Memory Verse Monday...and Memories of Momma

Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”


Song of Songs 8:6
Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,
its jealousy unyielding as the grave.
It burns like blazing fire,
like a mighty flame.


John 11:33-44
When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.
“Where have you laid him?” he asked.
“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.
Jesus wept.
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance.
“Take away the stone,” he said.
“But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.”
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.”When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”


The beautiful flowers above were a surprise from my sweet mother-in-law. She sent them in memory of my mom (who passed January 31,2006.) She wanted to send me something to lift my spirits. She anticipated without my even saying, that I would be struggling a bit, missing momma (& daddy!) It was very thoughtful of her. And the flowers remind me of some of my most treasured memories of momma. She had her own rose garden, and I would wake up to a fresh vase of flowers on my night stand, every so often. Throughout my life, my mom seemed to pamper me in little ways. When I was young, she would heat my robe in dryer before comming to wake me up in the morning, or she'd heat my towel before I got out of the bath. When I was sick, she would bring me soup, a sandwich, and a cool wash cloth for my head or neck. She'd sit there and stroke my hair, kiss me, and talk to me until I fell alseep. She always sat down to help me with my homework when I came home from school, wanting to know everything about my day. I think she loved me the way she wanted to be loved. And I think she taught me how to treat and love others! Momma had a hard life. I mean nothing in my life, (trials and hardship) could touch what her life was like, and I think that is why she struggled so with her own demons of insecurity and addiction. All my life, I wanted so badly to rescue her from that. If I could have just loved her enough, been good enough! Thoes are the lies the evil one whispers in our ears, ( especially when we are little!) Yes! Thoes are the lies that helped me create my own neroseases, insecurities, and self loathing/destructive behavior. I said helped! There are many other circumstances in life that have added to it and left their own ugly mark. But, I've learned there is no earthly love that can provide the healing needed. As instruments in our heavenly father's service, we can only hope to show but a glimpse of the true love, mercy, grace and compassion that is found only in Him! And I know for certain that that is the abundant love and ever lasting peace that she has now found. In the arms and heart of Jesus! Thank you God, for that comfort! I awoke this morning with a song on my heart... an old hymn that maybe some of you know.

There's a sweet, sweet spirit in this place,
And I know that it's the spirit of the Lord;

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us Filling us with Your love,
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise,
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

There are sweet expressions on each face
And I know they feel the presence of the Lord.

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove,
Stay right here with us Filling us with Your love,
And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise,
Without a doubt we'll know that we have been revived
When we shall leave this place.

Amen! Blessings to All!