Daddy’s Hands

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” 

                                                                         ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us! Let’s march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!

                                                                                                    ~ Psalm 95:1-2 MSG

 

Your hand.  In whatever state it is in, did you ever hold it up next to your parent’s hand?  If you are adopted, did you ever look around at other people’s hands hoping to find a match?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOAjAWToYMI

Daddy’s Hands – Holly Dunn

Just listen.

 

The tag line is “There was always love in daddy’s hands.  Some of you grew up with an amazing earthly father, some grew up with no dad, seeking that father in family members.  Some of you were miserably angry, some treated with disdain, some were surprised in later years to find that the man who raised you was not your father, but that your father was someone your mother had a moment of weakness with. Some of you trust no man whatsoever and tolerate some.

 

No matter who you are, and who your earthly father is/was, discovered/still a mystery, your heavenly father loves you so much, has you in the palm of his hand, even in times of trouble.  Ask God to prepare your heart to truly get to know God the Father, God your loving parent.  God whose hands carries love for you no matter where you are, what you are doing.

 

To you fathers out there, you are the role model.  If you see a man that you do not care for in the mirror, take some time to sit in the Father’s hands and study them, see the kind of father you want to be, shake off the shackles of the father you had or did not have, make a start at doing right.  If you always wanted to be a father to someone, there are ways to do that as well. Let the Lord show you where and how.

Lord, I pray for all my brothers out there, known and unknown, and for their hands, that they might do your work, hold loved ones with gentleness, fold in prayer just to try it out, open in praise to the heavens when they feel your love. Let us all collapse in your arms and be held.

Because of Him,

Linda

Thankful

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. 

                                                                              ~G.K. Chesterton

 

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Psalm 95:1-2

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ86ZP6kxSc

Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

(Love the choir “robes.”)

 

Thankful for the breath to form the words.

Thankful for the life that You have given us.

Thankful for the survivors all over the world.

Thankful for rainbow friendships.

Thankful for family, blood and adopted.

Thankful for a place to write and praise God.

Thankful for the gifts that I have been given.

Thankful for you who read.

Thankful for you who pray.

Thankful for you that I pray for.

Thankful for children.

Thankful for those who challenge me to stay connected to You.

Thankful for unexpected joy in my day.

Thankful for the unexpected sorrow.

Thankful in the storm.

Thankful in the sun.

Thankful for the choir in which words and music meet in the cry, in the raised hands.

 

Your turn:

Thankful for _______________________.

Because of Him,

Linda

I Will Call Upon the Lord

Children are unpredictable.  You never know what inconsistency they’re going to catch you in next.  

 

     ~ Franklin P. Jones

 

O come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

 

      ~ Psalm 95:1-2

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPsK9UiBFJI

I will Call Upon The Lord – Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPsK9UiBFJI

I will Call Upon the Lord – UK youth

They watched me yesterday, as they do every day.  I walked the kids out to bus duty, perturbed at a second grader who thought beauty was more important than wearing her jacket, a second grader who picked that particular moment to literally get in my face and yell “Hi!, “and as I returned to what I thought would be “the quiet” of my library, was stopped by the words “Can we come in today?  The kids need to get their homework done.”

 

It was one encounter too many, in succession, at the end of a crazy day. And I answered with short, clipped words to someone whose respect is important to me, and all those little sponges whose respect is just as important.

I went into my room, collected myself, and then the children entered.  I apologized in front of them, as I had been unsavory in front of them.  My apology was accepted graciously, and when I said, “I am sorry I “bit you,” the response was “Don’t bite me again, that is not like you.”

I was glad that the kids heard it all, and much more glad for the one who has me and all of the other kids in His watchful eye.

 

Today, don’t be afraid to apologize.  Call upon the Lord first, and move into His gracious love.  I have included two versions of the song that was running through my head when I read the scripture, both done by youth. Sing along! It is a simple chorus and you are singing scripture as you make your way through a new day!

Because of Him,

Linda

 

I Go to the Rock

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.

Anne Frank, 1929-1945

German Jewish Diarist

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
² Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

Psalm 95:1-2

It is so easy to repeat the line you have always repeated.  It is so easy to recite the rote answer.  It is easy to be the victim, the tormentor, the role you have always known.  Even if you know Jesus as your savior.  Old patterns, old “tapes” (or is that sound bytes now?) just play over and over.  Until that one time that one of those things is not right.  You cannot accept it anymore because something doesn’t ring true.  It may be a disappointment in your life, it may be an unexpected joy.  No matter what it is, it gets your attention.

Give that moment to the Lord.  There are decades of prayer that have brought you to this moment.  Saints you never met, and won’t until we get home that will cheer you for taking that step in Jesus’ name.  Go to the Rock, stand with Him and let the love wash over you as you join hands and walk forward.  Today, listen for cliches, hackneyed phrases that are your go to excuses, remarks, things that you can say without thinking.  Then take them to the Rock!

Because of Him,

Linda