~~FEMININE MATTERS~~

Patience Is A Virtue, Especially These Days

Well, I got a lot of writing done today.  Three devotionals.  Yet, not one chapter in my book.  However, it's only 11:30 a.m.  There's still time.  I haven't cleaned my house in months.  Serious as a heart attack, friends.  I look at my messes and cringe.  My back just prohibits that kind of movement.  It's so annoying.  Hence, the need for more patience today.

I get aggravated that I cannot play with my grandchildren like I once did.  No puzzles on the floor.  No trips to the park.  No lifting them on monkey-bars, no pushing them in swings.  It's irritating to want to do something but face such limitations.

I have to be patient with myself.  With my lot in life.  With the reality that I am limited.  With the annoyance that I must thrust the work I ought to be doing upon another.  I want to do more but simply can't.  And yet, I praise the LORD.  He is so good.  He provides for me.  He gives me strength to endure.  He fills my heart with joy so I do not get discouraged and depressed. 

He gives me my husband.  He pushes the swings.

I look at my dear sweet spouse who goes beyond the second mile with me.  Laundry, sweeping, mopping, scouring.  He helps me put together meals when I cannot stand long enough to wash the veggies, and cut them up for salad.  As soon as I get stuff on the stove, he watches it for me, so I don't have to stand.  He sometimes brings dinner on his way home from work. He puts up with my cranky attitude when I don't sleep at night.  

He's a jewel; his worth is far above rubies.  I count my blessings for his unconditional love.

It does get tough to sit back and let others do what I feel is my role as homemaker to do.  Even as my husband does what he does without complaint, I realize how often I complained about doing housework when I was able.  If not for the grace of God and His mercies, I could be extremely guilt-ridden.

Soon, my husband will be packing our belongings so we can move to a smaller, more convenient place.  He will take the care with the treasured items, because he cares for how I feel about the memorabilia.  He will paint new colors on my walls if I decide I cannot live with what I've picked.  He will unwrap my junk and place it for me.  Then he will move things around to appease my change of mind.  Patience is definitely a virtue.  And my husband has it.  Every day, but especially these days. selahV

For a devotional on patience:  The patience I'm daily devoted to learning, go HERE.

RADIANCE

 
 
RADIANCE transcends neutrality. 

An ordinary hour she paints with play.

She smiles and soothes a broken soul;

Her simple touch completes his whole.

Each promise sealed within a shattered dream,

she releases on a prism's beam.

Her love glistens on a mood of grey,

and blankets dew-kissed blossoms each new day.  selahV

"I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." Psalm 34:4-5

Jordy

Every time I see him, the world seems brighter.  He loves life.  And life seems to dance around him with fun, happiness, and joy.  Don't get me wrong.  He gets torqued up about stuff at times.  He's not always Mr. Jolly Ho-ho.  He's not all that thrilled with losing races, but he never stays down long.  Pops right back up and sets his sights on another day, another ride.  He can aggravate the fire out of his teachers (and his mom), with his laid-back attitude.  Rules are like rubber-bands to him--always flexible.  He's prone to be less serious about things others count most serious, and more serious about the things others count least serious.  He loves to win, but loves to ride most.  He likes the easy way out, but doesn't give up simply because life is hard.  Jordy has that intangible goodness and mercy within him that pours out and hugs my heart without saying a single word.  He likes my cookies--well, anything I make that's sweet, unless it has nuts.  Sometimes when he comes over, I offer him things and he says, "Nah, I'm good."  That just means he's fine and doesn't need me to pamper him with stuff, but he loves it when I offer, just the same.  He makes me smile.  He makes me laugh.  He makes me giggle.  His presence erases years from my mind, and makes youth feel tangible again.  He doesn't have to do a thing to make me proud of him.  His smile sucks the brains right out of my head.  I'd do anything I could for him.  He owns a huge part of my heart.  He knows it, and I am glad he does.  selahV   

IMPORTANCE

Occasionally we think we are important.  Sometimes it occurs when someone appreciates us.  Appreciation turns to admiration, admiration to idolization or dependency.  Not good, for either us--or others.  Sooner or later we fail to measure up to an admirer's image of us.  Sooner or later, we fail to meet another's need for the hour.  When this occurs, all parties involved feel the sting of separation.  Ultimately there is only One Who can meet our needs and fulfill the empty space within our hearts.  Only Christ holds the piece of life's puzzle.  Christ alone.  selahV