Joy Comes in the Morning

So when does morning come?

Have you ever been surprised by the depth of a sorrow? I would expect deep sorrow and grief if a person close to me died. I would expect grief to continue if I had lost a child. I would expect sorrow and grief in a time of local disaster. I know that a break in a close friendship causes deep grief. I know that loss can cause deep sorrow.

I have lost special pets before...Snowball, Frisky, Joe. Why is this little one so hard to get over? Was I this sad before? Does the sorrow fade away from the memory? Did I become too attached to a small furry creature this time? Is it because he was so young? Or is it just a snowball effect, one straw too many for the camel?

God promises Joy in the morning. When does morning come?

Does it come each day when the sun rises? Is morning a metaphor for after a period of darkness?

These are the questions that I have pondered in the last few days.
I can tell you with absolute confidence that morning will come.

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He cannot lie. His word says joy will come in the morning and joy WILL come in the morning. I know this without doubt. Joy will come...

Better yet while in the darkness of grief and sorrow I have the comfort that only God can provide. He doesn't mind that I am sad right now. He wipes the tears from my heart. He holds me close to him and whispers words of comfort and promise in my ear. He reminds me that everything is His and he gives and takes away. There is purpose in everything we experience. He is God.

I exist because God created me. I live to have a relationship with my creator. My God gave His own Son for me. He gave up His own Son even if just one came to Him. I am not worthy of this great sacrifice however I gratefully and joyfully accept it.

Do I see morning coming? I see the bright glow of the sun beginning to rise in the east. It is coming with colorful rays glowing red and orange in the clouds. You must look to the east to see the morning arrive. If you are still looking to the west you will only see the darkness of night. Look up! Keep your eyes on the Father and He will bring you through your grief and sorrows.

Joy Will Come in the Morning

My Little Spit is Gone

Spit/Henry passed on Monday. He had liver failure. He was not in pain but starting to feel uncomfortable. I was not there. Chuck was the brave husband who took him in when he started to seem to be in pain. The Vet said it was congenital and that orange cats are predisposed to liver disease. He probably was born with this. His under color was always yellow, not the pink you see in most other cats.

I got home yesterday. The house is so quiet without him. Charlie, Peaches and Orion miss him too. It is so strange to walk into the bedroom and no Little Spit. His dishes are gone. His litter box put away. He is buried in the backyard with his collar on. We will miss him. He was the best cat ever.

My Little Spit

 

I am already missing my Little Spit. He has cancer. We have been nursing him for about 2 months now. He is not going to make it. He is only 3. I knew something was not quite right with him since he was a baby kitten but hoped he would be ok. He is the sweetest cat ever. He loves to cuddle and is always there when anyone in the household needs a little extra love. We will miss him so very much.

A New Year

Goodbye 2009...Welcome 2010! We leave the past with thanksgiving and welcome the new year with expectation. May the Lord pour out His Blessings on each and everyone of you in the coming year.

I'm that guy...

You know the one...the one on the early shows of American Idol, not the obnoxious, foul mouthed, totally weird one but the other one, the one that people like but just aren't any good. That's Me!

You know the one, the one that Paula likes but Simon and Randy don't, but they aren't mean because they like the person just not the talent.

You know, the one that when they search their minds for something to say they say things like - "You have excellent pitch. Maybe you just need a little more time to grow." "You smile through the whole song." "You have a 'nice' voice." "We're just not sure you are what America wants." Then out you go without that magic gold ticket.

You know the one, the one with the group of family and friends who are waiting outside the audition room with Seacrest. When you come out without the ticket they are shocked! How can this be? They hug you and tell you that you really are fantastic. That you should have gotten a ticket to Hollywood. It must have been mean ole Simon. Then they talk to the camera defending you while you walk calmly down that long hall. Away from your dream, away from those who think you are just not good enough.

You know the one. The one whom others dump everything that is going badly for them on you. The one that people seem to think they can tell anything. The one who then knows stuff that the person is later sorry they told. The one who gets the bad, sad, sinful confessions but never the good stuff. The one that is always available to listen but rarely listened to...

You know the one. The one in the back of the room making things work. The one who you don't notice unless something goes wrong. Then, even if it is quickly fixed and dealt with and everything else goes smoothly, all you remember is the problem not the solution.

You know the one. The one who wears the same clothes and shoes for years. The one who doesn't always wear makeup. The one whose hair often is in need of a trim or even some style. You make judgments about that one based upon your own prejudices and background.

You know the one. The one that is practically invisible. You forget that one is in the room and sometimes say things right in front of her that should not have been said. Then later when you realize that you might have been heard you blame her for hearing.

You know the one. The one that is easy to disregard. The one that is easy to forget. The one that is only thought to invite if you link her with another, like her husband or one of her children. Of course that is only if you remember that she is married and has children.

Well, I think you can think of at least one person who is like the one I've described.

I have decided that it doesn't matter. I know that this is me. I know that I cannot change it. I know that God must have made me this way for a reason. I am 'the one' because that is just the way it is. It is not a flaw. It is not sin in my life. It is not even consequences. There have to be people like 'the one'.

I will continue to sing my heart out. It doesn't matter what others think. I am not singing for them anyway. I will continue no matter where I am.

I will continue to listen to the hard stuff. I always pray for them. I know that God does not need my prayers to move but it is for my benefit to intercede for others. I will continue to listen with the attitude that God is revealing needs that sometimes just need stating. I will continue to pray and leave these needs in the capable hands of God and then forget about it. People don't need to worry. God takes these secrets that are sometimes unwisely shared and I really do forget after leaving them with Him. They are not mine to keep or share with anyone other than the Father.

I will continue to put others needs ahead of what I want. You will still see me wearing the same clothing and shoes until they wear out. I would ask that you stop judging me. I choose others. It would be easier to just make sure I have the latest and greatest styles but then I see someone who really NEEDS and my wants just fade away. Besides I'm almost old enough to wear that red hat and purple dress. Maybe if it helps you; think of me as eccentric or eclectic. I do.

Mostly I will accept the personality, gifts, and shape that God knitted into me when I was being formed. I will continue to grow and become closer to my Lord and Savior. One day when I am dancing before God in Heaven you will see me and say "Hey, isn't she the one...who loves God and others?" That is the goal, that is the prize I will continually seek.


PS
I did warn you that my blog is a glimpse into my thoughts...

"Sweet Dreams" Photo Contest

Bea used to sneak outside while it was still dark and sleep with Peaches. We don't know exactly when she would go out but this was the typical picture awaiting us when we got up in the mornings.

Thanksgiving

This was the view of our sky on Thanksgiving this year.

Beautiful blue skies everywhere you see!
It was this blue at 4pm on the way to Julie's.

If you look closely you will see the temperature that day.
This was at 4pm.

Lovely grown up girls.