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Today's One Thing
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Angels heard on high
Luke 2(KJV) 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
This Christmas I actually heard them.
The angels. I actually heard them sing.
My heart burst with joy as I watched in wonder my oldest daughter giving birth to her second child, a son. I felt my soul travel across time 2000 years to a manger in Bethlehem and another young mother who held her newborn son, our Emanuel.
I held my grandson nuzzling his fuzzy little forehead, gazing into the dark pools of his eyes filled with hope and promise having just seen the face of God. Then, I heard them.
Angels. Heavenly hosts.
Singing of God's glory. Bringing me good will and peace.
Praise God, the angels didn't come just once 2000 years ago. They come again and again and again.
Do you hear them?
This Christmas I actually heard them.
The angels. I actually heard them sing.
My heart burst with joy as I watched in wonder my oldest daughter giving birth to her second child, a son. I felt my soul travel across time 2000 years to a manger in Bethlehem and another young mother who held her newborn son, our Emanuel.
I held my grandson nuzzling his fuzzy little forehead, gazing into the dark pools of his eyes filled with hope and promise having just seen the face of God. Then, I heard them.
Angels. Heavenly hosts.
Singing of God's glory. Bringing me good will and peace.
Praise God, the angels didn't come just once 2000 years ago. They come again and again and again.
Do you hear them?
Benjamin Royal Backofen
born Christmas Day 2011
Congratulations! Taylor, Jason and
proud big sister Venessa
Congratulations! Taylor, Jason and
proud big sister Venessa
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Unlearning
How do I learn the lessons God is trying-so patiently, time after time-to teach me?
Slow down, He says.
Be still.
I never learn it completely.
October was another example of lessons unlearned. Sure, I can tell you about three more trips to the hospital praying helplessly over children bearing burdens beyond their years. I can tell you about adjusting to a new job working hours long into the night watching over lost, troubled children. I can tell you of my own sweet teenager trying to find her way through junior high. You would nod your head with empathy and understanding. You've been there. You know.
How do I learn to live this disciple life? Walking Jesus' cross-carved path.
I stop.
I pray.
God forgives and pours out his redeeming grace upon my weary, unlearning soul.
And, I begin again.
Slow down, He says.
Be still.
I never learn it completely.
October was another example of lessons unlearned. Sure, I can tell you about three more trips to the hospital praying helplessly over children bearing burdens beyond their years. I can tell you about adjusting to a new job working hours long into the night watching over lost, troubled children. I can tell you of my own sweet teenager trying to find her way through junior high. You would nod your head with empathy and understanding. You've been there. You know.
How do I learn to live this disciple life? Walking Jesus' cross-carved path.
I stop.
I pray.
God forgives and pours out his redeeming grace upon my weary, unlearning soul.
And, I begin again.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Late night blessings
Sitting here for a third night by my daughter's hospital bed listening to monitors beeping and watching bad late night TV, it's hard to find my blessings. But, God is faithful so I am faithful to count...
33. free refills on soda in the cafeteria
34. family and friends surrounding us in prayer
35. unexpected mother/daughter time
36. wifi connections in the room
37. caring and prompt doctors, nurses, aides
38. husbands and daughters loving with dishes cleaned, meals cooked, pets fed
39. flowers, phone calls, Facebook well wishes
40. silly, sleepy smiles
Monday, September 5, 2011
Blessings counted
22. family, friends and laughter
23. waking up to the smell of bacon cooking
24. long distance giggles
25. healthy new addition due in December
26. smell of fresh Autumn air
27. pencils, notebooks and backpacks...signs of the new school year
28. clean sheets and fluffy pillows
29. fears faced -Congratulations making Chorale, Maggie!
30. prayers of faith filled friends
31. unexpected kindness...thanks for changing my tire, guys
32. patience for the meantime
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Confessions
Psst. I have a confession to make. I have four great children mostly grown and handling life on their own now. For the record, I am fiercely proud of each one of them. But, just between you and me...sometimes I feel like I've failed.
You see, I'm still that worried young mother watching from the dining room as her little cape wearing super boy steps onto the coffee table holding a mailing tube and placing both hands inside the tube pushes himself off the table to fly. I holler at him to stop but he just flashes me that mischievous grin. He soars as if in slow motion but I can't reach him in time to save him from the first of what will be several sets of stitches.
I desperately want to save them from their bumps and bruises but no matter how hard I try to warn them, how emphatic my plea, they just smile that sweet smile that says, "Oh, Mom" and go on doing things their own way.
Of course, that's what I wanted, right? Independent, self assured, confident children who became independent, self assured, confident adults. That was my job as a mother. To make them brave enough to carve out a better future than the bumpy road I chose.
So what's a seasoned worrying mama to do when those failure moments come? The only thing I know...
Fall on my faith and pray.
Oh God my Father, keep my children safe as they sleep in their own beds, in their own apartments across town and across the country. Whisper to them the promises you made to me. Tell them you know them by name, that they are your sons and daughters. No matter what they do they'll never lose your love. Lord, pour your grace over them as they make the mistakes of youth and humanness. Wrap them with your arms of love until they feel your presence surrounding them. And, Lord, please quiet the worries of my anxious heart and fill it to overflowing with your perfect peace.
Amen.
You see, I'm still that worried young mother watching from the dining room as her little cape wearing super boy steps onto the coffee table holding a mailing tube and placing both hands inside the tube pushes himself off the table to fly. I holler at him to stop but he just flashes me that mischievous grin. He soars as if in slow motion but I can't reach him in time to save him from the first of what will be several sets of stitches.
I desperately want to save them from their bumps and bruises but no matter how hard I try to warn them, how emphatic my plea, they just smile that sweet smile that says, "Oh, Mom" and go on doing things their own way.
Of course, that's what I wanted, right? Independent, self assured, confident children who became independent, self assured, confident adults. That was my job as a mother. To make them brave enough to carve out a better future than the bumpy road I chose.
So what's a seasoned worrying mama to do when those failure moments come? The only thing I know...
Fall on my faith and pray.
Oh God my Father, keep my children safe as they sleep in their own beds, in their own apartments across town and across the country. Whisper to them the promises you made to me. Tell them you know them by name, that they are your sons and daughters. No matter what they do they'll never lose your love. Lord, pour your grace over them as they make the mistakes of youth and humanness. Wrap them with your arms of love until they feel your presence surrounding them. And, Lord, please quiet the worries of my anxious heart and fill it to overflowing with your perfect peace.
Amen.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
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