Friday, September 26, 2014

Go To Hugs AKA the POWER of a HUG

Not sure why this is so heavy on my heart today, but I keep thinking about it so maybe it's for someone.....

When I was at my stressful job, I had a hard time keeping life in perspective. Some days were worse than others. I'm not even sure how the hugs came up or started. I do know they helped tremendously. Knowing I had a person to get a hug when needed even in passing, helped. I was proud of myself that I asked. Sometimes I didn't even have to. It must have been the look on my face.

The hugger I refer to no longer graces our planet. She has moved on to a better place. I pray that she knew the difference she made in my life. "Just" from being a go-to person for a hug when needed.

Do you have a person like that for you? Can you find one? Can you be that for someone else?

We don't get through this life on our own. It is very lonely if we try. Reach out. ESPECIALLY when you least feel like it. It helps. It really does.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

A Prayer for the Ephesians

 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Monday, September 08, 2014

Marry Me? !?!?!?!

This weekend I was given the incredible opportunity to travel to Tennessee to witness the wedding of my nephew to his high school sweetheart.

Travel. From Michigan to Tennessee with my mom, dad and brother. Honestly, when we started planning, it did not seem like an opportunity. It seemed like a chore. The planning (or lack of), the travel time, time away from work = lost income, planning for family while I was gone...even if kids are older now. I hesitated even up until the day before waffling back and forth between going. NOT because I did not WANT to be there just little stuff I was letting get in the way of making a decision.

An added bonus is that one of our other brothers made the trip a vacation with his family (his wife and 4 1/2 year old triplets). They arrived the night before we did. We were able to have breakfast with them each day, go swimming, visit a museum/preparation for a civil war reenactment, go for a beautiful drive, read books, do puzzles and just hang out. It was cool to realize that there are 2 brothers and a sister for the triplets and we were there with 2 brothers and a sister (me). We did miss our other brother and sister!

On Saturday, we attended the wedding. It's warm in Tennessee! Beautiful day. It rained later during the reception, but still beautiful. I teared up before the wedding. Partly, because I had not seen my nephew in a long time. Partly, because I've been married 25 years now....not always easy years so weddings make me think ahead and look back a bit too.

As the newly married couple, made their way back down the aisle, my niece was holding my hands. She looked me full in the face and said, "When I grow up, I want to marry you!"

We had a little talk about how we would not be able to be married, but I would love her always and that someday when she was grown up she would find somebody she wanted to marry and her daddy will walk her down the aisle. She asked if I would be there. I told her I would definitely be there that day!

Marriage is more than just the two people getting married. It is the circle of family and friends that join together to celebrate the love those two people have found. We celebrate on that particular day, but also in the years to come,

I am grateful for the time and support of family and friends. Now and forevermore. Marry me? I do. Amen.


Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.