You Don't See What I See

It was fall when I was at a friends house and asked to have a picture taken of the two of us. She put up a good fight but in the end I got my picture:) She talked with me later and confessed that she hates to see pictures of herself. But all the flaws that she sees I don't. When I look at that picture I see a wonderful woman who listens to me and understands. Someone who is loving and caring and giving. She just doesn't see what I see.

Well, over the past few weeks, I have tried my hand at drawing. My friend is a talented artist and as I was texting her one day, I mentioned that it would be nice if she lived closer and could give me art lessons. That was my first mistake because she didn't let distance stop her from teaching me art. Now, I am enrolled in the PROMISE school of art!! I sent her a photo of what I want to sketch and she is giving me pointers. I also have to scan and send her samples of my artwork. To be very honest I am sometimes quite embarrassed for her to see my scribbling. But she looks at them and with love tells me what I need to work on. Last week I was telling her how I felt about her seeing my work. She said, "Keep it up because you don't see what I see."

I hate it when my own words are used against me. Well, not so much in this case. I love that she sees something in my pictures. It makes me look a little closer, trying to figure out what it is she does see.

So, here is one of my sketches.....what do you see?

Though None Go With Me

I just got done watching a movie called "Though None Go With Me" and as I type my eyes are full of tears.

The main character in the movie made a commitment to God as a young adult to follow Him unconditionally. Like the song... though none go with me...still I will follow...no turning back...no turning back.

Through out the movie she suffers many losses and questions her faith but continues to follow Christ. At the end of the movie her best friend throws her a party to let her know just how much her life has made a difference. There were people there that she had inspired when she taught Sunday School, a man she counselled in the hospital after a car accident, her granddaughter and so on. It was very touching when she realizes that the little things she had been doing all along did matter even though she never left her small town.

Guess I'm feeling just a little jealous. I think that many of us may not know til heaven what a difference we've made in others lives. That's what makes this journey so hard and keeps us so dependant on God. Maybe if we did know it would go to our heads and we would think we did it under our power not Christ's. I don't know....still, I would love to know if and how I've affected others...for the good (some say I'm a bad influence:)

Although there are very few who have taken the path I have chosen, I can't say I'm alone. God has blessed me with a wonderful, amazing man that I can't imagine life without. I wonder if I would be able to go it alone...that I don't want to find out.

It Could Be Today!!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.


I guess those words are only encouraging if you know where you're going. If, like me, you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you will be one of the ones caught up with Jesus in the air to join Him in the clouds......these verses are extreemly encouraging!!

Somedays are just harder than others to get through down here, so it is good to look up and see a cloudy day and realize.....it could be today!!

Don't Fight These Hands that are Holding You

When I first started this blog I wrote about how I am God's RADlet. I suffer from attachment disorder just like my children. I am not as bonded to God as I would like to think nor do I respect and love Him the way I should. How much rejection has He suffered from me alone? Then multiply that by how many other of His children may be like me. Wow.

Lately a song has been running through my head a lot. A song that makes me think of the ways I reject God. It's by Tenth Avenue North called "By Your Side". The song is as if Jesus were talking to us and the line that always gets to me is the one that says....Please don't fight these hands that are holding you. My hands are holding you.

Guess it just makes me think of all the times I have fought Him. I'm sorry, God! Thanks for always being by my side.


BY YOUR SIDE
Why are you striving these days?
Why are you trying to earn grace?
Why are you crying?
Let me lift up your face
Just don’t turn away
Why are you looking for love?
Why are you still searching as if I’m not enough?
To where will you go child?
Tell me where will you run?
To where will you run?

Cause I’ll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night
whenever you call
And please don’t fight these hands that are holding you
Yeah My hands are holding you

Look at these hands, and My side
They swallowed the grave on that night When I drank the world’s sin so I could carry you in And give you life, I wanna give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I’ll never let you go

Artist: Tenth Avenue North
Copyright Credits: Album: Over And Underneath
Written By: Jason Ingram, Michael Donehey, & Phillip LaRue
Copyright: © 2008 Peertunes, Ltd. / Grange Hill Music / Windsor Way Music / Phillip LaRue Designee

Birthday Surprise

For the past month I have been ready to burst at the seams. I have wanted to write about a fun journey I've been on to surprize my best friend for her birthday. But I was afraid that she would read my blog if I mentioned it here. Now that her birthday surprise is over I can tell you about our special day.

About a month ago, as I was texting Teresa about coming to my house for a visit, I got the idea to drive the two hours to her house, get her in the car and bring her back to my house as a birthday surprise. You see, I've lived in this house for four years now and until yesterday she had not been able to come for a visit (that might have something to do with the fact that she has 10 kids and a husband to care for). So, I contacted one of her young adult sons to help arrange babysitting and made my own childcare arrangements. Then began to plan.

When I walked into the resturant, I saw her sitting with her back to the window, having breakfast with her adult son. Elijah saw me immediately but her view of the door was blocked by a room divider. I told the hostess that I was meeting someone for breakfast then dialed Teresa's number. I saw her pick up her phone and flip it open as I walked toward their table. I tried to keep the excitement from my voice as I asked her what she was doing. Still thinking I was in another state, she explained how Elijah had showed up that morning and offered to take her out to breakfast for her birthday. "So, where are you?" I asked.
"Cracker Barrel"
Smiling I walked closer and asked, "The one in Middletown?"
"Yeah"
Now standing in front of her I said laughingly, "That's funny 'cause that's where I am!"
With that she looked up and saw me. Not knowing what to say she stood to hug me. Then a knowing expression crept over her face and she turned to her son. "Did you know about this?!"
He nodded and explained how I had called him a month before to ask his help with planning and provide babysitting. "Because," I added, "You are leaving with me. We are going to Indiana for the day. I'll make sure you back to your house tonight."
Elijah finished his meal quickly and left us to our special day.

I'm glad to report that Teresa seemed to love the surprise and we had a wonderful day. Best birthday ever was how she described it. Time with good friends is to be cherished.