My Heart and Soul...

The Lord's day is so special to me... it allows me time to reflect on things... the everyday things of life... what's important and what's not... my family and the time we spend together... where things are going and stalling... to just be...
The other Sunday's sermon talked a bit on the ark... the minister was comparing the raven and the dove... it was quite enlightening to me... I had never really thought about some things that he pointed out.
First Noah sent the raven and it just roamed to and fro but never returned to the ark for safety... Then Noah sent out the dove... it flew and found 'no rest for it's soles...' and it returned to the ark of safety...  then it was released again and this time it brought back an olive branch... life... but it still returned to the ark... then the third time it didn't come back... it was able to survive in the new life found on the earth...

In the New Testament satan is said to roam to and fro across the earth looking for what he can devour... a raven is a 'devouring' bird... it hunts for carnage... dead things. A dove is often a symbol of Christianity, peace and gentleness... like Jesus... the dove went out and sought life.
There is only true life in in living for Jesus and His salvation...
A hymn we sang at church...

Holy Jesus, lovely Lamb,
Thine and only Thine I am;
Take my body, spirit, soul,
Only Thou possess the whole.

Thou my dearest object be,
Let me ever cleave to Thee;
Let me choose the better part,
Let me give Thee all my heart.

Whom have I on earth below?
Only Thee I wish to know;
Whom have I in heaven but Thee?
Thou art all in all to me.

All my treasure is above,
My best portion is Thy love;
Who the worth of love can tell?
Infinite unsearchable!

Nothing else may I require;
Let me Thee alone desire;
Pleased with what Thy love provides,
Weaned from all the world besides.

Until next time,
Jean

Home

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home..." J.H. Payne

Home is where the heart is... home is a place that should be a relief from the cares of the world... the noise and the hussell and bussell of life...  home is where we create memories, whether good or bad... home is important.  When our children get home from school and it's been a hard day, do they feel the warmth and understanding of mother, is there a nice treat, is there peace for their weary soul?  When our spouse comes home from a day where things just didn't go as planned, are there inviting arms with a hug and 'it's gonna be OK?' Home should be the place where each family member comes and can relax after a tiring day. 

This is the ideal setting...  but we live in a real world where  there and ups and downs to each family members life.  We try to be pleasant and cherry, but we've got a splitting head ache and life wasn't fair today.  Such is life, as I always say...

How do I deal with the head ache and the bad day... do my children hear all the complaints of the trash not being taken out, another broken glass, clothes not picked up, the list goes on and on... do I make excuses for my behavior or use their behavior for an excuse? I am sure most of us can say that both these setting's take place in our home's.  We would be liars to say otherwise... but back on yesterdays note on apologies.  When we have those bad days and don't react like we should or want to, a simple "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be grumpy" goes a long way, especially with children. When we can admit we were wrong and not make excuses for our behavior or theirs for that matter, they will see us set that example, they will learn to apologize and accept responsibility for their own actions as well. When our children come to us we too need to be there with a willing and open heart to their 'I'm sorry's'... such is LOVE!

Until next time,
Jean
    

Easter Sunday. This is a song we sang in church today...

 

 

Jesus, Thou are the sinner's friend,
As such I look to Thee;
Now in the bowels of Thy love,
O Lord, remember me!

Remember Thy pure word of grace.
Remember Calvary!
Remember all Thy dying groans,
 And then remember me.

Thou wondrous Advocate with God,
I yield myself to Thee,
While Thou art sitting on Thy throne,
O Lord, remember me!

I own I'm guilty, own I'm vile,
But Thy salvation's free;
 Then in Thine all-abounding grace,
O Lord, remember me!

Howe'er forsaken or distressed
Howe'er oppressed I be;
Howe'er afflicted here on earth,
Do Thou remember me!

And when I close my eyes in death,
And creature helps all flee,
Then, O my great Redeemer God,
I pray, remember me!

Author unknown.

Until next time,
Jean