Come To The Water

Mom's car sped out of the gravel driveway in a grey blur and tears ran down my cheeks. My step dad and mom were fighting about some trivial thing again. Mostly about sex and dishes. He didn't give her sex and she didn't do the dishes. Shees. There she goes to stuff the pain with candy bars and none for us girls. My sister probably went to go climb a tree and I plodded down the worn path to the bridge overlooking the pond with the view of my Mt Rainier. Even the clouds echoed my sadness with drops of heavy rain making rings in the water. I love rain. It is comforting in it's steady release of life. I stand on the bridge with my heart in my throat and tears in my eyes. There is a song that comes to my mind.

And Jesus said "Come to the water. Stand by my side. I know you are thirsty. You won't be denied. I felt every tear drop when in darkness you cried. And I strove to remind you that for those tears I died."

I bowed my head and thanked Dear Jesus for being with me and comforting me with the rain and His love.

They say tears are like rain to wash the windows of our soul so we can see more clearly later.

I Can Sing!

I've always loved to sing. I grew up with both parents who sing really well. Going to a private school we had choir and chapel with lots of singing. I remember sitting in the 4th grade class about 20 rows back with the teacher leading us in worship using a huge poster board book so everyone could see the words. Everyone sang because they had to. I sang because I wanted to. But it was difficult for me. My dry skin tugged at my cheeks and my chapped lips cracked when I made the O sound. In choir we were supposed to open our mouth to fit 3 fingers inside to form the perfect O. I couldn't even eat a whole banana let alone put 3 fingers in my mouth. But I sang! I sang when I walked. I sang when I was in the car. My most favorite place to sing was while swinging on the swing set, high above everyone touching the sky close to Jesus. One day while I was in chapel I said a prayer "Lord, When you make me well, I want to be able to open my mouth and sing as loud and free as I can just for You!" 
Dear reader. He is doing just that. Jesus is healing me. Now I can sing as loud and free as I want without any pain.
America The Beautiful, How Great Thou Art, and The Lord's Prayer I can sing forever.
I want to indulge the reader and post one of the songs I learned in 4th grade from that big post board book. It is my parakeet, Bernard's, favorite. He always calms down right away when he hears it.
God Answers Prayer
Have you ever talked to God above
Tell Him that you need a friend to love
Pray in Jesus name believing that God answers prayer...

Have you told Him all your cares and woes
Every tiny little fear He knows
You can know He'll always hear
And He will answer prayer.

On a lofty mountain peak He's there
In a meadow by a stream He's there
Anywhere on earth you go He's there
He's been there from the start..

Find the answer in His Word it's true
You can know He'll always walk with you
By His faithfulness He'll change you too
God answers prayer

The Heavenly Chaperon

I was young and restless and Christian and living in Hawaii. My grandmother had just been admitted to the hospital to recover from a stroke. And so I was alone in a new city, a new apartment, and no friends. The radio was my sole companion. Song after song reminded me to trust in Jesus. Soon I began requesting songs and building up a friendship with the late night DJ. I liked his voice and he liked mine; so we decided to call it a date.
My date arrived in a beat-up  car with a wart on his nose and a awkward way of getting in my "space" too quickly. Even with a short description of my rare skin condition, he looked shocked. After a another brief description of my condition along with a few jokes he began to see past the outward appearance, to smile with the real me.  I figured if he could overlook my skin condition, I could overlook his wart. And off we went to a free concert compliments of the radio station.
We both enjoyed the concert and the evening was young so my date asked if I would like a tour of the station. That sounded fun so I agreed. We got in the car and began driving up a winding hill. Now I know I was new to the area but this certainly did not seem like the way to a radio station. In fact we were headed up to Hawaii's lover's lane Tantolous Heights.  I breathed in deep and kept my eyes on the view which was spectacular with the city lights sparkling like diamonds scattered over black velvet. Then I looked back at my driver who had suddenly cut the engine. I swallowed as I was wondering what knife wielding pervert I had set myself up with. He leaned closer and his eyes grew dark. It didn't look good from my point of view. Then I looked at the back seat to avoid making any more eye contact with him. What I saw instead was a huge man with blond hair and blue eyes that sparked like lightening. crouched in the back with his hand on the roof. At over seven feet tall, his frame filled the back of the car. His eyes pierced the night with light. I breathed a sigh of relief and politely asked my date to take me home. He took me home but not until he had showed me love letters he was writing to a lady in the Philippines. Too much! I said goodbye and thanked God for providing me with a heavenly chaperon!

A Celebration of Life for Bernie Bernard

   The day was highly overcast with a touch of drizzle, but even through the mist the La Valencia stood as a dignified pink princess among a row of inns along the Prospect boardwalk of La Jolla California. La Velencia had old world charm as well as modern amenities against a stunning backdrop of the Pacific ocean. 

Grand tiled staircases led to varying levels of views. The second floor landing led out to a lush garden patio surrounding by fuchsia Bougainvilleas in full bloom with intimate tables stately adorned in black and white creating a restful retreat for reflection.

Relatives and friends gathered in small clusters around a drink station and quietly traded stories under the umbrellas.

Gary, Jay, Judy shared memories of their beloved mother; of her strength and courage and determination. Others joined to retell meaningful events that had happened while in the circle of love of a woman who lived life to the fullest, climbed over obstacles with dignity, and just as graciously made her exit to join her beloved husband.

Sunset drew more curtains of clouds around the sitting area to signal that the stage was closed and Bernie applauded our many tributes of love.