A Time To Rest . . .

I will be enjoying Thanksgiving week at home, and I’m looking forward to relaxing and being refreshed. Holidays are quiet in my home as my family is small. Jerry will be working Thanksgiving day so I will enjoy a “me” day! Being a person who is most comfortable with solitude, I will be doing a little reading, listen to a little music, watch a favorite video or two and play spots with Sammy.

As I’ve been noting on my blog, there are many things I’m thankful for. Some that made it to the list this year are listed to the right on my blog if you haven’t seen them. Perhaps you’ll be encouraged to write down 30 things you’re thankful for!

My next blog will appear in December. Be blessed this Thanksgiving as we go into the Christmas season . . . and worship Jesus’ birth.

Celebration . . .

Saturday, November 14, is a glorious day for me! It marks my 31st anniversary of salvation. I still remember the day when I walked down the aisle to take my pastor’s hand, and then was counseled. When I walked home that evening, I told God, “I’m not sure if I’ve done the right thing, but I believe I have and trust you.”

One month earlier had found me crying on my living room couch when I told God, “I don’t like life. There is no reason for me to live. If there is something more, please show me.” He did.

I can’t imagine how my life would have turned out if I’d never found God and His saving grace through Jesus. Life is never easy, but with faith in God and fellowship with Jesus, I can get through each day.

The 14th is a good day for me. I was born on March 14th; Jerry and I married on December 14th, and March 2010 will be the 14th year of employment with the Baptist Convention. I’m expecting it to me a very good year!

Human Art . . .

As some of you may know, Ruth Bell Graham was a prolific writer. Her works are published in the monthly issues of Decision magazine, published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. A recent work of hers caught my eye.

Ruth described going to a number of important places around the world, and how all of them were engulfed in scaffolding for repair or upkeep. Her question was: “Is that the way the world sees the church?”

“The church is scarred by wars, buffeted by storms and eroded by pollution, and God is at work restoring His own–-repairing, cleaning, purifying. He sees the end from the beginning. He sees us 'complete in Christ.' (Colossians 2:10) And the day will come when 'we shall be like him.' (1 John 3:2) But in the meantime, the world sees mainly the scaffolding.

We’re all a piece of art – human art – that God is working on every day. We need repair and upkeep to keep us going, and God is faithful to not give up on us.

Works in progress. And that’s the way the world see us.