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| Voice of Prayer |
Was sitting today viewing the backyard. Within that view I saw that trimmed birch tree with a swing hung up on a very short branch and seeing the affects of the wind blasting through the area. Have not seen such terrific wind for awhile and for this length of time. Yet here is that boisterous wind again, paying its call as it travels through this gorge.
Was observing the swing our grand-daughter uses while here visiting and it hangs on protruding small branch that will hold it securely while not in use. For it surely that swing can be in the way when my husband makes his way pushing the mower all around the lawn to shorten the grass so it looks more manicured. Yikes, I used the word manicured....wonder what that means!
Seriously, was remembering my days of those quiet swing "times" in the backyard and the trips my mother took my sister and I to the park that was not as quiet a time. It was a captivating drive into that park, Mill Pond Park, and it had this water fall to the right of the roadway just past the swimming pool area.
My mother made her way into the parking area for cars, and we would get out, heading towards that noisy area! If it was laughter you were after, this was far from it! Yeah, all that bickering for five swings was too much and the threats of knocking someone over was just too much. You know the one wanting the swing made the demand by walking closer & closer to high rising swing, and feet were prepared outward to strike or give a quick hit to that someone or at least push them backward. I did not want to observe some person, young or small, being knocked across the gravel into the merry-go-around. What fun would be in that? Yeah, I moved over to the merry-go-round, only to find me pushing it for about ten other kids.
But was remembering those days of swings, baseball bats, hard balls, and the life of those early days. Some called them "the lazy days of summer". I called them much too long for I liked being in school. Still, I liked baseball but not as much as my sister did. But you have probably read up on the writings I have had on her before this writing today. Continuing my thought process, I remember the last days of playing baseball with our daughter and niece.
They were probably about nine years old. I remember we had a picnic somewhere and we had tennis rackets with us as well. The area we were headed had tennis courts and a baseball field for any to use. But I only remember having the bat in hand and I could hit it a good distance. We would play for short time and allow the girls their time at bat. Was a good time, but even then, I thought that those days might be numbered.
Then the girls grew up. They married! And life continued but not with the bat and ball in hand nor of the trumpet or violin. To how much we desire to keep in our lives on this journey we truly must find that which pleases our Father God and within that relationship, love is needed. Oh no not for things, but for other people. Yes our girls respectively grew up and their lives changed dramatically. They serve the Lord. With gladness they speak of God's goodness and love.
Within our lives, we too, see change has come. Our grand-daughter loves the swing, but I sense it will be retired someday. Maybe she will trade her swing for that double one like her grandmother uses in the backyard. It is a swing made for two people.
Oh don't get me wrong here, she surely uses her swing right now for two: with dad and with mom when they are here! Yet one day she will take her place, that position that God planned for her to stand.
People should never retire from life! As productive human beings, being transformed into the image of Christ Jesus we should act and do as He did and still does. Life still gives, it always encourages and moves. In Christ we live and move and have our being.
Our confession has been to have a long life, that we grow up in years and not out of them. We pray and confess to see our grand-daughter married and with children of her own. We pray to be on this journey, my husband and I, together for a long time. It is about doing that for which our steps have been ordered by God to do here and now! It is not about putting off life till someone retires, but that we actively pursue life and knowing others doing life in God who desire us to really live.
We still purchase those bats and balls but not for us, but for others. We still put out that swing we remember from an earlier time, but hold on dearly to the joy and laughter that comes when one sits on that wooden seat and pushes off with one foot and then raising eyes to the sky!
No, we desire not to retire not at this time, at least not from life. We believe our bodies to be whole and strong, not sick or diseased for certainly these things do not exist in heaven. And heaven has come, the kingdom Jesus set up here on earth! There stands two trees, both birch, in the backyard, and they had to be trimmed back due to the severe winter and ice that took many trees down. In noticing the leaf growth on the two trees, one seems well behind the other. It has not put out as many numerous growths as the other birch!
The one with the swing, well it looks vibrant and has new growth sprouting every place it can. That tree has heard the words: beautiful tree, beautiful worship songs to God and heard life spoken over it. The other birch tree, well, it has no swing, it does not look quite as good as the other. It does not have as many new leaves as the other birch has. It has not heard the sounds of that sweet voice singing praise to God, giving thanks for all the good that has come to this house and to our grand-daughter. NO.....the other tree has not heard the beautiful life spoken to it.
As long as we have breath, we should be living, really living and giving our best in strength and courage. For where we give voice to life, and take the youth by the hand, we enjoy laughter, joy and many moments from that swing that allows us to touch heaven and change our earth!
Notice:
New teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Trickery ONLY Leads to Surviving and NOT Thriving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdk_wBfH4QU
New teaching at: Life Giving Wells
To be Immersed in The Holy Spirit
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