What If I Let Go?

We went to a baseball game with friends this weekend. Vince, our friend, brought his glove because we sat near the foul pole. (See glove...) Now he also wanted ice cream. (See right hand holding cup of ice cream.)

We started laughing when he couldn't figure out how to eat his ice cream and keep his glove ready for any stray foul ball. His ice cream started to melt. Finally he let go of the glove to enjoy the delicious gooey stuff. lol......

"I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand." John 10:27

Am I holding on to something that God can take care of? Why not let go, so I can enjoy the delight of His blessings?

Lord watch my foul balls and may I relax in Your hands.

Photo:karenevans

I'm Watching You

I took several pictures when my gardenias were in bloom. I didn't pay much mind to anything other than just clicking away doing my own merry thing.

But something was watching me the whole time. I didn't even know it, or notice until later when I uploaded these on my computer and enlarged them. Can you see it? Would you have noticed if I had not told you?

"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

How many times has God watched out for me and only in looking back did I see His presence and help? I will certainly trust in Him who watches over me.

Keep Your eyes on all us children, Lord.

Photo:karenevans

(creature: fly on flower)

Heeeeey, Batter, Batter....

Have you ever noticed when at bat, sometimes players accidentally let go of the bat with their swing? It makes me laugh when they stop, and quizzically look at their hands. Like, hey, who just let go of my bat? Then they go get more rosin or clap their hands, and shake their heads, wondering what happened. (Note: in this picture-the bat was just thrown in frustration. Not what I mean.)



Or I'm walking along and trip. I frown and look at my feet and stare at the smooth concrete, like how dare you make me trip. Then glance around to see if anyone saw me. Snicker...



"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Let your eyes look directly ahead ,and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established." Proverbs 4:23, 25-26



Why, when I goof up, I first tend to blame it on circumstances, others, or "just couldn't help it?" Why, when I know my heart, head, mouth or focus was not in the right place?



May I hold tight and concentrate on the bat at hand.



Photo: Seattle Times newsource. (B. J. Upton)

Kids and a Broken Pot

(Photo found at olx.)

I saw this photo while getting my hair washed at the salon. It captured my attention, but not in a good way.

The kids expressions are mad and scared. This bothered me. Like a "crazy lady" I even mentioned this to the lady washing my hair. (She probably thought, oh no, not one of those...)

Anyway, I kept glancing over at it-this is not good with a head full of soap. Nothing is resolved in this picture. The children are still upset. Now the artistic craft involved I can appreciate. Just not the subject matter...

What about you, would you hang this in your house?

"Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." Psalm 103:13

When I do a wrong, and get mad or scared, do I admit my wrongdoing and take what's a'coming to me? This verse says God has compassion/mercy on us. He may discipline, but He picks up the broken pot and soothes our hearts and brings back our smiles.

Please kids, smile!

PawPaw

My Dad, Pawpaw to grandkids and great grandkids, had eye surgery yesterday. His body rejected the first cornea dseact and this is his second. Soooo, this is not my regular post, as I attend him.

When you can, remember my Dad, especially since the operation is on his good eye. The other one doesn't see anything but shapes.

Oh, the dog is Major. :)

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16

On a lighter note, here's a short video of my 20 month grandson. **big smile**

Thanks to you all!!

Photos:karenevans

ICE CREAM!

Okay, here I am driving home after work and I pull up to a truck with the Strachan's homemade ice cream logo. It's hot, in the 90's and my mouth starts to water. As I pull next to him at the red light, my heart sinks as I read his bumper sticker.

"Driver does not carry spoons."

Awww, man. You must understand, this local ice cream parlor makes their own ice cream, desserts and sauces, and had been voted "Best of Tampa Bay." Now, do you see why I was sad?

But, I know that if the truck was full of ice cream and there was an emergency, he would gladly give spoons and even bowls full of ice cream.

"This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing." Matthew 10:42

When diasters or emergencies come we're good about helping. But "spoonfuls of help" can make a big difference, too.

Do I stop and help an elderly person put their groceries in their car, do I listen, really listen when someone needs my ear, do I buy an extra bottle of water for the thirsty, or smile instead of frown when a harried mom with yelling kids is in line at the store in front of me......

Just spoonfuls, but how delicious they can be.

Lord, may I carry spoons of kindness everywhere.

As research for this post, writer "had" to taste for proof. Well, somebody's gotta' do it......

Photos:karenevans

Life in Defiance by Mary DeMuth

Mary DeMuth finishes her Defiance Texas Triology with this book. She again explores physical and emotional family abuse. It ends with redemption and justice. Topics like this are hard for me to read, because it's so foreign in my life. But I must say I have a better understanding of some of the thought processes of those in abusive situations.

This book involved me more than the first two, I don't exactly know why, but I think it was that evil finally faced right. The way Mary wrote a turn of phrase or combination of words, delighted my "love of words." She also startled me with the main character talking to me/the reader at times. Gosh, that was a little unnerving, but definitely served her purpose.

Mary DeMuth is a great writer using difficult circumstances to educate, entertain and enlighten.

I received this book from The Blog Tour Spot free for the review. Check out what other reviewers said here. Check here for the Amazon listing.

Learn more about Mary and her ministries in writing and speaking.

This Way, No Wait, That Way

Hubbie and I were driving through our neighborhood and passed a youth car wash at a nearby church. Two blocks from there, runs a major highway. We stopped at the red light and saw a lady walking with a car wash sign. The usual "Car Wash" with an arrow-pointing the way at the bottom.

She walked to the corner facing the highway, only to be shooed away by the guy on the corner waving a sign saying, "We Buy Gold Here," with his own arrow. She turned toward the street we were on, only to be faced with another problem. Facing our way, the arrow pointed the wrong direction. I started giggling when she tried to make the sign work by turning her body around. Her next solution was to flip the sign, but nothing was on the back.

The lady smiled at herself and snuck up to the edge of the highway, so her sign could be seen.

"The mind of man plans his way, but he Lord directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9

I can laugh at her, 'cause I do the same thing. Like when I try to print things from the computer, especially folded cards and such. It's a righty-lefty, upside-downy thing. Good grief. One time a card I made for hubbie had the front printed right nice, then nothing on the inside and he had to turn it to the back and upside down to read it! Bwuaaaahaaa.

Oh Lord, make my directions clear. Please print the arrow on both sides of my sign!

Reflect-ions

The moon. I love it. It lights up my yard when the night is clear and the moon full or near full. My camera can't do it justice, but even with my limited camera and the moon so far away, I can still see it.

Of course we know it's the light reflected from the sun. On Wikipedia it said the moons natural reflection is that of coal. No, this is not a science lesson, but I thought that fact was interesting. Coal doesn't reflect.

"For God Who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts, so as (to beam forth) the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God (as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed) in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah)." 2 Corinthians 4:6 (Amplified)

Alright, is there a "Sonbeam" of God on my face? Can people see the God-shine of my soul? I know some days my reflection appears like charcoal camouflage.

My desire is that The light in my heart reflect on my daily living too.

Shine on, shine on Harvest moon.

Photos: karenevans