Quiet in His Love

Yesterday, I celebrated my first Thanksgiving without my dad. The tears and sadness hit today. Being thankful has been hard this year, especially starting in August. One less place was set at the table yesterday. My husband said the prayer instead of my dad. One less voice joined in sharing the thanks for all God has done. One less laugh echoed around the table when something tickled our funny bones. At least five less hugs were given. My heart hurts, even now tears fill my eyes. It can't be real. It just can't! I want to tell him how much I appreciate him, love him, think of him, am proud of him, am thankful that he's my dad. But I can't. Maybe, like my 11-year-old does, I can send my dad a message through God. I am thankful for forty-one years with my dad, for hugs, for encouragement, for silly wordplay, for smiles, for shoulder rubs, for prayers, for talks, for adventures, for road trips, for rides to work, the mall, wherever, for so much more than I can say here. My...

I heard birds singing early this morning.  What a delight!  There is something about the sound of tweets and chirps that brings about a feeling of comfort and peace in me.  Spring has sprung and birds are out and about their business.  The world is still turning and God is still in control.  I hear one now determinedly sharing a bit of news or trying to get the attention of a friend.  A bird is a message of hope.  In Matthew, birds are mentioned in a passage of Scripture reminding us not to worry.  God takes care of them, provides food for them.  Certainly, we don't need to fret about clothing and food and toilet paper and spending the next 2 weeks in place.  Life feels a bit (okay...maybe more than a bit) overwhelming right now for some of us.  We find ourselves in a place we've never (most likely) been before.  The "unknown" is always a little scary and fretful, yet our Father is where He has always been, doing what He has al...