Sheltering Through Generations

I love my father as the stars - he's a bright shining example and a happy twinkling in my heart. ~Terri Guillemets

There's three

These Fathers of my heart

Gifts from above

Blessings I count

The first, my own

Walking the integrity path

Blanketing love

Daddy I call him

Daddy still

The second, I chose

Daddy for my girls

Walking the integrity path

Blanketing love

Daddy they call him

Daddy still

The third, I prayed for

Daddy for grands

Walking the integrity path

Blanketing love

Daddy they call him

And always will

Like three children of old

Refusing to bow

Furnace of integrity their path

Yet obeying the Lord

And then they see Him--not three but four

These fathers of mine

Have the fourth on their path

Giving them wisdom, guarding their steps

The fourth is their "Abba"

Heavenly Daddy, Heavenly love

 Blogger Spirit

Soli Deo Gloria

Monday Musings

Autumn's Party with Friends

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” Galatians 6:10

Having just my 4 little blessings and my protector husband is all I need for days on end.  Yes, you got me – I’m a loner. Love being home. Although, having taken testing before marriage, it showed that, at times, being with people energizes me. (I just might need a week off after the fact!)

This brings me back to the topic. I love coming up with table décor for get-togethers. Yes, it’s exhausting and a lot of work, but it is an outlet of me – Melanie.  (Not me – Mommy.  Remember my day job!) So I decided I wanted to invite all the wonderful ladies of our church to my home for an evening of relaxing fun. Just chatting and eating snacks were the only items on the “list of things to do.” 

I am a very scheduled person (sometimes, much to my husband’s dismay); naturally, I got certain things together earlier than the day of the event. Of course, not everything can be done on the day, so thanks to school (two boys there) and a willing mother (2 more kiddos with her) I finished several tasks in speedy order. I think I paused my ladies fall gathering prep for one hour total that day. 

Finally, the table décor was ready. Pumpkin dip nestled in a real pumpkin, mini apple pies ready to be devoured, celery sticks, crackers and chips ready to coordinate with bacon cheese dip, clusters of grapes and caramel, and cashew-covered pears perched on their pedestal eagerly awaiting their taker. Warm wassail (a holiday tradition started in our family by Janet Sankey) was ready to be poured into glass cups.

The woodstove was ready to welcome the ladies with warmth that the snowy outside could not give. My guests walked down the candlelit sidewalk and eagerly came inside to begin an evening of fellowship. I had been so excited about the party -- and there was no disappointment. What fun we had laughing and chatting!

Burlap bags filled with Homemade Granola
Click here for recipe

All the energy I had put into my evening was well worth it. I had more energy during that one day than I do in an entire week. (Maybe the procrastinator in me is usually at work…!?!) But listen to this quote: “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” –Norman Vincent Peale- So true!

This is a fun way for God to use me in blessing others. But wait. Something else happened! In turn, the ladies blessed me. I was focused on making them feel special, but they sheltered me with their warm hugs, expressions of gratefulness and relaxed, smiling faces. One sweet friend bring me a gorgeous gift in beautiful presentation styling. Of course I told her I was ready to throw another party if it meant wonderful treats like that!

To the ladies who were there and might read this post: “Thank you for your sheltering. I loved giving of my time to help you enjoy an evening in which you felt like a special creation of God.”

More Shelter Sightings

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ~George Washington Carver

In my wandering through the blogs of friends, both old and new, I find people all over the world who shelter.  They may not call it sheltering -- but I do.  Life can be hard.  The aging wonder if their social security checks will cover all their expenses , and parents try to keep all their obligations to their jobs while trying to raise kids with character.  Children worry about things we didn't even dream of  at their age -- gunmen shooting at random, bullying and the pressure to conform.  Teens feel like nobody cares and most of us can't see past the piercings and black trench coats. 

I've been asking the Lord lately to help me see each person as an individual.  Not an economic class, a race, behavior or physical appearance, but someone loved by God with hurts buried in their heart and a mask on their countenance. If I can bring beauty or joy to their lives for a few minutes, I would be thrilled.  

These are people who touch lives...

Monica from the The Homespun Heart is a beautiful, creative mother of three.  A very busy mother who homeschools, plans the sweetest parties and picnics, entertains creatively and decorates her home with joy.  

In the years I have read Monica's blog I have been challenged by the sweetness of her giving to others. Whether it's her time, her finances or the delightful hand crafted gifts, she gives out of the fullness of her heart.  

The post, "Waiting Gracefully," shows the gift of friendship, prayers and time.  The greatest gifts don't always cost money -- they are a giving of oneself.

* * * * *

Wendy from My Heart is Always Home is a stay-at-home mom to Megan.  Megan joined their family at nine months when they adopted her from China.  She's a cheerful, list-maker organized, garden grower Christian who cares deeply about the tragedies not only at home but in other countries, including earthquake victims in Haiti.  

Wendy shares her gardening abundance with elderly neighbors, drops off extra supplies at their favorite charity, and shares extra coupons with others.  In this post on hospitality, Wendy shares how to offer hospitality away from home. 

* * * * *

My last Shelterer is Amber from Making a Home.  She is a home-school mom to her three children.  In her words, she feels "incredibly blessed" to to be called to be a stay-at-home mom.  Amber journals her prayers and desires her blog to glorify God.

In sheltering, I believe it must begin at home.  God gave us our families and intends us to bless them with love, devotion and gentleness.  Amber wrote this great post on 50 Practical Ways to Affirm our Husbands and Make Them Feel Love and Respected.  

Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."  I hope this post will help you to understand that giving does not need to be expensive.  Each of these young mothers are busy.  Yet each of them takes time to share of themselves, and from the abundance God has given them.  

Giving by Shirley Hughes
I know a Shirley Hughes who not only
gives extravagantly, but taught her
daughter to shelter, too.

Giving does not have to cost a cent.  You can give hugs, attention, smiles.   I promise that if you give to others you will find a contentment deep in your heart.  A generous man will himself be blessed (Proverbs 22:9).

Mother's Teresa  gave love extravagantly.  She said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one."  I challenge you to find just one person to shelter this week.  Make it a gift with little or no expense.  Use Monica, Wendy or Amber's ideas or come up with one of your own.  Give consciously by asking the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Someone is hurting, overwhelmed or experiencing health issues. Shelter. Shelter the unemployed, your depressed friend and the tech who takes your blood at the lab. Shelter your husband, those kids who call you mother and your great aunt who lives alone. Reach out those leafy arms, bend your branches protectively, and give joy as the wind rustles your leaves.  

This post is linked to
Pay it Forward

Thank Goodness it's Friday

That Friday Blog Hop

Home is Where My Story Begins

This Seat is Taken

What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet.

~William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

After 6 1/2 years of marriage, our family moved from our mobile home into the beautiful house Shawn built. Blessed with room to entertain, we were able to host the Cessna Clan Thanksgiving. I made sure the counter tops and furniture--what little we had--were sparkling. I vacuumed and even cleaned the hardwood floors and all other tile, etc., on my hands and knees so my house would be ready for guests.

But, if you know me, I couldn't just set out plates, glasses, napkins and silverware and call it done. No, no. One of the reasons I enjoy hosting is to be able to decorate my table. [And possibly to make myself go crazy in the meantime!]

Place cards can really help when trying to figure out the seating and will make your guests feel extra welcome knowing you have already taken the time to plan ahead with a special place for each one.

I went to our local Glass Factory where you can buy inexpensive candles, decorative plates and glass items. After making this purchase, my mom whipped up an attractive font and printed on vellum paper a Scripture verse under each name. I wrapped the glass cup, placed a tea light in each cup and presto--a personalized place for everyone at the table.

As G. K. Chesterton said, "[we are]...proud of seeing our names in print." God had a special name picked for His Son. Jesus didn't died on the cross just so the Lamb's Book of Life could read: "John #1, John #2, John #3...Susie #53, Susie #54, Susie #55, enter into the joy of the Lord." No, our name gives us special recognition for things we have done. So we can say, "I'm so-and-so's mother," etc., and someone knows immediately who we are referring to. But most importantly, our names give us the thrill to be able to stand on judgment day and hear our name read loud and clear without thought of who is being referred to. "Melanie Lynn Clemens, you are welcomed into Heaven." "[Add your name here], you are welcomed into Heaven." Wow! Goosebumps!

Each seat around my table at Thanksgiving was reserved ahead of time for a precious family member. How much sweeter will it be to see our names printed in the Book of Life! Is your seat reserved the that great gathering in the sky?