Heart To Heart

I have never been a good swimmer. Didn't have lessons. Just didn't swim much in our family. These last couple of weeks remind me of what I feel like when I'm in the deep end of the pool, or trying to enjoy the ocean when waves are knocking me around. Not so relaxing. It struck me this morning how many times I've heard about people rescuing another who is struggling in water, only to find themselves in trouble. There are wisdom rules in a rescue operation. I'm trying to learn those 'wisdom rules'. Many hours in a doctor's office, in ER, in my parents home trying to help them navigate the things that have happened. Deep end of the pool time. There have been a few times in the last couple of weeks that one line from a song (I must have heard a long time ago) would float through my mind. "Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side." Didn't know any more of the song than that, and that was...something to hang on to. I guess when you th...

So, I had a break-through thought this morning - at least it was to me. I have been praying about - no, begging God - to help me concerning something that makes my heart HURT. Hurt, like, over and over again. Hurt, like, you think you've dealt with something and don't think about it during the day but wake up thinking about it in the early morning hours so it's been stirring around in the back of your mind somewhere. That kind of hurt. Thought that forgiveness was settled. Didn't know what to do next. Felt like it was chained to my heart and I couldn't find the clasp to disconnect it. HELP ME, JESUS. This is what I felt like I heard this morning, on the way to church. It seems that I have been waiting for human words to come and heal my heart. In some deep place, I have been expecting someone to call or come in some way, say the right words and my heart would be healed. Healing from a human. What I heard was, "I will heal your broken heart. Not th...

We just got home from a little vacation time. We spent 5 days in Mexico with our long-time friends, the Plunketts. 5 years ago we went with them to Mexico as well. But, that year, Lynne was in the middle of a major battle with cancer. Some of you might remember that I stayed with her to help with her care for several weeks. (This picture was from our trip 5 years ago.) This time, five years later, she is cancer free. Hallelujah! We didn't really do anything super-spectacular, but everyday was a victory day. She made it through such hurtles and is still here to tell about it! Yep, everyday I loved just looking at her - and smiling. 5 years ago we stayed in a room that had a view of the ocean. This year, not so much. Our view was of....the building next door. But, the ocean was still out there - we just couldn't see it from the space we occupied. I could walk to the end of the hall and look out, or go down the stairs and out the building...walking with the purpose of...