Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 67:5-7

Let the peoples praise you, O God; 

let all the peoples praise you!

The earth has yielded its increase; 

God, our God, shall bless us. 

God shall bless us; 

let all the ends of the earth fear him!

m

Thankful for Dirt?

Thankfulness seems to be a lot about perspective.

We recently flew back across the Atlantic "home" to Pakistan.
Several times throughout the journey I teared up, knowing I was leaving my daughter back in the States and moving back to life without libraries, clean and priced shopping, parks with open wide spaces to run in without anyone ever staring (except me, my husband or my son who have adopted this South Asian habit the of unabashed stare) etc.

Thomas, our son, however, saw our landing in the dirty, dusty city of over 17 million (maybe closer to 20 million) people in a very different light.
As we walked up the ramp from the airplane into the airport we were hit by, what I would describe, a warm blast of VERY dusty air.  Thomas took a deep, loud breath in, "Yup, it smells like Pakistan.  Dusty. I love it here!"
"Hmmm" I thought.  "Really?"
30 minutes later as we sat in the car headed to Hyderabad he continued his thankfulness, "The air in America is so wet (I would chosen the words fresh, clean, etc).  I like the air here so much better.  It's so, well, dusty.  Mom, what vitamins are in dirt?"
Really?  We know we need to get our daily dose of vitamin D. But no, this is not D for Dirt.
Vitamins in dirt?

I may not be thankful for the dusty air but I certainly am thankful for my son who has a heart of love for this nation and it's people and culture and even the dirt.
What a gift it is to have a happy and content child!
What a gift the Lord has given to his heart to be thankful for the very things that others despise. May God use him for his glory and the expansion of his kingdom.

We are so glad to be home.

thankful,
m

Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 116: 7

Return, O my soul, to your rest; 

for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

in worship of our Creator, 

m

Wonder Wednesday

Psalm 148:7-13

Praise the Lord from the earth,

    you great sea creatures and all deeps,

fire and hail, snow and mist,

    stormy wind fulfilling his word!

Mountains and all hills,

    fruit trees and all cedars!

Beasts and all livestock,

    creeping things and flying birds!

Kings of the earth and all peoples,

    princes and all rulers of the earth!

Young men and maidens together,

    old men and children!

Let them praise the name of the Lord,

  for his name alone is exalted;

    his majesty is above earth and heaven.

There are so many things we never see, never know… but he is the maker of them all.

in wonder, 

m

Wonder Wednesday

In preparation for Thanksgiving this year, I thought I would take the two months leading up to it to just celebrate God's beauty displayed in creation. I once read that one of the best remedies for a melancholy spirit was to get outside and just look up. How true I have found this to be.

All around us God has displayed his glory. His creation shouts his praise. His creation proclaims his wisdom. His creation melts hearts of sadness, fear and doubt to a place of recognizing the greatness of the God we worship and love. His creation reminds us that the pain we walk through, he knows. His creation causes the heart to sing, submit, and trust.

Take time to see the almighty hand of our loving Father today and wonder at his majesty with me.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 

Day after day they pour forth speech;

    night after night they reveal knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2

amazed, 

m

God Makes Diversity

A couple weeks ago we were talking about diversity.
For years now I have said to my son when he tried to tell me our skin colors were both white, "No, baby, God gave you beautiful brown skin.  God makes us all different.  One is not better than the other.  But your skin and my skin are not the same.  My is sort of pink. Yours is a light brown.  Some people have dark brown.  Some have really, very white, like your sister."
But, as is only natural, he wanted to be like his Mom and Dad.

Till three weeks ago when out of the blue he interjected in our 'adult discussion' on diversity, "I'll be your diversity!"

He's finally got it.  God made him the beautiful brown color that he is.
God's got it under control.
God makes beautiful.

m

Heart Song

I have two heart songs.
One I try to sing most mornings before I even get out of bed.  The other I am still working on memorizing the three short verses, committing it to my heart.
May your heart have a song of praise it sings/preaches to your soul no matter the circumstances you find yourself in.  If it doesn't, find a song with great truth and praise to our King and begin to sing. 

Give Me Jesus

In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise
In the morning, when I rise

Give me Jesus

 Chorus

Give me Jesus, give me Jesus
You can have all this world
But give me Jesus

And when I am alone

Oh and when I am alone
And when I am alone
Give me Jesus

(chorus)

And when I come to die
Oh and when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus

(chorus)

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

What's your heart song?

m