The Falls, Family and Fun

I am rich with His blessings. I give all the praise to my Heavenly Father for the over-abundance of gifts in my life...

321. grateful for a five year-old daughter who is taking initiative to tidy without being asked

322. for a new lens for Mother's Day

323. for my entrepreneurial Mom

324. for music that soothes a weary soul--truly a gift from Him (especially when it's about Him)

325. for spirit renewal

326. for a son who keeps us "in stitches" :)

327. for a daughter who surprises and amazes us with her memory

328. for connections with girlhood friends

329. for the fragrance of our blossoms

330. for the smell of a new book (sniffing over and over today... am I weird?)

331. for new recipes from dear friends who try them out first :)

332. for other tidbits of inspiration from various friends in various ways (so many wonderful women gracing my life with their beauty and strength)

333. for the loud construction that quakes my home daily... grateful because the new subdivision will bring our nursery even more business

334. for freshly folded clothes in the drawers... right in the drawers (a rare thing of beauty)

335. for my waffle maker

336. for the inspiration to sew again

337. for knowing I can live for a month without a fully functioning oven and no microwave!

338. for seeing the plans God gave to my husband coming to fruition

339. for the breeze floating in through my curtains as I type this

340. for Camille, Sandee, Bethany, Anna, Kathy, Meghan, JoAnn, Heather, Sydney, and others who are ever-faithful encouragers to me (no pressure-ha ha!)

341. for an amazing family day at Niagara Falls this past weekend

342. for my two boys and their love for golf (every object becomes a club or ball)

343. for my photographer daughter who is capturing more and more real moments (like this laugh shared between her Mom and Dad)

344. for having one of Canada's wonders within an hour of home (a remarkable, fascinating part of Creation)

The View From Here

They needed to get a closer look and so they each struggled, one by one, with the lookout magnifier. Things are clearer when you change your view. You think you've seen Niagara Falls until you look through different eyes.

I've experienced some insecurity lately. The view from here is that God is expecting big things from me. The view from here is that I'm just not measuring up. The view from here is that I'll never be the woman He's called me to be. I try, but some days it seems that I'm one step forward and two steps back.

Somehow, the Word of God slips profound, healing messages into my soul, like drops of sunshine on a rainy mood. I had read the scripture many times, so many that I can quote it. But the text stood out boldly to me when I needed it to minister, "How precious are Your thoughts unto me, O, God." (Psalm 139:17a) They are? Even though You knew I'd be this faltering, selfish woman? Even though You knew I couldn't love You back the same? Even though You knew this wife and mother would choose her own desires time and time again? Your Word says it's true! I accept this truth. And when it's hard to feel that truth, will You squeeze some more of it into the empty, doubting holes in my heart so the view from here can be like Yours?