Easter blessing

Since the choir didn’t sing for the 9 AM Easter service at Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church, I volunteered to do a solo. One of the regular attendees has been asking me to sing “The Holy City,” so I decided to give it a try! 

I posted the video on Facebook & the responses were humbling, amazing. 

I posted in response to one: Thank you … God reminded me again during Lent & Holy Week the importance of sharing our gifts. And not comparing my gifts or opportunities to those of others. My part is to pray; act in faith; & trust God with the results.

Then I added a longer response to all, because I want to be clear it’s not about me: I’m saying thank you, graciously & humbly. But please know that all the glory goes to God. I never have any clue how it will go when I sing. I pray & do my best to respond in faith, & trust God whatever the outcome. Many of you have heard first-hand the times that the blessing came from being uplifted & supported & loved despite the bungled words & rhythms & pitches. 

I cannot even express how grateful I am when God is glorified through my simple willingness to trust Him, whatever the outcome. 

May we all be blessed by the love of our Risen Lord & Savior, today & always.

Happy Easter! Christ Is Risen! 

I’m more than what I do

I’m more than what I do. But I sure do feel better about myself when I get things done!

Maybe I’ll write more about this ….

I am what I am

I’m pretty sure I’ve addressed this before. It came back to mind this week. Where better to share it than on my neglected blog?

Written 3-26-24.

I am what I am. 

I’ve spent a lot of time — most of my life — trying to be someone or something else, for some/ many reasons thinking who & how I am is not enough or right. 

Despite lots of affirmation & love & encouragement from others — plus assurances of God’s love & that He created me to be as I am — I’ve kept comparing myself to others & trying to be more like them. I couldn’t shake the feelings that I was not only missing out on the wonderful things I saw others enjoying, but also that I was failing to make the most of opportunities I was given.

I’ve gone around feeling deep inside that I’m a huge disappointment to God, my family & the world. 

I want to hold fast to this new reality — I am what I am. Period.

(Don’t judge it. Just be with it.)

For this moment, I’m letting go & trusting God with this reality. 

Happy

Thank you to all my family & friends for the birthday greetings. I’ve been without good internet connection most of the day so it may be tomorrow before I can read each one. It’s also possible I will have to delete things from my phone before I can receive some video greetings I was sent. These pictures (shared on social media) include some of the day’s blessings, from sunrise to sunset! I’m surprised to realize this is the first time I fished & caught birthday bass! The desire to do so — plus attend a monthly lunch with kinfolk — made this day kinda hectic & long. It may have also put undue pressure on Gene, because I went 2 hours without catching. I had begun chatting with God about that (how to not be disappointed) when one finally bit & stayed hooked! I was relieved for both Gene & me! #birthdayblessings #birthdaybass #simplepleasures

Goodbye to something …

Today was the last day before my 65th birthday. I’m not sure what I think about that. So I just keep pausing to pray & say God loves me & I trust God & that’s what matters most. Love God; trust God; share God’s love with others; trust God with results; give God glory, honor, thanks & praise.