Rescued

When I look at my life today,
I know I would not have chosen this way.

My life was on a fast track,
And I don't want to go back.

I needed and wanted to slow down
And plant my feet on solid ground.

Instead, I was on shifting sand,
A traveler in this foreign land.

Tired of being so alone,
Always wanting to go home.

I seemed to be on the outside looking in,
Far too busy to have many friends.

Help me to slow down, I prayed.
But ow I cried on that day.

Like a giant tree, I fell
To fight another battle to get well.

For me, my greatest wealth
Is to have thriving, good health.

So I will do whatever I must,
Because in God alone I really trust,

To know and provide what's best for me.
His best is what sets me free.

And because of His mercy and grace,
One day, I will see His face,

Unless, of course, I fall down
With my face upon the ground,

Overcome with awe
That when God looked at me He saw,

Not the filthy mess I was in
To be rescued from again and again,

But someone worthy to be His child,
Even when I was crazy and wild.

I'm proud to be a follower of the living Christ.
I'm so glad Jesus came to give His life

To rescue me and set me free,
So I can be with Him for eternity.

Thank you.
Amen

It's been a year since I've done any blogging.  I've been sick.  We thought I was suffering bronchial problems due to exposure to mold while I was living in Missouri.  I moved back to Minnesota September 1, 2012, and finally got to a doctor in December.  I may have been suffering from the mold exposure, but the real reason behind the coughing and shortness of breath was that I had stage 4 breast cancer, and it was in my right lung, around the right bronchial tube (which caused the coughing), and in my bones - lower spine, hips, tailbone, pelvis, etc.  The doctors put me into the hospital for tests right after Christmas.  I started chemo in January.  It was a very aggressive treatment, and it wiped me out physically, but I am now in remission and go in once a month for shots and treatment for healing my bones.  The naysayers didn't get me down.  I believe and trust that God has a plan and is using me to spread His word to even more.  When one of my Missouri friends said she was sorry I am going through this, I had to tell her to not be sorry for me.  If I hadn't been at the cancer center, I would not have been able to talk to people about how good God is and how He has a plan for all of us.  I do know I have to be more careful about what I pray for.  I told God I didn't want to work for anyone any more, and here I am, on disability, not working at all except to get well again.  But I am starting to feel better.  It's good to not be coughing a lot of the time.  I can sleep all night lying in bed and not sitting in the recliner.  I get tired easily, but I'm actually thinking about gardening if the weather ever gets nice enough.  And I'm going fishing with my brother.  I haven't been fishing in years - always too busy.  My life has slowed down a  lot, and I am enjoying not being constantly in demand to do something.  So now I have time to write and put things here again.  I have a mighty God, and I am grateful to Him for all He does for me.  He is always here, in my time of need and my time of no need.  He is awesome, and I love Him so much.  There just aren't enough words or actions that can show this, but I can try.

My Memorial

Today we bring forth in our memory
Soldiers who have fought for this country.
The men and women who keep us free.

There is also another whom I depend upon
To help me live as a free person.
I am talking about God's precious Son.

He is the one I totally trust.
When I am surrounded by chaos and fuss,
I call upon the name of Jesus.

Daily I should give recognition
To the One who brought salvation
From sin and condemnation.

Today, Jesus, I remember you.
I will never be able to repay my dues
For your death, which gave me a life renewed.

Thank you.

Memorial Day

I am an American
To the innermost core of me.
And today I remember
The men and women who keep us free.

They served our country well,
Usually with great sacrifice,
Leaving behind family and friends,
While many gave their lives.

To these men and women I say thank you
For being willing to serve our country.
A country where I do what I choose,
A country where I am free to be me.

While I am waiting to go to heaven,
Until that day I no longer must roam,
I will do my best to follow Jesus
And call America home.

I Drink

I drink from the cup given to me,
The cup where life is not easy.
I drink from the cup of hard work, pain and sorrow,
From the cup where I worry about tomorrow.
I drink from the cup that causes me to frown,
From the cup that keeps knocking me down.

There is another cup, with something sweet.
There is another cup, that I'd like to keep.
It's the cup of mercy and grace.
It's the cup that can forgive my mistakes.
This cup is offered to me every day, every minute,
But all too often I reject everything that's in it.
I often drink from this cup only when life is too hard,
And I'm flat on my back with a broken heart.

Oh how sad it is that I don't drink from this cup every day,
The cup of sweetness where everything is God's way.
I should drink constantly from the cup dipped into the River of Life,
Constantly drink from the cup that filters out chaos and strife.
I should drink constantly from the cup offered to me,
So I can find true relief from the cup given to me.

The Top

The valley may be deep,
The mountain may be high,
But once you reach the top,
What a beautiful sight!

The Best Christmas

It was the night before Christmas
And quiet in the house.
Mom was in the kitchen,
Dad was dozing on the couch.

The children had moved far away,
And weren’t coming home this year.
Mom was feeling sad, so she began to pray.
“Oh Lord, I could really use some cheer.

The kids can’t come home,
And I miss them so much.
This Christmas we’re all alone,
But in you I’ve put my trust.

Everything is ready for Christmas dinner,
And I sent invitations all over town.
But it looks like I won’t be a winner,
All my invitations have been turned down.

Lord, there must be someone out there
Who has no place to go.
I want to show them how you care,
And feed them dinner at my home.

You know how hard it is for me
To get out and around.
Bring me someone who’s lonely,
Help me show them what you’re about.

Thank you, Lord, for listening when I pray.
Now I think I’ll get some sleep,
So I can be rested for Christmas Day.
I’ll need my energy to feed your hungry sheep.”

Christmas Day dawned bright and clear.
Mom was in the kitchen early,
And creating all kinds of good cheer.
She thanked God for making her feel merry.

All of her children gave her a call,
And she wished each one a Merry Christmas.
She gave thanks she could talk to them all.
“Thank you for remembering me, Jesus.”

Dad suddenly had an errand to run.
He said he’d be back in a few minutes.
“Please don’t be long, for dinner’s almost done.”
She was too busy to wonder about his disappearance.

Suddenly the doorbell began to ring.
“I wonder who that could be.”
A man said, “Your husband told me to bring
My wife and children; the youngest one is three.

I met him at the convenience store.
He saw that my wallet was empty.
He said you have enough for twenty or more,
And that you’d be delighted to feed my family.”

“Come in! Come in!” she cried.
“Let me take your coats and hats.
Unexpected company makes me smile,
And it won’t be long before my husband is back.”

A short time later her husband came home.
Mom gasped with surprise when he walked through the door,
For when he came in, he wasn’t alone.
He had someone with him; in fact, several more.

“I didn’t like seeing you so sad for Christmas Day,
And I knew these people had no place to go.
Last night when I heard you pray,
I knew God’s love was important for you to show.

I know how much you miss our children,
And how hard it sometimes is for us to be alone.
Today is about how God came down from heaven
To ensure that all His children can go home.

So I brought these people for you to feed
Because I know it makes you happy.
It makes me glad to see you at peace
When you’re making another person’s day cheery.”

Mom and Dad had a happy Christmas,
With a house filled with people and light.
They gave special thanks to Jesus
For filling their home with such delight.