Gratitude: Stepping Out Of Shadows

Standing in the third row, the house lights down and dark while the front of the stage was brightly lit.

A sign in my hands for all to see, stepping forward I held up my sign and people stood up in the audience, silently showing solidarity.

 

Flipping the sign over to tell of His wondrous work, shouts of “Amen!” rang out from all over the room.

 

My heart overflowed with joy as I stood and claimed a victory for my Jesus.

Turning to walk back to my place in the choir, she reached out and squeezed my hand.

It was then that my eyes overflowed.

 

She’s borne the brunt of many harsh words; flowing from a mom whose desire is to give her children the life giving words, whose depression has kept her from even recognizing what life giving words are at times. I praise the Lord for my oldest daughter and for the beautiful woman she is becoming in Christ.

It’s been a long while since I had a Multitudes on Monday post so bear with me; it’s a long one!

1532. unexpected paychecks

1533. clear blue sky

1534. the scent of Sun & Sand Yankee Candles

1535. the flicker of candle light

1536. red-headed woodpecker

1537. light dustings of snow

1538. wisdom from my oldest

1539. she puts her iPod in my ears and tells me to listen, she thinks I need to hear it

1540. and she was right

1541. this crazy Grace that I struggle so hard to wrap my brain around

1542. but that is okay, just one more reason it is so Amazing

1543. God still takes care of us even while doubts swirl

1544. and it is so wonderful that Grace extended to me by God, isn’t anything dependent on me

1545. He patiently waits for me to come back to where I wandered off the trail.

1546. When I make it back to the trail I’m supposed to be on, my Rock is there for me to rest on, in the center of my pathway.

1547. LM- her patience and

1548. her God-given wisdom and

1549. friendship

1550. MB- doesn’t give up on me

1551. text messages sent to let me know she’s praying for me

1552. that the Lord has me on her heart

1553. Two hawks sitting side by side

1554. washing machine spinning out the wet

1555. the company of two attentive Goldens

1556. blog posts by others that really make me stop and think

1557. carpet new enough that it still ‘sheds’

1558. a vacuum cleaner to pick up the carpet fuzz

1559.

“Can I persuade you to accompany me to the lake this afternoon?

It is very well stocked and its occupants have been left in peace far too long.”

Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice makes my husband laugh right out and he claims it as his favorite quote from the movie.

1560. the eloquent language of by gone eras

1561. he sits and draws with me

1562. a cleared usable drawing table

 

 

1563. a day spent at Longwood Gardens with the children

1564. they never complained but instead enjoyed themselves

1565. people who take time to send texts to encourage

1566. fog settled in the valleys between

 

1567. pink and purple playdoh

1568. dogs playing together

1569. the “ugly-leftover-from-the-last-renter-directTV-dish” has finally been removed

1570. a day spent with a friend wandering the conservatory

1571. her joy as she drank in the many varieties of orchids

1572. the scent of lilies

1573. the scent of boxwoods

1574. Her interest in smelling each of the different herbs

1575. the littlest has celebrated another birthday

1576. Their friendship

1577. waking up with “How Can I Keep From Singing?” by Chris Tomlin running through my head

1578. good insurance

1579. with an affordable co-pay

1580. with the Lord’s help, I did not come completely unglued at the discovery of lipstick ruining an entire load of clothes in the dryer

1581. Thankfully, it was only a few school uniforms

1582. actually subbing/teaching 5th grade and enjoying it

1583. a sweet message from Ann in my inbox

1584. Laughter

1585. popcorn

1586. candles that smell good

1587. sugar-free Carmel Macchiato Coffeemate

1588. “Nerv-y” invitation that provided stress-relieving laughter

1589. super soft Hanna Andersen pjs

1590. big boy in striped pjs crawling into my lap

1591. that he still wants to sit in my lap and snuggle up close

1592. soft smooth cheek that brushes my own

1593. his incredibly soft & silky hair

1594. praise and worship rehearsal that goes well

1595. the truth: I am a masterpiece of God -not a doodle on a scrap of paper

1596. They play so well together. They explore the yard as if on a great expedition

1597. blue birds

1598. DH at the dentist office I take my kids to, it was totally a God thing

1599. BK a day spent wandering amid blossoms

1600. funny movies, laughter

1601. being invited to practice

1602. practice not nearly as intimidating as I thought it might be

1603. it was actually quite fun

1604. new Uno cards

1605. playing cards as a family

1606. “We will bring the dominoes. Just get the ice cream.” made me LOL in the middle of Walmart

1607. Even so, we have our own dominoes now.

1608. Kids whispering so they don’t wake up their siblings

1609. Motivation to get the house in order. Looking forward to the first week of July!!

1610. her new fuzzy pink “reading” pillow, is almost as big as she is

1611. she wanted to spend her money on something other than a toy

1612. water droplets hanging from the branch like crystals dangling from a chandelier

1613. the list of good on my timeline of the last six years far outweighs the bad

1614. fresh bread from a dear friend/mentor

1615. seven bald eagles sitting in the trees next to the dam

1616. skating with the family

1617. C was happy we went along afterall

1618. A’s first time on ice, she skated like she was born with skates on her feet

1619. Allume ticket is bought (Thanks Mom!)

1620. Allume room is booked

1621. Allume transportation is all lined up

1622. Allume roomies all set

1623. relationships in the healing process

1624. “Elvis” making an encouraging comment

1625. small class sizes

1626. “Where ever you are, be all there.” ~Jim Elliot

1627. a quiet morning

1628. being curled up on the love-seat together

1629. reading the Word

1630. re-connecting with thought provoking conversation

1631. hearing his thoughts

1632. his view of our life and future desires for our family

1633. contentment- that every one of us truly enjoy the home we are currently residing in

1634. a school day off … without snow

1635. a complete art project done

1636. and I am happy with the finished product

1637. sitting at a table sharing a meal with good friends

1638. listening to them sharing their stories, sharing bits and pieces of their lives

1639. enjoying their presence around our table

1640. laughter of friends

1641. cheesecake

1642. a Cheesecake Factory “factory chopped salad” deliciousness in a bowl

1643. being part of our church’s Easter Program (hence the sign above)

1644. so many lives changed

1645. many encouraging words spoken after facing down a giant, publicly

1646. “I’m in mango heaven!”

1647. a day spent with a good friend

1648. learning how to make bread

1649. it was delicious

1650. cooking Pinoy food together

1651. Apples to Apples

1652. roaring laughter

1653. a confused son, who couldn’t figure out why his mother answered the phone, his friend’s practical joke 😉

1654. more laughter

1655. a wall of mangos

1656. ripe mangos, ready to eat, and very juicy

1657. mango float

1658. knorr sauce

1659. skyflakes

1660. being asked to share my photography with a group of Seasoned Saints

1661. Smuckers Peach Mango jam

1662. clear blue skies

1663. the thermometer going well above 70℉

1664. a decision made

1665. plans made for a trip to Longwood Gardens with a good friend

1666. a single swan gracefully gliding along in the pour rain amidst flashing lightening and rolling thunder

1667. veggie quiche

1668. the aged woman, sitting in her wheelchair, who sang along and knew every single word

1669. five bald eagles, all in one tree

1670. a total of eight bald eagles sitting close by one another

Linking up with Emily today. Click on over and read the other Imperfect Prose.

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