Satisfied

For  he satisfies the longing soul,

and fills the hungry soul with good things.

Psalm 107:9

Giving thanks for these good things:

306.  Gifts from another country

307.  Tax-free weekend for school supply shopping

308.  Dark chocolate

309.  The hope and confidence of a good future

310.  My girl's generosity in donating her long hair to Locks of Love

311.  The smile in her eyes seeing her new cute hairstyle

312.   New friendships

313.  Affectionate touch when it's most needed

314.  Air conditioning

315.  God's gentle answer to the unasked question of my heart

Tasting His goodness,

Art by I. Lilias Trotter

(In)courage

(In)courage is having some awesome giveaways to celebrate their first anniversary.  For the next month, they are giving away a gift each day.  Fun!

Happy

You have made known to me the path of life;

You fill me with joy in Your presence

With eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

Psalm 16:11

Enjoying His presence and these pleasures. . .

295.  Strawberry-banana-mango-blueberry smoothie

296.  Sharing laughter with a good friend

297.  An unexpected cool breeze in Florida in August

298.  The smell of coffee brewing early in the morning

299.  Songs that make my heart sing

300.  Scent of my girl's freshly-washed hair while I brush it

301.  Encouraging words from my sister

302.  Feeling God's favor and affection

303.  Flowers on my kitchen table

304.  Working things out to the hugs and laughter.

With joy,

In the blue

The LORD, your God is with you, he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zeph. 3:17

Seeing His delight in me with these gifts. . .


285.  Silvery moonrise over the Atlantic
286.  Tossing a frisbee in the waves
287.  Enjoying an evening with good friends
288.  Sunday morning coffee with Him
289.  A really fun chick flick
290.  Yellow butterflies dancing outside my window
291.  Waking up with hope
292.  The freedom to lay down fears and receive peace
293.  Sitting in the blue darkness, listening to the ocean
294.  Not getting hopped on by that toad in my driveway!




Quietly being loved,

Celebration

My daughter was baptized today.  

It's something she has wanted to do for a long time.  But I asked her to wait until her dad could be there.  

This morning on the beach, at sunrise, she demonstrated her faith in Jesus in the presence of both her parents, her brother, family, friends and church.

It was beautiful!


Rejoicing,

17

Seventeen years ago this coming Saturday was my wedding day.  
July 24, 1993.

Yesterday, I reviewed the final draft of the "marriage settlement agreement" for our divorce.  

There's not much to settle.  We leave the marriage empty-handed, just like we entered it.  The only treasures are two beautiful, precious, amazing children and years of memories. 

This was not how I wanted it to end.  Watching the relationship crumble quickly before my eyes, I fought hard to keep it going, to keep it alive.  For 3 long years I waited, praying and hoping, begging God for restoration.  

And God restored me.  

In a few days, my husband and I will sign a document, just like we did 17 years ago.  Then he will go his way and I will go mine.

It's strange, I thought it would destroy me to go through all that I've experienced.  I thought divorce would be the worst thing that could happen.  Yet here I am on the very threshold and I feel peace.  A little sadness.  But mostly peace and a sense of anticipation for what God has for me.

I am thankful.  Thankful for 17 years as a wife.  I grew so much as a person being married to him.  I'm thankful for the past 3 1/2 years of heartache.  Walking those dark paths, I have learned the faithfulness of God and how deeply the Lord loves me.  I have learned to trust.

"Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things.  
Who, O God, is like you?
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.  
You will increase my honor and comfort me once again. 
My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you -- I, whom you have redeemed."
Psalm 71:19-21, 22


In hope,

Unfailing

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Psalm 90:14

Seeing His unfailing love in these gifts. . .

275. discovering a new song that speaks straight to my heart

276. fun and laughter on a Friday night

277. hearing from a long-ago friend

278. a hand reaching out to hold mine in prayer

279. quiet solitude and time to think

280. peppermint oil in my mop water

281. a good conversation with my dad

282. the joy of making new friends

283. three favorite books from the library

284. a 10 year old boy inviting me to play marbles

With joy,