Grief is Love

 "Grief, I've learned, is really just love.

 It's all the love you want to give but cannot.

All of that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, 

the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest.

Grief is just love with no place to go."

A Promise of God's Faithfulness

Have you ever had a favorite song? Maybe one you didn't even know the title of, or where to find it, but you loved it so.
The melody, the words and singing brought such joy peace and comfort when you heard it.

Little blessings like songs can make our day. It certainly did mine today!

I'm here working at a local greenhouse, cleaning flats in the back room, listening to Heaven 88.7.

I've been praying that this one song would come on for about 1-2 hours now.

So far it hasn't played, but since I rest completely in God's faithfulness I tell Him that even if this song does not play I still know He is faithful and if I continue in His will He will reward that. 

However, that little terdhead Satan likes to mess with ones mind trying to discourage ya.

I keep praying and talking to God, ignoring that devilish whisper that "God is not faithful and something as little as a song playing on the radio is too insignificant a request for Him to fulfill"

I'm almost done with my shift when I hear the familiar beginning melody of my favorite song.

I am humbled and surprised all at once. I love it when the Lord chooses to bless me like that and considers my worth enough to pursue me with His love.💓💖

I walk over, closer to the radio, prepared to soak in the message and beautiful melody of this song.

I fall to my knees in complete surrender to His faithfulness as I sing along (at the top of my lungs)

to this pretty melody. A completely peaceful and waiting moment. My God is SO good!

May I remember this as the days come when I feel discouraged, worried or non trusting of Him.

Evening falls

There is a quiet peace about the setting sun.

The slow fade and darkening hours set the tone for evening.

A time when the work is done.

With anticipation of whats to come has special meaning. 

She heads out for a big adventure, against the rising moon.

The tires roll over top the uneven bumpy country road. 

As the colors of the sky contrast day swoon.

Evening comes closer with each passing mile, life slowed.

The full moon shines out in the twilight.

Peaceful sounds in the distance awaken her mind.

 A slow breeze captures the beauty of the night.

With each passing mile, a quiet place she might find.

A silhouette against the white abyss.

Lost in thought as evening falls.

Infatuated with the sunset bliss.

Dreaming of heavens golden halls.

She loves this closer walk with God.

A joy to be alone in His presence.

To soak in all the day has brought leaves her awed.

So thankful to know His omnipresence. 

"I have one desire now- to live a life of reckless abandon 

for the Lord

putting all my energy and strength into it."

~Elizabeth Elliot

𝆕𝆕Beyond the sunset, eternal joy𝆕𝆕

Laughed Until We Cried

"This past year my family

Was sittin' cross-legged 'round the Christmas tree

listening to granddad

We all knew it'd probably be his last.

He was crackin' jokes, and we were taking turns

tellin' stories 'bout fishin' or lessons learned

out on the porch with him,

We all felt like kids again.

Oh man, we were livin'

Sittin' there reminiscin'

We sang, and talked and traveled back in time.

We laughed until we cried.

Its like the best days under the sun

Every emotion rolled into one

A little of this, a little of that

Kinda happy, kinda sad"

Pheasant

So much feathers!!!!

SO prettty.....    💞💕💞💕💓

Im just a standin here plucking pheasant feathers while listening to recordings of singing Loons!  

This is peaceful.

Beautiful fluff! 

Lil' hearts! 

Eye'm watchin' you!

This one looks like a cute & fluffy owl. Can you see it?

Such detail!

Washed rooster tail feathers....

Now ain't that just purty?! 

"Look at the birds of the air: 

they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, 

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. 

Are you not of more value then they?"

~Matthew 6:26

What you don't see

🎶I waited for you, tonight. But you didn't show.

I needed you, tonight. I cried out with no reply. 

I can't feel you by my side. 

So I hold tight to what I know. You're here.

And I'm never alone. You're part of me🎶

He never made it home that night. 

She waited up, but to no avail.

He didn't realize the height, he didn't realize the cost. 

He took his last breath. 

He was hurting inside, trying to ignore the pain. 

Her eyes caught sight of him before he left. 

Never knowing it would be the last time her eyes touched his face.

She wished she'd done something....

anything. 

Maybe things had a chance for a different outcome. 

She'll kill herself with regret. 

He hugged and thanked her. 

The pain softly released as he remembered his sweet sister.

"Oh, if she were here" he would prefer.

Life can change quicker then a blink of an eye. And it can be hauntingly terrifying.

A numb shock that engulfs the body, mind and soul. 

A loss so deep, 

SO great. 

The pain is hauntingly devastating. 

His death leaves her with a hurt that feels impossible to overcome. 

Thoughts of him haunt her. 

His face..............

His laugh............................

Memories of him flood her and overwhelm her being. 

He sees his mistake. But its too late. 

Moments lost flash before his eyes. 

Memories live on as he remembers her.

To not live with regret is easier said then done. 

The hurt can be everlastingly engraved in the mind and thoughts can run wild with emotion.

She vows to make each moment count from now on.

"Lord, take hold of my heart. 

Tell me You're here. 

Show me You love me."

She has to let go. 

She has to move on. 

She will live every moment to its fullest and be thankful for what she has.

She can serve others. 

She can give herself. 

She can love with new meaning.

She can learn from her mistakes. 

She can have new adventures.

She will work hard and grow stronger.

Without him; 

She will hurt..........cry...................and remember.

He left a legacy.

He left a hole that will heal slowly.

Cherish Them

Dedicated to those you spend the majority of

your life around, your FAMILY.

🎶"Your gonna miss this, your gonna want this back"🎶

Are the lyrics that come to mind when I think about how little my time is spent with my family anymore. Life as a close knit family changes quite dramatically as the children grow up and begin making decisions for themselves. Jobs and driving enters this new stage in our life. 

It gets harder to schedule and make time for one another. There is more effort involved and invested.

Don't have any "wish ya woulda" thoughts as life takes its busy path.  

Put forth the effort, invest in the lasting moments. Take every chance to enjoy the company of your loved family member.

You have a job you say? 

Take the time off and spend it with them.

Its really that simple. 

Money making is never to replace precious time with the family. 

In fact, working too much and being too occupied with work can rip your family apart.

Do something fun, make memories, give hugs, say "i love you".

Make time for things that last.

You never know when could be your last memory with them.

"It's hard," you may say. God never said life would be easy.

That goes for making time for others as well. You may feel like your always the one setting a time of investment in their life or always the one pushing the "get togethers" 

Deep down, they appreciate it too. It may not show outwardly, but they will notice someone caring about them and eager to invest energy and time in their lives. 

Sometimes, all it takes is simply being a good listener and learning about whats important to them. Ask questions about what interests them and be genuine in your listening. 

Don't be a distracted listener!

Peoples attitudes tend to change when someone asks a kind question or gives a word of encouragement. Everyone has a personal story, interests and hobbies. 

Take the time to listen and learn from those who are taken for granted. 

Encourage those who work behind the scenes un-noticed and un-thanked. 

Learn your family's stories. For example, I love to hear how married couples met! 

Each story is so unique and special. 

Remember the little details from conversations with them and ask follow up questions in later discussions. You'd be amazed how happily surprised they are when you remember and care about those little things. 

Be affectionate. I hear people talk about their love languages. For some, it is physical touch. They feel loved when hugged, tapped, squeezed, kissed and held. 

This, however is no problem for me, haha, I LOVE hugs! 

Say, "I love you". I can't express enough how those three words can mean to your family. 

Don't say it flippantly or in disregard of the other person, but say it with feeling and devotion. They will pick out in your tone and posture if you are being sincere when you say so. 

You may think you know ALL there is to know about your family.....after all, you do live with them. But I promise you, ya don't. They will surprise you. 

To quote a song from George Strait, "There's a difference in living and living well."

Just living with your family is one thing. But, living well with your family takes true dedication and investment. And yields to happier & healthy families! 😃