It's been too many days, Lord.  I've just slid by these last few weeks with "How are we doing, Lord?"  And, "Help us, today!" and "Keep us safe, Jesus".   I am certainly thankful You love me.....even when I tend to be so lazy in my communication with You.  You are the only source of strength to me.  I've always known it......and, I've always depended on that.  Lord, I will do my best to never take your love and mercy for granted.  Sometimes when we become so comfortable with our relationships, we often tend to let our nurturing skills "take a break".  It's okay, I guess.  Every one does it at one time or another.....I just would like to be "a little above average" when it comes to this part of my life.  Real friendships just are so special when we find ourselves "picking up where we left off" with friends we have not seen or talked to in ages.  I wonder, Lord......would we be better off if we tried a little harder to reach out and touch each other.....oftener.  Sometimes the miles......the time left in a day......and the business of keeping up with the schedules we've packed to overflowing.....just seems to make the importance of keeping in touch so difficult.  I am guilty.  We all are, I guess.  One thing I am anxious to work on from this day forward.....is to NEVER take the precious gift of Your love and forgiveness and mercy to me, a "given".  It's always good to see family and loved ones.  To share our stories and listen to the old ones and laugh like we have never heard them before. It's a blessing and an honor that you entrust to us.  I need to make that a priority, Lord.  I'm not sure how. I'm  used to going from one project to another......and another.  I like the part where I can lay on the couch between the projects!!  I guess that will never change.

Bottom line, Lord.....I have to make this a project, I guess.  Keeping in touch, more than usual.  Making an effort to nurture long time relationships.  The most important thing though, is the nurturing of my relationship with You.  Praying without ceasing.  Keeping a prayer on my lips and a song of thanksgiving to You and all that You mean to me because  I am blessed beyond all I have ever asked or dreamed.  Have You allowed the path to eternal life, litter free?  There is  only one and I will take what comes with it.  I have to say, Lord.......I may complain and I may be tempted to be annoyed at times......but, I will praise You through it all.  If I never had a problem, I'd never know that You could solve it......or carry me through it.  All I ask and pray for....I ask in the name of Jesus.  Amen.

Very rarely, Lord.....do we understand what You are doing.  So often......we just find that we're never quite ready when You do make a decision.  Apparently that quandary is part of the human condition.  Some find the 'wait' to see You....to be interminable.  And, then......there is Barbara.  Lord......we're sorry.  We're still a little stunned.   Even though her health has been so precarious....her desire to "go home" just seemed to be uppermost in her mind....so we prayed too.....that You would grant the desire of her heart.  She and Clarence had worked so hard for their retirement home.  It was a beautiful place to be.

Now, Lord.....You do understand us, don't You? You do care about how we feel....don't You?   When one loses such a huge part of their  life....the blow is devastating.  And then, to lose the capacity to do even the simplest of things for yourself.....it just is about all the discouragement a body can take. Of course, You know that already.  You're there watching and waiting.

The earthly part of Barbara's life has ended.  Was it all that we hope it was?  Were the Angel's singing her song? Was she met with a great cloud of witnesses?  She has had the greatest of friends here.  Some are with her right now.....rejoicing and celebrating!  The rest are here......mourning her.  She has been such a faithful friend to all who knew her and claimed her as such.

As You entered the room where she laid, for the last time.....we can almost see her giving You a weak smile......and a sigh of relief, as she breathed her last words to You......"I knew You'd come, Lord".   We thank You for going to her Yourself....... to lift her up and take her to the "Heavenly Home" You've prepared.   
She was just too weak to walk in the gate by herself.

How we love thinking about the gracious Savior that You are to us, Your children.  And that You love us  even when we don't understand and have to suffer for a time.  We know it will not last.  
Help us, Jesus.  Help us to remember that one day....."It Will Be Worth It All"......when we see You one day.  Make us a blessing for You until we too, will see Your face.  Thank You for allowing us the privilege to know Barbara.  

In the name of Jesus, we pray.....and wait.  Amen.

I'm sorry, Lord.  I can't seem to wrap my brain around all that appears to be coming into view.  Many hopes, dreams, plans and derailments are flooding my thinking today.  Often, unwarranted.  And, more often than not......surprise attacks. Whether good or bad.....it still rocks me.  How do I respond?  How do I fix my face?  Actually, a mask might work.....or dark glasses!  I feel like a little kid.....just wishing I could close my eyes and no one could see me.  I thank You, dear One, for the privilege of serving You.  I have moaned and complained forever about being "the Pastor's wife"......yet, never imagined ever being anything but.  In fact, I am almost positive that is what You called me to do with my life. It mostly gives me a great deal of happiness and a sense of satisfaction and I mostly feel honored that You chose me to do this. You chose the man who would be my husband. You fulfilled so many areas of my life that I never even prayed about.  I never even thought about having children......and I had five.....?!#  Is that what You would call being "self-centered"? I suppose I am being a little hard on myself.  Everyone wants to find their way in life.  It embarasses me when I think about that, Lord. (The "self-centered" part.)  Yet, You remain God and remain running the show that is my life.  I am fulfilled in so many ways......and I  give You praise for allowing me to enjoy the gift of music in my life.....and the caregiving that I was allowed to do.  All I could have wanted or dreamed for.  You've given.  And, given some more.  I praise You for being my strength.  My tower of refuge.  

I do have issues though, Lord.  You are very aware, I know.  I sure do complain enough.....too much.  I told my husband last night that the enemy just plays havoc in my mind.  "Well", he says to himself, "If I can just place some doubt here.....and some pride over there.....".   I am tired of being the can that he kicks down the road......NO PUN INTENDED HERE, LORD!   I have just got to start calling out the supreme name of God.....plead the blood of Jesus.....and anything else I have to do to get him away from me.  After my class yesterday at church, I felt completely drained.  You see, satan loves to bring up issues that are "under the blood"......and of course, Lord......YOU  KNOW  THAT  all too well.  I do too.......don't I?  Why does he catch me off guard so much.  Why does he make me question the DECISIONS  I have made in the past.....and makes me "wonder" if I "really forgave",  and if I "really repented 'enough'?"  Lord, I pray and hope and thank You for the fact that You provide answers to me all the time.  If I am looking......hoping......praying?.......for answers.......You provide them.  Thankfully, I was listening.  I heard You.  Loud and clear.  You are a gracious, loving God and I thank You for helping me understand.  Thankfully, for me and You understanding that I need a picture drawn for me......You drew the picture......in words and in indelible ink.  Thank You.  I feel I can breathe again.  Onward and upward I go.....with Your grace, I pray.

And, Lord.....all I write and say to You.....I never mean to be disrespectful.  I just can be so obtuse.  I understand there are times You need to use Your outside voice....inside.
I pray in the name and will of Jesus Christ.  Amen.  P.S.  Lord, forgive me too for using my outside voice to You.....occasionally.  I hate it when John says,  "Why do you have to yell like that?"  "Who, me?"  I say.   YES! YES!  AND, YES!   I must be going deaf.  Yes, thats it.  Thats why I am talking so loud.  Help, Lord.  I need help all the time. Amen, again!

Lord.....I come to You, today.....to talk about a friend that You've  allowed to be in my life.  I have this need to talk to her and tell her how I feel. Sometimes it is hard to put our feelings into words.

I remember when I met her.  She was attending the church we were newly pastoring.  She and her husband were a vital part.  They were faithful and committed.  That alone, set them apart.

There were of course, dinners at their home.....after church potlucks....desserts shared.....games and good fellowship every time we met.  One day in particular I was invited by my friend to "take a ride".  She proceeded to just drive and  talk and vent her feelings on what she was going through at the time.  I was quiet.  I am a listener, by nature, so it wasn't hard....I was just touched.  I remember thinking....."I can't believe she is telling me this! 
"Wow! She must really trust me!", I thought.  And, that particular thought......endeared her even more to me.  It's not often people tell their heart thoughts.  Very few folks ever trust anyone enough to "tell" how they feel....and believe it will stay with that person.  I was  grateful she chose me.  I have often thought....."How do I help those in need?"  After a few years I've come to the conclusion that it is not necessary for me to have "answers" to the dilemmas that folks get themselves in.  I am grateful for finding that all people need..... most of the time.....is someone to listen to them.  They don't need my "expertise" on anything.  They don't need to hear a "story" from my past to liken it to how they may feel.  All is needed is a listening ear and perhaps a shoulder to cry on.  And, perhaps, a kleenex!

I knew then...that I would also be able to trust her.  I did find that she loved me and entrusted my thoughts to her heart.  She prayed for me and with me.  When You give us what we need.....sometimes, we  don't realize it.  I have , for many years, needed a friend that I could trust.  When she and her husband moved away from us.....I knew then what a loss it was to me.  But, I knew, having her cell phone number would keep her close to me.  For us both....it would be a lifeline.  I thank You, Lord, that I had this woman to talk to. 

Her life became very hard.....very fast.  After they moved to their retirement dream home......she found herself alone, without her love, in just a very few months.  She's never been the healthiest of souls.  She's always had health issues that threatened her life.  Lord, You've given her a loving heart....although very weak.  Her resources are limited to keep her well.  Her loving daughter is beside herself trying to make the best decisions...for her survival.


How in the world do You decide when our time is done here on earth, Lord?  It is sad when we are aware that the possibility of us living much longer is coming to an end.
Some see it as relief.  Some are ill prepared.  Some need a hand to hold.  Or is it, the other way around?  I guess none of us really know how close we have come to death and have been saved through Your intervention.  You are the master of our lives.  I trust You.  And, I trust You for the woman I call my friend. 

I thank You, Lord.....for her love.  I thank You for her kindness and generous spirit.  Her laughter and beautiful smile still ring in my heart.  Give her exactly what she needs.  Help her rest in the knowledge that she is totally in Your care.....and trusts You to make the best decisions for her and those she loves so much.

You are a gracious God.  We are loved.....because of You.

All of this I pray in the name of Jesus.  Amen.  

PS.....I find I need a little extra help here......hold her close, Jesus.  Perhaps feeling a little breathless.....and, at a loss for what is happening.....Oh Lord.....hold her tight.....so there is no question.  I trust You, Jesus......to let her know, beyond a shadow of a doubt....that, YOU, dear One.....are there. Thank You, Lord.

Lord, I'm wondering.....how can I have writer's block when I am writing to You?  I mumble, complain, ask, seek, and knock for days.....and I just can't seem to ever get it right. I hate to appear too needy.  But, then.....I tend to want to run the show!  That does get me into trouble!   Too often I am pleading.  Now Lord, I think You know about my heart.  You know when I need to make a change there.  You also know all about my nesting instincts.  How desperate am I for an answer?  What will I do if I don't like the answer You give to me?  When will I stop acting like a child?  Can I truly know that whatever door opens......is the right door?  In all I ask, and in all I do, I honor You, dear Lord.  I realize that there are letters I've written to You that do not show a lot of "honor".  I guess that is because I am too human.  Honestly, I'd like to tell You how thankful I am for the forgiveness You freely give. I'd like to be more than You would ever expect me to be.  I'd like to have more sense than You would ever expect me to have.  Jesus...Lord of all.....show me what is Your perfect plan.  And, I pray, dear Lord, that You would show me what is right.  By Your word very often...by Your teaching and constant abiding....I have learned and lived to accept the decisions You have encouraged me to make.  Is that how it works, Lord?  So often....I have gone by what I think is best.  What I like.  How I feel.  Enjoying more pro's than con's.  And, all of the other etcetera's.  Lord.....I think You know my heart.  All of the years that I have encountered Your presence in the decision making areas of my life.....there are only a few I have questioned.  Yet, I know and appreciate all of the side roads and valleys I have tread upon.....I have learned and grown, spiritually speaking.  I depend on You, dear One.....to give me wisdom and clarity to discern the spirits that cause such confusion.  I ask for Your guidance in all I do. 

Thank You, Lord....for all the answers in the past that have led me to this point.  For all I ask and speak of.....I do it in the name of Jesus.  Amen. 

You know, Lord......sometimes......trying to write to You in this particular format is so frustrating.  I know my computer is acting up and gives me trouble several times a day....but, of course, when I am wanting to write, give You praise, and honor You for Your presence in my life......and the screen goes blank.....(and doesn't come back)....makes me think the evil one is at work again. I find Lord, that, so often when I write.....am I imagining that satan is looking over my shoulder?   I do not know what all of his capabilities are. Do I have to plead the blood of Jesus to cover me and all my needs and anxiousness too?  All I know is....it is in You that I give my whole heart.  It is in You that I trust that no one or no thing could ever fulfil the needs I have.  No exceptions.  I realize that my will and my desire to please You, is the final insistence I will wield....no matter what.  I was so impressed on Sunday, when You revealed something to me I had never realized before.  In the book we are currently working on-  Kyle Idleman's writings in "Not a Fan".....are so perfectly simple I can't help but understand what it means .  I believe it to be true.  (It took years for me to realize that everything on a printed page is NOT truth that I can believe in.)  Thank You Lord for showing this to me.  Now that I've seen it......I'm not sure how to go forward , but be assured, I will.  The section we read on Sunday, just floored me.  Going to Your servants who  described  their stories in pages of the holy scriptures is something that I think all of us would like to do some day in heaven.  I can't imagine not asking Moses what it felt like to come down from the mountain and see the people he led out of Egypt.....dancing around a golden calf.  Or, ask Joseph what it was like to be able to help his brothers keep from starving in the famine....and they didn't realize it.  Lord, when I think about these men asking me how it felt to see my mother in the worst possible condition a human could be in after a debilitating stroke......and stand by her through it....and feel the Holy Spirit holding me close.....and then also,  to continue to have this same presence infilling me so I could encourage her and have strength to endure with her the five remaining years she lived.  "Uh.....I'm not sure, fella's....I didn't realize I had all that power lifting me and holding me together!"  That's not much of an answer, Lord. That's pathetic.  I'm so sorry.
 I wonder, Lord....did I realize at the time that it was Your infilling that gave me that courage?  It was.  Now that I think back,  It was Your divine presence that gave me the will to go on  and live through it with her.  That's probably what made it the worst for me.  Knowing she was aware that she couldn't walk anymore.  Or, lift a fork to her mouth.  Or, speak.  Or, breathe on her own.  She was totally aware that she was totally dependent.  Lord...I am sorry that I never realized that You were the reason I survived that time.  Your plan to infill us with Your perfect plan for us......when You weren't here for us to touch.....was ideal.  When the ladies and I discussed this in class on Sunday.....I felt so remiss.  I have had so many experiences in my life when I depended on You desperately for immediate help.  Your spirit led me, guided me, comforted me, lifted me......and I didn't even realize how all of that worked.  Moses, David, Joseph, and even Mary as she gave birth ......all of them were living their lives without the Holy Spirit encouraging and lifting them.  I've often thought how wonderful it would be to have you close by so I could speak with You face to face.....touch You.....feel Your hand on my shoulder as You listen to me......but, now, since I have read this and understand it......I think, Lord, that You have provided for us the best of both worlds.  In my heart and mind, when I speak to You, I am believing, dear One, that You are near me.....listening with bated breath......holding on to my every word urging me to speak freely.  For pete's sake, Lord, I can't even talk in public without being interrupted by another who has something more important to say.  To believe You love me that much, is amazing to me.  Thank You for the messages You give to me.  Thank You for allowing me to continue to grow.  For urging me onward.....making me want to try to be ALL You need for me to be.  I am Your servant.  I want to be all You expect me to be.  Whether I am planting a seed or reaping a harvest....I care not.  To be used by You, for Your kingdom, is my heart.

I speak all of this to You.....in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Dear One.....Thank You.  You are so loved.  Regrettably, I don't show my love to You often enough or use enough words to express myself.  I depend on You.  I expect too much from You.  I never want to find myself taking the wonderful blessings I am a recipient of, for granted.  That is so easy to do.  I go skipping from place to place, (Hah!  Lord, only in my mind's eye do I skip!) thinking about what I should be doing or places I should be going or ......the list goes on.  I understand a few things.  "Do you want to go to lunch?"....."Maybe, do a little shopping?"
 I guess I would say to You that I ought to broaden my horizons a bit.  Now, Lord.....as I just wrote that line......the phone rang and I recognized the number and picked up.  It was a friend from church asking.....not, if I wanted to go to lunch......or shopping.  Your sense of humor kills me Lord.  You really have to be getting a kick out of this!  No.....she didn't want any of those things I previously mentioned.  She wanted me to accompany her in visiting a really nice lady that has recently become homebound.  Did You see me, Lord?  Did You "get" that I almost said, "no".  What I actually came out with was...."Oh......uh.......I......uh.....!"  Lord, I make myself tired.  I tell You how I want to be.....I ask You to help me......You do......and I almost immediately want to "conveniently forget" what I just asked for.  Okay.  Enough for "Learning Moments!"  And, I hope You feel better.  I don't, right now, anyway... but, You of course, know that I will, in a little while. Obedience counts with You and I know it to be true.  It's so "not" what I want to do.  My head hurts a little more now.  My knee's are still hurting me.  I'd like to lay here on the couch......play a game of "Mahjong" or eat a leisurely brunch.....but, I'll I go and be Your instrument.  You are going to have to supply the necessary strength and vision that I don't have or see or feel right now.   I know You will.  The times You reach out and grab me and hold my feet to the fire are not that often.  I am willing to be willing.  I'm thankful for the precious spirit of God that keeps urging us closer to the heart of God.  When my husband looked at me today and said, " I really want to live till I am 100......like Grannie Bell did...".......I just sort of inwardly groaned. " And,  I think I will be a greeter at Walmart", he continued.   Lord, have mercy!  I have no words.  I don't even know what to say.  Something like....."You may have to do this with a different wife......I probably won't be here!"  Or not?   Thankfully, You know the end.....as well as the beginning!  I am grateful for that.  Your love extends to all of us who worship Your name.  I am blessed by that fact.  And, guess what, Lord?  I am at peace with the knowledge that You allow what is best for me.  I need to always keep in mind that You love me and will help me LIVE for You.
All my silliness in my prayer and my insistence that You indeed laugh and cry with us.....still sends me to the foot of the cross where You take our sorrows and burdens upon Yourself.....and do with them what You will.  I speak all in the name of Jesus.  Amen.