Comforts of Grace

Today, April 9th, would have been Mom's 76th birthday.  She's celebrating this year with Jesus, my Dad, my grandparents and many other heavenly family members and friends. Mom & Dad Casey - 1981   Mom-42  Dad-43 As a tribute for her birthday today, I was encouraged last month to begin practicing a piano piece Mom played back in the 70's.  I haven't played the piano in years so my fingers, eyes and brain required some serious daily practice to even attempt the inspiration.  While my tribute attempt is far from perfect with moments of older brain lapses and the need for more practice, it's been so much fun playing again, reminiscing and spending some spiritual time with Mom at the piano. The song she played is called "The Robin's Return" by Leander Fisher.   How appropriate is THAT this time of year?  Dad loved hearing and watching Mom play.  He would often ask her to play this song for him.  I

For you, Mom.

Sometimes, I believe, we're called to love from a distance.  Thankfully, that earthly calling is rare, but with faith in Him I have trusted and obeyed in the past.  And, Oh, what beautiful results only He has provided!   (Note to self:  future blog posts!!)   These four words have been whispered on my heart, yet again, as I seek His guidance.  I could not survive without His protection and comforts of His grace.   How peaceful are His whispers.  Loving whispers.   That's how I know they are from Him.  Yet sometimes, the whispers are SHOUTED for quick retrieval of comfort and protection for us and others sent our way.   This isn't the first time I have heard these four words whispered to me when I want to take control and somehow fix everything.  As loved ones face messy consequences from their choices along their journey, I have been encouraged ... on rare occasions ... to prayerfully love from a

Nothing fancy, just ... "push".  Last January, as many fellow bloggers chose their one word theme for 2014 inspiration, "push" was all that came to mind for me.  I ignored it's shouts in my head.  I wanted a lovely word of focus like "embrace" or "joy" ... but "push"?  What's up with that? God's whispers were relentless.   Push.  Push.  Push.   A constant chorus in my head as I contemplated dreams, goals and plans for 2014 and beyond. Well, as promised in my March 11, 2014 blog post~ http://comfortsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/03/feel-fear-and-leap-anyways.html   "It is time" for the update and announcement. But first, I'd like to share how PROUD I am of my husband, three sons, and daughter for all they have done to push their wife and mama from a dream to a reality.  Chris, Ryan, Taylor, Austin, and Holly ~ I can't thank you enough for your hard work, dedication, and encouraging words ((and hugs)) of lo

It's as close to a hole-in-one I've ever achieved ... or may ever again for that matter.  So this gal, who's only golfed a handful of times in the last 15 years, was giddy and dumbfounded by this picture worthy moment last Wednesday morning. That's my drive in one after sailing between sand traps and a pond!  And there's Chris' nice chipped shot in two. Wondering, geesh, how long was that drive?  Locals will recognize it as hole #2 at the Elks ~ starting back there by those three tiny spruce trees in the background.  A par 3 ~ 109 yards for the ladies.  So no, I must confess, it wasn't a 350 yard drive. But, I have always been blessed in golf with straight and long drives.  A skill I can only humbly thank as a gift because it surely hasn't been studied or practiced due to the demands of motherhood the last thirty years. On the rare occasions that I have, I love to play golf.  And so does Chris.  I remember the joy over twenty years ago when

I pre-ordered this book today.  Sounds like a beautiful read.  Can't wait till the expected ship date of June 3rd. Be sure to head over to Bonnie's wonderful blog at www.faithbarista.com Her blog is always an encouraging visit for me.  Beautiful writing.  Nourishment for my soul.

Recently, all my daughters and I shared a fun and special evening together.  As I lovingly gazed around the steakhouse dinner table savoring the girl talk and giggles, I paused on the word ... daughters.  Wow.  That's daughters , now, with an "s". In that moment, a silent prayer I said.  Tears of gratefulness welled-up quickly and threatened to reveal themselves down my cheeks as I thanked God for His blessings of these girls.   A birth daughter, two granddaughters, a future step-granddaughter, and hopefully a future daughter-in-law ~ a mini-van load of all my daughters ~ gathered in one place, at the same moment, for an evening of dinner and shopping together. What a rare treat to coordinate with multiple households, work, school, and activity schedules!  And NO BOYS! I reached for the camera in my purse and when the waiter stopped by, he gladly captured the above picture for us.  A special picture marking a special moment in time because ... After dinner, my b