A Beautiful and a Safe Place

"I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love,

for You have seen my troubles,

and You care about the anguish of my soul.

You have not handed me over to my enemies

but have set me in a safe place."

(Psalm 31:7-8)

The beauty of springtime, coming early to us this year. And the beauty of springtime in our hearts - always present throughout the seasons of life. All because of Jesus. The Giver of all that is good, and our Protector and Lover through all our days - in the good times and also through the times of trouble that we experience in this world.

Thanking Him and praising Him today ~

For life-giving words ~

"This friendship means being so intimately in touch with God that you never even need to ask Him to show you His will ... You are free to make decisions in the light of a perfect and delightful friendship with God, knowing that if your desires are wrong He will lovingly produce that sense of restraint." (My Utmost for His Highest)

"I'm only seed. Small, hard, not of much use to anyone. Not without transformation. And first must come death. Isn't it funny that the God who calls us into light, Who bids us go and bear fruit, calls us first to this laying down? This carrying of a cross, this dying to oneself, this submission to the giving up?" (sistersinbloom.com)

"As you bring Me the sacrifice of thanksgiving, regardless of your feelings, My Spirit is able to work more freely within you. This produces more thankfulness and more freedom, until you are overflowing with gratitude." (Jesus Calling)

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God." (Psalm 50:14a)

"As you walk with Me through this day, practice trusting and thanking Me all along the way. Trust is the channel through which My Peace flows into you. Thankfulness lifts you up above your circumstances." (Jesus Calling)

"How precious is Your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings. You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights. For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." (Psalm 36:7-9)

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30)

For the privilege of being mother and "grama", treasuring memories in my heart ~

The miracle of birth, a newborn daughter for our daughter & her husband.

The priceless gift of grandbabies - now holding our tenth in our arms.

News through texting and phone from our son in San Francisco.

For love in our family - a gift.

Living close by, helping our daughter after birth.

Hearing her heart, loving and treasuring these days with her newborn daughter.

Having three year-old "big brother" here one day - so full of life and fun.

Stopping in to see another daughter and her family - enjoying the spring outdoors together.

Hugs and love from two little two year-olds, almost three.

Phone calls with each of my three brothers - from the west coast to the east.

Sharing of love and prayers over the phone with a sister-in-law, going through surgery today.

The constant, faithful, never-changing love of my husband - always supportive as I process things.

For the daily gifts given ~

The beauty of springtime.

Sounds of my husband mowing the lawn - in March.

Anticipation of an extended Sabbatical and vacation this spring and summer.

Friendships - blessed by so many.

Open windows - birds chirping.

Email, blogging, sharing of photos and lives on facebook.

Seeing of "OctoberBaby" with my husband.

A picnic after church - Subway at a park nearby.

Connecting with friends in our church small group.

Time to reflect and give thanks.

(Counting 1000 Gifts in 2012 - #220-248)