Returning To Your Passion

I am now 69 years old. 

I just had the most beautiful birthday. We have come through so much since last I wrote. 

I have retired. My husband has retired. 

My husband had an aorta replacement, as well as a triple bypass.

Both my parents passed away at the ages of 90 and 91 years old. 

We've been through a major worldwide pandemic, taking the lives of millions of people. This has been hard to fathom, hard to think about, hard to connect to.

Has it changed me? No. Has it caused me to stop and ponder the way life was? Yes.

This pandemic has changed the world and changed the way it works. We are embarking upon something different...something else. I am not clear what this is, but I do have a vague idea. 

Life is short. We must embrace the gifts and passion that the Lord God has placed within us. We are never too old to do or pursue our dreams and passions. 

Things will never be the same. Thus, I will continue with my blogs, but with a major change. I have decided, that at the ripe old age of 69, I will begin to record, in writing, my experience with learning to play the piano, in the correct method, not the haphazard silliness I call "playing the piano". I have my daughter, a master pianist, to help me out.

This alone is a blessing in and of itself.

I have set a standard before me to practise at least 20 minutes per day. Each day I will use the quiet keyboard and do the mundane practice exercises over and over again until I feel it is correct. When the exercise is complete, I will begin a new one. 

I am beginning with the right hand a C major scale, with the correct fingering, I might add. 

Now, in my own defense, I must say this. I played the piano, albeit incorrectly, at my father's funeral. I wrote the music, which I feel is just beautiful, and I wrote this piece for my mother. My parents never had the chance to hear me play, but I believe they each heard from their dwelling place in heaven. Now, after all this time, I have decided, for my own passions and pursuits of happiness, I will learn to play correctly, with the correct fingering. It is tedious and demanding work, but at my age, so good for the neurons in the brain!

I have done at least a week's worth of practice. And I am enjoying this immensely. 

I hope you come along with me to see how I do. I will post as long as I remember to post! 

God bless you all.

God of Healing

Judges 21:2

"Then the people came to the house of God, and remained there before God till evening.  They lifted up their voices and wept bitterly, and said, O Lord, God of Israel, why has this come to pass in Israel, that today there should be one tribe missing in Israel?  So it was, on the next morning, that the people rose early and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings."

I cried unto the Lord, and lifted up my voice, weeping bitterly, and saying O Lord, God of Israel, why has this come to pass in our family that there may be one of the six missing?  So it was, that day the Lord said,  Surely, I will keep thee and bless thee, and heal your family.

Blessed be the Name of the Lord.

Peace and Quiet

"The fruit of righteousness will be PEACE.
 
The effect of righteousness will be QUIETNESS and CONFIDENCE forever."  Isaiah 32:17


Life has a way of coming at us full force. Sudden news of sick loved ones, job loss, financial stress.  These are things way beyond our control. We pray, give it to God, plead and pray again.  It can become a vicious circle. What I have found during times like these, is meditation on God's Word. I will find a scripture that fits my need, my prayer, my plead, and say it over and over again until I find the peace that I need. The scripture I am contemplating is:

"For surely O Lord, You bless the righteous. You surround them with Your favor as with a shield."  Psalm 5:12

This brings me comfort. This brings me peace. This brings me quietness and confidence, forever.

God bless you.

God Loves You

"I will bring him near and he will come close to me. For who is he who will devote himself to be close to me? declares the Lord.  So you will be my people, and I will be your God."  Jeremiah 30:21

Are you one of God's people? Is He your God? Then He is near to you. He is close to you. Even if you don't feel Him. He said so. You are His beloved one. And He is your God. He said so. And I believe it.  He brings you near to Himself. Our Beloved Saviour, the Creator of the Universe, our Precious Redeemer, loves you. I am devoting myself to be close to Him, the Lover of my soul. Will you join me?  He is waiting for us.....

Living in His Presence

It is hard to do this thing they call, "living in the Presence of God". Have you ever tried to live minute by minute, talking with God, listening for His Voice, His guidance, His Presence? I'm trying to do this. Because once you feel it, you are addicted. You feel His Presence. You feel His warmth surrounding you, and after you have experienced it, there is nothing like it in the world.  I am experimenting with this thing. If I find myself straying, even at work, I just pull myself back to stay in His Presence once again. I have lots of lapses. But I go right back "in". And I like it. I love feeling His Presence. 

One way I stay in His Presence is by talking with Him. All the time. Asking questions. Asking for wisdom in different situations. Telling Him things. Small conversations, all day long, to my Beloved One. I love His Presence. And I am striving to stay in His Presence all day long.

I'll keep you posted.

Silently Grieving

My dear friend lost her twin babies today. She had not met them nor had she held them in her arms. They are now in the Arms of Jesus, growing up in heaven, being raised by angels, awaiting the arrival of their mother.  How do you console the grieving mother and father but by only being there for them, loving them, reassuring them that they will be alright, and that their babies are safe and sound right this minute. As  I pray about this, praying about what I can say to help, I can think of nothing except that God is in control, and God is our God of comfort. He is our refuge and our strength.  These are the times that we need to hide in the shelter of the Most High. Saying nothing, just hiding under His Wing. He will help these grieving parents, and He will give them strength. God bless you little babies who we loved - we will see you in heaven...xxoo

Committing to Prayer

Psalm 73:25 & 26

"Whom have  I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail;  But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Sometimes,  all you can do is pray.  He is always listening. He is always there. Have you ever tried to "feel" His presence, every minute of the day? It's not easy to keep your mind always on the Lord. But, if you "practice His Presence" in the little things, you will feel His Presence in the big things.  It's a good exercise.  Practicing His Presence.  I'm trying to accomplish this myself.  Even at work, when things get hectic, I try to "feel" His Presence, and ask His advice, commenting to Him throughout the day.  It is easy to forget though, but I want to one day be aware of His Presence 24/7.  What a great God He is, to want to be with us, His creation. What a wonderful Saviour. What a wonderful Redeemer. What a wonderful Friend.