6.17.12 Simple Conversations

Today we celebrated Father’s Day and Summer’s birthday.  Jim calls Mother’s Day and Father’s Day greeting card holidays. They are not really his thing. But you know? Every day is a celebration. Friday was two years since a dear friend passed away. She is dearly missed. In the past week, two old friends lost their fathers. Today was a rough day for them. Another friend’s husband is in the hospital unconscious. Lots of people are praying for him. No matter how much time we are given, it is never enough. Every day is a day to treasure, to celebrate, to honor God and love those around us.

            I was in Dollar Tree this weekend and this very nice young lady was working as cashier. I asked her how she was doing and she told me that she was blessed. Her father told her that every day above ground was a gift. She lost her father a little over a year ago but his words have stuck with her and she wakes up every day thanking God for her gift. What an inspiration! What led me to speak to her? What led me to feel this urge to buy the bags right that minute? Was it coincidence? Fate? Just the way it was? Ehhhhh. Nope. Wrong.

            I was talking with an aunt today and we talked about God’s gifts. How we take life for granted. We pray. We thank God. Yet, it is still not enough. We may not make the connections. We may not realize that our high school heartbreak or even spilling a cup of coffee on ourselves leads to a greater purpose. We may not see the chess moves. We may not understand why he made a move this way or that. But God knows. He has a plan for us, to proper us, not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future. Each move is orchestrated. Each calculated move, a sign of how strong the love of our God is. He loves us so much that he cares about every minute of every day. Very humbling, isn’t it? My aunt told me that sometimes the depth of his love and his sacrifice brings her to tears. He began his life for us, ended his life for us and continues to live his life for us. As much love as we have for each other, today I reflect on my love for my dad, Jim, Robbie and of course, Summer, it is still a drop in a barrel compared to the love that the Lord has for us.

            So what was today’s about? Was it a little of this and a little of that? Yep, fraid so. But I needed to get it out. I needed to share what was on my heart and my mind. Two conversations that I had this weekend. Neither lasted long. Yet both packed a powerful punch. Both resonated with me. Both made me stop and think. Think about what I have been taking for granted. Think about the chess moves of my life. Think about God’s gifts, God’s love, God’s sacrifices. Think about my many blessings.

My Prayer for the Week:

Thank you, Lord, for my life, for your sacrifices, for your guidance, for your love. Without you in my life, there is a hole in my heart, an emptiness. I love my friends and I love my family but you, Lord, you are my life.

Bible Verse for the Week:

“How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!”   Psalms 92:5

Bible Fun for the Week:
How many words can you find hidden in the letters of:

            NEBUCHADNEZZAR

Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon when the Jews were taken captive. Daniel served in his administration. (Found 73 words. How many can you find?)

Finish These Sentences (Daniel):

1.      Before the astrologers and magicians could interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, he said they first had to...

2.      Daniel found out the meaning of the king’s dream...

3.      Daniel told the king he got the interpretation...

4.      After Daniel told the king the interpretation...