Picket Fences

  Isaiah 40:11 "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers them in his arms and carries them close to his heart; He gently leads those that have young." This verse conjures up the image of a grassy meadow by a hillside. The sun shining in a blue sky. The sound of the water playing a soothing song and a strong person with his shepherds hook, watching over a flock of sheep.  Peaceful. Soothing. Safe. There may be wolves, bears, or other wild animals in the woods wanting to devour the sheep. A storm may be on the horizon. There may also be a cliff somewhere up around the bend, but the shepherd is there to tend them. The sheep only need to follow him and pay attention. They don't need to worry about those other things, because the shepherd takes care of those other things.  A sheep doesn't see the wolf or the bear or any other wild animal and go take care of it. No they get scared, make noises, move around, and the SHEPHERD takes care of the enemy. The same with a sto

  Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.” NLT   I sat down with anxious thoughts and confessed them in my prayers. I prayed for all the things that overwhelmed me, my imaginary fears, and the fear of what reality brought to my life. I remember where I was 19 years ago. (Why 19 years ago?) Nineteen years ago on my husband's birthday, I woke up, and was very scared.   I had experienced 2 miscarriages already and I had believed I was experiencing yet another one.   I had been so afraid a miscarriage would happen again,  then my fears came true...on my husband's birthday. I was devastated.   Angry. Hurt.   I had two nuts in my close circle who told me I DID NOT MISCARRY.   I was so mad at them. I needed comfort. I knew what was happening to me. I knew what I saw. I needed to be comforted not lied to and I didn't want to deal with their false hope.   They insisted I did not miscarry.   A few days later, I

  I clearly remember squabbling with my siblings when I was younger. I also remember when my Mom or Dad came in the room and ask, “What is going ON?” As we would hurriedly say our points, my parents would listen and then tell us what was right and to stop fighting. I didn’t like it when they didn’t pick my side. Seriously I didn’t, but they were the parents. In 2020 the argument started about the mask order from the government. The opinions have been heard from both sides and loudly. In reading the Bible I believe I have found God has His opinion about the battle of the mask. To wear a mask or to not wear a mask? Romans 13:1-3 “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorites, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no

  I sat down with every intention to do my morning reading. I had my coffee, my notebook, my blanket, and…my phone. I picked up my phone for a brief text which ended up being another text, and another text… A few times my emails got a look through. I didn’t open my devotional emails. The titles were glanced at for a few seconds and then back to perusing through other things on my phone. Videos of my cat’s were sent to my husband. Morning gifs were sent and oh, another picture and video of my cat’s. My Bible got pulled over closer to me. Then another glance at my devotional’s . Oh, this one looks simple it is about the writer’s job. Okay … And there He was. Every word in that devotional spoke to the place in my heart that I really didn’t want to deal with at the moment. It was easier to play around until I felt I could get up and get busy with my day. It was as though, I was the writer of that devotional, not someone else, who I had never met before. He was waiting. He

  Matthew 14:25 – 31 “25…Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified, in their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” 27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage, I am here!” 28 Then Peter called out to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. The amazing thing about this story is that Peter then swung his leg over the railing, and put his foot ON the water. Not in, but on.  There were strong winds and heavy waves, yet Peter swung his foot over the boat and started walking to Jesus. It amazes me for one that Peter asked to walk on the water, for two that when Jesus said come, Peter swung over the railing and slipped onto the water.  So many, many times I have gone over and over the part where Peter takes his eyes off Jesus and instead puts his eyes on the storm then sinks. I love that when Peter calls

  The storms have been crazy lately. March 17 produced 21 tornadoes in Alabama, and Mississippi, Georgia and Florida also had tornadoes. There is flooding in Tennessee. And we have had a virus that has caused a storm over a year not only in the United States, but the entire world. The virus has attacked the health of many people, taken many, many lives, and attacked the emotions of many people too.    The virus has swept through our nation and people not only are suffering physically and emotionally, but financially and many relationally. People are thrown together and people are torn apart. Then another storm arose - the mask wearers versus the non-mask wearers. And, whether to be vaccinated or to not be vaccinated. This nation was already in the throes of an internal battle over politics. Many hated the President that was in office, many loved the President that was in office. Then our nation dealt with the horror of watching a video of a man dying before our eyes.

At least once a year I try to watch my favorite Christmas movie, "It's a Wonderful Life." I tear up, I smile, and I laugh everytime I watch it.  This year, we watched it on New Years Eve. George Bailey experienced seeing what life would look like without him in it. He saw first hand what a wonderful life that he had.  When he stood on the bridge, leaning on the railing, praying and begging God for his life back, I cried that same prayer. Literally. A month ago, in the midst of the excitement of the Christmas season, one minute I was a busy girl, the next, I was flat on my back in bed. I am telling you, by New Years Eve I was done not being able to do my normal life. I missed it so much. I even missed doing my dishes.  I have felt trapped. I have felt scared. I wanted to be back in the game, and still do. I will tell you, I have rested a lot.  The last two years have exhausted me. It seemed like my responsibilities had taken over and I could not catch up. I was basically r