Growing in Grace -- To Offer Grace

May God break my heart so fully that the whole world falls in.    
                                                                             ~Mother Teresa 

There it stood. Not in a flower bed, but in the middle of a dirt pile. Straight and tall with all its golden sunshine splendor. Bringing beauty to the ugly. Growing in the midst of nothing but dirt.

Until, of course, you remember God used the dirt to create man. Man who could walk with Him in the cool of the day. Man who was made in the likeness of God Himself. Man given the choice of right or wrong.  

Sometimes I feel like the lone tulip in a dirt pile. Oh, not beautiful in the physical sense. But beautiful through the blood of the Sacrificial Lamb. Beautiful because of grace. Beauty claimed daily in my walk of faith.

But still, the dirt. In the midst of standing I see those who live and work and play. Those who haven't chosen, although not choosing is really choosing the wrong. I see them out my window delivering packages. I see them at the grandboys' games. They pack my groceries and lean out their window to hand me drinks in foam cups. They fill my prescriptions and put gas in my car. Men and women packed in the dirt of life. People who need grace.

I look around me and see the evilness of Satan. See him stepping on dirt, surrounding me in a victory dance of sorts. But I stand straight and tall with all my SONshine beauty. Growing in the midst of nothing but dirt.  

I was first planted as Pamela, but replanted as Daughter of the Son. Sent to a world longing to flower but trapped in the dirt.  "I find myself standing where I always hoped I might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting my praise" (Romans 5:2). 

I'm alone, but seeing the vision of a garden of tulips. Tulips ready and willing to find their own plot of dirt.  Tulips standing in all their SONshine beauty. 

There are many tulips to plant and not enough planters. Pray to the owner of the tulip gardens that He will send workmen to gather his harvest.  (Paraphrase of Luke 1:10).

 

Untie the Ribbons

Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons. 

                                                                  ~Ruth Ann Schabacker

Mom with our Ethan 

Rev. Duncan, a former pastor of my mother’s, shared these words at the funeral, November 4, 2014:

When I think of Dottie Cessna, I think of this..."She lived in the moment." She took each day, each moment as God gave it to her and she packed into it all of the prayer, encouragement, fun, excitement, creativity and love that she possibly could. She lived in these moments with a purpose - to live to the fullest the life that God had given to her. Hers was not a mundane day-to-day existence. She kept up with the best of them, only slowing down a little when her physical demanded it.

A special day was not just merely a happening, it was an event. Whether she was going to visit family, or receiving a visit from family, she was excited and ready for the adventure. What was she doing? She was taking the ordinary and turning it into something special.

One year for their anniversary I had made Brother and Sister Cessna a cake, and my family and I made a pastoral call to drop it off. Of course she offered for us to share it with them. I had used a piece of yellow gingham ribbon to add some color to the cake which had to be removed before the cake could be cut. I didn't think any more about that ribbon, but I was to see it again. Shortly after that visit a card was given to us - handmade of course. Guess what was on it? A short piece of yellow gingham ribbon. She had taken the ordinary and made something special from it.

When we think of Dottie Cessna, I believe we would have to admit the same about her life. She took what each one of us has today, those seemingly ordinary days of life, and used them for God's glory and the encouragement of others. So today, we can take those beautiful memories, tuck them into our ordinary lives, and turn them into something special.

Pattern found here

One of Mom’s favorite maxims was, “Sometimes you have to

 make your own sunshine.” One way she answered the sunshine call was to encourage someone. Almost every one of our shopping days included Mom buying something for her “drawer” – small gifts to have available when it was time to encourage others. 

Decorative file folders, note cards, books, a linen hand towel, or food gifts in unique containers – she loved gifting. The young, the elderly, and everyone in-between were encouraged when she changed their ordinary days to “something special.” 

Even the smallest of gifts were wrapped with ribbon. Mom shared my delight of ribbon. Often when shopping together, we’d each buy a spool, and share. The artist in her loved the healthy colors, and the last time we shopped for ribbons, she bought the new two-sided rolls. She was excited about a new project I’m working on that involved ribbon, and told me I could inherit her ribbon collection when she died. Neither of us knew that in four months, that would be our reality.

I’m picking up her mantle. I’m determined to take my ordinary days and use them for God’s glory and the encouragement of others. Ordinary days tied with ribbons of joy and grace.

Kid's craft with ribbon

Ladybug ribbon

Preparing for Marriage God's Way

I do not need you. I need Christ, and Him alone. But I do choose you. And because of Him, I have chosen perfectly.

One year ago yesterday, my handsome prince swept me away to Indianapolis. He treated me to my favorite Italian dinner before driving me downtown. We were greeted by my beautiful 5-year-old niece carrying a bouquet of fresh roses that appeared to be twice her size. Fifty red, and one white. She carefully handed the roses to me, and with a big grin declared, “I love you, Auntie.” I turned around to see my Jonathon David lowering to one knee. My heart seemed to stop and yet beat wildly out of control all at once, as he pulled out the single white rose and softly asked me to become his wife. The horse-drawn carriage was waiting as I answered “YES!” How could I promise my forever to anyone other than the one God entrusted with my heart? This was 365 days ago. 

A December 20th wedding date leaves 138 days to go (but who’s counting?!). I imagine the thought running through your head is what a long engagement! Believe me, I know! After nearly four years of dating the man I love, I am too often tempted to wish away a week or two here, or three months there. But it is during those times that I must fix my gaze on the Author of Time, and use this season of waiting to prepare for the great adventure He has written for the future Mrs. Jonathon Wright. 

The National Center for Health Statistics states that 60% of marriages with couples between the ages of 20-25 end in divorce. Because this is not an option for us, Jonathon and I are committed to following these simple “rules” while we wait. Because I am not only a future educator, but also a preacher’s daughter, they are in the form of an acrostic.

Loving God (Learning His true, unconditional love.) One thing I’ve always found amazing about my Jonathon is his ability to love me unselfishly and unconditionally. Loving may come easier for some than others, but if our relationships with Christ are lacking, our relationship with each other will be weak -- now, as well as after our “I do’s.” 

Only Praying for my fiancé on days that end in Y. Last weekend I whispered a prayer that God would give Jonathon the wisdom and peace of mind as he made a difficult decision. (He did.) My desire is to be a wife of consistent prayer for her husband. I believe it is never too early to begin this practice. I would not be Pamela Kuhn’s daughter without mentioning at least one book, and my favorite one on this subject is Praying for Your Husband from Head to Toe by Sharon Jaynes. I have seen God’s powerful answers to prayer in our lives, and I know this is a book I will pull off the shelf to reread countless times through our lifelong marriage. 

Viva laughter! Long live laughter! Jonathon and I make it a practice to enjoy our time together to the fullest. This may seem like a silly idea to mention, but we refuse to let the struggles of life come between God’s gifts of love and laughter. Our relationship was grounded on an incredible friendship, one we wish will only grow and strengthen with each day of our life together. 

Educating ourselves... I do not pretend to know the first thing about marriage. But you better believe I am dedicated to learning every single thing I can about it before my eyes lock with my Jonathon’s at the altar. I have a beautiful example in my parents’ relationship, and they are my number one resource for all things marriage. I also read—a lot—on the subject. My favorite book so far? Well, I am so glad you asked! Gary Chapman’s Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married is a simple, humorous, enlightening read. 

I am obviously no expert on marriage, but I do know I want to be a wife of patience, of encouragement, of unconditional love. I want Christ at the center of our relationship now, so He will be at the center of a marriage which brings all glory to Him.

Linked to 

Modest Monday

Playdates with God

The Art of Homemaking Mondays

Inspire Me Monda

The Cup of Blessing -- In Remembrance

The Lord’s Supper is a gift to you. The Lord’s Supper is a holy invitation. A sacred sacrament bidding you to leave the chores of life and enter his splendor. He meets you at the table.

One bite of the elderberries my mother served the last time I was home took me back to the old farmhouse my grandmother lived. The one within walking distance of my grandfather's coal mines -- where we walked at lunch time to share the black licorice Granddad always had in his old tin lunch pail. Where hand-crocheted doilies graced the back and arms of the living room couch and chairs. Where dangling prisms hung from the matching lamps in the guest room. Where we ate stewed elderberries in a pink-handled bowl. 

My mother didn't have the pink bowls, yet with each bite I could envision my beautiful Grandma Cessna and remember.

RB was writing a paper this week. Forty pages on the Lord's Supper. It was huge and took most of the hours of two days. He set up a table in the living room, spread out his books and papers...they spilled over to the cherry coffee table. We closed the French doors and let him work, poking our heads in every couple hours to see if he needed food or coffee. 

I did a bit of research, comparing how we commemorate the last supper of our Lord before His crucifixion. Common cup, individual cup, or in these throw-away days, disposable cups with the bread attached to the top. Unleavened bread, small crackers, or a common loaf of bread. Once a month, a quarter, or as in the church I attend, the opportunity to partake individually each week and on the first Sunday of the month as a body.  

However we observe, we all have one objective -- it's in remembrance of the One who died for us. This Christ who came to earth as a baby. The One who lived among us, preaching, working miracles and then giving His life for all mankind.

It's a time of remembrance of the time Jesus' blood was spilled so that we can cup our hands and receive grace, blood drop by blood drop. We can remember the body that was broken. We can peer through the darkness, feel the earth quake and hear the swish of the temple curtain tearing in two. 

It is through this remembrance that the light from the resurrection begins to shine. Yes, we remember the broken body, the spilled blood. It is dipping our sins in the fountain of blood that we are forgiven. But without the resurrection Jesus was just a man whose blood had no meaning. It is in the death, burial and resurrection that we receive not only salvation, but the hope of our own resurrection. 

My heart is bowed in worship to my Heavenly Father who gave, my Savior who saves, and the Holy Spirit who lives in me, making it possible to live each day with faith, grace and joy. And through the supper of our Lord I am reminded of what makes my worship possible.

Linked to:

Whole Hearted Home

Thriving Thursday

Faith Filled Friday

Tasting God's Goodness

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. ~A. W. Tozer

The Clemens Kitchen was ready for business -- the sign hung, the menus and place mats printed, and the silverware rolled. The cash register was even full of money.

Then they came.  The nine-year-old cook and waiter, the seven-year-old cashier, the five-year-old and two-year-old customers, along with too-many-year-old grandma. What fun!

Our orders were taken, cooked and served. The only hitch -- two-year-old Camron just didn't understand "air food." He was happy playing with his plate and place mat. Despite our assurances that the food was good, Camron was not impressed.

How often do we refuse to eat the food of the goodness of God? He says, "Oh taste and see that the Lord is good" (Psalm 34:8).  In our refusal of His food, we miss out on God's good blessings.

Like the disciples who almost missed out on a banquet of bread and fish because they didn't like the schedule Jesus had.

Like the children of Israel whose grumbling nearly caused them to miss out on heaven's choicest cut of manna. 

Like we who often refuse the Bread of Life in our search for earthly bread that will never satisfy.

Camron enjoyed his food when we decided to put a sandwich cookie on his plate. He even asked for another cookie. Why? Because the food was real, and only real food satisfies. 

The world tries to satisfy us with fame, fortune and surface friendships.  But they don't satisfy.  We need the Bread of Life offered to us by our Heavenly Father.  

So "taste and see that the Lord is good," but make sure you are tasting the true Bread. It is then you will be satisfied.

* * * * *

Spiced Pumpkin Plus Bread 

I was intrigued with the two ingredient bread, (spice cake mix and 15 oz can of pumpkin) but thought it needed some texture. Most of my family will vote to add chocolate chips to any recipe. So add a cup of chocolate chips, raisins, chopped apples or pears -- whatever you have on hand.  Then add this yummy topping: 1/2 cup of coconut, 1/2 cup pecans, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 3 tbs coconut oil. Bake 350 degrees for 50 minutes. It's still quick and easy -- and oh, so yummy!

Linked to:

Wanting God's Better

Disappointments are just God's way of saying, "I have something better in mind.  ~unknown

My daughter, Melanie, and her husband planned a fun Friday night family 4-wheeler ride. They just knew the kids would be so excited -- and they were! Melanie's next door neighbor has a landing strip and it's the perfect place for races.

All three machines gassed up and the family ready to ride, the quiet hum of engines caught their attention. Looking up they saw the neighbor's airplane ready to land. Watching the landing excited the kids, but it turned out even more exciting when the neighbor asked if they wanted a plane ride.

Melanie said, "We thought we had the best activity planned for the kids, but it turned into something so much better."  Upon hearing this, the Lord spoke to me very plainly, "You thought you had the best plan for me to answer prayer -- but I had something so much better in mind."


True, I thought I knew just how God could "fix" things. Do you ever tell God how to answer your prayers? "God, if you would just...then..." I wanted God to move the players around like the men in a chess game.  But He didn't, because He had something so much better in mind.  

The enemy of our souls is happy for us to cling to our game plans.  He loves hearing us lament God's methods. But in the midst of Satan's glee, the Sword of the Spirit slashes through his one-man-celebration with, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him (1 Corinthians 2:9).

In my amazement at how God works, I look around and say, "So. Much. Better." I am in awe of His leading in our family. Paul so plainly tells us, 

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. 

Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

I wanted God to "push people around." Instead the Holy Spirit worked in me, deeply and gently. My wildest dreams could not have brought me to the place I am today. All I can say is "Glory to God." His better surpasses anything I could think. Glory to God! Oh, yes!

God had something better than what I had planned.

God had something better by His Grace I stand.

So if you're tired of searching for that joy you can't find.

Remember God had something better in mind.

~Janene Dubbeld~

 Linked to :

Say it Saturday

Spiritual Sundays

Unite

Soli Deo Gloria

Sheltering with Little Things

Let a living faith run like threads of gold through the performance of even the smallest duties. Then all the daily work will promote Christian growth.       
                  ~Ellen White


What is it that makes a good marriage great? It's the little things.


   Morning tea 
         Peeling the tomatoes 
              I love you e-mails
                   Smiles across the room


Jesus loved little things.

    A tiny sparrow
         A widow's mite
              A cup of water
                   A small child



If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities (Luke 16:10).


Faithful in the little things:


     Praising before asking
          Soft answers 
               Choosing joy
                    Mustard seed faith

Thomas Merton said, Every moment and every event of every person's life on earth plants something in their soul.   I want to make the most of my moments, in my marriage, and in my walk with God.               

Linked to:

Spiritual Sunday
Monday's Musings
Fresh Brewed Sunday

Sheltering Ties

Open your hearts to the love God instills...God loves you tenderly. What He gives you is not to be kept under lock and key but to be shared.  
                                                                                     ~Mother Teresa

I have found the hearts of God's true disciples are bound in love.  I think I see this most clearly through the eyes of blogging.  I'm amazed at the love that has been born in my heart for those I have never met.  There's a passion in my blogging sisters. A passion for sharing the lessons God is teaching. Women writing authentically in the midst of life's messiness. 


How can you meet a sister through the words of grace and not feel a tug of love?  In these grace-filled words they offer peace, pour oil of comfort, share joy, and celebrate the mundane.  Mentors surface, blurring the edges of age--the young mentor the older, and the older reach back to grab memories to mentor the young.


This sharing of Christian love isn't a newness that came with the blogging in the 21st century.  In 1740, John Fawcett was born in England.  When Fawcett was 30 and pastoring a small congregation, he wrote a song celebrating the tie that binds God's people together.  

"Blest Be the Tie That Binds"

"Blest be the tie that binds

Our hearts in Christian love!

The fellowship of kindred minds

Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne

We pour our ardent prayers;

Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,

Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,

Our mutual burdens bear;

And often for each other flows

The sympathizing tear.

This Christian love has spanned the years, joining hearts together with ties that bind.  Ties that are formed of kindred spirits--spirits whose goal is to follow God with heart, soul and mind.  Kindred spirits I have found in the words of my blogging world.  We admit our fears, share our hopes and dreams, shed tears in shared grief, and just as quickly rejoice in our blessings.


But our ties do not end when the computer is turned off.  It is then we meet at the Father's throne, asking God through Jesus Christ to comfort, encourage, and meet financial, emotional and physical needs. Our posture and our words lack the formality of the 17th century, but God hears our prayers just as clearly.


I'm blessed.  Blessed to have these ties.  Blessed to be gifted love from women of God who live around the world.   Blessed by those who breathe encouragement when it is called, "Today."

 Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today.

Hebrews 3:13

* * * * *

Celebrate the Ties

Father's Day is over, but these projects can be easily adapted to other occasions.  Jonathon and Emily are leading Children's Church for June.  This is the project they helped the children make last week.  She found the idea on Vippins.

These fun treat ties were made by Krista, a friend of mine.  She combined a couple Pinterest ideas. The ties are filled with Lemon Snack Mix recipe.  The tag says:

Here's a special tie for you, 

to tell you thanks for all you do. You are 

T-errific 

I-ncredible 

E-xtraordinary 

Happy Father's Day!




One last idea that I found and really liked.  RB's ties are not safe!  He better put them under lock and key.

Linked to:

Five Filled Friday

Friendship Friday

Spiritual Sundays

Monday's Musings

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

The Shelter of Home

My home is in heaven; I'm just passing through this world. 

                          ~Billy Graham

This child, my Emily, how I miss her! Her summer job keeps her in Indy during the week. Daily texts and phone calls keep us in touch, but it doesn't take the place of knowing she's tucked under her music note comforter or curled up across from me reading.

I do know her job is a direct answer to prayer. Last year, I prayed for a summer job in a positive environment and I prayed for a mentor for Emily's college years. God gave me an "over and above" answer by combining the prayers into one. Don't you just love answers that are "exceedingly abundantly beyond what we could ask or think?" Sometimes I feel so spoiled by my Heavenly Father.

So we count the days and celebrate our time together on the weekends. Today I had fun getting ready for her.

The lamps were lit and candles burning...                  

Favorite treat and reading material waiting...

Table ready for Chinese supper...

Facebook conversation from this week:

Me: Tomorrow it will be one more sleep. Then I'll bring you home and feed you crumpets and tea.

Emily: Haha! Dry ones, I trust. Chocolate-covered and crunchyyyy.

Me: Crumpets aren't dry. Scones are. And definitely chocolate covered. Dark, because it's good for you.

Emily: Definitely dark, because it's my favorite now. And hopefully strooooong tea. My pinky's already up!

Me: They're sorta like pancakes and pancakes aren't dry. Besides, we're drizzling (read pouring) chocolate on them. 

Emily: Ooh ooh ooh...how about that new recipe? [Magic Chocolate that hardens on frozen foods] Of course, we could freeze the crumpets. Or maybe we could just buy those pre-frozen pancakes.

Me: Something tells me the English didn't use frozen pancakes.

Emily: So we will start a new tradition! I'll bring the Amish books! ♥

Me: Don't forget your hat and accent, mah dear!

So of course, this Momma had to make crumpets for dessert. Can we say delicious?

Oh how happy I am to look over and see Emily curled under a blanket, Kindle in hand, reading. She stops to laugh at her dad's funny stories, looks up to tell me something a daycare child said and decides crumpets are her new favorite food. She's home--and this momma loves it.

All day, as I prepared for Emily to come home, Heaven has been on my mind. Margaret Baxter asks, "Why should my heart be fixed where my home is not? Heaven is my home; God in Christ is all my happiness: and where my treasure is, there my heart should be."

I have to think that Jesus is going to be happy when I get to my Heavenly home. I know He's preparing it for me--it's a mansion, you know, this home with its streets of gold and gates of pearl. Jasper, emeralds, topaz, sapphires and more--such beauty in its foundation. The light of the glory of God will shine on the jewels, sending streaks of color across those golden streets. And oh, the banquet He's planning will make my crumpets taste like overdone veggies.

Just imagine Jesus, standing at those pearl gates, welcoming us home. 2 Peter 1:11tells us, "Therefore, my brothers and sisters...you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."  

Joni Erickson Tada said,  "What makes heaven exciting to me is being with the Lord Jesus where I will be perfectly and utterly at home."

Heaven -- where my heart is, where Jesus lives and where I'll be "perfectly and utterly" at home.

 

Sheltering--South Africa Style

“…While in Africa, I found out some things. One of them being we are blessed with “things”. And another being that “things” don’t make people happy….”                                  ~Scott Clemens

“Oh, my God is enough – He’s proved it o'er and  o'er – He’s never known to fail – His power still prevails! Down through the tests of time – God’s people always find – Whatever life may bring – God is enough!” That beautiful chorus was met with harmonious voices lifted in song at the beginning of a small South African group of believers during home prayer meeting.

Should I sing those same words here in America?  Do I need to sing those same words? Can I sing those words? I believe the answer is a resounding “YES!”

May I dare say that it is difficult for me to sing those words with conviction here in the USA because I have it “easy.”  Now I would not wish to bring trials/testing upon myself, but upon seeing how blessed I am where I live right now, I want God to continually keep my focus on Him – everything was His to begin with, and He has entrusted us to enjoy many blessings while living here –

• My home is cozy and structurally sound as opposed to some we saw in Africa.

• We have it easy -- with nice churches and comfy pews. These children (in photo) sit on a "tarp pew" for their special service every Saturday.

• Our financial situations may be declining in America, but we are blessed with an abundance of food.  Limited supplies are replenished to provide meat for these families (US visitors hunting photo).

Perhaps God proves to us His power in ways different from those living in a poorer country --  BUT, He is God there. He is God here. He is all they need and all we need. He will not fail and will never run out of power to keep us in the good times and bad.

Our mission trip to South Africa was phenomenal. 10 days, 17,000 miles, 17 hours of flight time (each way) and hours spent traveling place to places to view God’s beauty. This group consisted of my husband and me, his father, his brother and sister along with their spouses and a high school student from our Christian Day School. It was packed with amazing sightseeing of numerous animals – most just feet away. We helped spruce up a school/church campground and were privileged to go hunting to supply meat for the six African pastors connected to the conference. (Yes, yours truly shot her first animal from the back of a [non-moving] truck in the open fields of South Africa!)

This video clip will give you a little journaling of our time spent in South Africa.  You'll want your sound on.

                        

Linked to:

Spiritual Sundays
Soli Deo Gloria
Playdates with God
Think on These Things

Color Your Day

The Master Potter picks up the brush and adds color as beautiful as the rainbow - color soft as a rising sun.  ~Carl Richardson

Today was a rare Saturday for me.  RB was off in one direction to play for a funeral.  Emily was off in the other to attend an eight-hour training session for her Haiti trip.  The house was quiet--too quiet for a Saturday. To make my day go faster I decided I needed to add some spring splashes of color around our home--after all, the first day of Spring is only a month away.

So I puttered and played with birds and candles, pastel lights and speckled eggs, bunnies and chicks.  It was such a fun day, and our home is smiling tulips and pastel M & Ms.  Yellows, coral and tangerine catch your eye.  It's hard to feel alone when enjoying color splashes.

I enjoyed the colors poured over my home, and in the enjoyment I  realized that not only was my physical home needing the color, my soul was hungry for some color, too.   It was in the stillness of my day that a little bit of spring came to my soul.

Splashes of forsythia yellow:  Joy!  Clap your hands, all peoples.  Shout to God with loud songs of Joy (Psalm 47:1).

Accented with coral tulips: Grace!  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of His trespasses, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7).

Enhanced with spring green grass: Peace!  Letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace (Romans 8:6).

I'm thankful for the color God used to brighten my soul.  I wasn't in the beautiful church RB was today, with the sun shining through the stained glass windows. I was just in this house we call home.  It isn't always in the formal worship I find God.  I can find Him in the middle of my ordinary day.  A day when I am busy splashing color.  When I step back and smile at my flower arrangement I see it -- God's hand, splashing color on my soul.