# Title 8—My Birthdays 7—Everything Beautiful 6—in one week 5—The Years 4—Restored to us 3—Blessings 2—Summer Time 1—Life # 8 My Birthdays
9/11
I must be really loved. My birthday is a celebration, just because I was born.
I must be easily remembered. My birthday is the number people call for help every day, in an emergency.
I must be comparatively un-important. My birthday is a national tragedy—2,977 innocents were murdered on it.
I must be easily forgotten. Every year as I get older, only a handful even know that it’s my birthday.
I must be CRAZY to be thinking about this stuff! Besides, my first birthday is nowhere near as important as my second birthday!
"... No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 1. 9/25
I must be really loved. On my second birthday, God gave me a new life, and a new purpose. 2., 3.
I must be easily remembered. God knows my name and has written it in His book of life. 4.
I must be comparatively un-important. “God so loved the WORLD...” 5. Not just me. God loves everybody.
I must be easily forgotten. Oh wait, guess that’s wrong! People may forget, but God NEVER does. 6.
I must be GRATEFUL to be thinking about this stuff! The impact of my first birthday was changed and multiplied by my second birthday! Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 7.
1. John 3:3 2. John 3:6, 2 Cor. 5:17 3. 2 Cor. 5:18-20 4. Revelation 3:5 5. John 3:16 (emphasis mine) 6. Hebrews 6:10 7. John 10:10 b
gratefulsue 8.28.15 (C) 2015 gratefulsue # 7 Everything Beautiful A choir, a solo. Spring trees in flower! These beautiful things, Enthrall by the hour. The orchestra. A delightful play. I love a musical Every day! Creative ideas. Spontaneous fun. Insightful poems. Tall stories spun. A loving friendship That overflows, Into priceless memories And hearts aglow. Healing words, Joyous brass bands. Kisses from family, Help-filled hands. Exquisite sunsets. Walks in the woods. I would hoard them for Rainy days, if I could. Gorgeous mountains Of red, orange, gold. Or, painted ones, Once autumn unfolds. Fine architecture, or Landscape design. Stained-glass windows, Any artwork, sublime. Movies which bring about Laughter or tears-- Motivation to change What is left of our years. Singing birds, And sparkling lakes. Summer breezes, Inspiration makes. Bursting with color, Wild flowers in June. Fine instruments played, Perfectly in tune. All things artistic, Executed with skill. Well-composed photos Which calm or thrill. I know there are wonders This writing has missed. Too many to mention-- Not found on my list. I am filled with awe At amazing things-- Which the giver of all Perfect gifts, freely brings. 1. Yes, I will delight in Each wonderful thing... For, everything beautiful Makes my soul sing! 1. James 1:17 gratefulsue 6/30/15 (C) 2015 gratefulsue (Inspired while out on a walk, admiring a neighbor's creatively designed grounds.) # 6 in one week
watching wastefulness disappointments by decades. darkness.
rebuke panic waking up witnessing light
brokenness confession tenderness compassion healing
interest empathy re-focusing reaching others
abandoned prayers, now awesome answers surprise
stories questions reminiscing listening history
amazing medical methods maneuvering miracles
believing trusting fresh faith receiving God.
gratefulsue
10/7/14 (C) 2015 gratefulsue # 5
The Years
Child: culture, privilege, family, fantasy…fortunate.
Youth: impetuous, growing, singing, sailing…obstinate.
Dance: leaping, twirling, choreography, mastering…fun.
Faith: understanding, believing, embracing, inspiring…life.
Adult: explaining, sharing, birthing, building…ministry.
Marriage: looking, choosing, following, teaming…moves.
Children: loving, investing, growing, changing…gifts.
Hope: ambition, waiting, trust, praying…quiet.
Time: ticking, tricking, shrinking, mocking…mist.
Trauma: ambush, confusion, losses, crosses…tests.
Rescue: advocates, answers, wounded walking…relief.
Miracle: Blessings, compassion, a slice of the action…grace.
Retirement: Leaving, grieving, Fussing, adjusting…weary.
Resurrection: new dawn breaking, new life creating…offering.
Finale: watching, accepting, serving, finishing, …surrender.
Death: releasing, restoring, communion, reunion…resolution.
gratefulsue 1/30/05 Revised 8/9/12 (C) 2015 gratefulsue # 4
Restored to Us
Snatched from the path toward Heaven’s door, To bless our lives on earth some more.
Angels sigh, but loved ones smile— God turned back the clock on eternity’s dial.
Rewards must wait but, I don’t care! God saved your life in answer to prayer!
gratefulsue 12/23/00 (C) 2015 gratefulsue (For Terry B.) # 3
Blessings (a song)
Love, peace, patience, joy in my heart. All this and more He promises at the start.
He gives us rainbows, blue skies, the sunrise, The seasons, so many reasons to believe…
Laughter, good times, friends kind and true, Strength from His Word, and courage to pursue.
He gives us rainbows, blue skies, the sunrise, The seasons, so many reasons to believe…
Life everlasting, Blessings untold, A new city in Heav'n, with streets of gold.
He gives us rainbows, blue skies, the sunrise, The seasons, so many reasons to believe…
gratefulsue 1/25/80 (C) 2015 gratefulsue # 2
Summer Time (a song)
Evening haze, a fuzzy sun, the world is like an old re-run. It’s moving slow and don’t you know it’s summer time!
The air is thick—so still and hot. It hangs around your favorite spot, and that certain smell you know so well says it’s summer time!
What a relief from winter’s freezes, you can enjoy warm and gentle breezes. No more frozen toes because, you know it’s summer time!
Oh, that days could stay this way— singin’ silly songs, drinkin’ lemonade. You know my heart rarely falls apart when it’s summer time!
Let’s reminisce—o’er days of childhood bliss. Let’s all get a tan, or else crowd a fan! Oh, I pledge to surely really love this pearly old summer time!
gratefulsue 6/27/82 (C) 2015 gratefulsue # 1
Life
Oh, what a gift…LIFE! that which I could never earn, a joy and thrill so precious, able to give and love and learn!
To be alive is…SO GOOD! even when the dark clouds come, I still can count my blessings, and know whose hand they’re from.
Oh Time, STAND STILL! May I gather in one day, joy and hope and peace to go ‘round the world, to be given away?
So often, life is a chore, or WORSE, a “sentence to be served.” Oh God, use me this day to show it as a GOOD GIFT, underserved!
gratefulsue 2/1/89 (C) 2015 gratefulsue |
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