You Are

You pick me up when I fall,

And carry me when I can’t even crawl.

When from you I stray,

You love me anyway.

You welcome me back with open arms,

And make me feel loved, safe, and warm.

You nourish my soul,

So I can become whole.

You give me peace in times of chaos.

You are the One I completely trust.

You are my Savior, my God, my King,

And I owe you everything.

You are forever faithful, forever true,

And you have made me a part of you.

You are my Lord, my God, my King,

The Creator of everything.

You are God, Ancient of Days, the I AM,

And I worship you in every way I can.

Amen

More Time

Of all the gifts you have to give,
You gave me more time to live.

It has changed my attitude
To one of great gratitude.

You reached down with your hand,
And are guiding me to your promised land.

You shelter me in your strong tower,
And fill me with your unique power.

You saved me from the dead,
And help me hold up my head,

To glorify you,
Abba Father, so faithful and true.

Who Are You?

You are the sun that brightens my day.
You are the moon that lights my way.
You are the stars, keeping watch over me.
You are the green grass that tickles my feet.
You are the breeze that caresses my skin.
You are the tall trees standing strong against the wind.
You are the gurgling brook, singing a happy song.
You are the rushing river, with many things riding along.
You are the ocean, so vast, and deep, and wide.
You are my shadow, always at my side.
You are the song coming from my heart.
You are the flowers, with beauty that never departs.
You are someone I can fully trust.
Who are you?  Jesus.

A New Life

Almost three weeks ago I moved to Atlantic, Iowa, to be with Byron, my fiancee'.  We're getting married later this summer.  Now that the craziness of packing, moving and unpacking is ending, I have time to start writing again.  Byron feels very strongly that I need to continue writing, and is encouraging me to do so.  So it's time to get back to blogging.  I know I'll feel good if I'm writing too.

So much has happened in the last three years, it's hard for me to comprehend all of it sometimes. And now, here I am, starting another new chapter of my life.  I never imagined I would be getting married again.  I've been single for over 20 years!  Byron is so sweet, and very considerate of me.  Sometimes I think I am dreaming.  When I first met him, a voice in my head said, "I'm going to marry him!"  I had to look around to make sure I didn't say it out loud.  That was September 28.  On December 7, he proposed.  God has granted the biggest desire of my heart: to have a husband who loves me just as I am.  The cancer didn't matter, the mastectomy didn't matter.  Who I am is what matters to Byron.  His comment when I told him about the cancer was that our bodies are a dress to our soul.  If I hadn't already known I was going to marry him, that response alone would have sold me.

So here I am, in Iowa, on a new chapter of my life.  I had been resigned to being alone the rest of my life.  Instead, I get to finish it with a man who loves me just the way I am.  I love him so much.  Thank you, God, for putting him into my life.  I am so glad you always have the best for me.

This morning when I was watching the robin who has a nest in our carport, I thought about how vigilant she always is.  Whenever the door is opened, she flies away.  I figure it's to draw attention away from her nest and eggs.  If I could, I would get up there and take a couple of pictures.  It is exciting to watch her, knowing she's getting ready for her little ones.  New life.  How wonderful it is.

New life.  How many have I had?  So many chapters in my life, and each one so different from the last.  So many things have changed, and I am not the person I was last year, or ten years ago, or even yesterday.  Each day I begin as a new person, with a clean page to fill with the story of my life.  I want so much to have it be a good story, interesting and encouraging.  Sometimes I wonder if it is, and then decide to just keep on going.  Smile at that person I don't know.  Tell someone they look really nice today.  Call the person I'm thinking about and talk with them.  Just do the little things I can do.  I may never be able to do something great, but I can do the little things.  A listening ear.  A hug.  A cup of coffee.  A shawl.  Things that make a person's day better, and lets them know God loves them.  I guess it's time for me to get out and meet some people and start living this new life in Atlantic, Iowa.  I'll let you know how things go.

Be blessed, because God is in the blessing business.  All we have to do is accept them.