Only Above

"The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile." Psalm 94 NKJV


Back in school after a long break, I've been spending an enormous amount of time reading. While I can't say that Christopher Columbus' letters or William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation 1620 - 1647
 have been my favorite pieces of literature I've been struck by the pervasiveness and sincerity of  the Christian Faith is the early colonizer's writing.

It's made me question if their's was a greater faith than ours. As a whole. As a people.

Their faith seemed to color the way they viewed their world in a much more tangible, trusting way than is easily evident today.


Reading, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson, I was touched by the simple way this woman's faith carried her through her ordeal. Held prisoner by Native Americans, she found great comfort in scripture, citing verses continually throughout her prose. Never did it seem as though she questioned God. She accepted her hardships and held onto a hope that God would deliver. And she portrayed this as though this was the most natural thing in the world. As if to question God would never have occurred to her.

Separatists and others who came to America for religious freedom also wrote in such a manner, as did poets such as Anne Bradstreet and Edward Taylor.  Bradstreet and Taylor both wrote poems regarding the death of children and both, though they expressed sadness, seemed to understand more easily than we can, that God both gives and takes away.

Perhaps, we live a life where we are spoiled (or blessed) in health and wealth and so when the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous alike, we become indignant.  With the distractions and the opportunities of life today, we must make a greater effort to include God.  And often when we do include Him, we rail on about the unfairness of the life he's given us.  Or maybe that's just me.

I know that of late, I have been seeking God's face. And I want answers.  Much of the time I'm not even sure what I'm inquiring of Him. Other than, "What do you want from me?" And maybe that's been code for, "My life sucks right now.  Explain yourself!"

But He doesn't have to. It rains.  On all. And perhaps I've forgotten to be content in all things. Maybe I've forgotten to pick up my cross.

And what better day to be reminded than Good Friday?

"Here's neither honor,wealth, nor safety; Only above is found all with security." -Anne Bradstreet







Faith Filled Friday

That search for balance

I may be back.  In fact, most likely, I will be coming here again....I just don't want to make any promises.

I took time away from here in order to spend time with the kids, to work on the house, to feel less pressure.  And it was good.  It's amazing how clean the house has been looking.  And I found myself sitting more often with the kids outside of school work.  Just playing or talking.  So, in certain ways, it seems that maybe I shouldn't return to blogging.  But I've also missed writing.  That balance is just so extremely hard to find, isn't it? I really don't think we as women (or humans) can have it all.  I think that often, we are forced to choose.  Even if everything I want to do in any given day is wonderful and worthy, maybe it's just that some of it is for a different season.  So, that's why I say I may be back.

I am back in school.  After a five month break.  Yes, the one month for NaNoWriMo turned somehow into five months.  So, that means I am forced to my computer anyway.  Which may mean that poised, with fingers on keyboard for school, will in turn lead me to write here.  Or it may be that the addition of my school affords me even less time. We shall see.

But today, I'm grateful to be here....even if just for a few moments.


- God answering heart prayers
- feeling fresh and renewed after spring break
- spray paint on garage sale furniture
-old photos
-lemon heads
 - thrift store decorating



- a small church where we as a family can get involved
 - this place and time away
- not having to make up my mind