2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.
5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.
7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
10 Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.
12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.
Enjoying having oldest daughter and son in law here, and their two house dogs. Yesterday, thirteen year old daughter had a doozie of a tantrum. I held her and she yelled and screamed for two hours. Daughter and son in law were a bit concerned but all of the other children just went about their business as usual. Finally, seventeen year old daughter pointed out that the tantrum thrower was also laughing and smiling throughout. I reminded her she needs to tell me with words when she needs hugs, not with actions.
I remember holding one of mine when she was having a tantrum and telling her she was going to get over that if it killed us both. It wasn’t easy with a three year old. I can’t imagine with a 13 year old. That is love, mumsee. in action.
So remember Jane, the woman who was so hostile to God who died about a month ago?
Her estranged sons from Wisconsin are now handling her estate & house sale and wanted to meet with some of Jane’s friends & acquaintances. So there’s a dinner gathering tonight at a Mexican restaurant on the waterfront, I’ll know a couple people there.
I wouldn’t consider myself a friend of hers — and actually hadn’t seen her in a couple years, except for a few rants on FB via a mutual connection — but felt I should go.
I have no idea what to expect, frankly; it will be a small group, she had a knack for alienating folks and I’m not sure she had any really “close” friends.
But the sons seem to need some more understanding of their mom who left them when they were small. I’m sure they’ve seen & heard much already — and I don’t believe it’s right to say negative things about people after their gone — but I’m thinking that because so much of her anger was focused on God (and specifically Christianity and Christians) that there might be some openings.
Anyway, any thoughts? And I need prayer, whatever may happen. It’s obviously something I’ll have to wing, for the most part, but I will be looking for clues or openings that might appear in the conversation. Maybe none will. But I feel I should be there — just in case.
She really seems to have been a very tragic figure — I said once that I’ve never known anyone so filled with anger (or who would fit into the definition of “reprobate” so well 😦 ). But I hold no animosity toward her (I did at one time); only a sadness, I suppose, for what seems to have been a very tortured life, at least from what little I know or have observed in the 10 years since I met her casually at the dog park.
Could be some interesting dinner conversation ahead … Lord, be with us.
Good advice. I plan to not say much, mostly listen — but I do have a couple funny/nice things already prepared in my mind that I can share if/when needed.
Interesting evening — and no opportunities spiritually to speak of. But I’m glad I went. Some of the dinner table conversation struck me as very sad (“She was so courageous, so brave;” and “when a chaplain visited she wouldn’t let him say a word, she was so proud that she was able to chase him away” — laughter). Just sad.
She was, however, apparently loaded. She was an obsessive saver and had millions squirreled away in investments (her broker was there, guess she was one of their top clients — and they have a “minimum” of $1 million before they even take on a client).
One odd thing: I noticed a yellowed newspaper clipping on the table of photos, etc., and thought it looked like it was probably from the newspaper I used to work for in town.
It was — from the early ’80s — and the byline was mine. It was a two-story, full page layout we did on mammograms and Jane (who was an X-ray tech) was featured in one of the photographs administering a mammogram. I didn’t see any quotes from her at all — I quoted only doctors in the story — so I’m guessing the hospital provided that photo for us to use as there was no credit I could see.
They also found her baptism certificate so that was there. Sigh.
Wandering Views 
What a blessing this psalm is! To know that wherever we go, God is with us and will lead us, help us, above all love us!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Enjoying having oldest daughter and son in law here, and their two house dogs. Yesterday, thirteen year old daughter had a doozie of a tantrum. I held her and she yelled and screamed for two hours. Daughter and son in law were a bit concerned but all of the other children just went about their business as usual. Finally, seventeen year old daughter pointed out that the tantrum thrower was also laughing and smiling throughout. I reminded her she needs to tell me with words when she needs hugs, not with actions.
LikeLiked by 5 people
Of course, now I have bruises and aches and pains all over. Took two ibuprofen for breakfast.
LikeLike
I remember holding one of mine when she was having a tantrum and telling her she was going to get over that if it killed us both. It wasn’t easy with a three year old. I can’t imagine with a 13 year old. That is love, mumsee. in action.
LikeLiked by 3 people
The same thing happened to me with a three year old. I thought I’d lose my mind before we were done. 😦
LikeLiked by 1 person
So remember Jane, the woman who was so hostile to God who died about a month ago?
Her estranged sons from Wisconsin are now handling her estate & house sale and wanted to meet with some of Jane’s friends & acquaintances. So there’s a dinner gathering tonight at a Mexican restaurant on the waterfront, I’ll know a couple people there.
I wouldn’t consider myself a friend of hers — and actually hadn’t seen her in a couple years, except for a few rants on FB via a mutual connection — but felt I should go.
I have no idea what to expect, frankly; it will be a small group, she had a knack for alienating folks and I’m not sure she had any really “close” friends.
But the sons seem to need some more understanding of their mom who left them when they were small. I’m sure they’ve seen & heard much already — and I don’t believe it’s right to say negative things about people after their gone — but I’m thinking that because so much of her anger was focused on God (and specifically Christianity and Christians) that there might be some openings.
Anyway, any thoughts? And I need prayer, whatever may happen. It’s obviously something I’ll have to wing, for the most part, but I will be looking for clues or openings that might appear in the conversation. Maybe none will. But I feel I should be there — just in case.
She really seems to have been a very tragic figure — I said once that I’ve never known anyone so filled with anger (or who would fit into the definition of “reprobate” so well 😦 ). But I hold no animosity toward her (I did at one time); only a sadness, I suppose, for what seems to have been a very tortured life, at least from what little I know or have observed in the 10 years since I met her casually at the dog park.
Could be some interesting dinner conversation ahead … Lord, be with us.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Donna, remember about twice as many people wish they hadn’t said something as those who wish they did. If in doubt, hold your tongue.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Good advice. I plan to not say much, mostly listen — but I do have a couple funny/nice things already prepared in my mind that I can share if/when needed.
LikeLike
Chas, I think it works the other way with opportunities to share the gospel–twice as many people wish they had said something as wish they hadn’t.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s good advice, too; and I lean more toward erring in Cheryl’s example.
Praying for discernment and sensitivity — but also boldness if that is needed.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Interesting evening — and no opportunities spiritually to speak of. But I’m glad I went. Some of the dinner table conversation struck me as very sad (“She was so courageous, so brave;” and “when a chaplain visited she wouldn’t let him say a word, she was so proud that she was able to chase him away” — laughter). Just sad.
She was, however, apparently loaded. She was an obsessive saver and had millions squirreled away in investments (her broker was there, guess she was one of their top clients — and they have a “minimum” of $1 million before they even take on a client).
But it all left me feeling rather empty.
LikeLike
One odd thing: I noticed a yellowed newspaper clipping on the table of photos, etc., and thought it looked like it was probably from the newspaper I used to work for in town.
It was — from the early ’80s — and the byline was mine. It was a two-story, full page layout we did on mammograms and Jane (who was an X-ray tech) was featured in one of the photographs administering a mammogram. I didn’t see any quotes from her at all — I quoted only doctors in the story — so I’m guessing the hospital provided that photo for us to use as there was no credit I could see.
They also found her baptism certificate so that was there. Sigh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Prayers for my brother Mike, please. He is currently estranged from my parents and holidays are especially difficult.
Prayers for my sister and her husband: They are 100% funded for one more year, but only 30% funded for the remaining three years.
LikeLiked by 5 people
http://oneinprayer.net/call-to-prayer-for-november-24-2014/
Have a blessed Thanksgiving for any who are having it early!
LikeLike