Could it be...???

 Could it be... Two of the most amazing hugs any human could give to another human!!! ❤️  Could it be I received both?? Why yes indeed I did!!!! 

Could it be though that I keep taking? That I keep longing for the absolute best, without giving my absolute best??

Have I ever given a hug to the most amazing woman ever?? I fear I have not... I fear I always receive... Yes, it is safer this way, I spare the awkwardness of rejection, or awkwardness of timing. But I ask again have I ever given a hug to the most beautiful woman in the world?? And if no, why?? Is not it my fear of her fear that makes it so?? She is most lovely and perfect in her timing, her hugs are always just right so I never could replace them even if I tried. But why would I not at least try to give a gift freely given?? I accept her gift freely given!! 

Where are you my reader?? Have you dared to give, have you dared to give a hug to your best friend? Have you dared to give a hug to those who mean more than life to you? Have you dared to despise the fear and seek the glory that comes from Above? Not for selfish gain but for genuine, honest, and right motive?

I know not how, but I shall not leave you to attempt this on your own, my best fried!👸 for we shall dare to live and prosper even if in so doing there is risk of failing!! That is a risk I must take!! For without it, do not we die?? 

The Hair...

 There it was... the hair... in stark contrast to the interior of my vehicle as it layed straddled across the center console. Far to long to be mine and not quite the right color either. It was no mystery where it came from.

You probably know the hairs... At the most inopportune times they clog the drain, appear in a casserole at Christmas dinner, cling to clothing and fly through the air. Some recoil in disgust while others shrink in embarrassment, ill-mannered kids will throw a tantrum and refuse to eat their food after discovering the hair! All in all no one is too crazy about them.

That November day I jolted back to reality... my car had been "invaded" by the donor of this hair, perhaps "invaded" is too harsh of a word, for she had spent time with me driving in my car. One simple hair strung across center console... as I closed my car door and walked into my house I made a choice.. or perhaps the choice made me I prayed  that I would never again complain about the hair but instead gratefully take it as a reminder of an amazing person and an amazing time spent together!!🙏

A Journey

 Oh how can I keep silent! How can I hide my face? No, I cannot!! For I have seen miracles upon miracles, I have seen the waters of the Red Sea part as it were and dry land appear where there was no way!! Because I have seen this I dare to Hope and I confidently trust that the raging waters of the Jordan River will stand still and also part!!🙏🙏😃😃 Even if no one is with me I will put my feet into that water! Oh how sweet it would be to have company on that journey! 

Help me my King!!

 Oh, how I wish to run through the hills picking the finest wildflowers like I have done almost every other seventh day since Sioux Falls!! But yet how can I do such a thing?? I delighted in it and looked forward to it every week!! A dear friend I must protect, and as we try and carve out what is right, as we stand appart for now, I appeal to Heaven and my King for help🙏🙏💐💐

"Open last"

 The morning dawned with sun yet some gray clouds, rain was forecast... would it make it a dreary day? A drive lay ahead and my aching throat was the greeting to my next decade... The card had layed next to me all night, now retrieving my trusty pocket knife I slit the envelope open carefully... the card had wrinkled some, the light blue stain that bled through from where I had held it close to my heart until the time to open it. There was the card with the very familiar handwriting... a kind and encouraging message that brought tears to my eyes, and there was a mysterious white piece of paper folded in half with the simple words "open last" the card had contained an explanation of the paper so with trembling hands I opened the white piece of paper... the more I read the more my hands shook, the more my heart ached and yet the more pride and joy that weld up inside! How can it be that one simple card and one simple piece of paper could be the most painful things I have ever received and yet simultaneously joyous? Now I have two prize possessions... 1 my old Bible from childhood, 2 the most beautifully painful card I have ever received with a white piece of paper that said "open last".

As my day came to a close I looked back and without any shadow of a doubt I could say it was my absolute best birthday yet, the most prized possession and gift that could have been given that day!!! I wonder if everyone gets these same opportunities? I don't remember hearing many people talk about them if they do, so I bow my head and I say thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!

"Open last" 💔❤️‍🩹❤️💝💞🙏🙏🎉🎉

Into War...

A heart tore between heaven and earth. I've felt pain before yet never so deep, so invasive, nothing escapes its feel. Yet at the same moment I've never felt so calm, so happy, so confident of my King! I have never been more sure and yet onlookers would question my sanity.  🙃 🤔 

See,  this pain... can not freeze me for I take it to the ice Melter who shines His warmth into the soul!! What I can not do, He can do!

If my King leads into war I can follow with confidence 💯 and there is much to be fought for 👸, good and noble aims!! My promise 👸 is that I will only do it with our 🤴 help and blessing!!!

Let me hear...

 I do not need to see the lightning, I do not need to hear the thunder, I do not need the raging fire to keep me warm, I do not need the wind whistling through the rocks, and I do not need an earthquake to rock my world...

 I must have the still small Voice, that is all I need, that is all I want, for One whisper of that Voice and everything else fades into dim silence, and that still small Voice becomes the pounding throb of a beating heart full of life - from the soft command of its Maker and King!!!