Thursday

Today has been an average Thursday.

I got my teeth cleaned.
I went to our weekly staff meeting at the church.
I did some laundry and tidied the house.
The kids had music lessons.
I didn't make supper (thank you McHelper).
We had some sweet couples over for our young marrieds small group.
I tucked kids in, listened to prayers and kissed soft cheeks.

But this average Thursday has had a sound track that has been running through my mind (and playing on my computer) all day.

"O Love That Will Not Let Me Go" by George Matheson

This beautiful old hymn has been my sound track as I stretched out on the dentist's chair, as I washed sheets and put away lego pieces and stacked books.  These words have rung on as I have driven to and fro, as I made coffee and waved good bye to our guests.  Lyrics have become prayer as I thought of my loved ones walking through scary and deep waters, as I pondered the coming days, weeks, months.

1. O Love that wilt not let me go,
   I rest my weary soul in thee;
   I give thee back the life I owe,
   That in thine ocean depths its flow
   May richer, fuller be.
2. O light that foll’west all my way,
   I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
   My heart restores its borrowed ray,
   That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
   May brighter, fairer be.
3. O Joy that seekest me through pain,
   I cannot close my heart to thee;
   I trace the rainbow through the rain,
   And feel the promise is not vain,
   That morn shall tearless be.
4. O Cross that liftest up my head,
   I dare not ask to fly from thee;
   I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
   And from the ground there blossoms red
   Life that shall endless be.

And on an average Thursday, I trace the rainbow through the rain and feel - as best as I can - the promise is not vain.  I lift up my burdens and the burdens of those I love and I try to trust enough for all of us.  

O Love, You will not let us go.

Jesus

No one does Christmas music quite like the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir!

They put out their second Christmas album last year and it's just as great

-uplifting, inspiring and energizing-

as the first.

I blast it every morning that I'm able to get ready for the day by myself.

(go figure, my kids are always telling me to turn the music down!)

This one has really spoken to me.  

"Emmanuel"

Messiah, Saviour, Holy One, Redeemer-

Emmanuel

Such a beautiful name for Jesus...God with us.

The other morning, I got dressed and made my bed with tears on my cheeks 

as I played this song over and over.

Oh how I need Jesus!  

I need Him and I'm assured that I am His, He is mine.

Oh how we all need Jesus!

But some don't even (yet) know of their need....

some have never been told,

some haven't (yet) really heard...

What joy is there without Him?

What hope?

What freedom?

Why do I ever try to survive for even a moment on my own...?

Monday

This morning I drove down Portage Ave on my way to the church and I was completely awestruck.

I looked for a picture on google image, and nothing could do justice the sight I saw as

I drove past Assiniboine Park and over the Charleswood Parkway.

calorie-free frosting

dusted the trees and lamp posts, while the bright sunlight caused the glitter to glow.

What a lovely sight!

I wished I had my camera, or at least time to stop and stroll through the park.

I thanked God for creating such a beautiful reminder of His Glory and His Grace.

It has been so cold in this part of the country.

Yet, only in Manitoba can you have beautifully blinding sunlight shining off clean, white

frosty snow.

The Lord has brought our family to this place and we have so many reasons to praise Him.

He is good.

"When times are good, be happy;

but when times are bad, consider:

God has made the one as well as the other."

Ecclesiastes 7:14

I'm not a fan of winter in Manitoba.

I'm not a fan of being cold,

of windchills,

of needing to plug my car in

and then letting it warm up for twenty minutes...

but...

People who live in gloriously warm places don't get to see the beauty of frosty trees.

And in that thought I hear the gentle word of the Lord...

"I have made the one as well as the other.  Trust me."

smile!

Don't most kids go through this phase where when you ask them to pose for a picture and say, "smile!" this is the face they make?  I love it!  It almost seems like they so desperately want to show you how very happy they are, and that the only way to do it is smile for all they're worth!

I like to think I'm a fairly joyful person...most days.  I have no expectation that my life should be easy, smooth or even "happy."  But I do believe God's Word when I'm told that joy is possible for me.  

but, on a day like today when I have unanswered questions and problems I'm not sure how to solve, I have to ask.....How?

Trust.

Take a look at Isaiah 55!

If I choose to believe that only He can satisfy. (v 1-2)  If I choose to believe that He hears me and always keeps His promises. (v 3-4)  He  has made me splendid! (v 5)  He will let me find Himself and He will  show me mercy. (v 6-7)  He knows my situation and myself better than I do and always sees the big picture. (v 8-9)  He has given me purpose and will help me reach His goals for my life! (10-11)  He will bring me joy and peace! (v 12) 

I'm smiling harder already!