouraged me to look into a writing career. At our 50th Class Reunion this year - I went up to her and told her that I cherished those remarks she made.

Thats as close as I came to that career! But I have written quite a few poems and sayings over the years. As a young person we had a pastor that admonished the young people to read the Bible and write it out so you could see it. It would mean more to you. I have made that a practice over the years as things have come and gone. Sometimes in a Christian life things get boggling and out of priority. I find I can get pen and paper - write out those things that are bothering me. I usually come to the conclusion, when I see it on paper, that it isn't that important anyway.

This is a poem I wrote when it seem that we had been through some trying times. we don't always understand. But I penned these words almost 20 years ago.

STEPPING STONES

Stepping Stones, Lord, how can it be

In all these trials that come to me?

All the thorns that pierce my soul-

Do they really help me reach my goal?

That burden that seemed to hard to bear

The day when it appeared there was none to care

That night which looked so dark and long

When it seemed my spirit had lost it's song.

When sorrows came and I bowed with grief

My heart was crushed with no relief.

Stepping Stones, You say, how can it be?

But wait a minute, Lord, I think I see.

A stumbling block these things would be

If I did not have my trust in Thee.

And though I don't see all in depth

I'll take this stone and make another step.

Since I wrote this I have had to pick up many a stone to make another step, but My Lord was always there! Do you wonder why I love Him?

GUSTAV HITS!

We have found out this last week how we take so many things for granite! Hurricane Gustav came in from the Atlantic and South Louisana was hit full force. The hurricane watchers said it was the worse for Baton Rouge, Louisiana in history. New Orleans was hit three years ago with Katrina. Flood waters did extensive damage to the residents there. Some have not returned back. They have been rebuilding New Orleans for three years. The process was still on with flood levees etc. - when Gustav looked like a direct hit on them. So you can imagine the fear and frustration when Gustav was coming in. No, you really cannot unless you were in the area.. They lost everything and when I say everything - that is exactly what I mean. We had a grand daughter living there at the time and all they had, when we went to a shelter fours hours away and picked them up, was what they had carried with them. As Gustav took a little different course they did not get a direct hit, but still felt part of the impact.

We , in the Baton rouge area took a pretty good hit, but we can count our blessings. We were without electricity for four days. Did you ever try and do without electricity? No cooking, no washing clothes, no computer to air your frustrations on. (Wish I would have had some of you to write to during a dark time.) We could not go anywhere as there was a curfew. People could not get on the streets because of down electrical wires and trees. It was quite extensive throughout different parishes( county). Most areas are back with electricity now. We also had

about three trees down and debris all over. But nothing touched our home. For that we are thankful.

You hear people say"Oh, for the good ole days." I've been guilty of saying that but I think I have changed my mind. Ham Sandwiches and Peanut Butter with Jelly Sandwiches! We did stock up before Gustav hit - but after a couple days you crave a good cooked hot meal. Those that did not stock up or did not have money to stock up had a long wait in line to get the FEMA supplies like water, ice, MRE's(Meals Ready to eat.) Church groups were serving hot meals in different areas - but only in certain areas. Red Cross was setting up at different places. Some are still doing so. There are some that will have to wait another week or two for electricity.

We had a generator which helped keep the Fridge and Freezer running, so we did not lose anything like so many did. It also let us run a couple fans and gave us light. But you have to keep the generator full of gas. If you run out of gas - you were in big trouble. No gas at so many places and when they finally did get gas, the lines were miles long. They usually ran out before they were able to service all those in line. So frustrating! One night we put gas in the generator at 3AM. It usually runs about 10 hours on a full tank. Thirteen hours later it was still running. My husband said "I can't believe it is still running." I look at him and thought about the widow in the Bible that never ran out of oil until she had enough. He said "It's like the widow's oil that never ran dry until." We do that so many times! Think the same thing at the same time. Maybe it's because we have been together almost fifty years. Like we can almost read each others mind.

When the weather gets in the 90's and no breeze is blowing the little fans don't do much but stir up hot air. Around 8PM it would finally get's cool enough to be able to take a bath and get a little relief from the heat. The humidity is so bad here and that makes it harder to breathe.

All in all we came out pretty good. Yesterday morning we had church at 11AM. Skipped Sunday School since so many of the bus kids are in the low line areas. We had about 4 generators running and fans all through out the sanctuary. It was not too bad. Last night the electric was back on so we were able to be much cooler. The main thing is that we were able to go to church! So many churches cancelled services.

Well, we seem to have to wait again! IKE is going through Cuba right now and will probably come into the gulf. It seems to be following a path that could hit Louisiana or Florida or Texas. Never know about the hurricanes. They are so unpredictable. Are we ready for another hurricane? Are we ever ready? I don't think so, but we can make some preparation just in case. We still have until October to go for the hurricane season to be over. September is the worse month. I hate for anyone to have to go through one but sure hope it does not come our way again.

God is still God even in the storms!