Fondest Memories Part 1

I've been saying for years that I need to sit down and write out the memories that I hold most dear. What better place to do it than here?

Growing up I don't remember a lot of "family time" other than dinners. One thing I do remember though is that my parents always made a point of getting out to go camping at least once every year. Many years we were fortunate enough to go several times. Almost all of our trips were to various locations on the coast. It was often the highlight of my year and I looked forward to it sometimes even more than my own birthday.

I remember the hustle and bustle as my parents got things ready. My dad doing a look over of the trailers and the van that pulled them. My mom packing food and clothes. I also remember how cranky and frazzled they got. A feeling that I'm all too familiar with now. It bummed me out but didn't curb my excitement.

There was always such a sense of anticipation. What campground were we going to end up in? What spot were we going to pick? Would there be any kids to play with or would it just be me and my brother (which for the record I was almost always completely content with)? When could we finally get out of the car?! I don't ever remember being disappointed when we got there. It didn't really matter where we ended up. I was happy to be in a fun place away from the normalities of life with my parents and my baby bro.

Sometimes I miss those days. Simpler, easier days where I all had to worry about was staying out of the way as my parents prepared and doing what I was asked. Where my greatest concern was when could I get out, what did I get to go do, and who was there to do it with. But alas, getting older is not something you can opt out of and eventually you have to grow up too.

I am grateful that God has given us a wonderful gift like memory. Yes, it can cause great hurt in a person's life but what joy it can produce as well! My memories of my childhood are one the greatest treasures in my life. I think this is why there is, and I believe always will be, a special place in my heart reserved for the Oregon coast. For all the places I got to see and the things I experienced there as a child. The salty air, the sound of the crashing waves, even the playful wind. These are things I will always appreciate and be fond of. I am so grateful that my parents did things to create those memories for me. I hope to be able to do the same for my children.

Battle Cry

For years I have had "writer's block." Knowing I have something welling up inside of but something keeping the words from flowing. Like a huge ink clot that produces nothing but an impression on the page.

In the very early hours this morning I experienced a heart-wrenching time of revelation and surrender. I managed to get an hour of sleep before my daughter woke. As I was walking around like a zombie, scrounging for breakfast the words began to flow. This is what came out.

Battle Cry

I put to death my flesh;

That nags and begs to have it's way,

That is unrelenting throughout the day.

I choose to tune my ears instead

To the voice of the Holy Spirit;

Follow it's light and by it be led.

For it is my heart's great desire

That in my lifetime the world will see

So much of God and much less of me.

But the battle rages on and on

Choice by choice, to night from dawn.

And I grow so very fatigued

Longing to seek a moment's respite

From this bone wearying lifelong fight.

Then I hear a voice faint and small

"Come to me" it says to all.

"Wait for Me and seek My face

And you will find My great grace.

There is no battle too big for Me

You see I won them all on Calvary.

So do not strive and do not fret

Though the struggle isn't over yet.

Remember it's not by might nor your own power

By which you will triumph in the final hour.

It's by My Spirit," says the Lord

"That you will attain your great reward.

So when you find life overwhelming

I'll be your refuge, nothing's bigger than me!"

I believe my God, that what He says is true

That everything He promises, He WILL do.

That when I call on Him, He will run.

When I ask in His name it will be done.

He is my strength, my heartbeat.

The lifter of my chin, the mover of my feet.

With God there is nothing I can't do.

So I will fight on, I will push through!

Hear this now my declaration

To my flesh and my enemy's nation.

When I'm on God's side, I cannot be beat

Hear this now, You will never stop me!!

Aren’t you glad God is bigger than Murphy?!

I hate those days where nothing seems to go right. You know the kind. The ones where Murphy is your constant companion. The one where you pour out every ounce of your brain power and still overlook or just plain forget the simplest of things. The one where the stupid printer won’t do what you want until you’ve tried a dozen times and then runs out of ink half-way through the 13th go. The kind of day where you wake up to getting out of bed with your foot it the spot where the dog decided to regurgitate the yard debris he ingested the night before—sometimes I wonder if they are strategically placed. And let’s not forget the day that you wake up to find that your already hyperactive child has eaten 1/2 a cup of jelly beans and is crazier than Taz on steroids. The kind of day that you wish would go by like a flash but seems to drag on for eternity. It’s days like these that I long for the welcoming, hassle free, comfort of my bed.

But I have to say that I’m so glad not every day is one of “these” days. That there are days where things go right, where the sun shines, that I can focus on the smiles and laughter instead of the pool of milk on the table. Father, give me the grace to cope with the hard days and more of the days that don’t require so much coping. Cause I know you are way bigger than Murphy.

Singing A New Song

"He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord."

Psalm 40:3

Most days I like to begin my devotions with a worship or praise song before prayer. Some days, however, an established song just evades me. Thankfully, on some of those days, God sees fit to give me a new song. Here is todays "new song".

I will praise you on the mountain

I will praise you in the valley

I will praise you in the times that I cannot see

I will praise you in the sadness

Praise you in the happy times too

All my life, in every circumstance

I will praise you

When I don't know what will happen

And don't know where I'm going

I will praise you cause I know you're always with me

I will praise you when I'm scared, Lord

And frustrated beyond belief

All my life, in every circumstance

I will praise you