Somewhere over the Rainbow

I'm learning more every day that God plans and uses mightily the detours He sends into our lives. Yesterday was a case in point. I was headed home after my visit with the Martins. My heart was full from the special time with old friends. Autumn in the mountains surrounded me. I found myself mesmerized by the beauty of God's creation. Trees were just beginning to change their hues from greens to the colorful splendor that will put Joseph's coat to shame. Every direction filled my eyes with God's artistry. I was playing a favorite artist's cd as I rode in my new little auto and I was one, blissfully contented, lady:).....
And then I realized .... I was headed in the wrong direction.....(which is not easily remedied when one is driving on a narrow and winding mountain backroad)......
Yet, through God's grace, the past few years are teaching me to "live in the present", "forget past mistakes", and "press on" to find and follow God's footprints and to trust Him to be my Way, Truth, and Life:)........ The scenes above were the results of a "wrong" path! ........Or was it wrong, after all ?
He is teaching me that there are NO events in this believer's life that He has not ordained.... to mold me and bless me and conform me to be more like Himself. (And, boy, do I have a long way ahead of me!) I truly believe that my primary calling, as the Lord's child, is to keep my eyes on Him and to gratefully embrace ALL that He sends my way. I KNOW that ALL things, whether good or evil, will bring about the HIGHEST GOOD for God's child.....

On this day, a road headed directly OPPOSITE my own plans yielded this heaven-sent view. As I was forced to stop in order to turn around, I was able to get out and truly see God's world anew. Off the beaten path, I was able to literally walk UNDER a waterfall and, in the process, journey OVER the rainbow. Neither blessing would have been part of my experience had I continued traveling along my own chosen path. God had a higher road for me to travel....and His plans were to bless me, and to give me hope........ and a future that is filled, not only with joy,....but with breathtaking surprizes!

Pat, Bill, and Luna

What a delightful way to begin the autumn season! I was blessed to spend Sunday evening and Monday morning in Highlands, NC, with dear friends and mentors from my childhood--the Martins. It was so wonderful to visit with Pat and Bill again this year, remembering days gone by, catching up on lives woven together from eternity past, and learning more about these dear people who so influenced my life. (And, of course, a highlight was antiquing with the expert!)
Pat introduced me to Winnie the Pooh, refinishing furniture, sewing, and Cocker Spaniels when I was a child. All became part of me....She's a gracious Southern lady--wise and witty and the perfect hostess. (My dear mother called her "Friend". Pat was one with whom she was free to share her heart.) And Bill is a tender-hearted and hospitable Southern gentleman with a ready smile and a warm greeting. Like my dad, he is the quintessential Exxon engineer. Both Martins are civic minded, people-oriented, and generous. Once again, I was refreshed, inspired, and uplifted by being with them.
Thank you both for a lovely visit! ( I will think of you both each time I use the beautiful toast rack!)

Morning by Morning....

New mercies I see. Thou changest not. Thy compassions they fail not. Great is Thy faithfulness, LORD, unto me.
Two mornings of hope in the midst of the recent floods here. Our little home is built on rock and nestled in the foothills of the mountains. What a safe haven.....
But one of the many lessons that I have learned in the past few years....No earthly haven is really "safe". My only true hope is in Your Person, Lord.
My heart is full of gratitude this morning for so many things. Your provision and grace, Lord. Your faithfulness. Your unconditional love. Life. A beautiful, healthy and brilliant grandson. Three godly and gorgeous daughters and two wonderful sons-in-love (as my Mom would have said). My home. A wonderful church. My job with Big Brothers/Big Sisters....and countless daily blessings.
I sometimes am tempted to think about "what might have been", but, then, I realize anew that nothing ever happens to Your child without sifting through Your hands. May I truly focus on You and have the faith to accept, with gratitude, everything that You funnel my way....through Your loving hands.