Pondering the Rosebuds

In the weeks since Christmas I have been reflecting on ‘the gifts’ in my life.  Not the gifts I received at Christmas, but more precious, personal gifts.

Like many of you, I thought about the “first Gift Of Christmas” and just how wonderful a gift that was and is… The Gift of Our Lord and Savior.

But more recently, I have been pondering the other gifts of this Life… the gift of friends… and the gift of Life it’s self.  The gift of the Lives of family and so Today I focus on two very special gifts in our Family.

Two tiny, perfect rosebuds, who are such a huge part of my life.

Have you ever watched a rosebud bloom?  It doesn’t happen over night… just as with each rosebud these rosebuds are developing slowly.  Sometimes it seems very slowly indeed, but at other times all too soon.

In my memory I see each of them as the tiny beautiful buds born into this world.  Each with their own identity, characteristics, and gifts. So alike, but so different, molded by the hand of the creator. And as I recall each of their births, I ponder the days of our lives since these rosebuds began to take shape. Such amazing creatures, whose beauty plays on my heartstrings so vividly.

Designed by God to be breath taking beauties, and with the fragrant aroma of the Mighty Rose. Each one given so freely to the world around them.

Watching them stretch, develop and grow, I draw back to watch their growth day by day. Remembering holding on to their tiny hands.  Some days it is even hard to breath.  Even harder as I watch them struggle with Life…. the Good, the bad, and yes sometimes the ugly.  I want so badly to help, protect, to provide and at times, when allowed, I am able to help.  Other times I know I cannot, I must stand by, watch, pray and encourage… while they struggle, realizing all the while that it is in the struggle, as with the butterfly struggling to be free of the cocoon, that this struggling is necessary.  So that their wings become strong enough to fly.

The oldest Rosebud is already displaying beautiful colors of growth, wisdom and amazing Love.  Reflecting her God with the Love and passion she displays, she has such a passion for life.  She stands out in the world around her, waiting to ‘shine’. Developing strength daily as she leans on those Everlasting Arms.

The youngest Rosebud in her young years displays the same beauty and fragrance as the first.  Watching her I often whisper, “not so fast baby, take your time, do not struggle so hard to grow up so quickly.”

Beautiful, intelligent, Passionate… displaying the Glories of the Creator… The Father.

As the years come and go, the deep colors of these beauties display the women they will become. And I will forever be grateful  that I was given the opportunity to know, and love, and nurture these two precious Rosebuds…

These precious, special and amazing Rosebuds….

January Rosebuds, so Rare…

                                     

Kay Kay… Jan. 16                                     Emilee…. Jan. 19

Be brave mighty princesses, your God is with you… stand to your feet, throw your head back and feel the Wind of The Spirit!

God is painting a Masterpiece … go forth and display Divine special effects to the Great Glory of your God.

When Hearing is Not Always Listening

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning and let the discerning get guidance.” Proverbs 1:5NIV

 

When Karen was small there was a book she loved,

This title was often repeated in our home, and often still is, when someone is trying to remind us that we are not always Listening.

A few years ago, A Missionary friend visited our church. That morning she began her talk with this statement…. “Si, but I knew he didn’t ‘see’.”

It seems that she had been contacted by a friend serving in a country in South America asking if she could send a ‘care package’.

Instead of sending the package, she decided to take it to her friend. As she herself was on furlough and not really sure that she would be going back to the mission field.

Her friend was so excited! She knew she would really be getting the ‘package’ if someone brought it to her. (sadly, in some places packages don’t always arrive, and sometimes if they do, they are not always intact).

One of the items requested was Peanut Butter. The customs agent for the country she was entering was inspecting the package and wanted to know why there was so much peanut butter. The missionary friend was trying to explain how peanut butter is a mainstay to many of us in the USA, it was easy to store, doesn’t need to go in the fridge, and how it is often a quick pick up meal in a sandwich, that her friend was in need of it because of a health condition.  With each explanation he would reply… Si… But she knew he didn’t “see”.

Have you ever felt that way? Many times we say things to others in conversation, only to realize later, even though they replied, they ‘may’ have heard… but they weren’t listening.

Which prompts me to wonder…. how often do I do the same thing??

I hear things, sounds, people, voices all day…But am I REALLY listening? Do I hear the ‘Real’ request, thoughts, concerns of others?

As we begin a New Year, many are making resolutions..

My Resolution this year is to try and be a better Listener. Stop, take time to really ‘hear’ what others are saying.

And yes, I think in this election year… we ALL need to be listening… to not only what the candidates are saying, but what ‘really’ matters…

Listen, take time to pray and Listen to Our Father, and then respond the best that we can.

Are You Listening???

“The unfolding of your words give light, it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 NIV

Preparing for The Most Wonderful Time of the Year…

 

Here in the Holladay house….

                             

      Christmas begins with the music of Christmas…

As the decorating begins, so then does the Christmas Music!

             We used to get in a bit of  caroling… but most often now we just do a little of this at home.

                                                          

it could be said that Music is in our souls, and so it is….

Music sets the tone for so many things…. and the Music of Christmas sets our hearts to singing…. singing of the joys of Christmas… the gatherings of Christmas… The Tidings of Christmas… but most of all for The First Gift of Christmas…

             The Gift of Our Savior

From the Carols of Christmas to the latest of Christmas Songs

and so many tunes between…

Christmas sets my heart to singing….

So…. come on Ring those bells, and light the

Christmas Tree..

Let’s celebrate the Birth of Christ our King!

In Him,

Sharon

Miss You Already

Today, one of the Sweetest Loves of my Life, went to be with Jesus….

I miss you already, David Ostrander…

Uncle Don and Uncle David

These are my Daddy’s youngest brothers, and Sweethearts both! They are two of my favorite people in all the world.

But my Uncle David lived with us when I was just a baby, and we have always had a very special bond.

I remember many childhood days with Uncle David and his family, fishing, camping, swimming and just being together. My Daddy and these two brothers of his were very close, which made our families close also.

Many a summer day you would find us camped along a river in Sunny Florida, or fishing in the lake(Newnan’s Lake) near his house,

or swimming in one of the many springs of Florida….

places like, Magnesia Springs, Blue Springs(Near My Dad’s home, Marianna, Fl.)

Blue Run, Ichetucknee, or just camped somewhere along the

Suwannee River.

 

My Uncle David was an avid

FAN!!… and fan of Steve Spurrier…

In recent years, Dan and I have spend days with them in the fall for The Ostrander Family Reunion.  Just visiting, laughing and enjoying our time together. There was never a dull moment.

Dan and I were planning our fall trip for the end of the month to see Uncle David one more time… you see we knew his time was coming to a close, we have known for several months, his body was just wearing out…

But now he is enjoying a Family Reunion in a much better place.

Yes, I miss you already, my dear Sweet Uncle…. until I see you again!

Always,

Sharon

 

Good Night Kiss

“He will not let your foot slip, He that watches over you will not sleep.” Psalm 121:3

Papa and I have long had a night time routine.  Since he retires before I do, I tuck him in bed and we kiss goodnight. I have always been the last one to bed because when the kids were ‘home’ I had a habit of clearing up the kitchen, turning out the lights, and locking up, and I still do!

Today as I was reading a story in “Chicken Soup for the Woman’s Soul”, I was reminded of how important this routine can be.

When our “Grandbabies” are here for the night, often they are up to help ‘tuck Papa in’.  One night when Emilee was small, she wanted to tuck Papa in, so I kissed him and waited by the door for Em.  She tucked her Papa in, climbed up and kissed his face, then she said, “Papa, is there anything we need to talk about before I turn out the light?”

Papa said, “Who loves you, baby?” and she replied, “Papa!”, she kissed his cheek again. Turned off the light and came to me with a great big smile. Since then, I often ask “Papa, is there anything we need to talk about before I turn out the light?” We have found that very often there are things we need to say, or hear before we sleep.

In the story I read, an elderly couple, married for many years were now living in a nursing home…. each evening before bed, he waited for her to take her meds, then he would help her into bed, tuck her in, and kiss her goodnight, pull up the rail on her bed.  Then he would take his meds, walk across the room climb in bed and turn out the light.

Many times the nurses observed the Love they shared as they poured over family albums sharing memories of their lives together.

It bothered the nurses when they thought about the fact that they now slept in separate beds after so many years of marriage. They also knew that the husband was the stronger of the two and worried what would happen if he were to go first.

The time came when he did indeed go first, he had a massive heart attack in the night…. after his passing, the nurses did everything they could to make her comfortable.  They even allowed her to sleep in his bed.  They tucked her in each night, still she remained silent and withdrawn.

As the days and nights passed she seemed even more withdrawn until one night when one of the nurses walked into her room and found her wide awake.  Impulsively she asked if she could kiss her good night.  As she did the elderly lady let out a floodgate of tears.

“Chris always kissed me good night”, she whispered, “I just can’t seem to fall asleep without his kiss. Thank you for kissing me goodnight.”

I do so hope, if Papa and I find ourselves in a retirement home, they will at least let us put our beds side by side, so I can reach out and touch him in the night.

“ So Kiss me, my Sweet, and let us part, and when I grow too old to dream, that kiss will live within my heart.” (Oscar Hammerstein 11)

   Always,

Sharon

Courageous Faith

For all of you my friends who have been here for awhile…

reading my story….

There may have been some post that you didn’t quite understand, where I alluded to someone in my life that I had not seen since his birth…

Well, this is Our Story, His Mother’s Story, Joshua’s Story.

Please follow me to My Daughter Susanne’s blog  for a story of courageous  faith, and how God gave us “Beauty for Ashes”.

and I hope you will continue to follow her story for the next installments…. you will be blessed!

Isaiah 61: 1-3…the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed  me to declare good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who morn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion. … to bestow to them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of Joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair . They will be called the oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His Splendor.

Thank you for listening and for being there… for many of you were ….though you did not know it…

In Him who gives us strength when our strength is gone!

amen..

New Lessons

“Call to me, and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things that you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3

As I said before, I am in a new Season of Life…

Leaning into Him, listening as He speaks…

and I think I’m getting there… you know… the next step… my next assignment, at least for now.

And yes, there are days when it’s a bit of a struggle, cause I wanna be lazy… and it’s on those days that He has to shout my name, rouse me from my slumber.

You see there are people in my life, some I have known for awhile, others that are new, and yet others who have come back into my life, who need a ‘touch’. Not my touch but His.

We all know people who are hurting, some in physical pain, others in emotional pain… but all of them are in need…. of a touch…. a hand… a smile… an ear… someone to come alongside.

Now I know I can’t be everything to everyone, so… I ‘m listening when He nudges me, to speak, to touch, to smile.. to encourage.

It really doesn’t take much… as I have experienced in my own life… just to know someone cares enough to call, email, facebook…and ask… ‘so how are you today?’

In my quiet time this morning I learned that sometimes we have to ask him to plow, dig, and shovel to reveal what is needed… to plant His seed, so that it grows deep and takes root.

And as I open myself up to Him, in the quietness of those moments, to allow my heart to unfold before Him with great expectations. Expectations of His Love and Grace, asking for wisdom, knowledge and understanding to go forth into this new day, with joy.

Yet praying always…

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

May you be blessed with His Peace…

In Him,

Sharon