A SOFTER VOICE "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. " 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 NKJV
Saturday, March 30, 2024
WAVES AND SHADOWS March 30, 2024
Thursday, March 28, 2024
WAVES AND SHADOWS March 28, 2024
This week we’re at letter “I” and our mentor/blogger, Patty Wysong, suggested that we use this week to Introduce ourselves. Okay, Patty (“Peej”). This one’s for you.
To keep my personal Introduction from sounding like a confessional, allow me to present my amazing husband. He’s much more interesting. Then, just know that I possess the flip side of his attributes. If it's true that opposites attract, then our marriage was absolutely made in Heaven (Is this where I apologize for using two clichés in one sentence?).
BW loves to mingle, has a smile bigger than Dallas, and never meets a stranger.
He can work outside in a blinding blizzard or record-breaking heat – without complaining.
He never takes things personally.
He enjoys – I repeat, “enjoys” – spending some of his Saturdays driving a church bus full of rowdy charges from one of the most underprivileged areas in our city to church for their special time of Bible study and worship.
My heroic rescuer used to joke that his career(s) meant waiting for someone’s house to burn down (retired firefighter) or roof to cave in (owner of a small roofing/structural maintenance company). I’m fortunate to have been one of many damsels in distress he encounters on a regular basis, but that’s a story for another day.
BW is the consummate optimist. Whatever the project, once the first nail is driven he smiles and says, “All I like is finishing up!”
His motto could be “Go big or go home.” Our newlywed dream of having a home and five acres on the outskirts of Oklahoma City morphed into 80 acres an hour away. And we were sixty miles from his daily work, our families and friends and almost fifteen miles from the nearest dry cleaners, the bank and our church. We lived there for 15 years before moving back to our roots. All things considered --- even the inconvenience --- that experience is one we will always treasure.
It's been said that marriage is made in Heaven. Someone added "So are thunder and lightning." The balance of similarities and differences in our personalities keep our relationship more to the heavenly side. We both love the Lord. Our imperfect lives are centered on Him, the family He gave us, and enjoying the beauty of His creation.
We are thankful for the two different worlds that collided when we met. His background included horses and cattle –from a family of rodeo enthusiasts. My family’s activities were, shall we say, sedentary: Dad was always playing the guitar while my mother listened and kept time with her crochet needles.
As a child, I had always dreamed of owning a horse and a piano. Bud made both of those dreams come true.
I was terrified of heights. He taught me to snow ski. I couldn’t swim and still had memories of almost drowning --- three times. He taught me to water ski.
My husband's ridin’ and ropin’ days are over, but he’ll always be at home outside or creating things in his shop filled with mammoth tools and his imagination. Yet for eighteen years he willingly took time to come to concerts by the Singing Church Women of Oklahoma, even though I was but a speck among 400 women in a sea of sequins and long, black dresses. (Need a little updating here: I thought his rodeo days were over, but I should have consulted Bud before making such a naïve observation. My forever-young husband is actually celebrating his 68th birthday by bringing "Rowdy" home from being "broken" and will be riding him for the first time today.)
We’ve come back to our original plan and now live on those five acres near Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. It’s good to be back “home” close to our two daughters and their families.
Most of my goals have been achieved: I’m married, have two beautiful daughters, three grandsons and their terrific dads – and don’t forget the horse and piano. I’m still working on becoming the person God had in mind when He formed me. I do love people, but in a more shy way. Hopefully, my desire to write comes from the Lord and He will able to use that for His glory, not mine. And...I want to be more like my husband.
He makes me better.
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Waves and Shadows March 27, 2024
Sunday, March 24, 2024
WAVES AND SHADOWS March 24, 2024
October 14, 2021
“The Lord gives His people strength; the Lord blesses His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 CSB
Praying for Others
Heavenly Father, in the midst of our crises, may I be mindful of others who are also hurting. Mandy’s best friend, Jennifer’s dad Steve died at home on October 11. Steve and Bonnie have been dear friends since the day we met them when Mandy and Jennifer were moving into their dorm at Oklahoma Baptist University. The bond was instant with this sweet family who also chose to live in the country as we were at the time. We had almost five years of sharing time with these remarkable young women, so gifted with music and who love You well and openly.
Friend Lee’s friend Tracey is also ill with COVID.
Steve and Sally Kern lost a dear friend from injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck.
I pray for Gea as she travels alone from Tampa to Oklahoma City. She had scheduled a flight for this coming weekend to be here for BW’s Deacon Ordination at First Southern Baptist Church on Sunday. Now she’s driving here alone to be here with us as we pray and wait for God’s healing hand to end this nightmare.
“Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good; According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me. And do not hide Your face from Your servant. For I am in distress. Answer me quickly.” Psalm 69:16-17
“God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1 (Shared by friend Mary LaFrance this evening.)
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed. Perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” II Corinthians 4:7-10. (Shared by friend Sherian Mason.)
“Cease striving and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
“Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she (he?) will be made well.” Jesus Luke 8:50b
God, You are good because You choose to work through humble hearts who seek to know and to love You more each day.
Friday, March 22, 2024
WAVES AND SHADOWS March 22, 2024
October 13, 2021
“The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 CSB
Lord, I’m praying for “Jill”, this angel of mercy who joined our tough family discussion last night.
These frontline nurses watching over loved ones, many of whom are like Bud: Sick. Alone. Facing uncertainty. Yet the ones watching over the many patients always take the time for phone calls from spouses and children, reassuring them as much as they dare without empty promises for the future because they can’t know. That’s God’s privileged information.
When I called just now at 2:30 AM, Jill said BW was resting and really doing “well”. I told her that given our earlier conversation, it sounded like we are getting mixed messages about his condition. She assured me that he is nowhere near needing a ventilator. I asked if she had seen patients come back from conditions like his tonight without a ventilator. She said she definitely has. So, we wait and continue to pray. I pray for BW’s healing and that it will begin at this moment.
And I pray for all the “Jill’s” and the “Daniels” to be blessed beyond measure, and for them to stay healthy and strong. That their rest will be sweet and magnified many times over the actual moments of rest. I pray for their families to be supportive and kind.
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me. And delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
God, You are good because You give us angels who wear simple scrubs and make them look like velvet robes fit for royalty.