Real Life is Better Than Fiction

I missed the Song of the Week last week simply because life was crazy. There are times when life makes me feel like breaking out in song. Do you ever feel that way? If I had to choose a song for last week it would definitely be the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah . My husband and I got to take a long weekend together…by ourselves…with no kids…alone for our anniversary. Hallelujah! Then my son finished school for the year, which deserves another rousing rendition of Hallelujah! The song of the week this week is much more subdued. With today being Memorial Day, I wanted to encourage you to take a moment and remember all those who have lost their lives fighting so we can have the freedoms we have today. Yes, there is much to complain about because of what is happening within our country and government, but we still live in the greatest nation on earth and there were those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Can you remember your first best friend? All of us can think of at least one classmate we considered our dearest friend. For me it was Eileen. We met in first grade and hit it off the very first day. I was the new kid at school and she shared her snack with me. We did everything together at school and away from school. We remained best friends until several years later when her dad’s job transferred him and the family to another city. Over the years people have come in and out of my life. Have you ever wondered why people come and go so quickly? I have often wondered why God allowed me to get close to someone when He knew we would lose contact two weeks later. Friends are often in our life for a season; for some purpose that needs fulfilling. There was a girl I grew close to while we were going to the same school. We ended up going to different high schools, but kept in touch because the guys we dated were relatives. We even kept up with each other for a while after we were married...

Yesterday was Mother’s Day. It’s always bittersweet for me. I got to spend the day with all of my children which was wonderful! It’s not very often we all together around the same table anymore. (Letting your kids grow up, move out, and make lives of their own is hard!) I enjoyed seeing all the posts my friends made about what they were doing with their moms, and I was a bit jealous at the same time. You see, I haven’t been able to spend Mother’s Day with my mom in more than 20 years. For those of you who still have your moms with you, don’t wait until Mother’s Day to let her know how much she means to you. Tell her daily; she won’t always be there. The Song of the Week is all about moms and what a blessing they are from God. Whether your mom is still here on earth or not, think about her while you listen. Dredge up some old memories from when you were a child. It’s okay to laugh and/or cry. I know I will do both. You have to follow the link for this song as I wasn't able ...

Have you ever noticed that by putting the words of Scripture to a tune they are much easier to memorize? I grew up memorizing verses: some stuck, some not so much. However, the ones I learned as a song have stayed with me throughout the years. When I was in college, on Sunday nights we had what was called Celebration. This was just a time to get together and sing worship songs. Many, many of us would crowd into one room, most of us sitting on the floor. The couple that led us had simple guitars. Those evenings at Celebration were some of the most worshipful moments I have ever known. This week’s Song of the Week is one I learned there. Whenever I hear it, or read Isaiah 40:27-31, the song stays with my for days and I catch myself humming it as I go through my daily routines. I hope it helps you focus on God this week. Side note: I had trouble finding the song to share with you, but when I did I was pleasantly surprised. The couple that led our Sunday evening worship appar...

I often hear a lot of people complain about Facebook (or Fakebook) and the posts that are made. People do probably spend too much time there and on other social media. However, I use Facebook as a reminder to pray. Today when I logged in, the first seven out of eight posts were prayer requests. There were deaths in families, sick children, and friends going through difficult times. I stopped and prayed for each one. As you listen to the song this week be reminded of your friends and family that may post a false picture of what their life is really like. Most people only post what they want others to see, giving the impression that life is perfect when it’s anything but. Listen to the voice of God. If He puts a name on your heart, stop and pray, especially if it’s a name you haven’t recalled in quite some time. Also, know that I am praying for YOU and all the unspoken requests that are never voiced. We ALL have those. Scroll through your social media feeds this week and take ti...

Photo by  patpitchaya Have you ever heard the phrase “opposites attract”? Sure, we all have. Have you ever given it much thought or compared it to your own relationship. When my husband and I got married our marriage vows included the phrase “Do you promise to love, honor and cherish and cling unto him till death do you part?” I have to be completely honest; sometimes I want to cling to my husband with my hands right around his throat! Sometimes my husband and I both wonder how we ever got ourselves together in the first place. We have very little in common and we don’t like to do the same things. I have learned over the years, however, to not worry about the issues that aren’t important to me. For example, which vehicle we drive to church is not a huge deal in spite of the fact that I would rather drive the van simply because it is more comfortable for the entire family. Instead of arguing about something stupid, I agree to take the truck. But the bigger issues, li...

This week's song is fun to sing along to, it seems to sound a lot like my life and probably yours as well. It also has a great message to it. So often we get caught up in the here and now and the little idiosyncrasies that seem to take center stage. However, most of the time these things are not important.  We need to remember that in spite of all the little things that may be interrupting our days, we should be mindful of the blessings God has given. Sometimes those blessings may be hard to see, until you awaken your mind to them.  I have a little blank book that someone gave me years ago. I decided to call it my Blessings Book. In that book I write down all the little ways in which God has blessed me. This helps me to never forget.  So while you listen to the song this week, don't get caught up in the fact that you lost your keys (or someone lost them for you) or that your toilet is overflowing because someone thought it was a good idea to stick a squirt gu...