Elizabeth Essery's Blog
January 1, 2015
A Moment of Change
I cared for my parents in their old age for many years in our home.
One day my mother came into our side of the house and told me that my father refused to take his heart medicine. My history of reacting to my father was not a good one. Since he was a very “blunt” and “tell it like he saw it” kind of person, tact and gentleness of speech were not his way. So many times I felt exasperated with my father. I’m sad to say that usually my reaction to what he said was harsh disagreement with an attempt to set him straight. I’m sure that was hurtful to him.
I had just memorized Hebrews 12:14-15. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy . . . See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
My habit has been to keep reading a passage of the Bible and meditate on it sometimes for weeks at a time. Every time I have done that, God has used that scripture to change me. This was no exception.
As I walked out our laundry room door and over to my parents’ apartment that day, Hebrews 12:14-15 suddenly came to my mind and heart. I was changed in my reactions to my father, and I knew it.
I sat in the chair next to my dad, took his hand, and said gently, “You know I love you, right?” He nodded. I then reminded him that Todd and Erin’s wedding was a month away. “Dad,” I said, “if you don’t take your medicine, you may not get to go to their wedding, and we all want you there.” He immediately said, “Ruth, go ahead . . . get my medicine. I’ll take it.”
From that moment on I was changed. My father was still blunt and tactless from time to time, but my reactions were forever changed.
It has been my experience that my perspective (often wrong) of a person or situation feels like absolute truth to me. I have also experienced the pain of being misunderstood because of another person’s wrong perception of me.
How grateful I am for God’s forgiveness and His grace extended to me. His plan for me is to extend grace to others. What a simple concept . . . easy to receive grace . . . often hard to give it. God used these verses I memorized to change my heart and my reactions to many people from that time on.
My father lived for over two more years since that experience and I have always treasured that time. We had a closeness that I hadn’t experienced before.
One day my mother came into our side of the house and told me that my father refused to take his heart medicine. My history of reacting to my father was not a good one. Since he was a very “blunt” and “tell it like he saw it” kind of person, tact and gentleness of speech were not his way. So many times I felt exasperated with my father. I’m sad to say that usually my reaction to what he said was harsh disagreement with an attempt to set him straight. I’m sure that was hurtful to him.
I had just memorized Hebrews 12:14-15. “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy . . . See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
My habit has been to keep reading a passage of the Bible and meditate on it sometimes for weeks at a time. Every time I have done that, God has used that scripture to change me. This was no exception.
As I walked out our laundry room door and over to my parents’ apartment that day, Hebrews 12:14-15 suddenly came to my mind and heart. I was changed in my reactions to my father, and I knew it.
I sat in the chair next to my dad, took his hand, and said gently, “You know I love you, right?” He nodded. I then reminded him that Todd and Erin’s wedding was a month away. “Dad,” I said, “if you don’t take your medicine, you may not get to go to their wedding, and we all want you there.” He immediately said, “Ruth, go ahead . . . get my medicine. I’ll take it.”
From that moment on I was changed. My father was still blunt and tactless from time to time, but my reactions were forever changed.
It has been my experience that my perspective (often wrong) of a person or situation feels like absolute truth to me. I have also experienced the pain of being misunderstood because of another person’s wrong perception of me.
How grateful I am for God’s forgiveness and His grace extended to me. His plan for me is to extend grace to others. What a simple concept . . . easy to receive grace . . . often hard to give it. God used these verses I memorized to change my heart and my reactions to many people from that time on.
My father lived for over two more years since that experience and I have always treasured that time. We had a closeness that I hadn’t experienced before.
November 15, 2014
Moments by Elizabeth
Some moments are extra special to me . . . Like the one last May when our tiny newborn grand daughter, Ivy Ruth Essery, was in the arms of her great grandmother, Ruth McGlauflin. I'll never forget the look of love on my mother's face. I had no idea Ruth would be in Heaven just a few weeks later (one month shy of 99 years old!)
One Christmas season several years ago, Ralph and I were in one of our favorite stores. A display of small figurines caught my attention. Soon tears were rolling down my face as I read about each little girl figurine.
One little girl holds a lamb and a book and is looking upward expectantly. To me she represents looking to her Heavenly Father for her purpose in life.
Another one is of a little girl on her knees praying to her Heavenly Father. A small open Bible and a favorite doll are right next to her.
The third one is of a little girl holding and looking at a small branch with leaves on it. Her expression is one of awe as she realizes that God made her too.
The final one is of a little girl cradling a kitten in her arms. Her expression reflects her love for her treasured kitten.
Ralph hugged me and said, “Are these what you would like for Christmas?” I nodded through tears. Purpose, prayer, value and heart- treasure are among the richest gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me.
Every morning as I sit on my couch with my coffee, I look at these small figurines and the photos of my grandchildren on the wall above them. I thank my Heavenly Father for His gifts of purpose, prayer, value and heart- treasure . . . And I thank Him for my family.
I am reminded that life is made up of the moments of today. The words of a song comes to my mind . . .
"We have this moment to hold in our hands . . .
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come . . .
but we have this moment today.”
One Christmas season several years ago, Ralph and I were in one of our favorite stores. A display of small figurines caught my attention. Soon tears were rolling down my face as I read about each little girl figurine.
One little girl holds a lamb and a book and is looking upward expectantly. To me she represents looking to her Heavenly Father for her purpose in life.
Another one is of a little girl on her knees praying to her Heavenly Father. A small open Bible and a favorite doll are right next to her.
The third one is of a little girl holding and looking at a small branch with leaves on it. Her expression is one of awe as she realizes that God made her too.
The final one is of a little girl cradling a kitten in her arms. Her expression reflects her love for her treasured kitten.
Ralph hugged me and said, “Are these what you would like for Christmas?” I nodded through tears. Purpose, prayer, value and heart- treasure are among the richest gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me.
Every morning as I sit on my couch with my coffee, I look at these small figurines and the photos of my grandchildren on the wall above them. I thank my Heavenly Father for His gifts of purpose, prayer, value and heart- treasure . . . And I thank Him for my family.
I am reminded that life is made up of the moments of today. The words of a song comes to my mind . . .
"We have this moment to hold in our hands . . .
And to touch as it slips through our fingers like sand.
Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come . . .
but we have this moment today.”
February 26, 2014
God's Hidden Treasure
I have a tiny bird's nest. Ralph found it near slant rock in the Adirondacks back in 1974. It was our first summer at Northern Frontier. He was a leader on the week long mountain trip. I was back at camp . . . sick. I discovered that week that we were expecting our first child. That bird's nest sits on a shelf in our hall and every time I pass it, I am reminded of that first summer at Northern Frontier nearly 40 years ago!!
Ralph was just beginning his ministry with Christian Service Brigade that year and since we had no background in CSB camps, we were off to Northern Frontier for a crash course!!
I’ll never forget how I felt driving in the camp road in our “Super Beetle” with our cat hanging on to the back of my seat for dear life. The road seemed rather fun to me . . . sort of like an adventure, never knowing what would be around the next curve. At the end of the road I was looking forward to a little cozy cabin in the woods . . . kind of private and romantic-like!! That cabin didn’t exist. In fact, Ralph did something different each week that summer and our living quarters changed weekly.
God had some very specific purposes for having us both at camp that summer. I thought it was a little odd that God would call us to a ministry with men and boys. I felt that Ralph fit the bill just fine . . . but I didn’t. I grew up with three sisters . . . no brothers. I NEVER played with boys. I dated very little . . . I really disliked boys and had no understanding of the “male” world.
One week while Ralph was away from camp on the mountain trip, I paid a visit to the doctor in town and found out that I was pregnant. I began secretly wishing that God would give us all girls, mainly because I had no idea how to raise a boy. The thought of having a son made me very fearful.
While Ralph was getting a crash course in the “brigade” camping experience, God gave me a crash course in “Boys”. I watched little boys. I watched counselors in action with boys . . . having fun . . . catching frogs . . . sitting on a rock with an open Bible. By the end of the summer I was wishing God would give us a boy . . . and He has given us two of those marvelous creatures. God changed me at Northern Frontier . . .
I never dreamed that Ralph would become the director of that camp in 1995 . . . and here we are in 2014 . . . this summer will be our 20th summer in that role.
The story is a God story . . . but far greater than our story are the stories of all the men and boys who have experienced God's work in their lives by the influence of the Godly men who walk and talk and live Jesus before others at Northern Frontier and wherever they are . . .
I am privileged to have experienced such a life and journey beside Ralph walking with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Check out the Northern Frontier link at the top of the page . . .
Ralph was just beginning his ministry with Christian Service Brigade that year and since we had no background in CSB camps, we were off to Northern Frontier for a crash course!!
I’ll never forget how I felt driving in the camp road in our “Super Beetle” with our cat hanging on to the back of my seat for dear life. The road seemed rather fun to me . . . sort of like an adventure, never knowing what would be around the next curve. At the end of the road I was looking forward to a little cozy cabin in the woods . . . kind of private and romantic-like!! That cabin didn’t exist. In fact, Ralph did something different each week that summer and our living quarters changed weekly.
God had some very specific purposes for having us both at camp that summer. I thought it was a little odd that God would call us to a ministry with men and boys. I felt that Ralph fit the bill just fine . . . but I didn’t. I grew up with three sisters . . . no brothers. I NEVER played with boys. I dated very little . . . I really disliked boys and had no understanding of the “male” world.
One week while Ralph was away from camp on the mountain trip, I paid a visit to the doctor in town and found out that I was pregnant. I began secretly wishing that God would give us all girls, mainly because I had no idea how to raise a boy. The thought of having a son made me very fearful.
While Ralph was getting a crash course in the “brigade” camping experience, God gave me a crash course in “Boys”. I watched little boys. I watched counselors in action with boys . . . having fun . . . catching frogs . . . sitting on a rock with an open Bible. By the end of the summer I was wishing God would give us a boy . . . and He has given us two of those marvelous creatures. God changed me at Northern Frontier . . .
I never dreamed that Ralph would become the director of that camp in 1995 . . . and here we are in 2014 . . . this summer will be our 20th summer in that role.
The story is a God story . . . but far greater than our story are the stories of all the men and boys who have experienced God's work in their lives by the influence of the Godly men who walk and talk and live Jesus before others at Northern Frontier and wherever they are . . .
I am privileged to have experienced such a life and journey beside Ralph walking with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Check out the Northern Frontier link at the top of the page . . .
February 5, 2014
Mud Puddles and Dandelions
I came across this the other day . . . Enjoy!
Mud Puddles and Dandelions
Author Unknown
"When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are
going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-conscious and listen. My kids feel the beat; they dance and sing out loud, even if they don't know The words.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. "
Mud Puddles and Dandelions
Author Unknown
"When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are
going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.
When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.
When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-conscious and listen. My kids feel the beat; they dance and sing out loud, even if they don't know The words.
When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.
When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.
I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from?
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. "
January 22, 2014
The Mountain Top
I never knew I had a love of the mountains until Ralph came into my life. Growing up I never hiked except when I was away in New Hampshire at summer camp. I dreaded it because I had such a hard time keeping up. Sometimes my counselor would have to lag behind and stay with me. My face turned beet red from exhaustion.
Ralph tried to convince me that I would like hiking with him. He was so very patient and made me feel successful. We just did day hikes, but he always said, “One day I’d love it if you went with me on a backpacking trip in the mountains for a few days.”
Well, that “day” happened the year I turned 40!! Ralph bought me a backpack for my birthday. To practice carrying it, I loaded it with a bag of flour, a bag of sugar, and cans of food to equal the weight I’d need to carry. Then I walked all over the house, going up and down stairs to get the feel of it. It was heavy.
Our first trip was to Marcy Dam, Avalanche Pass, Colden Lake, and Mt. Algonquin in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. The weather was perfect . . . 70s daytimes, with deep blue sky and white puffy clouds. I thought I’d be afraid at night. I actually slept great, feeling like I was in God’s back yard. Parts of that trip were very difficult . . . especially maneuvering over the boulders through Avalanche Pass with a heavy pack on my back.
Since that year we have done three other trips together . . . each for six days. We have hiked through rain, thunderstorms, mud, difficult trails and beautiful trails . . . We have met wonderful people, experienced many wonderful mountain top views and beautiful sunsets.
On our third trip, we hiked the Range Trail in the Adirondacks in one day. We were in the best shape we had ever been in physically that year because we prepared well for this trip. However, I was not prepared for the steep boulders we needed to climb to get up Saddleback Mountain. Fear paralyzed me. I couldn’t go up or down. I was sure that if my foot slipped . . . I would die.
Ralph hugged me and prayed with me as I cried. He said, “Betty, do exactly as I say, and you will make it up this mountain just fine.” Then one step at a time he directed, “Hand me your pack. Put your foot here. Give me your hand. I’ll pull you up. Just trust me and do as I say.”
I made it to the top . . . one step at a time. On the top, instead of having tears of fear, I had tears of joy. The view was magnificent!!
I see life as a path through the woods. The path is too difficult and overwhelming for me to go alone. I am on that path with Jesus Christ. He is holding my hand and leading me as I go. Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes there are huge boulders to crawl over. Sometimes there are muddy valleys to trudge through. Sometimes there are mountain top experiences. Jesus is holding my hand and leading me as I go. Never once has He ever let go.
Hold His hand today . . .
Elizabeth
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6
Ralph tried to convince me that I would like hiking with him. He was so very patient and made me feel successful. We just did day hikes, but he always said, “One day I’d love it if you went with me on a backpacking trip in the mountains for a few days.”
Well, that “day” happened the year I turned 40!! Ralph bought me a backpack for my birthday. To practice carrying it, I loaded it with a bag of flour, a bag of sugar, and cans of food to equal the weight I’d need to carry. Then I walked all over the house, going up and down stairs to get the feel of it. It was heavy.
Our first trip was to Marcy Dam, Avalanche Pass, Colden Lake, and Mt. Algonquin in the Adirondack Mountains of NY. The weather was perfect . . . 70s daytimes, with deep blue sky and white puffy clouds. I thought I’d be afraid at night. I actually slept great, feeling like I was in God’s back yard. Parts of that trip were very difficult . . . especially maneuvering over the boulders through Avalanche Pass with a heavy pack on my back.
Since that year we have done three other trips together . . . each for six days. We have hiked through rain, thunderstorms, mud, difficult trails and beautiful trails . . . We have met wonderful people, experienced many wonderful mountain top views and beautiful sunsets.
On our third trip, we hiked the Range Trail in the Adirondacks in one day. We were in the best shape we had ever been in physically that year because we prepared well for this trip. However, I was not prepared for the steep boulders we needed to climb to get up Saddleback Mountain. Fear paralyzed me. I couldn’t go up or down. I was sure that if my foot slipped . . . I would die.
Ralph hugged me and prayed with me as I cried. He said, “Betty, do exactly as I say, and you will make it up this mountain just fine.” Then one step at a time he directed, “Hand me your pack. Put your foot here. Give me your hand. I’ll pull you up. Just trust me and do as I say.”
I made it to the top . . . one step at a time. On the top, instead of having tears of fear, I had tears of joy. The view was magnificent!!
I see life as a path through the woods. The path is too difficult and overwhelming for me to go alone. I am on that path with Jesus Christ. He is holding my hand and leading me as I go. Life isn’t always easy. Sometimes there are huge boulders to crawl over. Sometimes there are muddy valleys to trudge through. Sometimes there are mountain top experiences. Jesus is holding my hand and leading me as I go. Never once has He ever let go.
Hold His hand today . . .
Elizabeth
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6
December 29, 2013
December 29th, 2013
One shoe on . . . One shoe off I wondered where my doll’s shoe went? I went to bed and in the morning her shoe was on again. I wondered about it . . . but then forgot . . . until Christmas morning.
My sister, Claire, had made a beautiful pair of red felt slippers for my two-year old sized doll . . . complete with shiny sequins! I found out she had “borrowed” a doll shoe one evening as a pattern to make the much loved slippers.
I was probably about 8 years old, which means that Claire was 20 years old. She was always so very special and kind to me.
When I had bad dreams as a child, it was Claire who comforted me in the night. When I cut my hair all wrong in the 8th grade, it was Claire that helped to make it right. When she came home from work I remember following her all over the house. It was Claire who gave me a huge decorated Easter egg one year . . . in a pretty box with a window of cellophane. How I loved looking at it . . . and of course eating it.
As adults, Claire and I talked about everything. When she stayed in our home while we were at camp during the summer, she left small gifts for Matthew, Kristen, and Todd right next to their beds.
When she was dying of brain cancer she made me laugh when we went out to pizza together. I had fun helping her pick out wigs and trying to style them.
The last time I saw her was in the Northern Dutchess Hospital after she had a hip replacement. As she was leaving in an ambulance transport she asked me how she looked . . . I choked back tears and said, “Beautiful!” She was . . . in every way.
On her casket at her memorial service were these words framed . . . “I am not here. I am with Jesus.”
That was nearly 15 years ago. How I miss her!
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Everlasting Life . . . I will see her again!
My sister, Claire, had made a beautiful pair of red felt slippers for my two-year old sized doll . . . complete with shiny sequins! I found out she had “borrowed” a doll shoe one evening as a pattern to make the much loved slippers.
I was probably about 8 years old, which means that Claire was 20 years old. She was always so very special and kind to me.
When I had bad dreams as a child, it was Claire who comforted me in the night. When I cut my hair all wrong in the 8th grade, it was Claire that helped to make it right. When she came home from work I remember following her all over the house. It was Claire who gave me a huge decorated Easter egg one year . . . in a pretty box with a window of cellophane. How I loved looking at it . . . and of course eating it.
As adults, Claire and I talked about everything. When she stayed in our home while we were at camp during the summer, she left small gifts for Matthew, Kristen, and Todd right next to their beds.
When she was dying of brain cancer she made me laugh when we went out to pizza together. I had fun helping her pick out wigs and trying to style them.
The last time I saw her was in the Northern Dutchess Hospital after she had a hip replacement. As she was leaving in an ambulance transport she asked me how she looked . . . I choked back tears and said, “Beautiful!” She was . . . in every way.
On her casket at her memorial service were these words framed . . . “I am not here. I am with Jesus.”
That was nearly 15 years ago. How I miss her!
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me Everlasting Life . . . I will see her again!
December 3, 2013
A Flower . . . A Candle . . . And A Note
Usually mornings are quiet. It is my habit to make my morning coffee in the evening. Most mornings Ralph is up a bit before me, so he plugs in my coffee pot. I wake to the fresh aroma of coffee and make my way to the kitchen to pour a cup.
Occasionally I have been surprised with a candle glowing . . . a pretty flower . . . a spoon in my cup . . . and a love note left by my wonderful husband. When that happens I cry because he makes me feel so very special.
One time he really outdid himself. I opened the refrigerator to find a note on the cream. A note was on the bathroom mirror. A note was in my shower stall. A note showed up in the microwave oven. A note was in with my make up . . . and there were more. There even was message on my computer when I turned it on. Finding love notes became like a treasure hunt. That morning I kept laughing as I found each “love note”.
God’s love notes are all around us waiting for us to discover them because He loves us. His greatest love note is God’s Word filled with treasure for us to discover. I believe God feels joy when we look up and say through tears ”Thank you. I love You too”!
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “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.”
Occasionally I have been surprised with a candle glowing . . . a pretty flower . . . a spoon in my cup . . . and a love note left by my wonderful husband. When that happens I cry because he makes me feel so very special.
One time he really outdid himself. I opened the refrigerator to find a note on the cream. A note was on the bathroom mirror. A note was in my shower stall. A note showed up in the microwave oven. A note was in with my make up . . . and there were more. There even was message on my computer when I turned it on. Finding love notes became like a treasure hunt. That morning I kept laughing as I found each “love note”.
God’s love notes are all around us waiting for us to discover them because He loves us. His greatest love note is God’s Word filled with treasure for us to discover. I believe God feels joy when we look up and say through tears ”Thank you. I love You too”!
Zephaniah 3:17 (NIV), “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.”
November 24, 2013
The Beaver and the Stick
Along the three mile dirt road into Northern Frontier Camp is a swamp. Ralph and I are always watching for wildlife. We hope for a moose sighting each time we pass that area, but so far none.
I will always remember the beaver we saw one day in that spot. Ralph stopped the van and opened the windows. We could hear the beaver chomping on the bark of a small stick. He had a captive audience that day as he chewed. Soon the stick was bare of all bark and our friend swam away after giving us a friendly slap of his tail on the water.
What a moment! For me it was a sacred moment.
There have been other moments that I imagine God setting up just for me . . . like the time I was up at 5:30 a.m. unable to sleep and in the middle of my front yard was a huge buck nibbling from our oak tree. I was able to creep outside onto our front steps and watch him through grateful tears. (I think my angel awakened me just to see the show he knew I’d appreciate). We see lots of deer at our current house, but this deer was in the middle of a neighborhood . . . a rare thing.
A bear crossed the camp road in front of our car on our first day off last summer . . . another magic moment.
A bald eagle landed and took off right in front of us on our walk one day . . . perfect timing!
I could go on and on, but God’s magic moments are all around us. Keep looking and there will be one for you.
Back to the beaver . . . Ralph was able to retrieve the stick the beaver chewed and gift it to me. I keep it in our family room as a reminder to keep looking for God’s magic moments.
Elizabeth
I will always remember the beaver we saw one day in that spot. Ralph stopped the van and opened the windows. We could hear the beaver chomping on the bark of a small stick. He had a captive audience that day as he chewed. Soon the stick was bare of all bark and our friend swam away after giving us a friendly slap of his tail on the water.
What a moment! For me it was a sacred moment.
There have been other moments that I imagine God setting up just for me . . . like the time I was up at 5:30 a.m. unable to sleep and in the middle of my front yard was a huge buck nibbling from our oak tree. I was able to creep outside onto our front steps and watch him through grateful tears. (I think my angel awakened me just to see the show he knew I’d appreciate). We see lots of deer at our current house, but this deer was in the middle of a neighborhood . . . a rare thing.
A bear crossed the camp road in front of our car on our first day off last summer . . . another magic moment.
A bald eagle landed and took off right in front of us on our walk one day . . . perfect timing!
I could go on and on, but God’s magic moments are all around us. Keep looking and there will be one for you.
Back to the beaver . . . Ralph was able to retrieve the stick the beaver chewed and gift it to me. I keep it in our family room as a reminder to keep looking for God’s magic moments.
Elizabeth
November 18, 2013
The Prayer and the Tiny Sparkle
I felt my left ring finger. My engagement ring felt sharp. The diamond was gone! That began the stress.
Our family had moved from Long Island to Rhinebeck, New York, just a couple of weeks before. We were in the car on the way back to Long Island to a music festival that Matt and Kris were participating in when I discovered it. I was devastated.
How do you look for a diamond? I was consumed with trying to find it . . . feeling under every cushion . . . feeling the rug wherever I thought I could have bumped my ring finger . . . afraid to vacuum. For two weeks my life was about my missing diamond.
I was in our screened in porch with the vacuum cleaner when God spoke quietly to my heart. The vacuum bag was full and I had just gone through all the dirt in search of my diamond. I took a breath and said from my heart, “OK, God . . . I sure would like to find it, but I am thankful that the only thing that has changed is that my diamond is missing. I am still married to the greatest guy on the planet. All the memories that stone represents to me are still in tact”.
. . . and at that moment I felt peace return.
Why I walked up to my bedroom just then I do not know. The sun was filtering in the back window and shining on the rug. The moment I walked into the room I saw a tiny sparkle . . . and there it was . . . my diamond! I picked it up and with tears streaming down my face raced up to Ralph’s office . . .
I know that my Heavenly Father cares about the little things.
Our family had moved from Long Island to Rhinebeck, New York, just a couple of weeks before. We were in the car on the way back to Long Island to a music festival that Matt and Kris were participating in when I discovered it. I was devastated.
How do you look for a diamond? I was consumed with trying to find it . . . feeling under every cushion . . . feeling the rug wherever I thought I could have bumped my ring finger . . . afraid to vacuum. For two weeks my life was about my missing diamond.
I was in our screened in porch with the vacuum cleaner when God spoke quietly to my heart. The vacuum bag was full and I had just gone through all the dirt in search of my diamond. I took a breath and said from my heart, “OK, God . . . I sure would like to find it, but I am thankful that the only thing that has changed is that my diamond is missing. I am still married to the greatest guy on the planet. All the memories that stone represents to me are still in tact”.
. . . and at that moment I felt peace return.
Why I walked up to my bedroom just then I do not know. The sun was filtering in the back window and shining on the rug. The moment I walked into the room I saw a tiny sparkle . . . and there it was . . . my diamond! I picked it up and with tears streaming down my face raced up to Ralph’s office . . .
I know that my Heavenly Father cares about the little things.
November 11, 2013
His Child
What is in a name? My name is Elizabeth on my birth certificate, but my parents agreed to call me “Betty” because of a disagreement over the name “Elizabeth”. Recently I chose to be called by my official name. Somehow it makes a difference to me.
The name of God I use the most is “My Heavenly Father”. I am His beloved child . . . loved unconditionally. I was just a child . . . not quite five years old . . . when I knew I was His child. I remember standing in our dining room near the hall and my father saying, “Betty . . . just because you repeated a prayer your sister said doesn’t mean you are going to Heaven!” I responded immediately with as much feeling as a five year old can have. “Daddy, I know I’m going to Heaven just like I know my name is Elizabeth Jean McGlauflin!!!!” That “Moment” is one of my earliest memories.
I didn’t and don’t need to do anything for Him to love me. God just does . . . because God is Love. Even though I know Jesus loves me, I also know that I continue to have many needs. When that happens it helps me to remember another name of God. It is “I AM”.
God told Moses to tell the Israelites ” I AM has sent me to you.” “This is my name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Ex. 3:13-15)
When I need patience, God says to me, “I am Patience.” When I need love, God says to me, ”I am Love.” When I need understanding, God says to me, “I am Understanding”. He is everything I need and He longs to meet my needs to accomplish His purposes His way.
No matter how old I get, I will always be His child who needs Him desperately each day . . . and the great “I AM “ meets me where I am every day.
Elizabeth
The name of God I use the most is “My Heavenly Father”. I am His beloved child . . . loved unconditionally. I was just a child . . . not quite five years old . . . when I knew I was His child. I remember standing in our dining room near the hall and my father saying, “Betty . . . just because you repeated a prayer your sister said doesn’t mean you are going to Heaven!” I responded immediately with as much feeling as a five year old can have. “Daddy, I know I’m going to Heaven just like I know my name is Elizabeth Jean McGlauflin!!!!” That “Moment” is one of my earliest memories.
I didn’t and don’t need to do anything for Him to love me. God just does . . . because God is Love. Even though I know Jesus loves me, I also know that I continue to have many needs. When that happens it helps me to remember another name of God. It is “I AM”.
God told Moses to tell the Israelites ” I AM has sent me to you.” “This is my name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.” (Ex. 3:13-15)
When I need patience, God says to me, “I am Patience.” When I need love, God says to me, ”I am Love.” When I need understanding, God says to me, “I am Understanding”. He is everything I need and He longs to meet my needs to accomplish His purposes His way.
No matter how old I get, I will always be His child who needs Him desperately each day . . . and the great “I AM “ meets me where I am every day.
Elizabeth
