Tea Kettle

I saw a tea kettle hanging from a tree - the top of a wind chime pouring air into the cups dangling below. I first saw it years ago in a Copper Kitchen store and picked it up. There was a good friend who had a birthday coming up that loved tea. She may enjoy this wind chime, I thought to myself. She did like it - and liked me remembering her.
Our friendship was born out of pain. We were neighbors, but when her husband battled cancer followed by my husband's battle, we were drawn really close. It is kind of interesting that fighting similar battles can give you a sweet closeness to another.
God did a remarkable thing in bringing us together. Over the years, He filled many empty places in my heart with His love through her.
As I walked the streets with grandchildren and saw the tea kettle this week, I was reminded of His faithfulness. Even though she has moved, it still remains in the tree, chiming a song of His love given to each of us through friends and neighbors. It is a sweet sound.
I am eternally grateful.

Full Head

Really? Can our heads be so busy with so many thoughts that it is full?
I think so - mine is right now - and has been all day.
It seems that we have a certain number of things we can handle -
and then, the thoughts spin around so much that we get dizzy - and our head feels full.
And, when our heads start to spin, we can do some things without thinking them through.
At least, I can.
You see, in order to not drink in front of her (as she couldn't drink before surgery) I "hid" my green drink in my purse. Now, those cups with lids are supposed to keep the beverage from spilling, right? This thoughtful gesture backfired.
The green drink did not fully close on the top like I thought (or did I?).
I had green on my wallet, notepad, a book and many other things, but guess what it missed - the package of kleenex in the same area.
How did that happen? The kleenex would have "drunk" it up!!
So, I stop - take a deep breath - and there it is - God's love in the form of a laugh.
She asked why my shirt was green on the way home from the hospital.
I remember turning away from her so she wouldn't see me sip the part of the drink that escaped the bottom of my purse, and as I did, it spilled on my clothes. I didn't realize how green they were until she noticed.
I laughed.
I guess the drink missed the kleenex, but found avenues to a lot more.
Well, when our heads are full, I guess we have to look on the bright side.
The surgery turned out well - that is all that matters - even if I come home green.
Enjoy your life when your head gets full - and try not to carry opened beverages with you :)

Because You Loved Me

I was sitting on a blanket while reading Scripture to David's bones today at the cemetery, and I started writing words to a song.
Not the normal place for writing songs, I am pretty sure.
When I came home and looked up my "title", I found out it had already been written and sung! The song is beautiful with pictures from a movie in the background.
"Because You Loved Me"!
Do you know that before David loved me, I don't know if I really loved myself? He taught me that I was valuable and love-able, even with all my foibles.
He taught me so much about love - and these already famous lyrics are dedicated to him from my heart:

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand - I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love - I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you

May God give us all the grace to make the world a better place for others because we love them! Much love, Mary