Blessings Flowing
So often in our journey through this life, we lose sight of our blessings. The last couple of months have been especially difficult around our household. Without going into all the specifics, we lost my mother-in-law on November 4th. Our loss is heaven gain and we take comfort in the knowledge that her struggles are now at an end.
While she struggled over the past year with cancer and then recovery, we were all witness to her strength and fight. It was truly inspiring and frustrating at the same time. Still she endured until our Father called her home. She was 78 years young and spent 59 years with her love Bus or Mac, depending on who you were talking to at the time. Together they raised three children on a dairy farm in Cossayuna, NY. Anyone who knows anything about a dairy, knows this takes a special commitment, it is a life style of long dedicated days and sometimes nights. She is survived by my father-in-law, their three children, four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Blessings Flowing… with mixed emotions, a heart that is at the same time filled with all HIS goodness and a heart ripping sense of loss, yep our Blessings are indeed Flowing! We were blessed over the past year to see Florence’s strength, fight and humor. You can’t be a farmers’ wife and be a wimp and you most certainly must have a sense of humor.
Our blessings included being able to see her several times, some under circumstance less than ideal. The point is our Father made a way for us to meet the needs of my wife’s parents and my wife desire to be there! We could have missed so much were it not for our Father’s loving care and abundant grace.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of HIS glory in Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19
We were blessed to be a part in the sharing of memories old and new. Joy in the remembering that turned such a difficult time into a blessing that was shared by family and friends. The blessing of seeing how she poured her life into so many lives that were touched and blessed by her actions and words. Kindnesses, graciousness and love met lives any so many ways, Blessings Flowing!
Here we are a few weeks removed and while our emotions are still swinging up and down, the blessings are still flowing. Bus is doing well and his cousins have stepped in to help him adjust, plus it’s deer season and a regular crowd is coming and going at the farm. Since Tracy’s brother lives in Florida and we are in Virginia, her sister is left to help. She and her husband are dairy farmers and the demands don’t change even though life takes a dramatic turn, Blessings Flowing!!
Back here, cards are still coming in and we have our first service at church complete. Sometimes the blessing of love from our brothers and sister in Jesus is overwhelming. We wouldn’t exchange the hugs and expression of compassion for a moment, Blessings Flowing!!!
By HIS grace and supply, we are going to head back for Thanksgiving…. We will give thanks! HIS provision, grace and love will be known and shared. We will laugh and cry, share great stories and solemn moments. Still blessings will be flowing!
Thanks to everyone who has loved us through these difficult times. Your prayers, words of encouragement and hugs of comfort…BLESSINGS FLOWING
Blessings & Peace Always,
~Robert
Florence P. McIntyre
July 14, 1935 – November 4, 2013
I Need More Coffee!!! Thoughts and a song on Isaiah 55
I Need More Coffee!!! Thoughts and a song on Isaiah 55.
I find more and more what great fun it is to watch our Father at work! Here Julie Harris has again been pulled into HIS Word through another daily activity. Every one of us have found ourself in this same moment, having to wait for something to eat or drink and not just a little put out by the wait…. Seriously, good coffee aside, HE has promised us, “but whoever drinks of the water I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become a water springing up to eternal life.” ~John 4:14 (NASB) Also, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” ~Matthew 5:6
Our Father IS in all these moments, every single day. A beautiful moment, with HIM by her side and just when you didn’t think it wouldn’t get any better; a melody to go with the passage!
Be moved by HIM. In the smallest of things, in the greatest of things and by everything HE will show us…we have only to look and listen. I believe HE talks to us throughout all the moments of our days. Often while we wait in neutral for the next thing.
Thanks Julie for sharing and for the smile that crosses our face when we get to see HIM at work even through a “cup o’ joe”.
Blessings and Peace Always,
~Robert
He Washed Me White as (Ivory) Snow
What a great observation on missing the details. Julie again helps us to see that desiring to be CLEAN is the point, appearing clean is worthless. Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” ~Matthew 23:27
Just like the fabric softener isn’t a cleaning agent, we can’t “fake it till we make it”. We must purpose to follow HIM, know HIM through HIS word and focus our life’s intent on HIM. Protecting our heart, mind and soul by paying attention to what we hear, say and see! Paul said, “Everything is permissible for me—but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me—but I will not be mastered by anything.” ~1 Corinthians 6:12 I should only seek to be around things that are drawing me to Christ always! If I’m not being drawn to HIM, I’m moving away from HIM.
It is our responsibility to yield to HIM and this is accomplished by HIS grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit, who gives counsel, guidance and peace. When we speak HIS words, when we seek HIS presence and when we hold HIM dearest of all things, HE blesses us in ways we could never have dreamed.
We have a choice and we must choose, HIS way or our own…. Let’s join Julie in her closing prayer; that HE will help us to “mind the ‘small print’ in HIS Word, to take time to pay attention to details, and to continue to see You in all things.” I’ll tell you this, HE will honor this prayer as you honor HIM through a life dedicated to honoring HIM daily.
Blessings & Peace Always,
~Robert
I am going to share something slightly embarrassing today… yes, folks, I have been a victim of “laundry bottle identity crisis”. I cannot be the only one that has suffered from this condition, so I felt the need to come out of the closet…
One evening when my youngest was still a baby, I was carefully switching the laundry from the washer to the dryer. As I mindlessly took each article of clothing out, my dear, darling husband sweetly pointed out that the bottle of laundry detergent I had been using for weeks was, in fact, not detergent at all- it was….. wait for it…. FABRIC SOFTENER!!!! The horror!!!
I did not know what to do! I mean, I thought wow, my clothes sure have been smelling good!! And then I worried- what if it was just like spraying Febreeze on them? What if I was just covering up…
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The Boiling Point
The Boiling Point. That extra degree, that extra step…. Julie Harris helps us to see that we ARE in fact called to that extra degree and step for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He’s taken the step for us and God has stated in His word, “For we are HIS workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which GOD prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10 – ESV. Make no mistake, we are called to take the extra step. You can also be assured of this, HE will bless our obedience with peace and joy.
As you read Julie’s latest entry, ask HIM to guide you and lead you to submit freely to HIS work in your life. The work we have only appears to be our own, in reality as HIS children, all the work belongs to HIM.
Blessings and Peace Always,
~Robert
Children of Light
Children of Light. The beauty of our children and how our Father fills them in ways that we seem to miss. It really is a beautiful sight to behold, watching our children being who God created us all to be….filled with joy and wonder. In the linked blog entry by Julie Harris, we again get to see how as adults we can and all too often go through this life in stoic fashion. Missing the moments of mystery and wonder. The opportunity to live in a carefree fashion even though we have responsibilities.
In Matthew 18, Jesus makes the point very clear; “Jesus called a little child to his side and set him on his feet in the middle of them all. “Believe me,” he said, “unless you change your whole outlook and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. It is the man who can be as humble as this little child who is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven.” ~J.B. Phillips New Testament (Phillips) We have no choice if we want to see Heaven.
We are driven by the need to perform, to accomplish, to be more…. more than what exactly? What more could or should we desire than to be in a relationship with our Creator God through HIS plan of redemption – Jesus Christ? HE has planned more for us than we know and His way involves our becoming just like our children.
Our children are dependent on us for everything and yet in their dependance, they are completely free to just be who they’ve been created by our Father to be, children loving life! Struggling to learn and grow, experiencing highs and lows. All the while, they know we are there to help, nurture and guide. They ARE the picture of what HE calls us to be in this life as we journey to the next.
At our best, we are but a shadow image of HIM in displaying love and providing for our children. Yet we push through and do all we can for our children for HE has planted HIS glorious seed within us to take up this charge. Knowing this and seeing how important it is that we allow and encourage our children to enjoy life to the fullest, is it any wonder that Jesus calls us to return to this humble state?
I humbly submit, if we will become as children once again, HE will show us wonders beyond compare. HE will show us a life we have yet to know or experience. HE will return the sparkle to our eyes that will bare witness to all of HIS glory. I believe HE wants more in this life for us than being driven to excel in a life that is so very fleeting.
Let’s become like children again, filled with wonder and hope. Excited by what the day will hold and eager to stop and join in the playfulness of our children’s lives!
Blessings and Peace to you always,
~Robert
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