Bridal shower blessings

     "Immature love says, 'I love you, because I need you.'  Mature love says, 'I need you, because I love you.'  Marriage is a gift from God, and a part of His plan for us humans."   

     These were my beginning words to my granddaughter, Sarah, as I presented my gift to her at the bridal shower that my daughters and I hosted in her honour, last week. 

     What can be more exciting than planning a family wedding? 

     Excitement is already running high, having just received our invitations — which, by the way, are a work of art, designed by this creative couple, Sarah and Tyler. 

     My family room was tastefully decorated for the event by Debi, and 'bursting at the seams' with close to 20, noisy, talkative ladies. 

     Three and a half year old Evelyn Jane, my great-granddaughter — and our youngest guest — arrived with her purse-in-hand, ready for the purse game, announcing this was an 'all-girls party' only! 

     Noisy, fun games, led by Krista, were interspersed with delicious finger foods that Karen kept replenishing — the crab puffs were awesome! 

     To have Sarah's grandma Marian and her mom Carolyn from Kamloops as my guests on the weekend, all added to the fun and excitement. 

     Each lovely gift Sarah opened, I can imagine, stirred a new excitement for her, as she envisioned using them in her own home. 

     My gift to her — being rather unique — showed a couple praying together. 

     The following verses from Ephesians 4: 2-3, was carved on its front: "Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace." 

     This gift inspired me to encourage Sarah with the following words: 

     "With the exception of our love-relationship with Jesus, nothing in life is more beautiful or satisfying than the loving relationship of a husband and wife. 

     There is no such thing as a perfect marriage. That is why we must 'let grace abound towards each other,' and be ready to forgive often." 

     During your Grandpa Nels and my 55 years of marriage, we had a house rule based on wise scripture, 'to never go to bed angry,' but to always make sure we were at peace with each other at the close of each day. 

     This included our children as well. May your faith never fade, as together you seek God when times get tough, and praise Him when blessings abound. 

     And — may you never forget the reasons you fell in love in the first place."    

     So, Sarah, make memories that will bring smiles and sighs — whenever you look back.   

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her... She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life..."   

— Proverbs 31:10-12

— beulah      

Hello Spring! Good-bye Winter! (Well, almost)

Hello Spring! Good-bye Winter!

     Having just returned from our local mall, I was reminded we are in the midst of  Spring Break. Children and parents everywhere were enjoying a shopping spree together. Spring Break is an academic tradition varying from province to province, but one both teachers and pupils welcome this time of year after a long winter. 

     "Despite the forecast, live like it's spring." 

— Lily Pulitzer  

     Perhaps, this is the message I should send to my relatives in the Maritimes, who have become winter weary with the huge snow banks they have had to deal with and the continual dismal forecasts. 

This is the back yard of my sister-in-law Geraldine Eagles', taken recently. No laundry on the clothesline any time soon.

           But, take heart you Easterners — there's better days ahead. We know that no matter how long the winter, the advent of spring will surely follow. We, here in the West, almost feel guilty as we have daily watched their on-going winter drama. 

     Blessed with a fairly mild and short winter, our days have already become warmer with signs of spring appearing everywhere. Officially, it quietly arrived today. Spring always brings with it its annual miracles. A time of new beginnings — tiny buds appear on the trees, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths and cherry blossoms show their lovely colours. 

     I like Reginald Herbert's words:  "Spring unlocks the flowers that paint the laughing soil." 

     God obviously loves beauty and colour, having given us such an awesome world for our enjoyment. After He created Adam and Eve he put them in the Garden of Eden to work it and care for it. 

     Someone has said, "Every April, God rewrites the Book of Genesis."  

     Spring seems to bring new hope and a freshness to our world. We often can get motivated to do the things that we keep "putting off 'til tomorrow."
     

     Looking back with a grateful heart, to my experiences of the past few months, I want to embrace each day with more of an acute awareness and wonder. 
     

     I want to see God's hand and beauty everywhere, even in the people He brings across my path. 

     

Be encouraged by the following:


     "Today, look at the blue sky, hear the grass growing beneath your feet, inhale the scent of spring, let the fruits of the earth linger on your tongue, reach out and embrace those you love. Ask (God's) Spirit to awaken your awareness to the sacredness of your sensory perceptions." 

 — Sarah Ban Breathnach

— beulah

Home, at last

     

     Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the subject of death. No doubt, it has been on my mind because already this year, I have lost a relative, a good friend, and just this past week, a neighbour. 

     Susan, my niece, finally succumbed to her battle with cancer at too young an age. 

     My dear friend Margaret — whom I considered my godly mentor — was recently released from her helpless body after years of dealing with a debilitating stroke. 

     My friendly and helpful neighbour Lyle — who liked shovelling snow from my driveway — suddenly left our little community of Glen Meadows just last week. 

     Have you noticed that the subject of death is not a common discussion topic? Yet, our culture seems obsessed with death, while seemingly having no understanding of its eternal consequences. 

     

     Some may believe death to be more appealing than life, as suicide statistics continue to pile up. I recently read that when the season premiere of, The Walking Dead was released last fall, it had a tremendous following, even surpassing the viewing of the usual, ever-popular Sunday night NFL football games. It is just another of the games and horror movies that fixate on gore and death. 

     In spite of what some may think, death is not a fantasy or a fictional television series. It is the entry into either eternal life or eternal death. 

     The media seek to keep us inundated with stories of tragedy from around the world — horrifying murder and mayhem that dominate the news. I often wish the media would pass along more of the happy stuff. 

     Like last week, a story originating in Scotland was shared several times in the news, going viral on the Internet with millions responding. 

     

     The mother of an engaged couple had chosen to wear to the wedding what she thought was a chic blue and black dress. 

     Someone in the wedding party, said it was white and gold and so, not appropriate. Still others insisted it was blue and black, while others saw white and gold. Who knows why they all were not seeing the same colours? It made light-hearted news for a time anyway. 

     

     Also, in another human interest story, some viewers found amusing the extensive news coverage of a pair of llamas in Arizona that had found their way onto city streets. 

     We surely know that death is certain for everyone. But, we also can know the good news that Jesus, who died and rose again, has defeated the dreaded enemy — death. Suffering death on our behalf, He offers to anyone who believes, "a life spending eternity with Him in heaven."   

     Many moons ago, dear Margaret — who I already greatly miss — introduced me to these wonderful thoughts.   

Think of: 

Stepping on shore, and finding it heaven! 

Of taking hold of a hand, and finding it God's hand. 

Of breathing a new air, and finding it celestial air. 

Of feeling invigorated, and finding it Immortality. 

Of passing from storm and tempest to an unbroken calm. 

Of waking up, and finding it HOME!   

"Margaret, you are Home at last!"



— beulah

The Great Physician

     

     Just a little over four weeks since my operation and already it seems like a dream. Did I really have those experiences? 

     A peek at the scars decorating my abdomen — and the answer is a strong, "Yes!" 

     I continue to thank and praise my Heavenly Father who has been the Great Physician alongside my surgeon Dr. Baliski. 

     I am amazed as I consider all that has transpired these last few months. God's timing is always perfect. He saw to it that my operation happened at just the right time. 

     Any later, the results could have been very different. The colonic tumour mass was described as an invasive adenocarcinoma type cancer, highly aggressive, meaning fast-growing. 

     

     A prompting from my daughter Debi — in late November, to tell my doctor of my tiredness — was the beginning of my cancer journey. 

     

     He then, discovered my hemoglobin was very low. 

     During the months of waiting, at one point it dropped to a low of 70. This week I was informed it has now reached 104, and so my energy level is improving. 

     Another blessing and answer to prayer is, that 46 lymph nodes surrounding the tumour were dissected, and showed no evidence of metastatic disease. Because of this, Dr. Baliski found no reason to suggest a follow-up with chemotherapy or radiation. What a relief to hear that! 

     

     During my weeks of waiting, anticipating my operation, my hospital stay, and now, throughout the healing process, I have had a calm and restful spirit as I reminded myself of whose child I am.  

     "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" 

— Psalm 91:1-2  

     Today, as I attended a seniors' luncheon, the following poem was used in their program. It reminded me of the verse Ecclesiastes 3:1.  

     "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens."   

     Just think, "You're here not by chance, but by God's choosing. His hand formed you and made you the person you are. He compares you to no one else — you are one of a kind. You lack nothing that His grace can't give you. He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation."  

— Author Unknown   

     Continuing on my life's journey, I am looking forward to finding that special purpose He has already in mind for me.

— beulah