Sometime

This Tempo Tuesday I’d like to introduce you to the poem “Sometime” by May Riley Smith.  We may not understand why things happen in our lives.  We may ask, “Why, God?” Or, we may finally say, “I get it now.” Then again, we may only come to know the reason why sometime when the sun forevermore has set.  We must have faith that God’s plan is what is best. 

Peace to all of you – may we all find peace in knowing that the Father loves us. 

    

Sometime
May Riley Smith

SOMETIME, when all life’s lessons have been learned,

  And sun and stars forevermore have set,

The things which our weak judgments here have spurned,

  The things o’er which we grieved with lashes wet,

Will flash before us, out of life’s dark night,

  As stars shine most in deeper tints of blue;

And we shall see how all God’s plans are right,

  And how what seems reproof was love most true.

 

And we shall see how, while we frown and sigh,

  God’s plans go on as best for you and me;

How, when we called, he heeded not our cry,

  Because his wisdom to the end could see.

And e’en as prudent parents disallow

  Too much of sweet to craving babyhood,

So God, perhaps, is keeping from us now

  Life’s sweetest things, because it seemeth good.

 

And if sometimes, commingled with life’s wine,

  We find the wormwood, and rebel and shrink,

Be sure a wiser hand than yours or mine

  Pours out this potion for our lips to drink.

And if some friend we love is lying low,

  Where human kisses cannot reach his face,

Oh, do not blame the loving Father so,

  But wear your sorrow with obedient grace!

 

And you shall shortly know that lengthened breath

  Is not the sweetest gift God sends his friend,

And that, sometimes, the sable pall of death

  Conceals the fairest bloom his love can send.

If we could push ajar the gates of life,

  And stand within, and all God’s workings see,

We could interpret all this doubt and strife,

  And for each mystery could find a key.

 

But not today. Then be content, poor heart!

  God’s plans like lilies pure and white unfold.

We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart,

  Time will reveal the chalices of gold.

And if, through patient toil, we reach the land

  Where tired feet, with sandals loosed, may rest,

When we shall clearly know and understand,

  I think that we will say, “God knew the best!”

Peace in Jesus

A friend asked me to pray for her today.  Her request reminded me of this beautiful verse:

“Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.
Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” ~Philipians 4:6-7

Our anxieties may be about health (our own or others), children, marriage, or relationships.  We are human.  We worry about things; however, we do not have to worry.  The Lord will be with us.  He will give us Peace.  There is Hope in every worry:  The nurse that helps you recover;  Your child’s smile after a monkey bar pass; When your spouse lets you have the last cupcake; The call from your long-lost sibling.  You’ll find Peace in Jesus.  Look to Him.            

*Sand Beach, Acadia National Park, Maine

 

Hills and Valleys

This week’s Tempo Tuesday I’d like to share Tauren Wells’s “Hills and Valleys.  God is with us in every aspect of our lives.  He’s there when we are high at the top of mountains.  He’s there when we are low in the valleys of life.  He’s there when we’re in the middle.  We are not alone.  We may Hope in the Lord because we are safe with Him. 

On the mountains, I will bow my life
To the one who set me there
In the valley, I will lift my eyes to the one who sees me there
When I’m standing on the mountain aft, didn’t get there on my own
When I’m walking through the valley end, no I am not alone!
You’re God of the hills and valleys!
Hills and Valleys!
God of the hills and valleys
And I am not alone!

Father, you give and take away
Every joy and every pain
Through it all you will remain
Over it all!

*View from Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, Maine

Saint Gregory Grassi and Picnic Lunch

Saint Gregory Grassi and Companions are the saints for this Saintly Saturday. They were martyred during the Chinese Boxer Uprising in 1900 for being Christians.  As is the case with martyrs, these men were murdered for their belief in Jesus Christ. 

This afternoon we had a picnic on the waterfront and walked by the river.  As we neared our picnic spot, Ayla spotted the US flag flapping in the wind. She said, “Let’s sit by the flag that is for Liberty!” We are lucky to live in a country where we have, among other things, religious freedoms. 

Mess-Ups

When I can, I’ve been reading the daily devotions emailed to me by Blessed is She.  Today’s message reminded me that even when I mess up God is there:

“God is not afraid of my messes or my sin. He will gladly step into it to redeem it all. Mistakes are turned into gifts, wounds are turned into wisdom, and sins are turned into empathy. Our God is Love and Mercy and He takes our wretchedness and brokenness, and He makes them beautiful.” – Bonnie Engstrom

I mess-up as a mom, a wife, a friend and as a beloved daughter of God; however, I know that with God’s help I can always clean up the mess.  The tough part is remembering to ask for His help.    There is Hope in my mess-ups.  In some ways, they are blessings in disguise.  May I also strive to show God’s Love and Mercy to everyone.          

Saint Junipero Serra

Saint Junipero Serra is the Saint for this Saintly Saturday.  Saint Junipero was a Spanish Franciscan Friar in the 1700s who made his way to South America and up into Mexico and California.  He established many missions and taught many about the love of Jesus.  Saint Junipero’s zeal for his work for the Lord is something from which we can learn.  He had crosses to bear just like the rest of us, but his tireless prayer life created a safety net.  Nothing is stronger than trust and faith in the Lord. 

*Photo – Little Niagara Falls, Baxter State Park, Maine

The Natural World

We enjoyed our time in Baxter State Park.  In today’s world, it seems unnatural to be without technology, running water or electricity.  Everyone should do it for a few days.  It is freeing.  We can get consumed in electronics. We take for granted the readily available water and light.  At Baxter State Park (and other remote places like it) you can connect with nature, but more importantly, better connect with the people you are with. 

We played Uno, sat around the campfire, hiked a trail to a waterfall, went for a canoe ride and ate camp food.  We spent time together.     

“Man is born to die, his works are short-lived.
Buildings crumble, monuments decay, wealth vanishes.
But Katahdin, in all its glory, forever shall remain the mountain of the people of Maine.” ~Percival Proctor Baxter

 

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A Place to Pee and A Snack to Eat

We traveled up the 95 this afternoon and our first stop was a rinky-dink place to pee.  When you have children (or you are pregnant) you need to stop to pee.  I’m grateful for these tiny places off of the highway. They may not get much business but when people travel they need gas and they need a place to pee. 

Our second stop (and final destination) was at Memere and Pepere’s store. There were snacks, rides in the stock cart and lobster encounters. When people get to their final destination they need food and a good laugh.       

True Colors

“True Colors” performed by Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick in Trolls is the Tempo for this Tuesday.  We’ve watched Trolls twice and this is my favorite song from the movie. It’s Ayla’s favorite, too.  I’m glad she likes it – it’s about being yourself.  God made each of us in His image and likeness.  We must show our true colors – we each have talents to share with the world. Show your true colors.  They are beautiful. You are beautiful. 

This world makes you crazy
And you’ve taken all you can bear
Just, call me up
‘Cause I will always be there
And I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that’s why I love you

So don’t be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful
Like a rainbow