Remember

It doesn't matter how many years have passed. In truth, more years have slipped away without her than I had with her, and I was blessed with her for over seventeen years. I still miss her. 

 

Christmas Eve

Luke 2:7-19

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And a bonus link for Christmas, from Seeking Divine Perspective, yes, this:

https://seekingdivineperspective.com/2024/12/13/perspective-the-nativity-as-spiritual-warfare-2/

 

Musical Thursday

My precious great niece, Emma, entered the world, yesterday. Ten minutes later, she returned home to God. For those who believe Love doesn't Hurt, you are wrong. Love is not abusive. Love is devastating, powerful, vulnerable, joyous, sorrowful, humbling, consuming, giving, unique, beautiful, painful, angry, fearful, faithful, asks for and gives forgiveness, responsible, accountable, courageous, honorable... Love is Everything. How could it be anything less? God is Everything. God is Love.

Laura Story's "Blessings"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQan9L3yXjc

Casting Crowns' "Oh My Soul"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjNZf878ISQ

A Tribute...

...to my furry children.

I chose April 6th to celebrate my dog's birth. It's around the right time, maybe a little early, but who's to know for sure, and who would contradict me?

For many years, people would ask me if I had any children, and I always replied, "Yes, one. She barks and wags her tail." Then God saw fit to bless me with another furry child, and I would reply, "Yes, two. One barks and one neighs."

They've both been gone too many years. I still miss them terribly.

My dog was my angel child. Sweet as the day is long, as I used to say. Gentle. Happy. Trusting. Funny. Smart. Beautiful. Adorable. I was so proud to be her mama. She didn't care about the scars on my face or my extra weight. She didn't care about my lack of financial success. She didn't care about my lack of marital status. Truth be told, she preferred keeping me to herself. She went so far as to stand between me and visitors, staking her proprietary ownership of me. I shocked my counselor when he told me I couldn't count on my dog to protect me and I told him I didn't expect her to protect me. Protection was my job. Her job was to be my early warning system. She was around five years old when I taught her to bark at the doorbell and knocking. I often didn't hear it. She would alert me when someone came home, so I wasn't terrorized by the fact I thought I was alone and I wasn't. When we were out walking, she would notice the person coming up behind us before I did. She was 75 lb and stood a little taller than knee level. Mostly black, with a few spots of white on her chest, her toes, the tip of her tail, and her nose. Compact, svelte. How many times I wished I looked like her. She truly was one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen. I loved walking with her and having people comment, "Great bodyguard." I'd laugh and never tell them she was a marshmallow. She taught me so much.

My horse was... well, I told God I knew how to handle an angel child. What would I do with a problem child? He gave me my horse. As his previous owner like to say, "He was three-quarters Arab treachery and one-quarter American stubbornness." He was 3/4 Arabian and 1/4 Appaloosa. He was smart and not easily given to trust. People would ask me how I could always be so cheerful, and I was explain, "When you start every day shoveling sh** the rest of the day can only get better. Sort of puts life in perspective." For five years, I spent every morning going out to groom and grain him. As a child, I wanted to go horseback riding because I loved the sensation of flying on a horse. Nothing on the planet like it. My horse had back trouble. We didn't do a lot of riding. I missed it a little but not a whole lot. The relationship with a horse when he chooses you is unlike anything else. Going riding at a stable you choose the horse or have the horse chosen for you. Owning a horse, if the relationship is going to work, sooner or later the horse must choose you. It's an honor when he does.

They both made me a better person. Thanks God, for sharing a couple of angels with me.

Happy Valentine's Day...

One dear hero will receive a special treat over at FB, today.

https://www.facebook.com/LaurelHawkes

I hope you make the day special.

Being single, this holiday is kind of a tossup. Sometimes, I don't care. Sometimes, it's really difficult.

This year, I'm trying something different.

I'm not going to pretend like it doesn't matter, because it does. When asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" my answer was always the same: I want to be a wife and mother.

I'm not.

To be honest, I'm not sorry. God saw things in my life I didn't. The choices I would have made 20, 10, or even a year or two ago would have made me miserable. I thought I had my priorities straight. I didn't. I think I do now. Fortunately, God knows, and He's in control.

I'm not going to be miserable and throw myself a pity party either. Terribly unproductive things, pity parties.

I'm celebrating learning how to love. I think I finally am.

Having fun is important, too. I decided to buy myself a little hand blender for my banana/Carnation Instant Breakfast milkshakes. Summer is coming, and I'm ready. I'll also be using it for creating some natural beauty products, as I do much better without additives. :-) What I didn't buy myself: A box of chocolate or flowers. I realized that those things aren't about love. I enjoy those things. I love them like I love cookies and cake and pasta and a pretty place setting and a charming trinket.

Love is something you do for God, someone else, and yourself.