PRAYING TIME

The single sock is on it's way to a new destination.
Things are more normal. One blog a day was a tough one.
Then life goes on. Incredible things happen. Wake up calls.
The Boston massacre. Forces us to think again. To pray again.
I actually hadn't heard this song before.
I googled "Praying time", 'cause those were the words given to me.
On the Youtube version they sing, "He's a doctor in your sickroom, he's a layer in your courtroom."
That reminded me of Kelly in the sickroom and David in the courtroom.
HE is there. HIS will be done.

Miami Mass Choir - It's Praying Time Elder Teagues, it's praying time Lead Wars and rumors of wars all thru out the land that tells me Choir It's praying time 2x Lead Trouble and confusion on every hand that lets me know It's praying time 2x Lead The Prayers of the righteous availeth much it's praying time It's praying time 2x Lead Mothers against daughters and fathers against sons that lets you know It's praying time 2x Lead Family's being distraught cause there's no love in the home that let us know It's praying time 2x Lead The Prayers of the righteous availeth much it's we got to pray It's praying time 2x Lead We saw the bombing in Oklahoma city that lets you know It's praying time 2x Lead In South Carolina a mother kills her children that lets you know It's praying time 2x Lead Prayers of the righteous availeth much, that lets you know It's praying time 2x Lead Now what we got to do Pray about it Lead You got to get down on your knees and tell God about it Pray about it Lead He's not a man hard of hearing He's standing right there Pray about it Lead All you gotta do is say Jesus and He'll come and see about you Pray about it Lead Don't worry about it you got to pray Pray (repeat each time after leader) Lead Pray and ask the Lord Jesus Pray and ask the Lord Jesus don't leave me by myself No no no no Pray (repeat each time after leader) Pray and ask the Lord Jesus Pray and ask the Lord Jesus don't leave me by myself.

Walking in Faith

The two different socks are a blessing and a strong reminder.
I'm putting them on like God's full armor.

Lending ear to the devil is a dangerous thing I often find myself doing.
How he tormented me, "You have nothing to tell about walking, spreading the word of God. You're a good-for-nothing person not attending church or serving the way the other sisters do."
Well, he's kind of right, you know. I don't preach, and the last ten years or so I actually haven't done much to help or serve actively in the church either.
When I go to church, I do so to get food for my hungry soul, rest for my tormented mind and get filled with joy through the Scripture, the hymns, the communion, even the beauty of the building.

(I need to add I did my share as Serina grew up, following to Sunday School, scout camps, even baking or making buns of puffed rice and chocolate for family gatherings at the YWCA/YMCA, attending gospel concerts where Serina and her lot were performing, Gunnar driving to and from each Friday evening when other adult pairs were busy having fun themselves, gathering money to support the trips to Paris, Estonia or wherever the choirs and scouts were headed.)

I think I'm making excuses for not being a church-working-going type. I am who I am, trying not to pretend being better or more engaged.
I've had to find my own way of being a Christian, serving God as honest as I can.
My Mom always instructed me to work for the face of God and not be an Eye servant.
I've tried to do that, with many flaws and failures.

A year ago, my Mom and me working in her garden. I miss her beyond words. I hear her voice and instructions wherever I go. She still is a blessing to me.

If something, this has become my way of being a Christian.
I cannot be a straightforward A4 person. I wasn't cut out to be this way. I am not even honoring Christ the way I'd like to.
Nevertheless I am a person friends call in times of trouble and ask for prayers. They know I'm weak, they sometimes despise me, but they know that's why I've become a praying person. I cannot do or be anything without God. Because I'm weak, I am strong.

2 Chor. 3:² "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men."

Heart warming socks arrived today

They say God's timing is perfect. They are right.
Not only is his timing exactly planned, but also his instructions to those who walk his errands.

 Life and Breath and Everything Else: Psalm 78:13a

 

Published with the permission of Lauren Dawenport. See her blog.

Some of you will know that for 24 years I have been living with the chronic fatigue syndrome ME. That means that my batteries run low quickly and I have to lay down and recharge 2 -3 times a day.
After all these years I and my family have found ways to cope and I even see God's blessings through my illness,( at least in retrospect).
I was allowed to be a stay at home Mom from when Serina was a baby after my collapse.
All family members have been knit closely together, because we needed each other to make life work for the one we all loved the most, the divine gift, baby Serina, only niece and only grandchild.

As Serina grew older both husband Gunnar , my brother Kel and my parents grew life threatening ill in just a short time.
Again, we were able to be there for each other.

I admit I felt I'd reached a point of total helplessness when Serina also came down with ME last June. As my Mom was heading towards the end of her life, my daughter had just finished her education and about to begin her life.

I have learned to walk on promises and take one step at a time over and over again. Sometimes I envy people who can plan a half year ahead. I just have to recognize, this is not for me.

So often I've woken up in my childhood room reading the text over my head. Never will I leave, nor will I forsake you. Signed God.
If I could share how these words have given me new strength and new hope.

I love the Sisterhood of the Traveling Scarf and Terry in particular, since she has come to stand so close to me and has also adopted Serina as her prayer child.

I wondered if I even would be able to take part in this year's adventures. I just thought, let me wait and see.
After serious praying, some new and very promising neurological medication against the ME symptoms came available in Norway this February. Serina started in March. Lots of side efferents which meant trials to all of us.
We have learned to embrace the good moments and we indeed do.
Life is so precious and so are smiles, laughter, companionship, hugs, games, food and the odd outdoor expedition.

Like today. Gunnar was exhausted, but Serina and I managed to stay on wheels from 09.30 til 02. Record breaking attending three flea-markets. We barely made it home, when I found the letter from Linda. Sweet Linda had not only sent one sock, but also a new pair of socks. That was the only way I could have started this sock journey today. Both Serina and I went to bed. Norway is still so old fashioned that stores close early on Saturday and most keep closed on Sunday. It's about keeping the Lord's Day holy.

Had Linda not enclosed an extra pair of socks, I'd had to wait until Monday. The Lord knew and he inspired Linda, that's for sure.
In a week or two I shall also try out this new medication. Then I would not have been able to write, at least not if I must go through similar side effects like those of Serina.

God sees and plans so many steps ahead, while I hardly see the end of a day.
Praised be his name. Praised be his love and fatherly concern for each and everyone of us.

Solid Rock

My kind of Rock.

Solid Rock
Well, I'm hanging on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And won't let go, and I can't let go, won't let go
And I can't let go, won't let go, and I can't let go no more.

For me He was chastised, for me He was hated
For me He was rejected by a world that He created
Nations are angry, coursed are some
People are expecting a false peace to come.

Well, I'm hanging on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And won't let go, and I can't let go, won't let go
And I can't let go, won't let go, and I can't let go no more.

It's the ways of the flesh to war against the spirit
Twenty-four hours a day you can feel it and you can hear it
Using all the devices under the sun
And He never give up 'til the battle's lost or won.

Well, I'm hanging on to a solid rock
Made before the foundation of the world
And won't let go, and I can't let go, won't let go
And I can't let go, won't let go, and I can't let go no
Bob Dylan

WAITING FOR THE BIBLE

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 And ye shall call upon Me, and go, and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart. 14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD.

I prayed for a word, opened my Bible and found this.
In the margin I have noted blessings from these words in June 1968 and August 2000.
It is wonderful to be met by the God's own voice over and over again.
He WILL be found by us. What a promise and a comfort.
Let's not get tired of seeking and praying, dear Sisters.

My old Sunday School cards with stars on the flip side.
A special greeting to all of the Sunday School Teachers among my Sisters.
You'll probably never know here on earth just how important your work was.
Have a blessed Lord's Day everyone.