Weathering the Storm

As I write this Monday night almost midnight  it is down to 1°F and falling.  I love a cold winter... less fleas and ticks in summer, better more fertile soil too. 

 Hello from snowy, frigid coastal New Jersey.  I live down in south Jersey right on the coast and you can see how close we are to Washington DC , Delaware and Baltimore. (for those who asked about how we could drive back and forth to the inauguration in one day).

 My son and family had tickets to the inauguration but when they moved it indoors he was emailed from our congressman that the beautiful engraved invitations were now just souvenirs!  Just as well, it is so very cold it would not have been nice at all to sit outside.

There are three times in my life I had tears running down my face in public... The first was sailing into the Harbor and seeing Lady Liberty.. thinking of my grandparents arrival. The awe and emotion I felt was overwhelming.

The second was as a 7th grader on a class day tri to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania seeing the tiny cabins where Patriots nearly froze to death in that hard winter to secure our freedom and liberty.  I was over come with emotion at the bravery, the patriotism the dedication to freedom and a newly born nation.

The third was at Gettysburg.. the feeling was beyond what I can explain. Knowing that the year after the war,  fields yielded a huge harvest.. a harvest no one ever ate because it was abundant due to the massive amounts of blood shed by Patriots to hold onto our liberty. So the harvest was plowed back under.

And today.. knowing that maybe.. just maybe.. we can hold onto this sovereign nation again.  If we do it will not be because of any man, any president.  It will be because of  the repentance, prayers and faith of Americans themselves who worship our true one and only king.  As it says in the last line of My Country Tis of Thee...

 Long may our land be bright, With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King.

 

This week's Tuesday 4.. Weathering the Storm

Weathering the Storm

 Hello .. This is Toni's Tuesday  4 where we strive to get you thinking and blogging and connecting with others.

 The saying used to be on my blog as a description: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."

This was important to me when my spine went south on me.  I was born disabled  and became a dancer.  Now I am disabled again. Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be.   But we keep on going. and turn the lemons to lemonade...or we should I think.

Let's talk about it because we have all been there, done that.

1. What/who is your rock through the storms of life?

What beliefs do you have to stand on?

The belief that God IS. He isn't a being or a creation, he IS. That covers it all

God is my rock, my salvation, my hope; my soul in silence waits for my God alone;
He is my fort, I shall not be removed; He is my refuge, my high tower of strength.
Rescue shall come from my God alone; And I shall never be greatly removed.

Still, O my soul, wait in silence for God; my hope and refuge is in my God alone;
He is my rock, my salvation and strength; With God alone shall my deliverance be.
How long will men take pleasure in sin? They plot and threaten the life of the king.

Vain men are they, delighting in craft; their lips they bless with, but they curse inwardly;
Low men or high, both are less than a breath; Trust and rely not on extortion and gain.
Kindness and power belong to our God; He shall reward every man for his works. Psalm  62

2.  Do you take precautions for bad storms? What precautions do you take?  

Precautions include bringing in or securing summer furniture in Nor'easter or hurricane times.   Having ice melt for the walkways in winter.

3. The Sheep are caroling in the snow... do you sing during the tough times?     What things, what activities pull you through?  

Yes, singing songs that give hope and themes of victory are a good help. Plenty of sleep and good food help keep spirits high too.

4. Whatever we do, we should be there for others in the difficult times.

What advice can you give to those who are going through a difficult time now?

Pray, sing,  always be a light for the world.