Day Six: Stop Right There

The first time it happened I peeked around to see who was passing by. It was a little uncomfortable but, man, was there power in immediate prayer for our girlfriend who was despairing over her failing marriage! My prayer partner is that woman who grabs you and pulls you in, drops everything to lift up someone to Jesus. There's no "Yes, I'll remember to pray for her..." in her vocabulary because she knows in her humanness she might forget. Instead, she replies, "Let's go to God right now." and bows her head. 

The Bible says that where two or more are gathered together in His name, Jesus is there, and so even though individual, private praying is so very important, agreeing alongside another person is dynamic and effective too. (Matthew 18:20) It's this stop-right-there-prayer that has sharpened me more than any other kind. It gives honour to the urgency of a request and has the faith to call on God in a heartbeat of time because He's as close as the mention of His name. So instead of promising someone you'll pray for them, why not slip into a quiet corner and whisper an appeal for them that very moment. It's likely you'll both be glad you did :)

throwback to summer days...

 

 

A Few Of My Favourite Things This Christmas

 

From family gathering to family gathering, from ice storm to a beautiful white Christmas, I have experienced gifts of immeasurable value this year. Although this month felt rushed, busy, obligatory and less accomplished than I'd hoped, I have clear hindsight through Holy Spirit vision and it's all good. What is that exactly? It's when you are able to read between the lines that grace and mercy have played a huge role in your daily living and you didn't even notice it until you stopped long enough to pay attention. I muddled things up and lived in a flurry, when what I needed was to be still and know that Jesus is God. Thankfully, His grace covers my seemingly important urgencies. At the manger, I can lay it all down and whisper that I'm sorry I've left Him out of so much lately. But, it seems as though He whispers back, "You're here now, My child."

Oh, how I always want to be right there.

 

(a long scroll of photos that are my favourites from the past few days...)

 

Baby Lover (she comes by it honestly)

  

newly-discovered talents

being silly while opening sibling gifts

Santa, with ice-covered trees in background

Meg was beyond excited to give her gifts to her siblings. They loved them :)

Love how most of their gifts come straight from their own bedrooms :)

appreciation

We miss Great-Mama who knit all of our stockings.

Papa pic taken by Oliver

where we all get our photo-love

my packed living room--love it!

Valerie and Ashanti spent the night with us again this year.

Mama made these amazing hats!

Auntie Heather and Ashanti

Love this kid.

Special visit from my dear friend, Tara (who lives far, far away)

Leaning on each other and the Lord as they walk through cancer together.

the "big boys"

enjoying a new pillow

Always much hilarity when someone gets Kevin's gift!

Kevin looks a little guilty.

The gag gift (the white Value Village vest) and the real gift by Justin.

 We all laughed till we cried over this one!

sweet girls

nutso girls

showing Grandma and Grandpa their photos in Elf Yourself

a little shuffleboard

three sisters

Oliver watching Sadie open her gift from him. Love his face here (and hers).

cousins

the "big girls"

massage time--Meg seems to be really loving it :)

Every time I lift the camera, Kevin makes this face.

 Lego help from Jenna

annual p.j. pic.
oliver refused to wear his because they were too big and
 he thought they looked like girl ones, lol!

keeping warm

reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by the fire

power outage!

icy beauty