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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Honor

Honoring my parents is what I will do
Mistakes were made, that is true
But they don't define us only He does
My mother was beautiful and was kind
Mistakes we made, she put behind
She showed me how to live and showed me how to love
He showed me how to be strong
Only in our weakness He comes along
You both were a great example to me
Of how I should love and who I want to be
Mom and Dad today I want to honor you
In my words and my deeds and all that I do

Happy Birthday

Today is my husband's 39th birthday. 11 years ago I married my love and although we agree on most of everything in life there are a few things in which we don't see eye to eye. One of these things would be how to spend your birthday. You see my idea of a birthday well spent is surrounding myself with my kids. Birthday breakfast in bed in which the hubby and kids would make and then clean up, but that never happens so I'll settle for some coffee, it's the love that counts. I would play with the kids all day, no housework done on the birthday, go out for a relaxing birthday dinner, maybe even have some cake. But the main thing about my birthday is that I want a day of no kids fighting and the family just playing together. That's a great birthday for me. Now the rule in our house is that it's your birthday so you should get to call the shots of how the birthday is spent. My husband's idea is sleeping. He wants to nap, get some sushi, nap some more and allow my kids and I to lavish him at dinner time. I'm not sure why this is his activity of choice on his birthday but it is his birthday and he should get to spend it however he wants. So as I sit here writing this birthday longing, my husband lays in bed napping. And I sit here like I have ants in my pants waiting to shower him with love and gifts and his favorite meal. I get so excited about birthdays and I just want to celebrate. He works hard and his idea of celebrating is taking the day off and napping. Don't get me wrong, I am glad he gets to do whatever he wants on his birthday, I'm glad he gets to relax and rest on his much deserved day off. I'm also glad that he allows us to lavish him for a time later today. Because he is the love of my life and I want to celebrate his life. I want to celebrate the day that God chose for his birth and celebrate another year of being able to love him.
Birthdays aren't about the age, it's about celebrating a life and I am very grateful for his.
So God, thank you for Virgil. Thank you for his life and his love and his spirit. Thank you for sending him to me for a lifetime.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Beautiful Day

This morning I enter the gardens and the busyness of the world seems to melt away. Outside of the gardens, the people continue to hurry to work but inside is a protected sanctuary. The thick clouds hang low in the sky blocking the sun from peeking through. But the shining sun isn't needed to find the peace that fill this garden sanctuary. The music fills the air and everywhere are traditional chinese beginning their dance. Notice the peace on their faces as they slowly perform their routine that has been memorized by the decades. Among the flowers, they center themselves for the day that lies ahead of them and find their peace. Among the flowers, I do the same only in a different way that has been memorized by the decades.

I close my eyes and listen to the sounds that surround me. The gentle Chinese musics, the trickling of the water in the fountains, and the birds greeting one another with their morning song. I can smell the scent of the flowers, too many to name and with the breeze comes the scent of breakfast at a nearby diner. I focus in on God. center....center...center...Guide me today Lord. Guide my steps, my actions, my words and my thoughts. Make your plans for me today Lord. Lead me...center...center. I open my eyes and notice the church in front of me in the far off distance. An older building with beautiful pillars and steeple. The doors are open, inviting the people to come..."Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest..."

Directly in front of me I can see God's masterpiece all around me and I marvel at His work. So many colors; virbrant red, gentle pink, golden yellows, precious orange, and greens of every shade. God has painted an amazing picture today. All over the city and all over the world, the scenes look different but the intent is the same. The beauty of this day brings glory to God. As I begin my day, my prayer is that I will do the same. Good morning God! Thank you for this beautiful day.