Steady Steps

Getting ready to go outside and play with a bubble machine, I ran after the one year old to be sure he was safe, scooped him up and returned to his excited sister.
"Grandma! I already made bubbles!"
"Oh my - where?" I asked.
"In the house." she exclaimed.
"Where in the house?" I nervously asked, as I had left her in a room with carpeting and hardwood floors. The carpet could handle it, but bubbles on hardwood??

She ran to show me, as I set her brother down gently on the carpeting.
It was then that it happened. As I wiped up some of the slippery liquid, I could see, out of the corner of my eye, her bare-footed brother step onto another area of the hardwood floor. With feet sliding under his weight, a surprise look took over his face. Immediately, the second foot found a small pool of the slippery liquid. With both feet moving uncontrolled, he kept his balance. A remarkable feat for someone who just began walking a few months ago.
He allowed me to wipe off his feet and steady his walk, as all three of us chuckled about the slippery floor.

It can happen so quickly. We think we are on solid flooring and - yikes! Our feet slip.

So, how did he keep his balance?
How do we?
I remember the look of surprise on his face, but not a look of fear.
Therein lies the difference.

When your feet slip - be surprised, but don't fear. God is watching and ready to make steady your steps.
And, He is cheering you on when you keep your balance :)

Isaiah 41:13
"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you,
Do not fear; I will help you."

Have a blessed day,
Mary

Extending the moment

A friend, Michelle, who knows of a photography artist, presented me with artwork of a small wave splashing on the shore. It reminds me of walking along the ocean. It extends the moment of time when your feet touch the brisk ocean water for the first time in your walk along the sand. The water happily splashes across your toes and gently sprinkles your leg. Taking a photo of a photo is not always advisable, but I had to try to share it. Why? Because I pray you have moments extended that are joyful to you - playful and full of life - like my moments walking the ocean have been. And, I pray that you get to relive some of those moments - whether in a photo or in person - just for the sake of enjoying life. God bless you.

May 1st

Yes, it was a wonderful May 1st. In spite of my focus.
I think I may need a new way of celebrating this day. Four years ago, it was David's last full day and at the end of it, he said "I don't want another day like this." It was a most difficult day for him - and God was good to take him home the next day as his body had failed to support his spirit.
As I remember the anniversary of that day, I choose to focus on how good God was to take him home. And, how happy he is right now. Free from his failed body - enjoying eternity in a new, perfected body. I am so grateful.
Many of us celebrate anniversary's in unique ways and I have thought a lot about how I want to celebrate May 1st in the future.
David always said that if you had problems, take a walk along the ocean and they would be solved. I thought it was due to the "hugeness" of God there - but someone said to me this week that when you walk along the ocean, you actually fill your blood with more oxygen due to inhaling the salt water. The salt in the air you breathe does something good for you and you think more clearly.
Maybe David knew more than I think he knew about a walk along the ocean.
I am thinking of plans for next May 1st - to be walking along the ocean - Lord willing.
May God bless you as you refocus on any anniversary that is difficult for you.
And, may the Lord allow you time to walk along the ocean - sometime - to solve your problems.
God bless you :)