Dear Lord,
This last two weeks I have been praying and reflecting on Silence and Solitude. Much of what has stuck with me is that it is better to be silent so that when I speak it is more meaningful. This is a great struggle for me. I am outgoing and have the tendency to speak my mind about whatever topic. Thank you for slowly reminding me to "shut up" when I need to and to speak up when it is my turn. Thank for you allowing my moments of quiet to reflect on your beauty and recenter on you. Thank you for being the sun of my solar system.
You presented me a wonderful opportunity today. T was working at W today where I had run up to get some last minute christmas decorations. She was working the beauty counter. It may have been unusual for her or maybe it was routine, but she spilled out her life story to me in ten minutes. On the verge of tears speaking of suicide, molestation, and divorce. I listened and looked into her face. I only asked her name and told her I would pray. She seems to be on the verge of hope. And earnestly seeking the "right" path. I bring T to the fore front of my prayer life this week. BE WITH HERE! I plea that she will see your orchestrations throughout the week. Bring me into her life and shine through so she can see your beams throughout the holiday season. Remind her of the advent season. During her story she spoke of the lack of motivation to "do Christmas." Please inspire her to celebrate the best gift of the universe. Bring her family together into a tightly knit group that will work for you to share their grief and struggles and how you can perform miracles which will revitialize their family. Be with T and remind me of her daily. Give me opportunities to speak to her again. Relationships are the key and I want a relationship with her so you can be a part of her life as well as mine.
Thank you for giving me a chance to work in the nursery today, or should I say thank you for blessing me with a good attitude while working in the nursery today. the children were sweet and it was a great time to spend with my daughter. The time was quick and there was only one poopy diaper. I am appreciative of the patience during that time. I am also praise you for bringing up back to LVP. It was missed much and I am feeling so revitalized each Sunday.
Be with my friends and family as they travel home from the holidays and help us through this advent season to stay focused on the reason.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
In Sickness and In Health
Cancer is defined as an evil condition that spreads destructively. Dear Lord, heal the cancer of the world. Is it us? Why do our own bodies which you made perfectly turn on itself? Why do our mouths which were made to praise you tell untruths? Why do our hands make to do your will hurt each other in violence?
I pray for A. To spend all the years of sacrifice for her community just to retire and become sick with cancer. Lord, let your mriaclous healing end the dis descrructive force. Heal her mutated cells like only you can. Touch her so the chemo will not. Too many people I have known...too many. I don't want "the cure" all wrapped up in a pink ribbon in the check out line at the grocery store. I want healing. If it is the way you intend, then please heal my cancer of grief. Ease the jealousy I have for those who are praising you in heaven now and remind me that I am here to serve you. I am sanctified.
Be with N and M as they are in the states through the holidays. Warm them through the cold weather and light their souls on fire during this time of rest. Burden their supporters to give financially so they can return to Gambia with financial freedom that will ensure the continuation of their mission. Sustain their relationships while they are away. Give them the wisdom to raise their children and a village in Africa in the Truth.
Help our student survive the last day before a holiday. Give teachers the endurance they need to motivate, educate, and capitvate our children. Break the educational system itno a million peices and sodder it back together into a beautiful piece of stain glass. Be with the legislature to ensure the funding will be there for the instructional needs for the remainder of the year. Give the wisdom to the senators and representatives to put aside the politics. Make them men and women of integrity. Remind them of their calling to serve the people they represent. Urge them to set aside selfishness and greed. Remind them of the children whom they represent.
The healthcare bill in the congress. Fairness, equality. I began this prayer with no solution to cancer. the only comfort you have when trying to save a loved one, is the care they recieve from a doctor or medication. Don't all people deserve the same options? Don't all people deserve to be healed? Maybe I am faithless in your powers of healing, but I have got to believe the privledges I have in my health insurance are needed by all. Lord, I am willing to sacrifice to have equality.
Thank you... for surrounding me with people whom I can work with. We are turning into a wonderful team. Each with strenghts that balance the others. Continue guiding me and guarding my speech. I want my yes to be a yes and no to be a no. remind me when to speak and when to be silent.
Thank God for children to dance with and giggle with and play with and splash with. They are so beautiful. I can only imagine how you love me. Amen
I pray for A. To spend all the years of sacrifice for her community just to retire and become sick with cancer. Lord, let your mriaclous healing end the dis descrructive force. Heal her mutated cells like only you can. Touch her so the chemo will not. Too many people I have known...too many. I don't want "the cure" all wrapped up in a pink ribbon in the check out line at the grocery store. I want healing. If it is the way you intend, then please heal my cancer of grief. Ease the jealousy I have for those who are praising you in heaven now and remind me that I am here to serve you. I am sanctified.
Be with N and M as they are in the states through the holidays. Warm them through the cold weather and light their souls on fire during this time of rest. Burden their supporters to give financially so they can return to Gambia with financial freedom that will ensure the continuation of their mission. Sustain their relationships while they are away. Give them the wisdom to raise their children and a village in Africa in the Truth.
Help our student survive the last day before a holiday. Give teachers the endurance they need to motivate, educate, and capitvate our children. Break the educational system itno a million peices and sodder it back together into a beautiful piece of stain glass. Be with the legislature to ensure the funding will be there for the instructional needs for the remainder of the year. Give the wisdom to the senators and representatives to put aside the politics. Make them men and women of integrity. Remind them of their calling to serve the people they represent. Urge them to set aside selfishness and greed. Remind them of the children whom they represent.
The healthcare bill in the congress. Fairness, equality. I began this prayer with no solution to cancer. the only comfort you have when trying to save a loved one, is the care they recieve from a doctor or medication. Don't all people deserve the same options? Don't all people deserve to be healed? Maybe I am faithless in your powers of healing, but I have got to believe the privledges I have in my health insurance are needed by all. Lord, I am willing to sacrifice to have equality.
Thank you... for surrounding me with people whom I can work with. We are turning into a wonderful team. Each with strenghts that balance the others. Continue guiding me and guarding my speech. I want my yes to be a yes and no to be a no. remind me when to speak and when to be silent.
Thank God for children to dance with and giggle with and play with and splash with. They are so beautiful. I can only imagine how you love me. Amen
Sunday, November 22, 2009
A-Z
I have has a very prayerful day, so I am going to post a beautiful prayer from a dear friend of mine.
Beauty in the Anguish
On September 25, 2008 my husband, Tim, was diagnosed with cancer. The awareness that God is always at work, even in a situation such as this, resulted in a heart cry arising in my soul: “Lord, don’t let me miss You in the midst of the craziness of life!” God was and continues to be faithful--giving me eyes to see His ever-present workings. Even though Tim passed away on August 10, 2009, I can say I know there are miracles happening all around me. They are present in those situations where experiences converge and mesh in brilliant harmony. The paradox is these occurrences are overwhelmingly orchestrated, yet easily missed or dismissed. When I am aware of this detailed connectedness, I know I am deeply loved by a God who is involved in the activity of amalgamation on my behalf. No matter how out of control life may appear, God provides these step-by-step marvelous mergers empowering my heart to praise Him as the Maker of:
Aah ha Moments
Breathtaking Occurrences
Coincidences--Not!!!
Divine Choreography and Divine Orchestrations
Everything, Everywhere Entwined
Encounters of the Divine Kind
Fusion Findings
God Sightings
Happenings Exquisitely Bound Together
Impressive Intricacies
Junctures Gracefully Interlaced
Kisses from God
Laudable Combinations
Mysteries of Majesty
Notable Synthesis
Occasions of Circumstances Beautifully Intermingled
Profound Couplings
Providences of a Divine Nature
Quiet Interruptions and Intersections Along the Way
Quotidian (everyday, commonplace) Experiences Filled with
Adornment
Remarkable Synchronizations
Succession of Events Beyond Human Control
Tapestry Weavings
Unified Marvels to be Unearthed
Veritable and Valuable Patchwork Quilts
Whispers of Woven Wonders
eXpectancies eXceptionally eXceeded
Yummy Mixtures
Zigs and Zags Precisely Crisscrossing
Lord, God, You are worthy of my praise because You have given me “eyes audacious enough to see beauty”*, Your beauty, in the midst of my anguish.
*Words in quotation marks from http://www.aholyexperience.com Ann Voskamp November 3, 2009
A-Z written by Nona-Sue Mellish September 25, 2008-November 17, 2009
Dedicated in loving memory to my precious husband of 30 years, Timothy Paul Mellish
Beauty in the Anguish
On September 25, 2008 my husband, Tim, was diagnosed with cancer. The awareness that God is always at work, even in a situation such as this, resulted in a heart cry arising in my soul: “Lord, don’t let me miss You in the midst of the craziness of life!” God was and continues to be faithful--giving me eyes to see His ever-present workings. Even though Tim passed away on August 10, 2009, I can say I know there are miracles happening all around me. They are present in those situations where experiences converge and mesh in brilliant harmony. The paradox is these occurrences are overwhelmingly orchestrated, yet easily missed or dismissed. When I am aware of this detailed connectedness, I know I am deeply loved by a God who is involved in the activity of amalgamation on my behalf. No matter how out of control life may appear, God provides these step-by-step marvelous mergers empowering my heart to praise Him as the Maker of:
Aah ha Moments
Breathtaking Occurrences
Coincidences--Not!!!
Divine Choreography and Divine Orchestrations
Everything, Everywhere Entwined
Encounters of the Divine Kind
Fusion Findings
God Sightings
Happenings Exquisitely Bound Together
Impressive Intricacies
Junctures Gracefully Interlaced
Kisses from God
Laudable Combinations
Mysteries of Majesty
Notable Synthesis
Occasions of Circumstances Beautifully Intermingled
Profound Couplings
Providences of a Divine Nature
Quiet Interruptions and Intersections Along the Way
Quotidian (everyday, commonplace) Experiences Filled with
Adornment
Remarkable Synchronizations
Succession of Events Beyond Human Control
Tapestry Weavings
Unified Marvels to be Unearthed
Veritable and Valuable Patchwork Quilts
Whispers of Woven Wonders
eXpectancies eXceptionally eXceeded
Yummy Mixtures
Zigs and Zags Precisely Crisscrossing
Lord, God, You are worthy of my praise because You have given me “eyes audacious enough to see beauty”*, Your beauty, in the midst of my anguish.
*Words in quotation marks from http://www.aholyexperience.com Ann Voskamp November 3, 2009
A-Z written by Nona-Sue Mellish September 25, 2008-November 17, 2009
Dedicated in loving memory to my precious husband of 30 years, Timothy Paul Mellish
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Crowns
Dear Lord,
You have promised us that when we are to enter heaven we will receive a crown. The more good works and willful behavior on earth the larger, more glorious the crown. Today I pray that you will remind me of the opportunities I have been given to earn my crown, to fill it with jewels beyond my imagination. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, gold, silver, titanium, and platinum. This crown will then be given back to you Christ because only you are worthy of such jewels. I am only the vessel of these good deeds, you are the muse. Thank you for inspiring me to these good works, which will spread your name through out the earth.
You have promised us that when we are to enter heaven we will receive a crown. The more good works and willful behavior on earth the larger, more glorious the crown. Today I pray that you will remind me of the opportunities I have been given to earn my crown, to fill it with jewels beyond my imagination. Diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opals, gold, silver, titanium, and platinum. This crown will then be given back to you Christ because only you are worthy of such jewels. I am only the vessel of these good deeds, you are the muse. Thank you for inspiring me to these good works, which will spread your name through out the earth.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Home Videos
Thank you God for home videos that remind me of my children in all of the good and simpler times. Thank you God for Nyquil for congestion although it makes me too sleepy to blog.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Beginning is the hardest part... then maybe the waiting.
Dear Lord,
My ears are ringing and I am tired. It has been a long few days with sickness that has plagued my home and the baby with h1N1. But I am reminded as she takes each shallow and weak breath that she is yours. We dedicated her to you for your doing. In the paper today, there was story of a two year old boy whom they buried with his binkie and yellow blanket who has gone to heaven because of this same H1N1 virus could not be conquered by his body. Please comfort his family ... let this be a way to become closer to you. The death of a child rips some families apart, but let this event be a turning place for them; a chance for santification for them to turn everything over to you now that you have taken the one thing they couldn't bare to lose. Thank you for not taking our children. My husband said that is his biggest fear. It is mine as well. I am quick to say, "Why do I have all these damn kids?" But I say it in gest because the worst thing I can imagine is to lose one or all of them. I want so badly for them to grow into your disciples, missionaries, word bearers. Although they are yours the anguish of grief would cripple me more than these last five days of idleness while the baby healed. As I watched her sleep today I saw her binkie and striped blanket and am praising you for her health. You are the healer. She takes each breath deeper and more clearly because of your touch. I believe you have disappated the virus into places that are unseen to me. I belive you have given us a vaccine that will keep us healthier this season so we can do the things of your will. We want to be on the frontlines of you army fighting for your good, but we must take care of our earthly bodies to be most effective. Protect us from further illness, heal the parts of us that are still diseased, and streghten our immune system which you created in all perfectness. Give us a fever for you. Create a fire inside of us that gives us the desire for your medicine. Bring us to tears for the pain of being away from you. Make us weak so we will depend on only you. Bring us to our knees so we will only be able to pray. You are the healer.
Heal my friend N as well. I beg for mercy from her anguish. I only know of the small pain she feels from the grief of the loss of her husband. She is a great servant and I know she will use this circumstance for You. But please comfort her in those ambushes of overwhelming saddness and I pray that those moments are brief and beneficial. Purging her of the saddness. Give her happy memories and surround her with people who love her. Continue to orchstrate the momentos and literature she needs to continue on her grief journey. Her husband is irreplaceable by anyone but you. Fill the void of her empty heart with your Spirit.
My mother. I am not ready to tackle all of that, but please keep her at the forefront of my prayers.
My husband. He is a great warrior who needs strenght and guidance for our family, our church, our community, and our schools. I know he is a willing man; lead him to be eccentric and to live like no other so that we can live like no other. He is my complimentary half and I need him to lead. You are the vertical axis of our life and we are the horizontal. Let our line continue in eternity as long as yours. Our family will be a power house for you but my husband will be our coach, guide, directory, leader, pastor, principal, president, coordinator, and lord. Give him the direction you want, speak it clearly and provide the tools he needs. Give us doubts and the ambition to follow You. We are willing disciples.
R is my blessing. Thank you for sending such a wonderful spirital counselor and women who is not only delightful and encouraging but a loyal servant for You. She is a great strength in my day and she pushes me to be a better person. Thank you for sending her and clearly selecting her to be our choice for the community I work in. She is a saving grace in my daily work life and I praise you for the gift of wonderful mentors.
Please be with P and her family during her trip. She needs you to turn her inside out. Calm the story seas that surround her and allow her family to walk on the waters because of the faith they should have in you. I am unsure of her heart but I know that you love her dearly. Let me be a witness of the greatness of You by living the life of Christ. Paint him on my daily life. Allow me to be graceful and to not be swept away by the negative world which surrounds me. Hold my tongue and filter my words when I am speaker of and to her. Keep her at the front of my mission at work. She needs you and work through me to show her that love. Give me a the sympathy that I need to help her through this moment.
Help me through tonight and tomorrow. bring me back to pray again soon. I need this discipline for I believe that I am the change I want in the world but you are the only Way.
Dear Lord,
My ears are ringing and I am tired. It has been a long few days with sickness that has plagued my home and the baby with h1N1. But I am reminded as she takes each shallow and weak breath that she is yours. We dedicated her to you for your doing. In the paper today, there was story of a two year old boy whom they buried with his binkie and yellow blanket who has gone to heaven because of this same H1N1 virus could not be conquered by his body. Please comfort his family ... let this be a way to become closer to you. The death of a child rips some families apart, but let this event be a turning place for them; a chance for santification for them to turn everything over to you now that you have taken the one thing they couldn't bare to lose. Thank you for not taking our children. My husband said that is his biggest fear. It is mine as well. I am quick to say, "Why do I have all these damn kids?" But I say it in gest because the worst thing I can imagine is to lose one or all of them. I want so badly for them to grow into your disciples, missionaries, word bearers. Although they are yours the anguish of grief would cripple me more than these last five days of idleness while the baby healed. As I watched her sleep today I saw her binkie and striped blanket and am praising you for her health. You are the healer. She takes each breath deeper and more clearly because of your touch. I believe you have disappated the virus into places that are unseen to me. I belive you have given us a vaccine that will keep us healthier this season so we can do the things of your will. We want to be on the frontlines of you army fighting for your good, but we must take care of our earthly bodies to be most effective. Protect us from further illness, heal the parts of us that are still diseased, and streghten our immune system which you created in all perfectness. Give us a fever for you. Create a fire inside of us that gives us the desire for your medicine. Bring us to tears for the pain of being away from you. Make us weak so we will depend on only you. Bring us to our knees so we will only be able to pray. You are the healer.
Heal my friend N as well. I beg for mercy from her anguish. I only know of the small pain she feels from the grief of the loss of her husband. She is a great servant and I know she will use this circumstance for You. But please comfort her in those ambushes of overwhelming saddness and I pray that those moments are brief and beneficial. Purging her of the saddness. Give her happy memories and surround her with people who love her. Continue to orchstrate the momentos and literature she needs to continue on her grief journey. Her husband is irreplaceable by anyone but you. Fill the void of her empty heart with your Spirit.
My mother. I am not ready to tackle all of that, but please keep her at the forefront of my prayers.
My husband. He is a great warrior who needs strenght and guidance for our family, our church, our community, and our schools. I know he is a willing man; lead him to be eccentric and to live like no other so that we can live like no other. He is my complimentary half and I need him to lead. You are the vertical axis of our life and we are the horizontal. Let our line continue in eternity as long as yours. Our family will be a power house for you but my husband will be our coach, guide, directory, leader, pastor, principal, president, coordinator, and lord. Give him the direction you want, speak it clearly and provide the tools he needs. Give us doubts and the ambition to follow You. We are willing disciples.
R is my blessing. Thank you for sending such a wonderful spirital counselor and women who is not only delightful and encouraging but a loyal servant for You. She is a great strength in my day and she pushes me to be a better person. Thank you for sending her and clearly selecting her to be our choice for the community I work in. She is a saving grace in my daily work life and I praise you for the gift of wonderful mentors.
Please be with P and her family during her trip. She needs you to turn her inside out. Calm the story seas that surround her and allow her family to walk on the waters because of the faith they should have in you. I am unsure of her heart but I know that you love her dearly. Let me be a witness of the greatness of You by living the life of Christ. Paint him on my daily life. Allow me to be graceful and to not be swept away by the negative world which surrounds me. Hold my tongue and filter my words when I am speaker of and to her. Keep her at the front of my mission at work. She needs you and work through me to show her that love. Give me a the sympathy that I need to help her through this moment.
Help me through tonight and tomorrow. bring me back to pray again soon. I need this discipline for I believe that I am the change I want in the world but you are the only Way.
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