Cantata in my kitchen

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My prince and my King

The year was 1976.

The place was the Benton Rodeo Arena in Benton (Bossier Parrish) Louisiana.

I cannot tell you whether it was hot or cold, as I sat there in that arena.

I don't recall what I wore.

I don't recall whether I ate or drank anything. I don't recall conversation with anyone or if I did, what we talked about.

What I do recall. Clearly. Distinctly, is what happened in my heart during the grand entrance.

There were lots of cowboys and horses and a wagon or two, as I recall.  I do remember a friend riding in standing astride two horses. That sight struck a bit of fear in my heart.

But what made my heart feel like it was going to burst: the sight of my cowboy.

Understand this was my first real boyfriend. I'd tried to make a real boyfriend out of some guys in the past but my heart would not cooperate. This one was the real deal and this was the night I found that out.

We did not yet have a history then. Everything was fresh and new.

I'd not felt love like that before.



Fast forward to last week.

I have been studying the book of Revelation.

I did so with some fear.

strange beasts and bloody battles. Judgments and woes.



It's seen a long and interesting study. I've learned much.

I am not sure what I might  recall of this study, specifically, years from now. Save one thing.

I know I will recall the moment I read in this last book of the Bible about my Savior. Seated on a white horse, Faithful and True,

My heart swelled with love again.

I had read the words before. But something happened in my heart this time.

There was some build up: challenges, history. His love. His faithfulness. Our history.
My happily ever after.
Amen.,

my girl: on cue

Of Aunties and the Lamb

I drew the short straw and got to take my grandbaby to the dentist this week. Afterwards, she and I got to spend some time with my sisters. These are amazing women, as I have said here before. The grandbaby rode with one of them to drop her car off at for service. As I followed them so as to pick them up, I thought "there is no person on this planet that my darling would be safer with right now than my baby sister."
It is true. We love our children and each other's fiercely. We love each other fiercely. We are important to each other and we long to be important to us, as some of our forebearers were to us.
We stopped at an indoor produce stand/market. There, the grandbaby was offered a prize by her great auntie and struggled to  decide between a s'more and caramel corn. "Sometimes you need both," said the auntie great and so it was.
We stopped at a favorite shop of the self same sister/auntie and picked up a birthday gift. Their conversation as I followed them, again, this time walking just behind, warmed my heart. It was random and chatty but deep and intimate at the same time. Sweet to my ears.
We met the our other sister for lunch at a cute cafe they frequent. The grandbaby ordered and then devoured, a sandwich, soup and fruit salad, chatting all the time, still, with these women I adore.
Later, there was conversation about Easter. My middle sister had just finished up a Bible study she recommended to us. In one of the lessons there was discussed the importance of oral history and tradition. She spoke of how imperative it was for one generation to teach the next and then the next to the stories of God and His people.
"There were 400 years of silence between the last Old Testament Profit and the coming of Christ," she said. "How important was the telling of the things of God in that time?"
She turned then, to my grandbaby, leaned in and said "do you know the story of Abraham and how he obeyed God by taking his son to sacrifice?" At this point, I leaned in, too,to hear how she might link the silent years she'd just spoken of to the Patriarch and his little son.
"When Isaac asked Abraham, where is the lamb for the sacrifice, Abraham said, 'God will provide' and 1500 years later, on the banks of the Jordan River, John the Baptist said 'Behold, the Lamb."
We discussed His faithfulness, then and now, some 50 something women with an 8-year-old. More sweetness to my soul.
This morning, I was listening to Handel. The Hallelujah chorus soon became a cantata in my kitchen, albeit my contribution being squeaky and off key. I was thinking of the Lamb. "And He will reign forever and ever."
My mind went immediately to Revelation 5 and the picture of the Lamb I carry in my mind and heart, when the Apostle John cried as no one was found in earth or in Heaven or under the earth worthy to open the scroll but then...
there stood a Lamb...
God provides. He always has provided. He is the Provider. Abraham knew Him as Jehovah Jireh. My sisters and I have known Him as Provider, too.  We know Him, as Lord and because of the Lamb, we know Him as Savior.
The time we spent with my grandbaby, just on her own, this week, we were able to show her our love and His. We were able to talk about tradition and other important things.
And here I thought I was just getting to take her to the dentist.

Revelation 5King James Version (KJV)

1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.

2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.

8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.

King James Version (KJV)

Public Domain

Center of the Universe

The grandbaby had dance competition in Tulsa during Spring break which meant we got to spend some time with her auntie. Near the place she chose for brunch there was a spot where she insisted we stop. The spot, as it turns out, is called the Center of the Universe. Our resident expert vowed and declared it to be actual.
I have not done the research to verify this, but the grandbaby was duly impressed with the idea. Several pictures were taken including the one above, snapped as we were walking back to the car.
This, though, I know without having to research further... those two are certainly part of the center of my world/universe.

Palm Sunday Tradition

I started to edit this photo down to just the two books on my lap this Palm Sunday but decided to leave it in context. That's a partial view of my ever loyal maltipoo in the top view. Closer to the middle are two books. One of them is new. The other, I've had for a long time.
That would would be the Max Lucado book that was actually a gift to the Hub one Easter more than twenty years ago. At some point, I took it over and have read it every Holy Week for a couple of decades.  So much a part of my Easter tradition (I take it out every Palm Sunday and follow my Savior through His final week as described in the inspired writings of the Rev. Lucado) that I wanted my granddaughter to have something similar.
Her little book, a gift just this Easter to her, from a grandmother who wants her to know of His sacrifice for her and love of her desperately, is on the left in the photo. Some day I will get her a copy of the Lucado book (or maybe even give her mine) but until then, I my prayer is that as she reads the events of Jesus' final week, she will come to know him better and love him more!

Goodbye to winter

We said goodbye to winter today (tomorrow is the official first day of Spring) with mugs of hot chocolate and an indoor picnic. It was much too cool and windy to venture outside, as we had just a day earlier.
We are happy about warmer days, more outdoor picnics, kite flying and all that Springtime brings. As nurturing as this winter has been and in many ways, productive, we agreed that we are ready for the new season.
We surely close this chapter, though, with some fine memories.

Palm branch waver

The children waved palm branches in the morning service. My sweet little ginger-haired grandbaby was among the wavers. There was an early (and indoor)  Easter egg hunt that happened immediately after the palm waving.
I expect that the children's workers spent time explaining to the young assemblage about Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. I've loved that story and been disheartened by it at the same time, as long as I can remember. I love the idea of the people recognizing His Lordship, His Kingship, on that day and paying him homage. I am repelled by the idea that those same folk who cried "Hosanna" and "Hallelujah" the day He rode into the Holy City were crying crucify him just a few days later.
How little we have changed as a people over time. How how allegiances wax and wane, just as our fervor and attention.
How much I want this little girl, in her pink dress holding a single frond to know and believe the words of Scripture that implore each of us who are called by His Name to know how deep and high and wide; how immeasurable His love is for us.
How much I need to remind myself of that love when news of world disasters, terrorism, strife fill the news feeds on every manner of media. How easily my thoughts can turn to fear and to despair. How quickly I can take my eyes off Him who loves me and died for me. How much I need to remember that He is coming back again, this same One. He promised.  O Glorious Day.
Let my Hallelujah be constant and unless He first calls me home, may I be found faithfully waiting. My prayer is that many, many more, including this precious child, will also be ready and waiting when He comes.

permissible OMG

In my quiet time this morning, I discovered something I'd not seen before. It's there in the second line of the photo above. Permissible OMG.
I chastise my children (among others) to be careful not to take the Name of the Lord Our God in vain. It happens so much anymore, not infrequently via text or verbally, in an explicative "OMG!"
Not okay, I say and have said. Yet, in this context... here in His Word, I find an OMG that is clearly permissible.
I couldn't wait to tell my daughter and a godly friend I knew would appreciate my discovery. I am sharing it it here with you, too. And including a disclaimer: my children have my full consent and permission to use OMG via Psalm 25:2 any time they please. Amen.