Rain trickles down the window pane.
The glass reveals the storm.
The misty clouds drop their blessings
Where the dry ground began to form.
The flowers tilt underneath the weight
Of the life giving moisture,
Yet when the rays of life return
They will regain their posture.
Birds are hidden away for shelter,
Some tucked underneath their set of wings.
Their bird baths are being generously filled,
And soon they will again sing.
The children run and play in the puddles,
And tilt their heads back to taste and see
Oh how good and faithful
The Lord is to you and me.
1.30.2020 Thursday
Written by Gail Brookshire Inspiration: Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
Push the pen. Push the ink.
Push the words to their brink.
Write the message. Write the story.
Write to give God all His glory.
Create the image. Create the vision.
Create in everything written.
Share the wonder. Share the history.
Share the wonder of God’s mystery.
Bring to life. Bring to attention.
Bring forth all that God mentioned.
Joy in His beauty. Joy in His love.
Joy in your home waiting for you above.
Close with mercy. Close with grace.
Close with God leading the way.
Dear, Lord! The Love of my life! How wonderful that You would think of me with an award that I get to tell the world how much I love You, that You are the Love of my life, that You are the Love that makes the world go around, and that You love them too! You have whispered my name to Doreen (aka Beverley) of Becoming the Oil and the Wine to nominate me for The Bee Love Award. How delightful! Praise Your Holy Name! ❤
Thank you, Doreen for thinking of me. Thank you for sharing an opportunity to tell others how much God loves them. We all need it! Every day! ❤ May the Lord bless your break you are taking, and continue to bless your blog! Me and God love you, sister! ❤
Guidelines for Bee Love Award:
Attach the Bee Love Award logo on the top of your post,
or you can use it as the post’s featured image.
Write your Definition of LOVE and How You Live Out LOVE.
Nominate your fellow bloggers who live out love and inspiration on WP.
(Love knows no limits, so nominate as many fellow bloggers you’d like to shine your light on!)
Thank you, Bee Love, for creating such an awesome award! The greatest thing in life is to love and be loved by God… and to let others know how much He loves them too! ❤ Praying blessings for your blog! God loves you!! 🙂
My Definition of LOVE: ❤
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” – 1 John 4:10 KJV
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16 KJV
“We love him, because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 KJV
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 KJV
Living Out LOVE: ❤
Jesus, I pray that every day You bless me is a day to make You smile, to share Your testimony in my life (Love Of My Life – I Am His Song), to tell the whole world Gail Loves God! And let them know the most important thing they’ll ever hear…..
“God loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you so that you can live with Him forever!”
❤
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” – 1 John 4:7 KJV
My BEE LOVE AWARD Nominees:
(Yay! for an award that allows me to nominate as many as I want!)
Praise the Holy and Loving Father! ❤
May you all know you are so loved! I know some of you do not do awards, or do them in the comments, or just are unable to right now. This award is an opportunity to let you know
God loves you! And He does! So much!
Rules: Use the image at the top of the post; Answer the 10 questions; And tag the people you’d like to answer the questions.
1. Who was family for you growing up? My mom and dad, 2 brothers, sister, a foster brother, and maternal grandparents.
2. Who is family for you now? son, 1 brother, sister, brother in law, stepdad, adopted sister, and church family
3. Where did you grow up? the mountains of WNC (Western North Carolina)
4. Where do you live now? the same
5. What did you want to be when you were older? originally a cancer doctor, then a CEO of my own greeting card company that did more than birthdays and holidays (but then I heard about a company called Hallmark that beat me to it), then to work for the FCC to clean up the airwaves on radio and TV, but a writer all along
6. What do you do now? live, write poetry, serve God, encourage others
7. What’s your earliest memory? When I was 3 yrs old a man held a gun to my mother’s head and threatened to kill her if she did not leave with him. She refused, saying she would not leave her kids. He then told she could bring the kids but that she was leaving. She refused. Next thing I know he’s across the street at the neighbor’s with police surrounding him. He killed the neighbor and then threatened the police that they would never take him alive, but eventually they did. They put him in prison for several years.
8. What’s one of your most recent memories? In the last couple of weeks one of my aunt’s died. She was my dad’s sister. She and my dad are both gone now. It brought back a memory of when my dad got a call that she was in the ICU of the hospital because she had been severely beaten by her ex-boyfriend. They were telling my dad the password to see her because they were afraid she would not make it and that the guy who beat her so violently continued to beat her and kick her in the head with officers still there trying to pull him off of her. If her roommate (who he also started beating on) had not run for help, the ex would have killed them both. He vowed to the officers that he would finish the job.
When we went to see my aunt, all the bones in her face were shattered. With her face completely swollen so tight that she was pale, along with blood and tears coming out of her eyes, my aunt tried to smile, and with a calm and loving voice apologized to me for not having her hair fixed. She had always been a woman who took care of herself, and was very hospitable, loved cooking for others, and loved sharing her southern hospitality. They told my dad they would be transporting her and that for several weeks she would not be allowed visitors while they did several surgeries. Eventually my aunt would call my dad with new passwords. Then she and her roommate moved closer to our area to be out of that area. (She had been 3 hours away, now she was 45 minutes away.) She eventually got to where she lived a normal life again, despite how it changed her facial features. She wasn’t the confident and outgoing lady she was before, but she knew she was loved regardless of her looks. I was grateful the Lord allowed me to witness beautiful things from a beautiful lady… inside and out… before and after!
9. What do you consider your greatest achievement so far? Giving my live to God. ❤ And Him giving His Son Jesus and my son Anthoni to me! ❤
10. What is your biggest hope in this life? The love and promises of God! ❤
Dearest, Lord! The Sunshine of my life! Your Son shines His light so bright. And I love every warm ray of Him! And I love every loving moment of You! Thank you for this delightful surprise in using Charity of A Reluctant Preacher’s Daughter to nominate me for The Sunshine Blogger Award, and for allowing me another opportunity of sharing Your light with others! Thank you, Charity, for allowing God to use you in lightening my day. 🙂 May the Lord continue to bless you, your ministry, your blog, and your family. Your light shines bright! 🙂 Me and God love you! ❤
Here are the guidelines:
Thank the blogger (s) who nominated you and provide a link back to their blog.
List the rules and display an award logo on your blog.
Answer the 11 questions the blogger (s) asked you.
Nominate 11 other bloggers to receive the award and notify them by commenting on any of their posts.
Ask the nominees 11 new questions.
🙂
Charity’s Questions For Me:
I know the rules say 11 questions, but I was only given these 7.
As deep as they are, they are plenty!
1. We all have goals in life but what is the one true desire you have for your life? To please You, my Lord, my God! My Heavenly Father! To let everyone know how much I love You! And how much You love them!
2. Are you of the belief that children under a certain age will be Heaven? Why or why not? “Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 19:13-14 KJV
“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.“ – Mark 10:13-15 KJV
“And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.“ – Luke 18:15-17 KJV
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” – Acts 2:38-39 KJV
God, Your word settles the matter and answers the question. You created the heavens and the earth, and the new earth that we are promised when the current earth we live on is destroyed. Only You are able to say who can and cannot come in. You states 3 different times in the gospel that the children are of the kingdom of heaven/God. And You follows with warning adults that if we do not come to You as little children that we will not enter in ourselves. People tend to either be critical of children and what they think of as a “lack of wisdom/maturity” or be doubtful of children being old enough to have earned Your love through finding salvation. We must remember that salvation is NOT OF OURSELVES, it of the You, our Lord Jesus Christ. You say they are of the kingdom of heaven/God.
3. What is your go to Bible verse you when struggles abound? Oh, Dear Lord. There are so many verses. You are faithful to Your word that if we hide Your word in our hearts, that what we need when we need it will come to us because it will be You giving it to us. The Holy Spirit will guide us and teach us. The ones that come to mind at the moment are John 14:27 (because YOUR peace is like nothing else) and John 14:18 (because if there is anyone I can count on to be there when I need them or just because, it is 100 % YOU)!! The whole book of John is like a highlighted section of Your love letter that we call the bible. ❤
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27 KJV
” I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” – John 14:18 KJV
4. Do you feel a revival coming, not to the US but to other parts of the world? I pray it is! We could sure use one! We ALWAYS benefit from them.
5. What song lifts your spirits the most when you are down? This questions reminds me, Lord, of the blog You’ve been whispering for me to do regarding the music You’ve given me so far for the new year/new decade. When I get it done (By Your grace and with Your help), I will link it here (with Your help to remember to link it 😉 ). I know 2 of those songs are Grace Got You by Mercy Me and Let It Rain by Crowder.
I cannot keep from smiling, taping my finders and toes, and singing along. Especially Grace Got You. It reminds me of when others use to ask, “Do you EVER stopping smiling!” Some asked in open disgust, saying it wasn’t normal. That if I knew suffering I wouldn’t smile. I guess they would be thrilled to see me struggling to smile. THAT disgusts me… not them and their sad attitude… but my struggle to smile! Because I KNOW You are worthy of every smile! With songs like these, You give my spirit such a boost!
But I also have to say, Lord, that I don’t always have a computer, radio, or any way to play these songs. And when my spirit is extremely heavy, I feel too down to play music. Instead of being disappointed in me or throwing me away in anger, You allow the Holy Spirit to bring Your hymns to mind. Many times I am singing before I even realize it. My son, family and friends know if I start singing them without worrying about my cracking voice that I am in need of them, cling to them, and LOVE them. It Is Well is the one I seem to sing the most. Yet when I am singing it, I am not thinking of the gloom in the words, or the tragedy in the testimony of how the writer was inspired to write it. I truly think of as being with You! 🙂 That’s the gold of hymns! They sing Your Holy Word! And Your word does NOT return void!
6. Are you a front row pew sitter or a back row sitter? I prefer to sit up front so I can hear better, see better, and not be distracted. 🙂
Unfortunately, Lord, You know I tend to sit in the back or at least somewhere that I can get up to go to the restroom without disturbing the service.
7. And lastly…just a random thought of mine while talking to one of the guys at work… Why is it that Jesus got totally ticked off with the money changer, made a whip, overturned tables and ran everyone out, but yet was quiet with Caesar and on his way to Golgotha? Jesus, in the turning the tables over You were upset with the people for setting up a market at the temple. They used the items needed for sacrifices and offerings as an excuse to make money for their own gain, often robbing each other. In Your word You referred to it as turning God’s house of prayer into a den of thieves. You were exercising what the bible calls righteous anger. There are times we are to speak up loud and clear.
When You were before Caesar and on Your way to Golgotha, You were fulfilling God’s prophecy in being “silent as a lamb sent to the slaughter.” You were not there to fight as Judas, Peter, and many people wanted You to do. You were there to fight for my Salvation! You did it silently to carry my sins to the cross, and bear the burden of them for me. I am so grateful to You! You did not deserve them. But You were not thinking of Yourself. You were thinking of me! ❤
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 KJV
Dear Lord, How many ways You give to challenge me, to testify of You, to encourage and share with others, to do things only You know why You send my way. It might seem trivial to some, but even in awards and tags Your purpose is still Yours. So when Charity of Confessions and Thoughts of a Reluctant Preacher’s Daughter nominated me for the The Decade Tag, I am somewhat bewildered to think over the last ten years, but know there have been so many blessings that far out weigh the loss and changes that You have used to make all things new… including the new creature in me, and Your renewing my mind in You! ❤Thank you, Charity, for thinking of me with the Decade Tag. May the Lord bless you and your blog ministry! An honest and bold voice… for the Lord and for yourself. Honesty is a rare trait. I am blessed with your sweet fellowship! Me and God love you! ❤
To play along:
1- Please share a link to the creator of the tag- jesusluvsall.wordpress.com
2- Share some highlights for you over the past decade and if you want a few low points
3- Tag whoever you wish to.
4- Ask them some questions
5- Use any picture appropriate for such a tag.
As I have watched so many references and challenges going around on Facebook, WordPress, the doctor’s offices, physical therapy, on the news, and among family and friends, I have constantly found myself absolutely stumped to find a word to describe even 2019 as so many would question. When one individual asked waiting for an answer all I could think of after a long pause was… DONE. It wasn’t to be cynical. It was just simply being grateful for Your bringing me through so many things.
In trying to find a word or goal for the new year/new decade, YOU gave me the word when I became so ill in November that I was sick the whole month… CONVALESCE. You call a time out and tell me to come convalesce with You… to come away with You to nothing but rest, with my feet up, to heal and grow strong. And that is what You and I have been doing. You are setting the pace.
So when it came to looking back on the decade, I found I was always going back to 2000. It seems like it was just yesterday I was graduating with my second college degree when I finished my B.A. in English Literature, and was celebrating with my family. (You can see my son David looking on, a vision You have long used to remind me that I never know who is watching on what I do.). And I still feel like I have never gained the weight I have since then. My doctors can’t believe I was ever small, but I can’t believe I can be this big and live. I always struggle to breath past 135 (which is the lowest of my ideal eight for my height according to the doctors). I did not start to gain until I was 36 years old.
But then I began to lose the ability to be active , which I was very much. It was like my brain found it hard to comprehend that with all of the changes in our family, church, health, and so much more that only 10 years could sum it up. And yet it seemed like it was only yesterday. Especially the losses. But I know You have brought good! A lot of good! So with Your help in walking me through, I will find the praises You so rightly deserve!
Low points: This picture of me and Irene was taken around the time of 2010. We were doing a late night run to the store, and was testing out my new cellphone camera. Irene is now with Jesus. She lost a battle to stomach cancer in 2016, just one year after we lost mom. The list goes on and on. Since 2000 we have lost Gran, mom and dad, my brother Charlie, the rest of my dad’s sisters, my mom’s side only has one of the nine siblings of my grandmother left, and 1 sibling of my mom, and my stepdad Bobby and his sister are the only ones left of 10 siblings. We have lost so many church family, as well as family friends.
My greatest loss (because my family is safely with Jesus in their new bodies) has been my health. I have lost the ability to do too much. It has greatly robbed me of my strength, my spirit, my joy, and some day my hope. Each day I lose more, but through You I have so much gain… even in the loss! “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” – Philippians 1:21
Highs:
You have blessed me with so many people who loved and cared for me, and an abundance of those who still do! I am blessed more than many. Even in the losses, I have their memory with me… laughs, tears, fears, excitements, celebrations, and so many wonderful hugs! Some people have never experienced love, kindness, family, friends, and more importantly YOUR love and hugs. I am blessed beyond measure with Your whispers, Your kindnesses, Your sweet fellowships, Your only begotten Son, Your faithful Holy Spirit, and much more.
As for my health, I still have plenty to be thankful for. I am walking! I am tolerating standing better. I have been able to attend many bible studies and dinners with Keitha, Sarah, and many loving sisters in Christ!
I am better aware of my health, and I have an incredible team fighting for me and educating me in therapies and treatments. My body is Yours to do as You wish. I love You no matter what. And I know You love me no matter what! ❤ “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” – Philippians 1:22-24 KJV
And I am blessed with a wonderful gift in my son Anthoni. You have used him from day one to be a blessing and to teach me of Your love for me. He has had his own gains and losses this decade, and yet His love for You remains steadfast. I am grateful to witness the relationship between You two!
Charity’s Questions For Me:
1. What is the most important lesson you have learned in the past ten years? I have no idea what will happen day to day, but I know that you are with us and care about every heartache, Life is pointless with out You!
2. Can you share a moment where you were laughing so hard you had tears in your eyes? Yes, though my joy seems completely gone most days, you do surprise me sometimes. I came across this comedienne Jeanne Robertson telling about her husband “Left Brain.” They are both from the North Carolina area. I started binge watching her comedy and could not stop laughing when listening to her “Don’t Snap an Elephant to a Tree.” I laughed so hard it hurt. 🙂
3. How many jobs have you had in the past ten years? I am ashamed to say none. Since my back got worse in 2005, I have struggled just to be walking each day.
4. Where do you see yourself ten years from now? If I make it past the grave, I fear being in a nursing home, bedridden, in severe pain. I fear a lot of what I have witnessed in the many deaths I have seen… some long drawn out and horribly painful, some just too graphic, and some just let go because of the inconvenience it was to care for them. I honestly don’t know. God knows that my greatest desire is to be with Him, so I will be excited to be home soon! However… whatever He wants, is what I want! My life and my body are His! “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV
I choose to keep pressing forward, Lord! Whatever You want! 🙂
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:14 KJV
Pouring through my life,
Your testimony saturates.
Everywhere You shine my light,
It’s Your testimony that radiates.
The joy, the trials,
The long enduring sorrows
Are all preparations
For Your testimony tomorrow.
Walking through Your Holy Word,
I hide You in my heart.
Your testimony renews my mind,
And strengthens every part.
Thank You for Your thoughtfulness
In the testimony You left.
It allows me to share with others,
And helps me to improve myself.
Set aside and set apart,
I am Your peculiar child.
I have a purpose in being different,
A path in being exiled.
Tears of pain and sorrow
Are preparations for Your will.
Waiting in Your timing
Teaches me to be still.
I know You are God,
And You are my Father.
I know the promises
I have as Your daughter.
My hand in Your hand,
I follow along.
When I am weak,
I’ll trust the One who is strong.
1.28.2020 Tuesday
Written by Gail Brookshire Inspiration: God is my Hero! ❤
So much of Your love flows through my veins.
It medicates the physical pains.
It seeps so deep and penetrates my mind.
Solace and peace are treasures I find.
For in each comfort I find You…
Faithfully walking and carrying me through.
Your attentive love astounds me.
Your faithful pursuit grounds me.
How great a love that faithfully loves me,
Cares so much, and thinks so much of me.
Thank You for being that love of grit
That lights my lamp and keeps my path lit.
Praise You, God, for all that You are.
Thank You for never being too far.
1-23-2020 Thursday Written by Gail Brookshire Inspiration: The love of God! ❤ God is my Hero!
Thank you, Charity, for thinking of me with the Decade Tag. May the Lord bless you and your blog ministry! An honest and bold voice… for the Lord and for yourself. Honesty is a rare trait. I am blessed with your sweet fellowship! Me and God love you! ❤
Irene is now with Jesus. She lost a battle to stomach cancer in 2016, just one year after we lost mom. The list goes on and on. Since 2000 we have lost Gran, mom and dad, my brother Charlie, the rest of my dad’s sisters, my mom’s side only has one of the nine siblings of my grandmother left, and 1 sibling of my mom, and my stepdad Bobby and his sister are the only ones left of 10 siblings. We have lost so many church family, as well as family friends.
gaillovesgod 