Looking Up

Lately I have become absolutely fascinated with clouds. Not like when I was little, trying to find animal shapes in every one I saw, but in the simple beauty of each one. Like snowflakes each one is unique. I first began really paying attention when I was leaving church one evening & the clouds over the steeple were breath-taking. 

So began my real love for God's day 2 creation, "And God called the firmament Heaven." Genesis 1:8a. I began taking pictures of anything interesting I saw in the sky. Sometimes I look at the sky and I can almost hear the trumpet call. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." I Thessalonians 4:16, 17.

Not all clouds are fair & peaceful. Some are dark and angry. My mind's eye goes to God's judgment, for I Thessalonians 4:16, 17 speaks of the redeemed of the Lord. What of those who are not caught up with Him in the air at the trumpet's call? Do not be deceived into the mindset that a God of love would never bring His wrath on those He created. He is the God of love, but also the God of righteous judgment. "And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings;" Revelation 16:17, 18a

                                                                                                          

But I am secure in the promise of Jesus, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:2,3

   

So I will keep looking up, anticipating. I think I am beginning to long for home.

                                              WHEN A CLOUD VANISHES IT IS GONE

                                                      MUCH LIKE THE LIFE OF MAN

                                         THE CLOUD MOVED BY THE BREATH OF GOD

                                                 LIFE GUIDED BY HIS UNSEEN HAND

                                                                                                   Shirley S. Jerome

                                                                                                   Copyright 2011

In The Trash Bag

Didn't realize it had been so long since I posted on my blog. Just haven't been in the blogging mode, I guess. Now that I'm here?????

Took a week off from work to do some much needed craft clean out, throw out, pass on to others. Was quite proud of myself that I was really able to let go of so much, but still more to do.

Funny what you learn about people by what they save. What do you hang onto? I hear people say they never keep anything they don't use all the time. I can't imagine that. I'm one of those mothers/grandmothers that still has the kindergarten announcements for each child & grandchild. I know one day they, too, will go in the trash bag. But not now. Not yet. It makes me smile to read the little stories and poems, even though the thoughts were all jumbled together. I touch the locks of hair from each of my children & see their little faces before the locks were cut. I run my hand across the leather cover of my daddy's Bible and remember when we gave it to him. I read the handwritten poems in my mother's notebook and long to talk to her. I hold my granddaddy's wire rim glasses & picture his children gathered around him while he reads the Bible. These little things have made me who I am. They will be handed down to those I leave behind. Then it will be up to them to decide which memories go in the trash bag. I can imagine the roll of the eyes & the "Gee, thanks Mom."  I think God will let me look down on that, and with a little chuckle I'll say. "Oh, you're sooo welcome."