anyhoo…

Here’s a little photo montage of our day…they are usually non-stop, full tilt boogie til suppertime…but I’m sure there will be a day in my future when I actually say the words, “man I miss that busy chaotic time”…

Hope your Thursday’s have been happy…

Backing down my driveway I was shocked at the number of roses that had bloomed this week…(it is Oct. after all…) so when I came home I walked through my little garden and picked a few to bring inside…and all I could think was my sweet roses, (without any assistance from my hand lately, no extra fertilizer and pruning), woke up to the sunrise, and made this offering of thanks to their Creator…it seemed as though the bushes they grew on were standing just a bit taller, and reaching hands of thanks to God for His provision, His love… and they probably did all of this before I was up and going good. (shoot, I’d probably already even complained a little…)…oh what a lesson these roses taught me today…my waking shouldn’t be drudgery, my mornings shouldn’t be steeped in “don’t wanna” and “ugh, do I have to?” Instead, my mornings, my whole day even,  should be an offering of thanks for rest in a bed, roof over my head, the health of my children and family, the fact that I can walk into my kitchen and get clean water for coffee and even have a meal (not one but 3 a day) for myself and my children…that I have a husband who loves me, friends that pray for me, and a God that provides for me, and cares about my needs, ugly sinner that I am…but what do I offer…what do I offer in return for these amazing gifts?  I’m ashamed to even think about it…I want to be more like the roses…that even when the conditions aren’t ideal they offer their best…their desire is to give and to do what they have been created to do…reflect their Creator…

I was reminded of this song by Nicole Nordeman called My Offering…the lyrics are below…I will attempt to post a video or link to song…

If You made me like the grass that is green
Growing tall and covering the hills above me
Maybe I would pray for sunshine and a little rain
To fall now and then to make me lovely
I could be a place where sheep could graze
Or barefoot feet could play
And I would grow and grow and hope You’d bend down low
To hear me sing my offering

(Chorus)
Open up the heavens, open up the sky
All of Your creation wants to testify
I have a song, so let the earth sing along
‘Cause I just want to praise You

If You made me to be a cloud in the sky
Found the perfect place way up high where I could hover
Maybe I would pray for skies that were blue
Or a sunset or two to show Your colors
Or maybe I might be
A mountain strong and steep
But I would try and stand as tall as I can
And I would sing my offering

(Chorus)

And the sun every morning cannot wait to shine
And the stars every evening are all standing by to light the sky Give the rocks and the stones voices of their own If we forget to sing praises to our King