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Ok, I've resurrected this thread again. So you guys better come up with something upbeat!
"Those who hope in the Lord, will renew their strentth. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." NIV Isaiah 40:31
upbeat....today is my daughters 7th b-day!!! We usually give presents early cause we, I, them, cant stand to wait, so I told her to sit on the couch and close her eyes, cause she was gonna get a big surprise...I had a frozen tv dinner wrapped up, one can of corn and a rock and a rubber chicken...lol she knows me better by now and laughed her head off as she opened them...of course then she said..ok dad..enuff is enuff wheres my REAL presents, so we gave in and let her open the real ones.
upbeat....today is my daughters 7th b-day!!! We usually give presents early cause we, I, them, cant stand to wait, so I told her to sit on the couch and close her eyes, cause she was gonna get a big surprise...I had a frozen tv dinner wrapped up, one can of corn and a rock and a rubber chicken...lol she knows me better by now and laughed her head off as she opened them...of course then she said..ok dad..enuff is enuff wheres my REAL presents, so we gave in and let her open the real ones.
That's classic and I will be borrowing the idea from you!
Happy Birthday to your daughter...give her a big hug and kiss from me.
The past few days, I was really down in the dumps about my self and thinking that I am becoming a stumbling block to some of my fellow christians on this forum.. I would rather walk away than cause anyone to stumble..This morning when I came here some of you cheered me and renewed my spirit..I am beginning to climb out of the pits now..God Bless you guys
The past few days, I was really down in the dumps about my self and thinking that I am becoming a stumbling block to some of my fellow christians on this forum.. I would rather walk away than cause anyone to stumble..This morning when I came here some of you cheered me and renewed my spirit..I am beginning to climb out of the pits now..God Bless you guys
Hmm, something upbeat...it will be hard ( giggles) let me see...
Oh yeah, last Wednesday I took off heading back down to the coast, for the last time this year I might add. I wanted a mini-vacation and some good memories to tide me over once I get swamped with work again.
My cousin, my youngest son and my nephew went with me. We had a blast. Shopped all day Thursday, got school clothes for the youngest, I found a suit on sale and bought a bathing suit so I could go swimming. LOL...but this was just icing on the cake, the real reason I went down there was the big prize....
My oldest son was graduating from rehab on Friday. I was anxious, nervous and so ready to see him. He sounded so happy when I talked with him on Wednesday, and he was thrilled to know I was on my way down there when he called. Bright and early Friday morning, I awoke, well, I didn't sleep much to be honest. I had to drive almost an hour to where he was and needed to be there by 8. Now, I am not a morning person, he knows this as well, but I was determined I was going to get there on time. I got there at 5 after 8, he was pacing the sidewalk outside the office and watching the drive. He sprinted to the suburban as I drove up, his handsome face all smiles and a huge bounce in his step. He got me out of the car, and brought me up to the office to meet a couple of people, and to reaffirm that I knew he was to be in Pascagula at 9 for a late breakfast with his graduating class. So, we headed there and had a great breakfast with his friends. The comradarie between them was awsome! The guys had their families there, some had parents, others had wives and children. It was an emotional time, but filled with laughter and love. The way the guys bonded again with their children, the way the children clung to their dads. It was beautiful.
All too soon we had to leave. Chris, my son, was free until 1:00, when church started that led into graduation. So, we headed back to Biloxi, laughing and talking and bonding again all the way back. Raced into the hotel and met up with the rest of the gang. My youngest was glad to see his brother and they clowned around some. We hurridly went about packing our stuff, actually, we threw stuff in bags and suitcases as we were changing rooms, we needed two and got ocean view connecting rooms, that way we were not so cramped and the view was amazing.
All too soon we loaded up into the vehicle and headed back to the center. Mid-way back, Chris told me he had to change out of his shorts, yikes, we were not going to make it in time, lol, we raced back, he ran into his room and grabbed pants, and actually put them on as I drove to the chapel.
I wish I had a picture to show you guys this chapel, it is beautiful yet simple. made of stone and wood with an arched ceiling, it stays very cool in there during the summmer, but they had the a/c on since there was 350 people in it this day.
We opened the door to the most vibrant singing I have heard in a long time. The male choir was singing and praising God. Their entheusiasm was unreal. Men and young men from all walks of life, coming together to make beautiful music for God and praising Him and loving him. The emotions on their faces, in their body language and from the tear streaks down their face immediately grabbed me and pulled me in. They clapped, they shouted, they sang, they worshipped. God was filling this simple little church to overflowing with His grace. I could feel it moving around and through me. It was almost overwhelming, this feeling of love and peace and happiness all wrapped together.
Then the pastor preached, and he spoke in a way that these young men could relate and understand God's word. It was breathtaking to listen to them shout Amen, to see their hands raised and the love of God on their faces.
Then came graduation. Their speaker was a Mississippi Supreme Court Judge and he was so elequoent, so humble, so sincere it brought tears to my eyes.
And finally, time for diplomas and speeches. Chris was first as they went in alphabetical order. His face was flushed, he was nervous, yet the joy of the moment was etched in his face, and he was smiling such a beautiful smile. I saw the young boy he once was, full of laughter and love, full of life inside this young man he was today. I cried for the beauty of it, for the happiness I could feel coming from him, for the suffering he endured these past three months, I cried because I didn't know if I would ever see this happiness shining from his eyes ever again, I cried because I was so thankful I was seeing it again.
He began his speech with "I thought about what I wanted to say today, and had a great speech planned, about how I hated coming here, but knew it was necessary, about how I had almost turned into an athiest ...but I'm not gonna give that speech...instead, I'm gonna tell you that anything is possible if you love God, and I want to simply say, Praise God for all He is...."
I was outright crying now, and took pictures of each of the 9 who graduated with him so I could make a memory book for him. Then they all started singing and I cried harder, so happy I felt at that moment. I wished my husband had come to feel the emotions that was radiating out from these young and old ment. To see the changes that God had made to my son, to witness him being so in tune with God and with the praise that was being given so gracefully and heart felt. In that moment of time, I knew that Chris had finally made it, had finally gotten the meaning of life; had finally learned to love himself and gain confidence; but most importantly, he had allowed God into his life, and found a sense of peace that he had most likely never had.
Upbeat...yes, I believe this fits that cirteria. I am one humbled mom and am most proud of her son. With his peace, I now have my peace. Life is good.
Praise be to Him that loves us beyond human understanding. Praise God always.
The past few days, I was really down in the dumps about my self and thinking that I am becoming a stumbling block to some of my fellow christians on this forum.. I would rather walk away than cause anyone to stumble..This morning when I came here some of you cheered me and renewed my spirit..I am beginning to climb out of the pits now..God Bless you guys
HUH??? So help me "god" Blue, if you ever, EVER left, I would personally hunt you down in order to bring you back!!!! (And for what it's worth, I suspect my "beloved" would be right beside me in that endeavor!) As someone who is speaking from the other side of the 'belief spectrum," let me just say that I genuinelly, truly, appreciate and enjoy what you post. Yes! Therefore:
take gentle care!
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