pure joy on two faces as one, receiving his wrist band, exclaims, "Unlimited!" and the other grasps the reality of carnival rides where the tickets never run out

fireworks seated between husband and son, amid the excited shouts of "Here it comes!" and "Whoa! Look at that!"

the hands that cup and carry the airplanes, safely lifting off and landing, filled with my, and others', loved ones

warm air, blue sky, pulled cotton clouds, soft breezes, sand beneath my feet summer

worship and prayer, church in the park, pancake breakfast, sandcastle building, watermelon eating, who gets this kind of life? more than I could ever ask or imagine

daughter dribbling, fingertips forming pine trees on the hill of our castle fortress, joy again, there it is, joy again

ferry rides on a beautiful day, happy excited children, laughing, ready for adventure, a friend to share with, a pod of five orcas playing off the port side

quiet, still quiet, all the ache of the past months' torment, questions, seeking surface, deep cries out to deep, such deep sorrow, comforted by Your presence, the joy, beauty, people, gifts..who gets this kind of life? Father, Your love is extravagant.

Emmanuel - God with us.

You give and take away. My heart will choose to say, Lord, blessed be your name.

I'm getting ready to go offline for the summer. At the end of a school year, through which I was ill much of the time and if not I, my children, has left my house in a terrible state. I haven't spent any time in the garden. I was walking through it tonight and noticed I've lost my Sweet Million tomato plants. It's sad, but I don't really care, I just can't do everything. This has to go, too, so I can focus on the renovations, the cleaning and the painting. I feel like I'm nesting, the same way I did during my pregnancies.

I keep waking up to the realization that this is the happiest time of my life. I went to write, "despite..." but see, that's what I keep waking up from. Life continues. It's not perfect, nor is it easy. It is, however, abundant and full, ever flowing, not stopping. Yes, there's too much to do, yes, there is not enough energy, yes, it can be chaotic, but I keep waking up from all that to the beauty and grace I experience in God each day.

Thank-You, Father, for:

901. wind, waves, rocks, dark water, dark clouds, sun breaks through
902. that I was there to share in the joy of accomplishment with a loved one
903. help from my son cleaning my kitchen
904. that I was there to share in the sorrow of my friend
905. the hope for tomorrow
906. that I was there to witness the fun my children had
907. a new friend
908. bike rides in the mornings
909. blogs at night
910. grace

What has God done so you will know that He is God?

Here are some verses to consider. Have you been rescued, exiled, reunited, provided for? Consider your own life, looking for God's hand upon you, so you will know He is God.

Exodus 16:12 NIV
“I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’”


Leviticus 23:42-44 NIV
42 Live in temporary shelters for seven days: All native-born Israelites are to live in such shelters 43 so your descendants will know that I had the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’”

Joshua 3:9-11 NIV
9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

1 Kings 20:28 NIV
The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Because the Arameans think the LORD is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the LORD.’”

Isaiah 45:3 NIV
I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.

Ezekiel 28:26 NIV
They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their neighbors who maligned them. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.’”

Ezekiel 34:29-31 NIV
29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations. 30 Then they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them and that they, the Israelites, are my people, declares the Sovereign LORD. 31 You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture, and I am your God, declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

Ezekiel 39:21-23 NIV
21 “I will display my glory among the nations, and all the nations will see the punishment I inflict and the hand I lay on them. 22 From that day forward the people of Israel will know that I am the LORD their God. 23 And the nations will know that the people of Israel went into exile for their sin, because they were unfaithful to me. So I hid my face from them and handed them over to their enemies, and they all fell by the sword.

Ezekiel 39:28 NIV
Then they will know that I am the LORD their God, for though I sent them into exile among the nations, I will gather them to their own land, not leaving any behind.

Joel 2:26-28 NIV
26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God,
who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. 27 Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.

1 Timothy 3:14-16 NIV
Reasons for Paul’s Instructions

14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

was taken up in glory.

Be still and know that He is God.

I praise You in the morning

I love this practice of praise, how it lifts my heart, Lord! My eyes off me and my insecurities and fears and on You and Your goodness, Your presence here.

Thank-You, Father, for:
888. the tire swings, the climbing toys, the trampoline, the bikes to ride, softballs and gloves
889. tests to prepare for, for the children to take
890. my tests, just getting out of bed in the morning, choosing devotions, choosing kindness
891. this sore throat, sore ears, sore side, tired body that can still walk, talk, see, hear, love and serve
892. history, thank-You so much for Your story all through time, Lord, and for letting us read it and know You
893. sunshine on the hedge
894. food in the cupboards
895. a new day to spend with You
896. grace to try again
897. pleasant work we enjoy doing
898. time together
899. the beaches, purple starfish, giant moonsnail shells, tiny grains of sand
900. a day to rejoice in, this, too, a choice

Some rejoicing texts
Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

Psalm 13:5
But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 16:9
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,

Psalm 32:11
Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalm 33:21
In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

Thank-You Father for:

875. another new baby to celebrate
876. a new room on our house, shutting out rain and protecting from leaks
877. the right contractor at the right time
878. math they like
879. 2 weeks with my husband
880. 1 week with other homeschool families
881. waves on the sand
882. pebbles on the beach
883. sculpy clay
884. smoothies and bagels
885. that I can praise You, that I know You are God
886. hummingbirds and woodpeckers
887. sons who honour their father

I want to write a little...

...about the slow and steady climb out of depression and the things God has done. Specific things God has taught me:

• to roll out of bed in the morning, onto my knees and thank Him for the gift of today
• to go outside every day, look around and just breathe - walking at least to the end of the driveway, at least once every day
• to stop and give thanks to Him out loud for three things, and to keep a list of blessings somewhere I can see it
• to remember the good things
• to practice Philippians 4:4-8
• to get down on my knees at the end of every day and pray, "Father, thank-You for this day, I give it to you, please make up the lack."
• to praise Him if I am afraid, loudly...

Books:

• Joyce Meyer - The Battlefield of the Mind
• Beth Moore - watch her if you can, read Get Out of That Pit

There is this draw here...

now I know that you are reading this blog, that wasn't there before. Before I was just talking to God on my keyboard, now I'm talking to people as well and it changes the dynamic. It makes me aware when time lapses, yet life is so abundantly full, that prayer takes place washing dishes, making beds, going for walks and does not need this medium, really. (Of course, Linda, you have always been there, faithful, but I knew you'd forgive me if I missed a week, or month.) There comes, too, the thought, that if I have a readership, there may be something worth reading and perhaps I should keep on, changing the dynamic again. I wonder if that's pride or ego, or just a sense of responsibility...Abba, Father, what do you desire of me?

Thank-you Father for:
867. sending a competent builder to fix the water damage in our house
868. having my husband home to work with him when it needed to be done
869. my one remaining butterfly with crumpled wings
870. children, such a lovely idea of Yours
871. pears
872. family vacation
873. columbine and Queen Anne's lace
874. my son's gift of humour

And this beautiful day, Lord. I feel so blessed just to be alive. This miracle of life with You, Your love remaining even though I clearly don't deserve it. Thank-You, Jesus, for what You've done for me, breaking off 30 years of deep depression and truly giving me new life, patiently showing me a new way to live, one filled with joy, hope and grace to try again every time I choose the wrong way or I make a mistake. For these past few years of air, light and love, thank-You. I praise You, Lord, because You are so worthy of my praise.