The Rollercoaster of Female Emotions

I wanted to apologize to all of those who saw that woman standing at the end of the walkway outside the Children's Church room, with her head down and tears streaming down her face. You saw her and wondered who she was, in the midst of her red face and puffy eyes. You might have said a small prayer for her as you passed her by. You knew she looked familiar, but couldn't quite place her. Then she lifted her head from talking on the phone and saw that...it was me.

Wednesday was rough. No other way to explain it. I spent my WHOLE DAY trying to decide if I could fly out to Massachusetts to go to my grandfathers funeral. I was up, I was down, I was going, I was not going. Oh, my goodness my poor husband! I'd talk to him on the phone and say I definitely wanted to go and then five minutes later I'd be saying I didn't want to go. My children picked up on my vulnerability and cried all day, fighting and complaining and they continued to break me down even more. I was in constant prayer, asking the Lord to give me an answer, to show me if it was His will or not, that I go. Finally at 6:45 pm, sitting in the car in the Publix parking lot, I called to make my reservation.

Within 5 minutes, I had arranged to take myself and my 12 month old son on a 10 hour day to Detroit and then on to New Hampshire. The moment I was off the phone with the Northwest Airlines agent, I knew my answer-it was a mistake. My whole day had been a battle of wills-God's will versus mine. I was trying to figure things out in my own human capacity to where I could go. I got childcare and groceries for when I'd be gone. I had meals set up for their dinners so Wesley wouldn't have to worry about cooking. I had everything set to go, but my heart wasn't in it. I knew that it wasn't God's will for me to go. All day it had been staring me in the face and I failed to see it-because I didn't want too. My eyes filled with tears and started to pour down my face. I called my sister who I was supposed to fly with and I told her I just couldn't do it. I surrendered my will and gave it over to God. I trusted Him with my heart and my pain and I released it all. I quickly called and canceled my flight and felt the burden relieved from my shoulders for the first time all day.

Shortly after this, I had to go pick up my 9 year old from Wednesday night church and my mother called while I was sitting in the parking lot. Suddenly, I was crying again at the sound of her voice on the other end. I told her I couldn't figure out why I was so emotional. She laughed and said, "Your not pregnant are you?" as I smiled in return, I told her I had wondered the same thing! After getting off the phone with her, I saw a few of my close sisters in Christ. These are the kind of women you want to see when you feel your heart exploding inside your chest, and tears are running down your face. I felt like an idiot, but I knew they loved me just the way I was. After getting much needed hugs and being prayed over, I felt much better.

After I made it home (and after I made sure to take a pregnancy test, to which I cried "Hallelujah" then I saw it was negative!) My poor husband was trying to see the logic of it all. He was trying to figure out how I went from saying I wanted to go, to canceling tickets and knowing I definitely wasn't supposed to go. I smiled up at him and reminded him that female emotions have no logic involved at all! Then he looked at me and smiled and said, "Well Marion, you just lost your Grampa two days ago and he was a huge link to your Gramma. No wonder you're so emotional," and it hit me, that's what it was. Grampa always reminded me of Gramma and I could feel her smile when he was in the room. It was as if a part of her was there. Now that part is gone, and I was mourning not just his death, but also her death, all over again.

You never know how you'll feel and what emotions will come your way when you lose someone you love. The Lord has blessed me these past two days with peace of mind. I feel like a whole new person! I was reminded in my bible study this morning that the Lord even knows when a sparrow falls-He definitely knows what is going on in my life! How blessed I am to have a Savior who loves me so much.

My Grampa

One of my last memories of my grandfather was from a month ago. I had finally completed my first writing piece to submit to a publisher and I had brought it over to my moms house for her to proof read. My grandfather was there and he picked it up and started reading. I was suddenly very nervous, I was afraid of what he'd say. I sent up a silent prayer as he read it.

A few minutes later, I looked at him and he was all choked up, a tear in his eye as he handed it back to me. He looked at me with such pride in his eyes and said, "Wow Marion Rowe, you really know your Bible! That is so impressive." Before he left that day, he gave me a hug and kissed me on my forehead like he always did and said, "I'm so proud of you!"

My grandfather, John Howard Foster passed away last night around 10:20pm. My family all gathered together and did what you always do when someone leaves you for the last time-reminisce over old memories. We talked about how he grew up and where he went to college. We talked about stories he had told us from when he served in the Korean war; how he met my Gramma and what adventures he went on. We talked about funny things he'd said and how he touched each of our lives. I am always amazed at how families all gather together after a loved one dies. It's like you want to take every memory you can and share it, in hopes that you'll never forget it. Talking about them keeps them alive in your heart. It makes it feel as though that person will walk in the door at any moment and tell you another story you had never heard before.

Then you go home and try to sleep only to wake up the next morning wondering if it was all a dream or if he is really gone. As my husband left for work this morning there was a chance he may have a trial. I thought, "I should call Grampa and let him know." Grampa was always fascinated with Wesley's work and wanted to know about what different cases he had. He went down to the courtroom last time and got to see Wesley before the judge. Then I realized, I couldn't do that ever again. I didn't realize what a treasure it was, last time that he actually made it to the courthouse to watch.

Isn't that how life is though-you record every "first" that your children do as babies, but we never realize what will be the last. I take life for granted that tomorrow I will wake up and have another chance to do what is right and to make good decisions that will glorify my Lord. But what if I don't? No one is promised tomorrow. I never in a million years would have thought when my grandfather left for his 60th high school reunion, that he would never come home again. I took for granted all those mornings where I would go visit my mom and he was living next door. I am grateful that he always came to see me. He loved to watch my children grow. He would laugh when they would get into something they weren't supposed to. He loved to kiss on them and hold them. I remember asking him when one of my boys was real small, if he wanted to hold him. I didn't think he would since most men don't enjoy holding newborn babies. He looked at me and said, "Well of course I do!" and reached out his arms to cradle this tiny infant.

I will miss his smile and all those kisses on my forehead. I will miss the way he would call me "Rowe" just like he did my Gramma (Gramma and I share the same middle name). I will miss his good cooking, no one could ever cook ribs to perfection like he could. I will miss his jolly laugh that would always carry to the next room. I will miss the way he would get choked up and sentimental over the tiniest thing. I will miss the way he always made sure to buy us a gift for our birthday or for Christmas because he knew Gramma wouldn't have wanted him to forget. I will miss his stories-what adventures he went on! I'll miss hearing him talk about golf and seeing him sit on my aunts front porch and read his pile of news magazines. I'll miss...well, I'll miss alot of things about him. But, I know he loved me and was proud of me and I know that I will carry that with me wherever I go.

So, thank you Grampa for all the love and all the joy you brought to my life. You were such a blessing to me. I'll see you on the other side. I love you, high as the sky and double dooties...xxxooo

Details on the Pictures:

1. 1929, 2 years old

2. 1954, 25 years old, Korean War

3. Venice, Italy 1956, 27 years old

4. December 1959, looking at my mom and her twin sister at 2 months of age

5.Easter 1962, Casper, Wyoming, with my Gramma Nance, my mom, Uncle John and Aunt Marion

6. 2003, this picture will always remain on my mantle. It is the last good picture I have of him and my Gramma together before my Gramma got really sick with cancer. This is just a few of their grandchildren.

Daddy's Here

"Excuse me ma'am, I need you to hold his arms for me." I looked down at my 12 month old son with dread. He was laying on the table, squirming around, red faced with tears rolling down his fat cheeks. I knew-it was that time again-time to get shots. Oh how I dread those doctors visits.

Standing there, holding my sons arms, he looks up at me with fear. Two strangers stood at his feet, needles on the table and one of them says, "OK, here we go!" I lean over my son and whisper soothingly into his ear, "It's OK sweetheart. Mama's here." I say a prayer that it will be done quickly and that the Tylenol I gave him before leaving home would stop some of the pain. I feel his tears on my face and I brush his soft, curly hair with my hand. All of a sudden I thought, "Wow-this must be how God feels when we have to go through something that hurts so bad."
Have you ever gone through something and to put it simply-it just hurt. No way around it. It could have been a broken relationship, a fight with a loved one, or moving to a far away place. It could've been a death, an accident, or an illness. We look up to Him with eyes raised, red faced and tears running down our cheeks. He softly leans over us and whispers in our ear, "It's OK, Daddy's here. Everything is going to be alright."

Do you believe that He does that? One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Zephaniah 3:17. Instead of writing out the whole verse, I want to take it apart, line by line.

"The Lord your God IS WITH YOU!!!"

Right now, wherever you sit or stand, no matter how much chaos is going on around you-He is with you!

"He is mighty to save."

He will save you from whatever is plaguing your mind or troubling your heart.

"He will take great delight in YOU."

What do you delight in? What brings you pleasure? Is it writing, reading a book or watching your favorite TV show? Is it being outside in your garden or climbing a mountain top? Is it trying on clothes at your favorite store? It could be spending time with your family or listening to your little children's precious prayers. What do you delight in? It says right here, in black and white, that the God of the universe- DELIGHTS IN YOU! I must admit, that is too hard for my tiny mind to wrap itself around sometimes!

"He will quiet you with His love."

I LOVE this part! Just as I leaned over and whispered softly in my sons ears, God does the same thing to us. Picture a mother or a father rocking her sweet child back and forth, back and forth, patting them on the back and speaking softly in love. That is what your Heavenly Father wants to do for you. No problem is too big and nothing you can do can separate you from the love of Christ Jesus! NOTHING!!! Crawl up in His lap today and let Him love on you.

"He will rejoice over you with singing."

Back to the vision of a loving parent singing lullaby's to their hurting child. He does that for you too.

I may be getting side tracked, but another type of singing is rejoicing. Can you picture Him singing and jumping up and down because He is so excited over watching you grow in Him and following His will? I challenge you today to do something to make Him jump and down. Something that may be small in your eyes, but to the kingdom of God-it could be HUGE! Reach out to that neighbor, hug your child, pray in front of your children, smile at the grocery store clerk, leave a big tip for your waitress, invite someone to church. Donate clothes to a shelter, bring a meal to a needy family, lift up a prayer, send a card. It may not matter to the world's eyes-but to Him, who is watching and waiting to see if you will obey and trust Him with all the things in your life (big or small), it's not that small an act at all.

Remember, no matter where you are or what is going on, Daddy's here.

PS: The top picture, as I'm sure you guessed, is me and my now 9 year old daughter when she was 4 months old. The second, is me and my middle son who is now 2 1/2. The third picture was taken about a month ago of our youngest son. The last picture, of all the men in my life, I took earlier this week.

A lot Like Me

I'm such a slacker in my blogging lately! To be honest-I have been holding on with a thread to try and get through these last few homeschooling weeks that I have not had much time for anything else. Why is it, the last few weeks of school are so hard? I am happy to say that I finally made it. With the exception of needing to finish writing a Geography final and grading a few papers, I have successfully finished teaching the 3rd grade! This week, my mother is doing our daughter's standardized testing (thanks SO much mom!). That has been a blessing to me, not to have to try and figure out how to do that without getting distracted by her two brothers!

This year was much harder than last year, but I think that is due to having a new baby and two boys who needed me as much as my student needed my attention! I think next year will be much easier. Wesley and I will keep homeschooling until the Lord releases us from the responsibility. For my parents who homeschooled my four siblings and I, the Lord told them to put us back in public school in middle school. I don't know if we'll do that or not. It is truly a year by year basis where we will decide. Sometimes, its a day by day thing where I have visions of sticking my children in the van and driving over to enroll her in the nearest school I find! (Thankfully the Lord always gives me strength in those moments to keep pressing on!) All that being said, I really hope I will have more time and inspiration to write more this summer.

Anyway, let me get to why I logged on to write to you in the first place! I thought I would share with you what happened at church on Sunday. I cannot quit thinking about it and I pray you can be in awe of our Heavenly Father like I was. We had a guest singer/speaker to lead our worship service. He was a member of the 1990's country band, Confederate Railroad. I wasn't amazed so much by that, because in my naivety I didn't really know much about that band. It wasn't until he said that Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were his opening act that I realized just how famous a guy he was. (Am I showing my young age or what?) Anyway, he shared his testimony of being on the road and living the famous life filled with lots of money, lots of women and later lots of drugs. He had everything the world could offer, but he was absolutely miserable and empty. He told us how God swept him from the depths and saved him.

It wasn't his testimony so much that spoke to me, as much as what happened as a result of it. During the invitation time, many people came down and prayed, one rededicated her life, another said he wanted to be baptized. There was no question that God was at work amongst His people. It came down to the end of the invitation time and the Holy Spirit must have spoken to our pastor. Instead of closing and dismissing everyone to go home, he said that he really felt like there was someone else out there who was hanging on to that pew as hard as he could. He wanted to sing one more verse to give others a chance to come. I was sitting in the middle section of the church and the pastor was directly in front of me. Suddenly I saw him-red faced, tears pouring down his face, coming from the side. I wanted to shout, "Look-there he is, the one you were talking about!" He engulfed our pastor in a bear hug and I could hear his sobs. I lost it, I couldn't hold back my tears. I knew why he came and I knew that he had found what he needed most in all this world. To make this story even sweeter, this wasn't a man who went to church regularly, but God grabbed him while he was there for a short while. It was also Baptism Sunday. This man had come to watch a family member get baptized and that was why he was there. Isn't that such a beautiful picture of His love? He longs for us to come to Him and to reach out to Him and so many times we don't. And when we don't go looking for Him-He's always looking at us, trying to grab our attention.

The last few days I have thought about that man. I don't know his story, where he came from or what he's been through, but I do know that we are a lot alike. I can still remember my own face looking much like his did and my sobs sounding just as loud as his were. I remember the moment my eyes were opened and I saw God's love for me. It didn't matter what I had done or where my sinful life had taken me-He loved me anyway and He was longing to bring me home to where I belonged. I am so grateful that He didn't give up on me like so many people would have. He pursues our hearts and longs for us to make Him our Lord and Savior. He has blessed my life so much.

When I look at the Bible, I don't see perfect people that God used and that Jesus healed. I see murders, adulterers, prostitutes, the greedy, the faithless, the selfish and the stubborn. I see men and women who well...are a lot like me. Thankfully Jesus saved them anyway and God still did amazing things through their lives. He forgave them and just like the Prodigal son's father- He rejoices and grabs us in His arms and loves on us. The angels in heaven rejoice over our tears and our brokenness that brings us closer to God. Never think you have gone too far where He cannot reach you. Never think that a relationship with Him is meant for the perfect people who do no wrong. (For there is no such thing).

You are dearly loved and strongly pursued by the One who gave everything just so you could be together for eternity. Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...

But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is make perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ's power may rest on me...For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9, 10b

What a Nightmare

I woke up to the doorbell ringing. I rolled over and glanced at the clock. It was after midnight. Suddenly my eyes widened as I knew without ever answering the door, who was there. My husband got up and said he'd handle it. I got out of bed and started pacing my bedroom floor. I was waiting. I didn't know what for, but I knew something was about to happen and it wasn't going to be good. My two year old son was asleep in the corner of the room. I tried to watch his steady breathing to calm my anxious heart that had suddenly lept into my throat.

The door to my room burst opened. There stood a big man with tanned skin and an evil look in his eye. He grabbed my arm and tried to fling me down the hallway, separating me from my son. I yanked my arm away and picked up my child who had started to wake from his slumber. The man looked at me and said, "Fine, have it your way," and pushed me down the hallway. He shoved me into a room that was only lit by one dim light. My husband was sitting at the end of a long table. He was surrounded by men three times his size. I was surprised to see blood trickling down his mouth and a his left eye, severely swollen. He caught my eye as I walked in the room and I could see the fear in his eyes; not fear for himself, but fear that his wife and child were in danger. You could feel the evil in that place like I had never felt before.

Another man, grabbed my son out of my arms. His small body just dangled there as the large man held my child by just his arm. "Momma," he kept crying over and over again. This giant Goliath looked at me and said, "Who do you call Lord?" I looked him in the eye and said, "Jesus" He took out a shiny, silver revolver and shoved it to my son's temple. My son screamed out in fear. The man looked at me and asked again, "Who do you call Lord?"

I silently prayed,"Must I really choose between You and my child, Father? Is this really happening?" I looked at my precious child, with his big blue eyes and tears running down his sweet cheeks. He looked at my husband and I with confusion-weren't we supposed to protect him from the bad guys? I tried to buy myself more time, but the man yelled, "Who do you call Lord?"

With tears running down my cheeks and my heart pounding I cried out, "Jesus". I never heard the revolver go off, I only saw my child's body go limp and his eyes close. The agony I felt in that moment was too great to put into words. I looked at my husband who had his head bowed, looking at the floor as though he were praying.

Goliath threw my sons body to the corner of the room and came up behind me. He grabbed my neck to steady my head, took out the revolver that just killed my son and looked at my husband. "Who do you call Lord?" I could feel his large hand about to cover my mouth and I screamed out the only words that popped into my head-"Greater is He who is in you, than he who is in the world...Store up your treasures in heaven where moth and rust cannot destroy." My husband looked me in the eye and in anguish cried out, "Jesus". I heard a small boom in my right ear, but it sounded more like an echo. I saw my husband cry out and reach for me as my body fell. And all I saw was darkness...

Then I woke up.

My heart was pounding and all I could see in my head was that last look on my husband's face. I rolled over and there he was, sound asleep laying next to me. I sat up and thanked the Lord that it was all a dream. Needless to say, going back to sleep after that, was not going to happen. I laid in bed and felt such a burden to pray for the missionaries in the world. They live with things like this actually happening. I remember reading somewhere years ago about a modern day Job. There was a missionary living in a third world country who had seven children. Men came to his house and lined his kids up in a row. They asked the missionary who he worshipped, one by one pointing a gun at each child's temple. Every time he answered Jesus, they killed one of his children. He lost his whole family that day, including his wife. When you read about something like that, its hard not to ask yourself, what would I have done in that situation?

We live in America where we worry about hurting someones feelings and offending people. They live in third world countries where they worry about being killed or losing their families. We worship in large churches and can sing our praises to God anytime we want. They worship in underground caves and in hiding. Their prayers are mere whispers in order for authorities not to overhear and forfeit their lives. The risks don't quite compare do they? I am ashamed of myself when I think of these brave men and women. Here I am, wondering what a sacrifice it will be if I help out with Vacation Bible School or the kids summer program at church, while they are giving not just their time-but their lives.

Last night at church, a friend of mine said she'd been thinking-what if the Bible was still being written today, what stories would go in there from our day? Would there be any stories about faith, here in America? Would you be in there? It really got me thinking. Am I living my life worthy of the cross? Jesus never said following Him would be easy, in fact if you look at the lives of his disciples, most died a gruesome death. But they didn't die in vain.

Paul said to live is Christ, to die is gain, either way you win because you are with Him (Philippians 1:21). If my dream were to have actually happened, I would have woken up in heaven and would have been rejoined with my son-to live is Christ, to die is gain.

What is it you are doing for Christ today? I guarantee you, He has a mission for you-a purpose. So often we get bogged down with the things of this world that we forget that we are supposed to be living for the things in the next world. Set your eyes on what is unseen. There is a reason and a purpose you were born in this lifetime. What is it? Will you accomplish His mission? Will He say, "Well done my good and faithful servant," when you reach those pearly gates? My friend, the sacrifices and risks you take today-will be worth it.

The Painted Lady

I witnessed a miracle last week. It wasn't earth shattering or important to all of society, but to my daughter and I, it was special. Two weeks ago we got a package in the mail labeled, "Open immediately, live butterflies inside!" My sister had gotten Randol a butterfly kit for her birthday. Over the last two weeks, we watched these tiny, black caterpillars double in size everyday. They were quite ugly, little things and they sure didn't look very special or exciting.

Then it happened, one morning we woke up and they were in their cocoon, now all we could do was wait. The outside of their shell slowly turned from a grayish color to bright gold. It looked as though someone had painted gold specks on them. I had never seen anything like it before. It was so pretty.

On Friday, out emerged this beautiful butterfly with bright orange and black spots. When I see it spread its wings and fly, my eyes can't help but widen with amazement. How does this happen? How can something go from being so ugly and wriggling on the ground to having wings and being so beautiful? I sat and looked at those butterflies and I realized-it was alot like like me.

I was ugly and full of sin in my life. Jesus came along and refined me like gold and turned me into a beautiful creature. It was nothing I did, but what He did for me that caused that change. It is a miracle how He changes lives. When we become saved, our transformation is just as profound as those black, fuzzy caterpillars turning into magnificent, beautiful butterflies. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

How comforting those words are! Never forget, you have been redeemed and all of that ugliness from your past is gone. He has made you beautiful, now soar on the wings of His love and be who He wants you to be!

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The homeschool teacher in me has to share a few neat facts that we have learned about the Painted Lady butterfly.

*Her typical lifespan is 2-4 weeks.

*She can lay up to 500 eggs.

*She may travel 1,000 miles in her lifetime.

*She tastes with her feet.

*She has 10,000 eyes.

Our Two Mom's

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! My heart is heavy that I won't be able to see you today. Even though I am a mother and I still get to celebrate with my own children, there is just something special about being with your mom on a day like today.

When I think about my childhood I think about how fun it was. I remember homeschooling and having our big get-togethers where we all got to dress up like cowboys and Indians and dad made a huge bon fire. I remember all those elaborate Halloween costumes you would spend hours making by hand. More importantly, thank you for having the patience enduring my crying and complaining and changing my mind about wearing it. I remember all of our fun vacations in Myrtle Beach with Gramma and Grandpa. I remember those hot softball games you went to and cheered me on. You were my GA leader at church on Wednesday nights and most importantly, you taught me of God's love and led me to Christ as a small child. You've always encouraged me to find a passion and to stick with it, even now, you help me with my writing.

Thank you for loving me with an unconditional love. You truly live out 1 Corinthians 13 in how you love us. Thank you for all the patience and sacrifice you have given us. I know that you will always be there whether I'm having a bad day and just need a hug or whether I'm going into preterm labor and I'm really scared! You always help me keep my perspective of how temporary this stage of my life is. You offer wisdom when I need it and you are always there to support my decisions. I am so grateful that you live only a few miles away. Thank you for all your help with my children. Thank you for unexpected visits to my house when I haven't seen you in a while and for all those long phone conversations we have. You are more than just a mother, you truly are one of my best friends. I never have to worry about saying the wrong thing or doing the wrong thing, I know you love me just the way I am. Thank you so much for all you do and for who you are. I couldn't ask for a better example of how a mother should be.

Happy Mothers Day to my mother-in law, Kim. Thank you for loving me and accepting me into your family as your daughter-in-law. Thank you for adoring your grandchildren so much and for being so sweet with them. You always make a point to let them know how much you love them. One of my favorite things about you is your laugh. You have such a sweet and joyful laugh that is so contagious. It makes your eyes light up and you look so beautiful.

Thank you for raising Wesley to be such a Godly man. You taught him how to prioritize and how to keep perspective. You gave him a fun childhood full of memories with cousins and playing outside. You encouraged him in his schooling and in pursuing a law degree. You supported him financially and emotionally through every stage of his life. Thank you for all those bowls of chicken noodle soup when he was sick. Thank you for all your sweat sitting outside at his cross country meets and for all those long summer days at the Windsor Park pool. Thank you for all the time you put into teaching AWANA at church and for instilling in him a love of God's word.

I am so blessed to have found a man like Wesley. Thank you for all your hard work and all your sacrifice. I know that without all that-he wouldn't be the man that I love today. It is because of you that he is, who he is. Thank you!

Get Your Prayer On!

Today is the National Day of Prayer. People from all over the country are coming together either in body or spirit to pray for our government, our military, the media, businesses, our schools, our churches and our families. Please try and pray at 7 am, noon and 7 pm, wherever you are, no matter what you are doing. My family is up and getting ready, right now to go meet at our church. My husband was asked to pray for our government and he is taking our daughter with him.

On Sunday our pastor asked for a commitment for those to come and pray at the church at those times and then to fast during lunch. I stood in that pew as people all around me got out of their seats and went to the front of the church to sign their name on a card saying they'd come. I felt so "left out"-I wanted to be able to go and I can't. I bowed my head and told God how much I wanted to be there, but couldn't because of my two boys. All of a sudden I felt such a peace as the Holy Spirit reminded me that He knows right where I am and He knows my heart. I realized-I don't have to be in body, standing at that flag pole to pray- I could pray at home and it would be ok! God has placed me where I am for such a time as this, and God will honor my heart. What a blessing to know that.

I encourage you to pray today for our nation. I pray that our hearts will be broken and that God will heal our land. What a neat thing to think that as you sit at your desk at lunch time and you send up a prayer-you are whispering those words at the same time as thousands across this great country-all united by the Holy Spirit! Isn't prayer just the neatest thing!

"Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be, He commanded,and it stood firm. The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance. From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth-He forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do...But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield, In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in You."

~Psalms 33:8-15; 18-22