~Sleepin’~

I love to catch my children asleep and resting so peacefully! Not a care in the world! Every time i get to observe for a little bit, i’m reminded of the rest i find in Jesus…especially when so many things are up in the air and chaos surrounds…when it feels like i have failed Him and others around me, there is peace if i choose to acknowledge it-sweet peace and rest.  Anyone at true rest is beautiful to watch asleep or awake…

Father, thank You for true rest— i pray my trust and rest will be obvious in you as a light and encouragement to others. I hope you have much joy in knowing  my desire to rest in you. You are the Measure of my worth-not flesh or any principality that lurks…You and only You, Lord. Please continue to remind me of You and Your ways and accept what little i have to offer-multiply it and use it for your Glory.

~faith of a child~

Dad(God),

Somewhere along the way, someone or something told me to grow up…i don’t quite grasp the balance of “growing up” yet—keeping faith and mind set of a child, however, You made me.  I’m figuring You will lead me in this.

You have revealed more of Your character to me in recent weeks and months. There have been times when my heart has been so heavy…in my head i knew You were there yet You felt so distant in feeling. Verses came to mind a few old hymns and songs came to mind, i thought You were just being silent, maybe upset w/ me for something…

While searching my heart and soul over- there was some selfishness, some frustration with others when i shouldn’t have been frustrated with them, some aggravation in life appearing like there wasn’t enough to make ends meet. I remember crying, saying, “i can’t nor do i want to go on w/out feeling You strongly… i can’t live in this world w/out You!”

There You were and are…

I remember thinking and even telling You, that i want you to say “Well done”. I can’t…furthermore… won’t be a difference with out You. To walk with you, that is the key, not to run ahead or to lull behind—I need you, yes i said it as all of us here on earth deep down everyone knows there is a need of You.

Here You are…

Now all that is left is to follow through…to hold Your hand and walk…just as i am teaching our little guy to look both ways when we cross a path or street—to walk with one of us…(funny thing) he still has no fear, just faith that because i am holding his little hand we will cross safely. Please hold my hand and don’t let go.

You don’t let go-through the calm or through the storm. You hold strong and steadfast in the valley of the shadow of death-in the highs and the lows…You are ever so good and present in my situation.

Opening up and allowing myself to feel that again is empowering, i can walk with You across any street, sea or mountain w/no fear, we will cross safely. I am looking both ways, but more importantly holding on, waiting for Your lead to go or stay-holding on-faith expanded a bit more until You see fit to grow it once again.  Daddy, I love You.

~please pray for the Tipping family!

www.tippingfamily.com

~On the Third Day of Christmas~

My true love gave to me:

Three French Hens

~~~~~~~~~~Faith~~~~~~~~~~Hope~~~~~~~~~~Love~~~~~~~~~~

The three French hens are reminders of our Christian journey. Faith is necessary to begin our relationship with Jesus, the hope that He brings to everyday and our eternity…the fact that He is love, all are vital and key to our belief system as Christ followers.

The prayer on my heart after reading I John 4.

“Father, teach us to love others, for love is of you; and everyone who loves is born of You. He who does not love, does not know You, for You are Love.”

~December 23~

A deep breath. A crackle of an ember sending an echo in my head triggering memories of years past. Years ago when family gathered in Virginia where one set of my Grandparents live. Almost every Christmas was blanketed with snowflakes and jack frost nipping on noses. Often enough snow lay on the ground for a quick sleigh ride! beautiful handmade ornaments along with a few store bought ornaments passed down from generation to generation floated on a hand cut cedar tree usually brought in by my Aunts and Uncles off the family land. My Momaw or Aunt GayNell would play the piano and we would sing hymns or carols, eat and open gifts! We had so much fun! As kids, my brother and I would marvel at the presents under the tree! We would be so giddy, i’m sure we were a bit annoying to folks as we waited until time to open everything! Little did we know our families really didn’t have much monetary gifts and treasures, but the fact we had one another was the thing i think that made it feel as though we had hundreds of presents to open every year. The jokes and laughs, as i mentioned already—the food, mostly the time together…

Was/is our family perfect?

…NO–there were several years we spent apart from family due to a feud that i can’t quite remember what it was over now, but i do know it probably had to do with someone being selfish and demanding and then things just not being handled correctly, ya know how most family feuds take place. Anyway, i choose to focus on the good yet learn from the not so good, therefore you are reading about the fond memories. Another awesome memory is the stories our family would tell that were also passed down. My dear Momaw in her later years would tell a story when we would go visit then whoever we ran into that day or even to some of us for a second time would share the same story over. I remember smiling and just allowing her to do it as it seemed to bring such a sparkle to her eyes…

One story in particular she enjoyed us reading at Christmas family gatherings was the “Christmas Story” at Christmas a true story in fact…i think it was her favorite to tell. She has been in Heaven two years now and the tradition continues if and when we can all get together at Christmas, someone reads from one of the Gospels such as Luke or from Matthew the account of Jesus’ obedience in coming to live here, being born of humble beginnings (i wonder if that was so we could all somehow relate a bit better)

So today’s challenge: Read out loud your favorite Christmas story!

If you don’t have much, hold on to those you do have, if you don;t have a “home away from home” such as a church family to participate in life with, search and find one! One you do have is God, ask Him to fill your life with peace and love that begins in Him and His son Jesus! This is the Alford Christmas prayer for you this year…we get it from Numbers in the Old Testament…(I like the Message version that Eugene Peterson shares:

24 God bless you and keep you,

25 God smile on you and gift you,

26 God look you full in the face
and make you prosper.