Faith is

by Sharon O | Sep 9, 2013 | Uncategorized

 
I so often don’t understand life at times.
I trust in a God who walks beside me and I also trust in a God who loves me
deeply and without question.
I trust in His character because the word of God is true and believable.
He has remained faithful as the stories of old tells us over and over.
This I believe:
He allows hard times in our lives to give us opportunity to grow
to press on and to stretch and
to prove to ourselves that we can do it.
He allows life’s consequences to give us the answer no at times
so we can in turn trust him
deeper and with much more intensity.
He allows circumstances to challenge our inner character and strength
so we can have confidence and empowerment in ourselves.
Nothing we do or nothing that happens is by accident.
Yes at times we make bad mistakes because we didn’t think.
He allows that.
Just like a parent will allow a child to fall knowing full well that
we will be there to help them up
if they allow us.
God is just like that.
He is there waiting for us and He is reaching down to help us.
But we do have to ask.
Deliberate means:
carefully weighed or considered. careful or slow in deciding.
slow and unhurried movement.
to think carefully or attentively or consult formally.
Notice how many times it says ‘careful?’.
I often don’t understand all that takes place in our lives
but one thing I do know
God does not make errors.
He is always looking out for our best interest
even when we don’t understand or like the consequences sometimes.
Faith is trusting and having confidence in God
because we know His character.

Find Rest ~ Psalm 62:5

by Sharon O | Sep 7, 2013 | Uncategorized

My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him.
My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him;
for my hope and expectation are from Him.
I must calm down and turn to God; He is my only hope.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.
Patiently wait for God alone, my soul!
For He is the one who gives me confidence.
I find rest in God; only He gives me hope.

Silence
A quiet gentle place.
Stillness and peaceful.
Anticipation of rest and slowing down for my soul.
It doesn’t matter what version I read of this verse 
the same promise is repeated over and over for me.
I have great assurance that I am not alone.
{do not know whose picture this is I found it on pinterest and it spoke to my heart so deeply I wanted to share it. If it belongs to anyone reading this I hope I have permission to use it.}

Remembering some moments

by Sharon O | Sep 7, 2013 | Uncategorized

Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.
I remember how she used to sit at the top of the stairs and meow loudly looking for me.
I would say ‘Smudgie’ and head up stairs and she would run to the computer chair and wait for me.
It is very empty without her presence.
There is something about a purring warm fuzzy body next to me
as I write.
She would nudge me… and want to be petted.
She liked her treats. Just because. I didn’t worry about her weight.
The couch was a favorite place for her to sit and rest.
She loved to be right where we were sitting.
When we moved the couch out she stayed upstairs most of the time.
I missed her way before she was even gone.
My little one said to me “Smudge is in kitty heaven and she will be alright and happy.”
Yes she will be.
I am just remembering those sweet times.
Sixteen years is a long time and I wasn’t really ready to say goodbye but I did know we had no choice.
It was the right thing to do.
It doesn’t make it any easier especially when I am
remembering some moments at the end of the week.

Saying good bye is never easy

by Sharon O | Sep 4, 2013 | Uncategorized

Today I said good bye to my buddy.
She was my computer chair warmer.
I had to sit next to her as she wouldn’t really move if it was time for me to write.
We would share the chair.
She would purr and purr and then put her paw on my leg wanting to be petted.
She would lay her head against my ribs and just sit… with me.
She would be so patient… until it was time for me leave then she could stretch out and take the full warm chair for her sleep.
Her name was Smudge. A tortoise shell calico and her age was 16. 1997-2013
She weighed 10 pounds 6 oz today. A small old lady.
She was very loved and will be deeply missed.
When I couldn’t find her I would look on the computer chair, or the dining room chair or when we had a couch she would be on the corner of the top of the couch.
She was never outside.
Years ago I worked at an aviation company and one of the ladies there had a new batch of kittens.
I told my husband about them and about the picture she showed me.
He sort of ignored me.
I already had a large black kitty who was about age one at the time and two dogs.
He just didn’t think I would bring another one in the home.
SO he said, “you don’t need another cat”.
Really? She came home with me the next day.
She was the size of a tea cup and when he held her in his lap.
He named her Smudge.
She was as I have always said ‘MY perfect child.’
She never did anything wrong. Even in her senior years she would sometimes get sick on the floor but nothing overly terrible.
The vet said she had congestive heart failure and maybe a tumor and there was nothing he could recommend for her other than to let her pass away in peace.
He said no antibiotics would work as she was very sick.
So they gave her a calming shot and she quickly laid down on the table.
I petted her and he gave her the  last ‘sleeping shot’.
It was peaceful. Incredibly hard. I petted her and cried.
I knew I had to say goodbye. Touching her for the last time.
She is peaceful now.
The house is quiet. I am deeply saddened.
It is a deep loss for me.
Good bye miss Smudge may you always know we loved you.