Hope...

I've been reading through Psalm 119 this last week and this morning as I read verse 116, I was burdened for those who are struggling with hopelessness. "Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope", the verse reads.  I began to remember the many times and situations that I, myself, struggled with hopelessness - when I was sure God was going to come through with a financial miracle and instead we went through a season of great loss - when someone hurt and betrayed me and the relationship never recovered - in dealing with a chronic pain issue - in a long, long season of not seeing an answer to a deep heart prayer - in a two year struggle with depression - in watching my daughter struggle through over a decade of infertility and miscarriage.  I'm sure it wouldn't be hard for me to recollect other times when it felt like I was barely holding on by a thread to the rope of hope.
 (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 13th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

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Susan B. Mead
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This is the day that the Lord has made...

We are only beginning the month of August and yet the stores have already stocked their shelves with fall decorations.  The older I get the more I resist the constant push to wish away our today in our anticipation of tomorrow.  This week I celebrated my sixtieth birthday.  I know the reality of how swiftly life passes by.  I regret the times that I didn't savor my now because I was wishing for tomorrow.  I remember how isolating and lonely the days at home with an infant were, yet now I wish I could go back and savor those fleeting moments just a wee bit more.  Yet, as wrong as it is to waste my today wishing for tomorrow, isn't it equally wrong to waste my today longing for yesterday, longing to relive the good moments or to repair the bad ones?  (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, August 6th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

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Susan B. Mead
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Sunday Scripture Blessings

You are my God, I will give thanks...

I'm a day late with my weekly gratitude post.  This summer has been busy, but instead of stressing and getting frustrated that I've not had much time to write or post regularly here I'm trying to relax and go with the flow. On that note,  I'll not be around much for the next week as I'll be away celebrating my 6oth birthday!  I'm actually looking forward to my birthday instead of dreading it!  Sixty is the new fifty, right? 

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#10,065-#10,085

7-24-17-

-another beautiful summer day

-planning out the details of our trip to Maine

-healthy eating and consistent exercise making a difference slowly but surely

7-25-17-

-our youngest grandson two months old today!

-hiking around Battleground Lake with a friend

-God's provision

7-26-17-

-praying with a friend

-making plans because of church growth

-laughing with my husband

7-27-17-

-our new countertops are installed!

-God's provision each step of the way on our kitchen project

-worship that breaks open the hard places in my heart

7-28-17-

-Friday Date Day with my hubs

-a nice evening walk

-my husband

7-29-17-

-a writing project coming together

-my favorite summer salad

-a summer evening walk with my granddaughter and friend

7-30-17-

-God is building His church

-a yummy and fun lunch after church

-Sunday rest day!

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A steadfast heart...

I've read through the Psalms many times in my almost six decades of living, but as I'm currently reading through it again it's as if I'm noticing for the first time how frequently the steadfast love of the Lord is mentioned.  In last week's Sunday Soul Food post I mentioned some of those verses.

In Psalm 57:7 and Psalm 108:1 the Psalmist says that his heart is steadfast.  In Psalm 112:7 it says that the Psalmist is not afraid of bad news because his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. In the original language the word firm could also be translated steadfast.  As I am rereading the Psalms, I am convinced that the key to our own heart being steadfast-unafraid, at peace, trusting-is being fully persuaded about God's steadfast love for us. When we are confident in God's love, when we know in the depths of our being that nothing can separate us from His steadfast love for us, then we can face what comes our way in this life trusting in Him and His steadfast love. We can trust that He will lovingly care for us, come what may. (Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, July 30th, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

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Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings

SaveSaveSaveSave

A summer hike...

Yesterday a friend from church invited me to go on a hike around a nearby lake.

It was such a refreshing way to begin the day!

We went in the morning before the weather got too hot,

and were home in time to go about the business of the day.

(All photos taken with my iPhone 7.)

 (photo above and below edited using Kim Klassen's waterfront texture.)

 (photo above and below edited using Kim Klassen's 1412 texture)

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songography at "You'll Shoot Your Eye Out"

image-in-ing:Variations

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buckaroo mama

peabea

Seeing the beauty...

One day after the other, the usually temperamental weather of the Pacific Northwest has given way to blue skies and sunny weather this summer.  It's been splendid!  In the midst of savoring these summer days, there are also challenges in life. That is reality.  To see the beauty of God's fingerprints in the middle of not only the easy to give thanks for things, but even in the challenging things, the ugly, hurtful and frustrating things, is sometimes hard, but one of the keys to learning to trust Him in all things.  And so, in everything I choose to give thanks. 

****************

Since 2009 I've been counting my blessings thanks to the prompting of Ann Voskamp.

 I continue to count my thanks

piling up gratitude day by day

in my journal.

(and capturing some of my blessings via my camera or iPhone)

#10,044-10,164

7-17-17-

-funny group texts with our daughters

-a new viburnum plant for our back yard

-praying with my daughter 

7-18-17-

-stopping by to see our youngest daughter and grandson for a few minutes

-a fun visit with my sweet friend

-how I can see that God is working even in a hard situation

7-19-17-

-our two youngest granddaughters staying at our house so they can attend VBS

-all of our VBS volunteers

-our three daughters who stand together for what they think is right

7-20-17-

-children giving their lives to Jesus at VBS

-both granddaughters took a nap after VBS today

-a family BBQ with the cousins

7-21-17-

-an unexpected visit from my oldest brother

-a nice long walk and talk with him

-a fun and delicious steak dinner together

7-22-17-

-sleeping til seven!

-staying home and catching up on things that I need to get done after a busy week

-an immediate answer to a prayer

7-23-17-

-a church nursery full of babies

-our oldest granddaughter coming home with us after church

-watching Doc Martin with my husband 

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Twelve things to consider about the steadfast love of the Lord...

Consider-

-to think about carefully

-to think of, especially with regard to taking some action

-to take into account

Consider that God's steadfast love for you abounds-it is abundant!

Exodus 34:6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,

Consider that God's love toward you is faithful.  He keeps His covenant to you.

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Consider that God's love for you endures forever.  He will never stop loving you.

1 Chronicles 16:34 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Consider that God's steadfast love is for you is trustworthy.  You can trust in His love for you.

Psalm 13:5 But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

(Join me for the rest of this post on Sunday, July 23rd, at Woman to Woman Ministries where each Sunday I share a bit of Sunday Soul Food!)

still following,

Also happily linking up with the lovely

Susan B. Mead
and

Sunday Scripture Blessings