by Sharon O | Mar 2, 2018 | Uncategorized
The story and legacy of a man’s life was on the internet today.
The reverend Billy Graham was laid to rest in the Billy Graham gardens.
He was ninety nine when he died, lived a good long life and one that was watched both near and far.
He was a man of integrity and honor and he was someone who most people respected.
The service was amazing and simple. The music was the same, simple and pure.
The legacy He left behind was one of deep faith and rich words sharing the gospel wherever he would go.
Many times I have watched the altar call, as a choir would sing, “Just as I am.”
As hundreds and hundreds of people would walk forward to give their lives to Jesus.
It never got old. Come as you are, HE is waiting for you.
I am sure the stories his family would tell would perhaps be different than what we hear.
We all know every family has ‘moments’ that they could share that are not public.
The wonderful heritage and legacy of parents who loved well, is a rare find.
It would have been a great honor to meet him. Someday in Heaven that is possible.
As I listened to the children now grown talk about “my daddy”, I felt the lump in my throat.
Tender words, spoken about a man who aged into the late senior years.
“Good bye, daddy.” They said, before leaving the podium.
The stories from their hearts shared with emotion and memory.
I watched a very special tribute to a very special man today.
We all have a chance to leave a legacy. Not necessarily like Billy Graham but we do have influence and a circle of those around us who follow our words and actions.
May we do it well, so that at the time of our parting and the time for those to remember us, do so in a kind and loving way… with a memory of legacy and faith.
by Sharon O | Mar 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
Time seems to be passing by so quickly these days.
Yesterday as my husband and I were driving to the beach I realized it is the first of March.
In fact once we got to the beach I had to do some scrambling to pay a bill that was due the first as I had spaced out that February was ending.
Getting old has it’s moments I guess. Seems like we just had Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Spring will be just around the corner and we will enjoy some sunny days of warmth and newness.
I am by nature one who loves the rain and the coolness of our climate but sometimes it is good to have a sunny warm day.
My husband and I go to a Christian camp and he volunteers his time helping out with a much needed list of things to get done.
Normally in his work world he is an engineer designing dental equipment but sometimes when given the opportunity he loves to be on the farm equipment.
He is actually retired but working just a few days a week now for a few months.
I am often sitting in the office or today I am in my trailer and enjoying the warmth of heat, coffee and time alone.
I walk the trails when it’s warmer and enjoy the flowers of the coast and the oceans landscape of flowers and sand.
The Oregon coast range is often cold and rainy and it’s a wonderful majestic time of beauty and force of nature.
It is raining outside and very cloudy not sure if I will get a walk in today the wind is cold and it’s nice to be cozy by the heater.
These pictures were from a different time here at the beach.
Another place I love to visit is what they have named a conversation pit. I imagine people sitting and sharing matters of heart or soul and enjoying the time together around a fire perhaps making smores. This is a special beach for us.
We will always have a fondness of heart for this place.
It’s nothing special yet it is… and it is a place for spiritual growth if one allows themselves to listen to the quiet and peace of the day. I have already told my husband should I pass away before him, I want to be placed here where I will be remembered.
Near the crosses and near the ocean that roars constantly.
There are three crosses overlooking the ocean high upon a hill… reminding me of the song ‘the old rugged cross.’
by Sharon O | Feb 28, 2018 | Uncategorized
One of the first writings in my 2010 book was about our first grand daughter Faith Elizabeth.
Her name is Faith ~ February 2nd, 2010
Our oldest grand daughter was a preemie, arriving early weighing only 2 pounds and 11 ounces and she was 17 inches long.
She was due in July and came in May surprising all of us. She was bright eyed and very tiny.
Our first experience in grand parenting. It was scary and we were filled with prayer and concern.
She had to stay in the neonatal side of the baby unit for a few weeks moving from one side to the other.
After several weeks she was allowed to come home, weighing only 3 pounds 9 ounces.
She was healthy and precious and I knew I had to be a part of this little child’s life.
Our daughter had to go back to work and I quit my job so I could stay home with our little Faith.
She started out sleeping in an old fashioned wicker bassinet basket I found in an antique store.
When she slept in it she looked like a tiny baby doll. As she grew we moved her upstairs to her crib.
I would leave the baby monitor on so I could hear her as I did assorted things downstairs.
She knew it was her room and we had a schedule that worked well for all of us.
As she grew older she would wake up slowly in her room and play quietly.
I had the monitor on so I could hear whether I needed to get her right away or not.
My favorite memories are of her waking up and talking to her menagerie of dolls, bears and blankets.
I would sit downstairs and listen to her wonderful baby noises, we laugh about it now.
She is almost 11 and in 5th grade and she would say to me, “tell me about the time I was talking upstairs” and I would give her the full report of my memory.
When she was waking up I would hear her say, “I am running” and I could hear the squeaking of the crib mattress, or she would say, “Nama I am jumping” and I could her feet scuffed on the mattress pads.
I learned she needed to wake up slowly to be in a better mood.
After awhile the room was quiet and I would hear her say, “Nama come get me, I want out.”
The sad pitiful voice, knowing she could not yet climb out of the crib by herself.
As I think of this scene I often wonder, if God had a monitor on us what would he hear us say?
Would he hear, “daddy I am running, jumping running to you. I need you please come get me”
I wonder does he smile just as I did for my grand daughter when he hears us?
We can open the door to our heart just as I opened the door to her room.
I would see her reach out to me for she knew I was safe, she knew I was her rescuer.
She knew when I would take her out of the room, she was held by the one who loved her.
My challenge today is this: do we allow God to delight in us and ask him to rescue us?
Do we realize sometimes we cannot get out of a situation without his help?
Just as Faith could not get out of her crib, without me.
We need to know we need him in the same way. He rescues and protects and rejoices in us.
Just as I did for my precious little grandbaby.
by Sharon O | Feb 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
There was an advantage of not knowing what I was doing in the beginning.
I wasn’t controlled by rules of writing or how to get readers or even the ‘right way to write’.
I was just lead slowly and surely by the spirit of the Lord and that is how it all began.
Each day I set aside some time for writing. Even if it was just a small amount.
It felt as if I was lead to share and to move forward and it was all new and good.
Often times I would use sermon notes to give me an idea.
Sometimes I would think of everyday activities and how that would become a blog post.
At first I would think of a topic and then google a picture and then add it into my post.
Years later I know now that is not the correct way to do a blog, in fact it’s not a wise thing to do.
If one wants to do pictures within a blog it has to be one that is taken by yourself or borrowed with permission from the original print owner.
The other thing I learned; was how to water mark the pictures using pic monkey.
It is all such a learning curve just like anything we choose to do.
Time and effort create a positive result.
It’s not hard if someone just takes on the challenge, if that is what your heart is calling you to do.
Some people sew as a hobby, or paint or teach exercise classes.
I choose to write and what I write about depends on what is going on within my heart or home.
Again the question tries to create doubt, who would want to read it?
That can’t be a stumbling block or a discouragement.
A well known writer has once said, “we write for one.”
The audience of one, Our God and then adding to that, ourselves.
So just a little more history of why it all began and how it began.
Are you ready for some early reading? Let the sharing begin.
by Sharon O | Feb 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
The reason and the purpose for my writing came clear to me as I was creating the ‘my page’ in my first blog book.
I knew every author does a ‘paragraph’ thanking others who were walking them through it and I had to create my own thankful page.
In doing that I realized the reason why I did this.
– Something to think about -2010- In your quiet moments
To my family and friends.
Something to think about was birthed after much prayer. I thank God who gave me the courage to write this and I thank my husband who was beside me through the process. From my heart I leave a legacy of words for those who I love and care for, through this journey I have learned about love, life, faith and family bonding.
It was a bit rough around the edges but the sentiment was exactly right.
A legacy of words. That is why I write.
So that someday my grandchildren could have something tangible in their hands written by grandma.
Not just an old picture of me that becomes a dim memory, as we all have those.
Words written and read are like small gifts we can unwrap and enjoy.
You learn a lot about someone when you read their words and their ideas about life.
I have some letters and cards given to me from those who I care for and each time I read them I am moved back into time.
That is the gift of memory.
The reason why it is written; is just as important as to who it is written.
Words came easy to me in the beginning because there were so many stored away in compartments.
I saw life in the form of words, or stories to be shared or experiences that could be put in a story.
Is that not like a writer? to ask what can I glean from this?
I never thought of myself as a writer but as time has moved me forward, I have found peace in that title.
From the moment I chose to make this a place for words from my heart, the legacy or something handed down from the past began.
I pray it continues to not only bless those who read it but challenge them too.
That is the reason I sit tapping away each week, spending hours upon hours choosing words.
A legacy of words. Just as nice as an antique porcelain tea cup, only more tangible and treasured.
