GOOD MORNING

I was hoping I'd wake to sunshine but instead woke up to heavy fog. It will lift soon, probably within a few hours. I'd looked forward to having my coffee on the patio but due to fog I'm taking cautious sips of it while visiting with you.
      
It's amazing how quickly time passes. Sometimes I find myself wishing it were still 2012. I know that's because if it were, Johnny would still be with me. Still, even though I'm working my way through unfamiliar territory I'm doing okay. The Lord, as always, keeps steering me away from things I think will work towards what He knows will. You just can't beat that.

Many of you have requested that I share another of my stories with you, told me that you thought it might be a good distraction for me so I just might do that. It's been awhile since I've shared one I've written or started another and I have missed it.

I have a lot to do today so thought I'd take a shortcut and just share some more of the book I wrote for my Mom.

From Solitude- From Silence

Silence allows us to hear the breathing of a bird, the grass growing, and the sigh of a tired universe.

A crisis reveals to the world the heart of a man.

Do not say "If I leave my eyes closed I will not see the sorrows of the world." Better it is to leave them open, lend a hand, and watch the sorrows of the world melt away.

Time allows us to adjust to what is.

There is no room in life for bitterness; it fills the heart and mind with such
negativeness that hope cannot breathe.

I treasure the loudness of silence; through her the entire world is mine
and I have God to myself for a little while.

Let go of yesterdays hand or today will be of no use to you.

As frail as a bird is it holds its own against strong winds:
I will be like the bird- will stand tall against the storms of life.

I hear the wail of the wind and close my ears;
May I never turn away from the cries of my brother.

The heart has doors- the mind windows. If when trials find you the 
door is closed, no good thing can find you, but fling them open
and the comfort of truth will light every corner.

Let not the words of your mind overshadow
the peace within your heart.

Do not avoid silence and solitude; silence will help you hear
God's voice, and the solitude will introduce you to your real self.
 
If we learn from life as we live,
we shall be greatly missed when we're gone.

It is not good to return from where you departed, if
you did not learn during your absence what makes a day sunny.

The easiest thing to do is nothing,
the most difficult is to be
honest with ourselves, about ourselves.

Love is hard to find when buried beneath bitterness.
 
Faith has to be in use before it will work.




JESUS

You are not loved, you say.
It was Jesus who provided the pillow for your head when your body wept for sleep, and your friends phone call when fear found your place of residence.

I was deeply grieved so Jesus sent a friend to keep me company.

I was in need but none would help the likes of me.
Jesus said,"Come, my child. Sit with me. All I have  is yours."

Another change is upon the horizon, Lord. Sit with me please,
until the darkness passes and I see only YOU.

From on high, Jesus saw me cry- and wept.

Oh, come, Lord Jesus,
Fill the empty spaces of my heart and life;
Sit with me, and like the spider, weave me stories of faith, courage
and love.

I said, "Lord, will you show me which way to go?"
He said, "Child, I already cleared the path- left it well lit."

Lord Jesus, grant me the wisdom to know what love really is,
so that I can give it away when I myself am in need.

Even while our hearts are breaking Jesus stands nearby,
catching the broken pieces in his hands, ready to make them whole again.

 

 Well, dear ones, that's it for today. I've enjoyed sharing with you. What will I be doing next? I'm going to be fixing myself some breakfast. Just finished my one cup of coffee for the day and my stomach is reminding me that I've not eaten yet.

Do take care of yourselves.  Have an awesome day.

love you much,

Barb



  

JUST SHARING WITH YOU.

While cleaning and rearranging things after Johnny died I came across a box containing journals I've kept, some dated as far back as 1954. While reading through them I came across a letter somebody had written me thanking me for sharing some pages from one of these journals. The pages she was referring to were pages from a book I'd been trying to write for my Mom. I titled it "From Solitude- From Silence".  I decided to share them again, hoping perhaps something in them will uplift or encourage somebody. What I'm sharing here are some of my Mom's favorites.


1- My life is a barren desert, Lord; flood it with rivers of living water so it will     
     flourish as a garden.

2- Lord, you changed my speech- softened my words;
     Changed my heart-softened my touch;
     Changed my mind-gentled my thoughts towards others;
     Changed me into somebody I now like.

3-Faith not exercised is where doubt comes from.

4- Never look back to yesterday; it served its purpose- was only intended to be
     used once. If you must reflect upon it, reflect upon memories that are good,
     inspirational, taught you something or helped somebody: if there are none
     leave yesterday alone.



5- Reading is a wasted effort if what you learned is not applied to life.

6- Nobody can change your attitude; you are in control of that.

7-We think we know ourselves until we see our reflection in somebody elses
     eyes.
 
8- We always believe what we tell ourselves.

9- Friendship disappears when abused, leaving the fool to stand alone.

10- Put others before yourself; love is like that.

11- Thank you for your hand upon my shoulder, Lord,
       every morning, all day, and through the night.

12- Unwavering faith can handle anything.

13- If you lack faith pray for trials; you'll soon develop respect for those
        who possess what you hunger for.

14- Success comes when we recognize how much we yet have to learn,
      then learn it.

15- Forgiveness doesn't come easy. If you find yourself struggling with this,
       say the words then ask God to help you mean what you say.

     
Keep on keeping on, no matter how steep the hill; the rewards are always greater than the trial just experienced. Climb when you want to sit, work when you want to rest, live when you want to simply exist. You may not be aware of it sometimes but you ARE winning.


Have an awesome day, everybody. Love you much.