Comforts of Grace

As I venture into 2016 with my heavenly assignment of remembering , I'm hearing a bit of Fatherly advise.  Don't dwell on the hurts of the past.  Live in peace, joy and gratitude today.  Do not fear tomorrow. This year-long journey of remembrance is to serve as my love letter to God, my family, and acquaintances ~ both known and unknown ~ who God leads here to this blog.   An autobiography of God's faithfulness.  It is my purpose that you too are prompted to reflect and marinate upon your own life journey.   And give glory to God. "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."   ~ Ephesians 2:10 As I think back through my life journey so far, I try to remember the very first time God revealed His presence to me. While I was actually too young to remember my first incident, my Mom shared the details with me as a young girl, when I was old enough to remember.  And I have never forgott

2016.  Goals.  One word.  God.  Me.  Trust.  Honor.  Reveal.  Unveil.   Enough. My unsettled thoughts frustrated me.  They were scattered all over my heart and mind last month during my annual year-end pilgrimage of goal-setting and the selection of one word inspiration for the new year.  My thoughts were also jumbled with quotes I had heard or read throughout 2015.  Quotes that I wrote down so I would remember them. "Memories keep us warm." ~ Bonnie Gray ~ author/blogger "The greatest enemy of faith is forgetfulness. When you stop remembering you start forgetting the reminders of God's faithfulness to us."   ~  Ron Williams, Senior Pastor, Pathway Community Church (my church pastor) Remembering. "And there it is," God gently whispered to me.  "Remember and honor Me, the Lord your God, with your testimony," He continued. Wow.  As in years past, I trusted His guidance to reveal and whisper my one word.  But wait.  There was somet

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