Summer Song

It's that time again: when I think about gathering God's goodness. For Hanover tomatoes to be canned and stored; blackberries as big as plums; for strawberry preserves and ruby red peach jelly; for the anticipation of tasks shared with good company ; for traditions started and continued as part of the art of growing family close; for sweet corn and the grandson who always shucks it before I carefully cut it from the cobs and think of family dinners to come; for looking for the perfect bread and butter pickle recipe and the companionship of these adventures with the loveliest ladies I know-- all treasures in my gratitude list: tonight, I thank  you, LORD, and praise you for these and oh, so many more blessings and gifts!

Song of My Creator: a Proclamation

The thought that the One who creates the Universe thinks off me astonishes me. He invites me to draw near to Him. He calls me by name. When I rise up and when I sit down- He knows my inmost being for He formed and fashioned me in my mother's womb (when I was not yet formed). I hear His voice and I follow Him; I will not follow the voice of the stranger. He orders my steps. He delights in me. He calls me 'Beloved ' and ' Delightful.' I am the apple of His eye!

As a vital part of His church , I am a part of His Kingdom advancing in the earth. The Spirit of God in me has divine power to bring forth the life of God in others, calling forth their true identity, seeing the Image of God in them as they are in Him. I am loved with an everlasting love.

Through Him, I can do all things; nothing is impossible. I am invited into the Bridal Chamber and I can ask of Him anything my heart desires, trusting Him as He answers prayer in His time and according to His plans.  He calls me friend: I am a friend of God. I am the answer to someone's prayer.

I am complete in Him. He is my true shalom, my peace, my fortress, my defender, my provider, and the one who spoke, (well, sang actually) the world into existence. 

He quiets me with His love; He sings over me.

Safe Travel

For safe travel and refreshing peace-filled days; for good food and crabbing adventures; for reclaiming the love and serenity of casting a fish hook in the water (fishing really is a discipline of patience); for sandy shoes and a little sunburn; for the recognition that freedom is precious and costly; for a son's generosity and delightful restaurants discovered under the canopy of hundred year old oaks; for the smell of my daughter-n-law cooking breakfast; for adding charm as a true treasure-southern comfort--graciousness experienced as gift; for sunsets and sunshiny summer rains; for the experience of feeling the rocking of the ocean's tide, as if the LORD of Life were cradeling me in His love; for the comfort of home to come to where furry little friends glad greetings are sweet. For these and oh, so many more blessings and #1000Gifts, I give thanks to the LORD!

Beach Song

For captains and full crab pots and  two full bushels steamed; for perfect beach weather and Carolina peaches; ; for a grandson turning 17 and picking crabs until the job is done; 

for a son's fishing rods cast under a bridge as quiet rain falls and my granddaughter chatters; for clear starry nights and a meal lovingly prepared: crab cakes 

and Megan's perfect preach pie and perfect summer salad; for sand castles and rainbows and sun kissed skin; for these moments of hearing the waves lap the shore as night softly lulls and I feel the intimacy of your Presence embrace me and I stop  seeking-- a comfortable, perfect place.

I can't not stop to give you thanks and praise for these and oh, so many more blessings and #1000Gifts. Thank you LORD, thank you.