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ATTIC: To Store or Keep No More? From Grief to Joy by Letting Go

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ATTIC: To Store or Keep No More? From Grief to Joy by Letting Go Maybe it is GOOD stuff, but do the items we store really fit our needs anymore?  Opening a journal, I found a list of items with notes telling me to place them in the attic for storage , including telling me to push some of the items to the 'back' of the attic compartment.  The thought occurred to me that we often do the same with feelings and emotions, choosing to deal with them later.   "During those years, Joseph gathered all the crops grown in Egypt and stored  the grain from the surrounding fields in the cities." - Gen. 41:48 In the Word, Joseph was encouraged to store up to feed in times of drought.  What truly would happen, if we spent our energies storing what could be consumed in times of need or given as treasures to the future generations to come?  Instead of storing away grief or bitterness, we could fill our heart with the truth and comfort of the Word, le...
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Cans on a String

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When asking this morning what my family should look like, I laughed to see cans on a string.  The cans were not perfect but splotched with color and dented with wear, bouncing along behind the bumper of a car.  These cans made plenty of noise, and neither driver nor passenger seemed to mind but rather relinquish the comical aspect of the adventure.  Their faces were full of joy and laughter, the sun warming their faces.  My heart was softened to see the analogy the Lord had given me regarding our role as parents and the collection of treasure that our full quiver really is.  With my tendency toward perfectionism, I truly was not expecting such a response from my Master.  My heart was open, however, and my eyes ready to see.  With just weeks or possibly days prior to the birth of our sixth child, the timing is perfect.  He is telling us to rest and delight in the imperfect gifts that He has given.  I believe His desire is for each canvas he ...
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Wind in Her Hair

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Although it sounds like a really nifty American Indian name, the phrase 'wind in her hair' stuck in my mind and heart earlier today.  In the note of adventure, I rolled the windows down as we wound up and down and around the curves of the country road we were visiting.  One baby in her seat, and two little girls sat in the back.  My rear view mirror caught a most delightful sight.  A six year old blonde was letting the wind wip through her hair, and she simply could not stop the delight coming to her face, including her smile as wide as it would possibly go.  Lately life has been throwing wind in my hair, tousling my hair in a most annoying manner.  My attitude quite frankly has been less than a smile in the process.   The condition of my own heart was on my mind as I watched in wonder and amusement at the Kindergartener in my backseat.  'Wind in Her Hair' could have decided to be mad, pout, or hide from the wind.  However, her attitud...
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Movement in the Light

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About fifty yards away, movement caught my eye.  Two things had happened to allow me to see such a tiny, magnificent creature positioned so far from my home.  Without the sunlight streaming through the treetops, it would not have been possible to see the spider working on his web.  Without watching, I would not have noticed.  But a gift was presented to me this very morning.  Not just the beautiful arthropod, suspended between the power lines, but a lesson was etched on my heart and found it's fingers into my mind.  In that moment, a question formed in my brain:  What gifts lie in wait for us everyday, if we were watching for them?  The light drew my attention outdoors.  The continued watching allowed me to see.  I was reminded of a wondrous parallel.  His light is everywhere, even the angels and Holy Spirit seeking to rescue those in darkness.  My heart cries out this morning, let His light shine into every heart and life to...
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Bracelets That Build - Fundraising Campaign

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Would You Get Out of the Way?

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Would you get out of the way?  This question sounds so rude, but it can be freeing to complete the request. What if we moved our selfish pride, fears, and ‘stuff’ out of the way between us and God? Would we be able to see more clearly and breathe better? " Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely." (I Cor. 13:12 NLT) Being that I am due to deliver a baby any day, my sisters came to help me complete the many tasks still on my list. My list quickly became obsolete, when these outsiders to my home invaded. They were on a mission of love to see my home run more smoothly, beautifully, and devoid of clutter and excess ‘stuff’ in every room. The task seemed overwhelming to me, but I wanted to help them paint, move furniture, and clean. One sister kept saying, “I love you, ...
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Under Construction

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While contemplating big change in my home, including cleaning out closets, reorganizing cabinets, painting marked walls, and adding new lighting, I began to think about our hearts and Psalm 51.  "Generous in love—God, give grace!  Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt... You’re the One I’ve violated, and you’ve seen it all... What you’re after is truth from the inside out... Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.  Soak me...and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.  Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing... God make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life." I had been feeling guilty about how I had let the dust bunnies pile up, papers get mixed with toys or dishes, overall need for upgrade in appearance and habits of use in my home.  But God is not a condemning God.  He is BIG, but he does not pound us with our sho...
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