"A world of beauty and peace surrounds all of us."
Hurrah! Colour has come at last to my patio!
After months of looking out my kitchen window at the greys of winter, the beautiful green foliage now interspersed with colourful blossoms on the surrounding hedges, are a welcome sight to my eyes.
Experiencing unusually warm days of late with our early spring, I thought it was time to bring out my colourful patio furniture that has been stored in my garage over the winter months.
What would I do without the manpower of my family members that seem to appear at just the right time?
Last Saturday, several of my offspring began their day with me, as we met for a hearty breakfast at Denny's. It was a pleasant surprise to find my grandson, Jordan, among the mix.
Working in Fort St. John most of the year, I see little of him. So, it was a true serendipity for this grandma. Jordan, along with his mom and dad, Debi and Mark, accompanied me on a search for new scatter rugs to place under my furniture on the patio to make the concrete floor more inviting.
Debi, gifted with interior design abilities and a keen eye for colour, knows when she has found just the right look.
Our day soon became more than half spent as we carried on our search. I was amazed at the patience and help of our men. Checking out HomeSense, Rona, and making two trips to Home Depot — as we had to return our first choice — we all agreed the final look was worth all of the effort.
My patio will have to wait for the added bursts of colour that my potted plants and hanging baskets always bring.
Our nearby nursery, The Greenery will have them available in May, when continuing warm days are more predictable. It's been said, "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. So autograph your work with excellence."
A worthy thought for today — "Who can I help to bring the warmth of spring to their winter they may be experiencing?"
— beulah
"There are others older, yet I am old. At least I feel so at times and the mirror attests to it."
I've just returned from having my favourite breakfast from the White Spot's menu — their B.C. Sunny Start.
Sitting alone, watching the interchange between couples nearby, my heart became momentarily sad and empty as in my mind, I began to reminisce of those earlier times, when Nels, "the love of my life" sat across from me in this same restaurant.
Remembering it is exactly seven and one-half years today since he left, yet, I know I am grateful for all the precious memories that inspire me "to keep on keeping on." That would be Nel's wish for me.
Worshipping at church also, without his strong presence beside me, has been another adjustment. Without a doubt, Nels took his rightful lead in the spiritual life of our family, along with my strong support.
Our ministry we once carried out together in our church life and our community, has forever changed for me.
Since Nel's passing, I have relied alone on God's wisdom and leading, meanwhile claiming this verse: "For your Maker is your husband the Lord Almighty is his name, the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth." — Isaiah 54:5
Today at church, the pastor, beginning a series on Who is this Jesus?, reminded me of where my strength and guidance comes from. I find my relationship with Jesus gives me the stability my heart and life needs, for now and into my future.
Now as an aging widow, alone in a large house, aware that my physical abilities will become less and less as the clock winds down, why shouldn't I wisely consider one of the three most important questions in life?
They are namely — "Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?
I have already dealt with two. My focus now is — "Why am I here?"
Perhaps since having to deal with my recent cancer operation, I am somehow seeking confirmation of my present status in life. God's Hand being so obvious in the miracles that brought about my successful and complete healing, I am still in awe and wonderment of the great God, who is also my personal friend.
Truly amazing grace! Why wouldn't I want to find ways to say, thank-you?
I'm reminded in James 2: 26 that, "...faith without deeds is dead." And though the truth in Ephesians 2: 8-9 says, "...it is by grace you have been saved through 'faith' — not by works," yet verse 10 reminds me, "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Jesus, himself, gave us our marching orders — we are to be His hands and feet wherever we are planted. Living within the bounty of blessing, I still have an open heart, open home rule, whenever opportunities arise.
Encouraging aging seniors in my home or with hospital or care home visits as Nels' and I often did together, volunteering at a local thrift shop or, just finding ways to help my neighbours.
Who says God doesn't answer the prayers of a sometimes lonely, little, white-haired grandma — a prayer that she just might be used in some small way to bless others?
Then, God surprises me with the confirmation I seemed to need.
Most recently, two dear neighbours — who have also become my friends — said, (each in their own way) "...Thank you for your prayers and help... I need you!"
Perhaps I'm beginning to see the why of my being left here on this part of God's earth for a little while longer.
I discovered this poem of Nels' — his attempt at some of his earlier writings. He, too, seemed concerned about the message his life was portraying to those around him.
So, are we often our neighbour's Bible?
Someone's Only Bible
"I am the only Bible that most men ever read. I wonder if they see in me, that which satisfies their need. I am the only Bible that most men want to read. Could it be that I have no message for those who are in need? I am the only Bible that most men think to read. Christ must write the message, if they are to stop and heed. I am the only Bible that most men stop to read. Praise God! I have a message that can forgive the vilest need. I am a living message of the One who died for me. And now I find that others come, and walk the Way with me."
I often find myself saying to someone as I leave them, "God Bless You."
I believe, blessing others is also a blessing to God. My dictionary explains it as an invocation (petition) of divine favour.
Recently, a friendly gentleman living in our neighbourhood, reminded me I had said that to him several years ago.
There must have been a godly reason for him to remember it, after so long a lapse in time. It's a reminder of the long-term affect our words can have on others.
"People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
— beulah
Some reflections on Easter..."He is not here; He is risen, just as He said." — Matthew 28:6.
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.
— Martin Luther
Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Springtime, bringing its promise of new life, seems the appropriate time to celebrate Easter with all its beauty and meaning.
Why is it that one billion Christians around the world still gather to mark the event that happened 2000 years ago? What we celebrate at Easter is the foundation of our Christian faith — the day Christ rose from the dead, confirming our belief that — "because He lives, we shall live also."
Someone likened Easter to a wake-up call, to a beautiful day and a wonderful way of life, but we need to ask ourselves whether Christ is now living in us.
"Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, 'Christ is risen,' but 'I shall rise.'"
— Phillips Brooke
Recently, my pastor closed his sermon with the following, known as the Apostles' Creed — a concise summary of Christian beliefs widely used in many Christian churches.
Note: It is called apostles' creed, not because the apostles wrote it. Churches in many different regions were involved in its development. Also, the word Catholic means worldwide or universal.
Knowing what we believe about God, makes us stronger in our faith. What does the Creed say?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
"We live and die; Christ died and lived!"
— John Stott.
— beulah
