snow snow go away

Fall is here.The leaves are falling at a rapid rate.The temperature is getting cooler by the day.Some of us would rather have warmer weather.As we grow older ,we don't look forward to the cooler temperatures and then there's the snow.....Pretty as it may be.It is annoying when we still have to drive to work.Or you live way back in the woods like me and at times get snowed in for several days.There have been several occasions when I have been ready to call in the Coast guard and tell them bring the boat or a helicopter and get me out of here.Ive seen enough squirrels and snow.While being stuck here was fun for a day.It is no longer enjoyable.I want to see people.Other people besides my family members who are now getting on each others nerves. Fighting over the TV Remote.Oh if only the cable would go out.Who have had way too much hot cocoa Who grew tired of playing in the snow 48 hours ago .And if I have to hang one more wet article of clothing by the woodstove......

Why do we always want things to be different? If we are stuck in the snow.We can't find ways to accept it and enjoy the time with our family.We are looking for ways to get out of the situation.There are people who work long hours each week.They don't spend much time with their families.A minute here,a text message there.They would give their right arm to be snowed in together.Some,pay a lot of money to go on vacations in the snowy wilderness.Have I got a house for you! Complete with,a driveway that is hard to drive down, unless you have 4 wheel drive.Lots of squirrels and an occasional snake in the kids room.

I think of my friend Carol. She makes me laugh.She can take any situation no matter how difficult or sad and she will make you crack up. She can find the humor in a trip to wawa.Just ask her about the time.....
She has kept me howling while we both have been raising our children for the past 17 years. And its nice to have someone who you can laugh with while you are going through hard times, and trying to figure out how to raise a child.
She is still laughing but now there is an intruder in her life.And some days it might be hard to find a smile let alone a chuckle.

When our children are small.We can protect them.We know where they are.Who they spend their time with.We have control.But as they grow older they venture out.The cord starts to stretch further away from Mom and Dad.The ones who can protect them from harm.Protect them from the people that can sway them or undo all the good we have tried to instill in them.We picture horrible things and people just waiting outside the confines of our safe warm house,ready to pounce on our vulnerable little babies the split second they walk out the door.The big bad wolf in sheep's clothing waiting for red riding hood in the dark lonely forest.

We are going along just fine and then comes the.....dreaded Girlfriend or the Boyfriend.Then one we would never choose for our precious babies.The one who right now has more influence on them then anyone.We want to throw them out of our homes.Barracade the doors,lock the windows and keep our child inside where it is safe.Where we are in control.But we all know we cannot do this.There have been people who have attempted it ,but they either end up in jail or the Dr Phil Show.Or the children leave ,never to return again.We've caused division in the family and now they don't call or come home.

The thing we have to remember is the Lord is in control.He loves our children more than we ever could.This is something that we as Mothers can't even begin to grasp.We love them more than anything.How could He love them more? But He does.

He knows from the very moment they are born and given to us as gifts,what their lives will be like.He even knows about the dreaded Girlfriend.He might not have put her there,but you will learn something from the whole experience.And He will get you through it all.

And while us Mothers are spending our days worrying,plotting against this intruder in our home.Thinking of ways to remove this person from our child's life.We are wasting precious energy and time.Most likely the relationship will not last,and we will be exhausted by the time it does , if we don't put our trust in the one who loves them more than we do.The one who has a plan and a purpose for our children.The one who created them and loved us enough to give us these precious gifts to raise.

It is hard being a Mother.The letting go,the trusting that our babies will be ok when they are away from us.We can choose to let go and let God.Or hold on to them with a death grip that will cause them to run.We can choose to spend our waking moments consumed with thoughts of how this person is ruining our lives.But He knows them better than we do.He will protect them.And while at this time in our lives we are not happy with our child's choice.We have to trust that it will all work out.Let go of the worry and fear.Let the Lord give you peace that will astound you.But you have to loosen your grip and let him take the hand of your beloved baby.And one day you will look back and realize that all the worrying,fear and unrest weren't necessary.For he or she is long gone and your child is doing just fine.They are in the care of the one who Loves them the most.

I lift my eyes up to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and creator of earth. He will not let your foot slip. He who watches over you will not slumber; Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand; The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm - He will watch over your life; The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Blessings
Dee

Lifes a roller coaster

On my way home this morning I noticed the leaves on the trees had started to change.Then tonight as I looked out and I noticed that the Marsh grass had started to turn brown.Fall is approaching,but how did I not see it before? Did the leaves change over night? I don't think so.Life has a habit of constantly changing,each day is different than the next.

But did you ever notice things change right before our eyes and we miss them.Our children seem to grow up over night.How did my blue eyed Barney the dinosaur loving 3 year old,turn into a 17 year old with a beard,a drivers license? When did my little Logan turn into a 10 year old who is now almost as tall as me?When did all these lines around my eyes appear?

Life is changing quickly before my eyes and it will continue to do so.It is like riding a bicycle with no brakes.we are riding down the road,at times we speed up and hang on for dear life,unable to slow down,unable to stop the ride we are on.If we had our way we would cruise slowly taking in the sights,we can put our feet down and slow down the bike if we want to.The one thing that keeps coming to mind is that.Although we can't stop life from happening or moving quickly
.We do have the ability to either enjoy the scenery and the ride.Or we can hang on for dear life.Clutching the bar white knuckling it like we were on a roller coaster and we have a fear of heights.Eyes shut tight,holding our breath until its over., missing it all.

But for those that enjoy roller coasters.The ride is exhilarating.The ups and downs of the track,The wind whipping in your face,being able to see the tops of the trees below.The miles and miles of landscape we can see from the top of the peak.Until the roller coaster starts to descend. The rush of air,the feeling that you are going to fall out of the car at times,but you are safely seat belted in. The hairpin turns.You feel alive, A little scared at times.A little giddy but when the ride ends.No matter how scary it was.You want to do it again.

That is how life should be.There will always be ups and downs.you may feel you are going to fall and at times you are holding on for dear life.Only to go around a bend that makes you smile and you laugh until your belly hurts.We have a choice, enjoy life or dread it.While none of us can ever say that Yes, we enjoyed every moment of every day.There are some days we want to pull the covers over our heads and hide.There will always be times that if we had to choose what is happening to us,we wouldn't wish it on our worst enemy.But we manage.If we remember that we were put on this earth for a purpose and every moment of our life is planned out.We can hop on that roller coaster,put our face to the wind and ride with the confidence that we will make it to the end of the track.And the ride will be worth it.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Blessings
Dee

Bee's in my hair,but im ok

I had a bee in my hair this morning,which caused me to rip out my pony tail holder,while ripping out some of my hair with it.Tearing off my shirt,and doing the crazy shake your head,wave your arms dance until the buzzing stopped and the bee was found,Tangled in my hair.The bee is no longer with us,I must say., We had a snake in the dining room the other day,it started out in the kids room. More on that later.

One teenage son who has a knee injury,hence visits to get an MRI,physical therapy,One doctor visit for inhalers for possible exercise induced asthma.One husband with a stomach virus now turned into a severe head cold for the past 7 weeks.One 10 year old with a blood shot eye,belly ache and the sniffles. Did I mention the snake in the bedroom? But in the midst of all of this ,Im doing alright.It a wonder im still sane.But im doing ok.

Each morning when we wake up we are never to sure what our day will be like.We can have visions of what we would like it be like.But rarely do our visions match our day.Some days are quiet and calm.We breeze right on thru.Others start out peaceful, but can turn into a bee in the hair,snake in the house.visit to the Doctor day.Not what we have in mind.

I worked with my friend Cathie yesterday. She lost her husband of 40 some years recently.Although the family knew it was coming and had time to prepare somewhat.Im sure that day She would have rather had a nice quiet uneventful boring day.She reminded me that we had prayed months ago that the Lord would put people in her life to encourage her. I do not know what it feels like to lose someone that close,but im sure your greatest fear is the loneliness,and the fear of the unknown.The intense feeling that someone has pulled the rug right out from under you and you are laying on the floor banged up and bruised and bewildered.But the one thing that she said was that she did not feel lonely.That she knew God was in control of her life.

As we go through life we can hear the words"He is in control and will never leave us'.But we are never 100% postive that we trust in that.What if its not what I want.What if He forgets about me.What if Everyone forgets about me.I will be alone.I will feel this way for the rest of my life.

The one thing I have learned this year from talking to so many women who have lost loved ones,Husbands ,Children.Is that they got through it all.Some days they didn't know how they did it They could hardly get out of bed,But they had the strength to keep going.

Most of them can tell you now that they can feel the Lords peace.Sure there is sadness some days.We wouldn't be human if we didnt feel emotions.But all of them can tell you honestly that their joy has returned,and they made it through something that they thought was impossible to handle.

So I ask you today,are you trusting in the one who can carry you through whatever life throws at you? Whether it is a bee in your hair,snake in your house,or the death of a loved one,loss of a job or major health problems.

Do you believe that He will pick you up in his arms and carry you? Or are you still lying on the floor after the rug was pulled out from under you,wishing your life was better,crying over your bruises but not putting your trust in Him and not getting up,dusting yourself off ,wiping your tears.He can't help you if you don't let him.

Your morning may be quiet but we never know what is around the corner. Your never too sure of what is up ahead.But the one thing we can be sure of is How much He loves us,That He is in control of every second of our day,and He will never leave our side.There may be Bees in your hair,sick kids,even a snake slithering down the hall,but you will be alright if you trust in Him.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Blessings Dee