Two Hearts in the Snow

 This photo was taken on February 5, 2009 in Newbury, England, GB,
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lovestruck94/3255420745/
2 hearts in the snow by lovestruck. / © Some rights reserved.
Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives license

 (Upon seeing the above photo on Flickr I recalled a similar happening on February 14, 2003 in my backyard at the farm in the Midwest where I and my daughter and her family were living. Although I no longer can seem to find the photo I took of this unusual occurrence, this photo I happened to find on Flickr looks very much the same as the one I took  February 14, 2003 in South Amana, Iowa.  --Leona J. Atkinson)

Two Hearts in the Snow
Leona J. Atkinson

This particular Valentine's Day dawned gloomy.  The snow, cold and ice we had received from December until now had made it one of our worst winters thus far.  Thirty One inches of snow had fallen in December and most of that was still on the ground.  January was cold with more snow and ice, and now February wasn't much better.  When I, my daughter and son in law, and their children, purchased this farm three years prior we were all ecstatic!  We had two homes right next to each other with five acres for the kids, dogs and cats to run, and it seemed like a dream come true for all of us!
 In the beginning, living on a farm three miles from the main highway, surrounded by open fields and creeks offered such serenity it was very welcoming, but what seemed so wonderful in the warmer months was becoming very hard to bear throughout this winter.
The frequent winter storms were wreaking havoc with our electric lines, often leaving us without power. The propane tank we used to heat our homes seemed to always need filling and that was getting quite expensive.  The cold weather was causing the old pipes in our homes to freeze up, and since we didn’t own our own snow plow we had to pay our neighbor to come plow out our large circular driveway more often than we had planned on.  So as I awoke this Valentine’s Day I wasn’t feeling very cheerful.   
Looking outside, I saw my son-in-law drive off to work. His tire tracks revealed that it had snowed again overnight. After breakfast, I went out to check the propane tank, it’s level was low and  I realized we would need to have someone come out to fill the tank again, especially if the weather started getting really bad.  This meant I would have to write another big check for the fill and looking at my checkbook balance I wondered how much longer we were going to be able to continue doing this. 
My daughter and I had a strong faith that God had brought us here and made our dreams of owning a farm together in the country come true, yet right now with the money so low and the snow predicted to begin falling again soon, I began doubting if God was even aware of us and our situation.  
Sighing, I picked up the phone and ordered the Propane, then, to cheer myself up, I decided to walk across the lane to visit my daughter and grandchildren.  As I entered their home, I was greeted by the sounds of my four little grand-children chattering as they busied themselves cutting out and gluing hearts to make homemade Valentines.  I joined them to try and shake off the sadness I felt.  “It’s Valentine’s Day, God!”  I remember saying,   “Please show us Your love.”
Just then, the Propane truck drove up the lane to fill the tank.  A short time later Matt came to the door to collect the amount due.  I gave him a check, and as I walked back into the house I noticed my daughter looking out the kitchen window.  “Come here!” she shouted “Look!”    What I saw when I looked out the window totally amazed me!   There in the snow were two perfectly formed, entwined hearts, made from the tire tracks of the propane truck and my son-in-law’s truck. 
There was no explanation for how it could have happened, so we just accepted it as a Valentine from God!  

I felt this was an answer to my earlier prayer, as He did indeed show us His love on that cold, snowy Valentine’s Day.
My doubts were washed away by the tears of gratitude in my eyes, as I knew in my heart that God was aware of us and our situation and that what He had brought us to He would bring us through and He always did.

Leona J. Atkinson--2013
Portland, OR.
www.leonaatkinson.com

Yesterday, Today and Forever

As I sat and listened to the events unfolding before me, my eyes fell upon the scripture on the wall.  "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

Reading it was comforting, as it reminded me that fourteen months ago I had sat in another church building reading that same scripture on the wall.

At that time the situation was a bit similar to today, in that my church had closed because of financial difficulties, and I had lost my job as Church Secretary. Everything was taken out of the building to be either sold or given away and the building I sat in was cold and empty.  I was feeling sad and scared for the future. There was nothing left but that scripture on the wall.

It was quite like what was happening in front of me today in this church. Because of some untrue accusations the Pastor of this church was being let go by his superiors. He would no longer be a Pastor after leaving here today.  He would be leaving behind a church full of confused sheep without a shepherd.  He and they would probably be feeling sad and scared for the future, feeling that all was lost, gone.  
Except---there was that scripture on the wall.

Fourteen months ago as I sat and reflected upon that scripture, I was encouraged because I felt God was telling me that even though everything might be changing in my life, Jesus Christ, my Savior, would never change.  He would remain the same that very day, and everyday--forever.
No matter what I might be facing in the days to follow, I would be able to count on Him to guide, provide and protect me in the future just as He had done in the past.  I believed and clung to that verse that day as I left the church building for the last time and I saw that scripture prove true my life as new people and opportunities came across my path daily.  
Now, fourteen months later I felt God was speaking to me again through that same verse.

Jesus Christ would be with this Pastor and these sheep.  He would guide, provide and protect, just as He had done everyday prior.  As He was yesterday, He is today and will be forever.
Comforting words and thoughts in time of distress and sorrow.  A promise we can all cling to during unfortunate times. 

I am sure fourteen months from now I will see this verse once again proved true in this Pastor's life, as well as in his sheep's lives, for it is still proving true in my life.
There is one thing we can always be sure of---God's plans and purposes will not fail. 

For "we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28 NKJV

Valentine's Day--A Day to Celebrate Love

“Celebrate love. It is the breath of your existence and the best of all reasons for living.” –Author Unknown

I celebrate Valentine's Day because it is a day that is set aside to celebrate love, and in my opinion love is something that should be celebrated.

I believe no day should be “just another day on the calendar” because every day is a gift of life to be enjoyed; however, Valentine's Day seems to be a bright spot right in the middle of winter. Its bright red, pink and purple colors seem to cut right through the starkness of the season and cause one's senses to awaken.

Yes, Valentine's Day is one special day that is set aside each year to celebrate love. Even though most of us celebrate love every day of the year, having one special day to celebrate seems to make it more special for some. Just like a birthday party once a year is a celebration of life, and even though we are thankful for that person's presence every day, setting aside one special day to honor their life is important I think.

In the Midwest, our winters were often cold with lots of snow and ice. Sometimes it seemed winter would never end. The days were short and gloomy. By the end of January the joy of Christmas had long since passed and the celebration of a New Year had been forgotten, yet when February arrived and splashes of Valentine’s Day color begin to show up in stores, it seemed to bring everyone’s spirits up and give us all hope that spring would soon be arriving. The pretty hearts and flowers of Valentine's Day, right in the middle of an often cold and snowy February, were just what were needed to spur us on to think happy thoughts of love. It was something exciting that was needed to draw one's mind away from the upcoming income tax filing and perhaps also, from the Groundhog's gloomy forecast of another six weeks of winter. Many of us looked forward to that one day that was a celebration of love. It brought a feeling of anticipation, energy, and excitement as you took the time to choose just the right card or gift for your special someone or family members.

The flowers and candy given on Valentine's Day are tangible tokens of love and often are visible reminders of love. However, the things I most treasure are the handmade Valentines from my daughter and grand-children, small notes of gratitude from a friend or a small gift given from the heart. These are mementos that last over time and the love they represent can be felt any day of the year just by looking at them.

Although I believe love is something that should be celebrated every day, because God is love and He loves us all, (1 John 4:16) I am still for setting aside one special day to celebrate love and it seems that would be Valentine's Day.

Yesterday, Today and Forever...

As I looked around the empty building, my eyes fell upon the scripture on the wall.

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever."  Hebrews 13:8

Yes, I thought, everything else may be gone, but He is still here.  Everything else may be changing, but He is not.  When I walk out the door of this building He will be with me to guide, protect, provide.  Yes, I can face an uncertain tomorrow because I know He is going to be there.  

Just then the words to a familiar song Because He Lives by Gloria and Bill Gaither came to mind:

Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

(Words: Gloria and William J. Gaither.   Music: William J. Gaither)

Yes, it was going to be alright.  He was allowing this door to shut, but surely He was at work opening another door someplace else.  As I trusted Him yesterday, I will also do today and forever.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell  in the house of the LORD Forever. 

Psalm 23 ( NKJV )

Memorial Day...Remembering....and Giving Thanks

 "Perform, then, this one act of remembrance before this Day passes - Remember there is an army of defense and advance that never dies and never surrenders, but is increasingly recruited from the eternal sources of the American spirit and from the generations of American youth." ~W.J. Cameron

On Memorial Day it is good to stop and remember and give thanks for freedom and for those who purchased it for us.

I am so glad we have a day to remind us to stop and remember, for in our busy lives we often take our freedom for granted and we should not ever do that.  Therefore,  it is good we have this special day that we can be reminded to be thankful for our freedom to give thanks to those who gave and are now giving their lives to keep us free.


So, before this day ends I want to give thanks not only to the men and women who have served, but to those who are now serving, to keep this country free.  I also want to remember to give thanks to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who died to set us all free from sin and death.  

We who are left, how shall we look again
Happily on the sun or feel the rain
Without remembering how they who went
Ungrudgingly and spent
Their lives for us loved, too, the sun and rain? — Wilfred Wilson Gibson, Lament

Delays, Detours and Snails....

Detours,Delays and Snails...

"Ok, God what are you trying to tell me" I said to myself as I sat down in the chair on my  patio.
The morning had been very hectic and it was barely 8:00 am. What a way to start a day I thought!
Getting my grand-son up and off to school on time had been an extra challenge today. He had gotten up late and wasn't in the mood to hurry to make up the time.  Frustration led to anger for both of us causing the drive to school to be full of un-pleasant conversation. Plus, further delays caused by traffic and road work, made it a morning that wasn't very "good" in my mind. 

Now, back at home as I put the key into my front door I looked up to see a big snail right in front of my eyes! 
How did he get there I think !  
As I back off and sit down to consider what to do with this doorway visitor, I ask God just what He is trying to tell me.

Lately, as I have tried to avoid delays in traffic, I have been sent on detours which always seem to take up more time. Now, today, my grand-son's late start caused another delay.  Was God trying to tell me I needed to slow down?  Is that why He sent this snail to camp out on my doorpost?

I think so....

Exausted from the events of this day that had just begun, I sit down for a moment and just look at this wondrous work of God--the snail. He is in no hurry to get anywhere, he seems very content to sit, but for what purpose? Why he is there in my path?  Why is he hanging out on my doorway?

Perhaps it is to remind me of the article I wrote not too long ago on  snails.  I had said they reminded me of perseverance, of the steady persistence to move forward no matter what might be in my path. Was Mr. Snail's presence meant to encourage me to continue moving forward even if I might experience delays and detours?  I think so, as earlier this morning I had been tempted to just give up on this forward movement and go back to bed, so I wouldn't have to deal with any obstacles that might be in my path.

As I carefully remove the snail from my door and place him in a safe, yet more distant place, I thank God, for this wondrous work He created and for using him to speak to me today about perseverance and moving forward no matter what the obstacles might be.

Just then I receive a text on my phone. It is from my grand-son, apologizing for his lateness this morning and saying he is sorry.  It's ok, I say. I forgive you and God has it all under control.

I feel renewed and once again I am committed to keep moving forward, to persevere in spite of obstacles in my path, and if my progress is slow, I will do my best to be still and enjoy the journey.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It’s not only the scenery you miss by going to fast--you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. " --Eddie Cantor

Thoughts about....Something New

The word "new" can bring a host of emotions into play. 

Sometimes "new" is good and we are in anticipation of it's coming.  It brings forth a freshness, a hope of better things, a chance for us to begin again. 
But "new" can also bring thoughts of fear and sadness, carrying with it a hesitation.  It can mean change that is not always looked forward to.  It can mean a loss or and end of something we held dear.
 Each January 1st brings us a "New Year" which for most is a time to celebrate.  A time to rejoice and start over.  A time of "New Beginnings", a welcome change to many.
However, during the course of our lives we encounter many "new" things and not all are welcomed, because not all change seems to be good at the time it happens.
It is during those times that our focus must be on God and the faith we have in Him to "work ALL things together for good" in our lives. [Romans 8:28]
If we are able to put our faith and trust in Him anything "new" will eventually be good and we will be able to always rejoice in all things as Paul the Apostle did, even while he was in prison .
  " Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! "   [Paul said in Philippians 4:4]

 Rejoice In the Lord Always (Philippians 4:4)