Month: July 2015

Just For Fun!

Treasured Moments

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River Forest Stream in Summer Have you ever meandered along a meadow brook like the one pictured here? The trees would clasp their branches over your head, sheltering you from the noon day sun. You could rest beside the slow-moving water, your back against the trunk of an arching tree. Maybe take off your shoes and dip a toe in the cool water before ‘going all the way’ and standing barefoot, the clear water rippling against your ankles. You could lean your head back and close your eyes, listening to the gentle gurgle of the stream, the birds singing in the shade of the trees. A breeze would whisper through the green corridor and you could sigh with contentment and peace.

Mountain StreamOr maybe you’ve hiked along a mountain trail, climbing over the occasional rocks until the rush of water grew louder in the trees. You pressed on, following the sound until you brushed past the edge of the woods and stood at the brink of all that roaring water tumbling over the smooth rocks. You could breathe deeply of the wet earth and pine trees in the spring sunshine. All that water would beckon you to cool your tired feet. A boulder beside the stream would be your chair as you slid your toes into the frigid, sharp depths. Tiny stabs against your skin as you adjusted to the spring flow.

What about the night air, crickets chirping to one another? Fireflies flicker in the dark trees, tiny lanterns spaced in the meadow. The silvery light of the moon stretches across the navy surface of the water, pulling your gaze to the heavens above. What sweet peace fills your soul as you revel in all that has been created. These are the treasured moments. The ones that come far and too few between. Remember to enjoy them this summer, either alone or with those that are special to you. I know I will be looking for some!Mountain Stream at night

Marriage

The wife I want to be when I grow up…

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CinderellaIt may start out with Cinderella. A little girl wants to wear the frilly, flowing gown and the sparkly, glass slippers. And, “Oh yeah, I need a Prince to go with that pretty dress!” The husband of her dreams is actually an accessory.

Summer SceneI moved on to the cottage perched daintily in a grassy meadow, pink flowers sprinkled here and there, a rose covered white picket fence guarding the little house. I would have lots and lots of children skipping through the meadow, laughing and playing together in utter enjoyment of one another’s company. I don’t know where they all slept in that tiny house, but dreams don’t make sense a lot of the time. A husband and father…he was around…somewhere.

As I grew older, I thought more about the kind of husband I actually wanted to be married to. Of course he would have to be handsome and love me immensely. Yes, I would love him and I still wanted the little cottage and a couple of children. They would still frolic in the meadow, loving one another and never arguing. I don’t know why I thought this, I grew up the oldest of four. But again, dreams seldom make sense.

Thankfully, by the time I was old enough to marry I was thinking more about the attributes of a husband. I wanted him to be patient and kind, hard-working and willing to support a family. (Remember, I was down to two children by this time, not a tough job.) I wanted him to love the Lord as I did and live his life for Him. Of course I still hoped he would be handsome and funny and love me forever. I still wanted the rose covered picket fence and adorable house.

And what kind of wife was I going to be? I knew I could cook and clean and again, I was the oldest of four and had babysat…A LOT before I married. I could do all the everyday tasks of general survival and I was and am still pretty good at them. But what kind of wife am I?

Do I lift my husband up in prayer each day? Do I support him in his endeavors as he always has mine? Do I give him a smile even when I don’t wish to, a stroke of his back when I know he’s down? Do I prepare a special meal for him just because he means so much to me and I want to show him I care…even when my day has been lousy? Do I love him and stick with him even when there are times when I want to run from all the responsibilities of being a wife and mother?

Honestly…I can answer ‘no’ to each question above.

The wife I want to be when I grow up…is no longer a dream. I can make it my reality, my life. Not through my own strength, but God is there, showing me the way. The wife I want to be is loving and kind. Giving that pat and smile even when I don’t ‘feel’ like it. Being by my husband’s side even when I want to run. There is no honor or beauty in ‘having our own way’ or expressing our ‘rights’.

I am fortunate and blessed. My husband shows me daily how to be loving and kind. He always has been there for me, even when I haven’t deserved it or earned it. No, it’s not a special day for us…not an anniversary of any kind. But it is another day we have to be together and share our lives. God has blessed us abundantly over the past 30 years. And He is still working on me to become the wife I want to be when I grow up.

I pray the same for you.

Just For Fun!

Can you smell the flowers?

deborahanndykeman

Can you smell the flowers?For some reason I’ve been in a beach mood the past few weeks. I don’t know why. I’ve always loved water. The sound of a mountain river, flowing over smooth rocks or a meadow brook, gurgling gently in the heat of a summer day. Tall grasses growing to the water, tiny fish gathered along the edges. Lakes, pristine and clear, reflections of autumn on the surface. But the ocean really pulls me in. (Not literally of course, that would be dangerous!) I could stand on a beach, watching the waves roll in and pull the sand out for hours. Closing my eyes and hearing the rush of the waves puts me in a peaceful state of mind.

Water calms my soul. The picture I posted here really speaks to me on so many levels. I’ve also used it for my Facebook cover picture. The picture is maybe a little idealistic, more a painting really, but it makes me want to walk right into that scene. Smell the flowers blooming in the evening air, making it pungent with perfume. The little ‘ribbons’ of water would lead me to the ocean’s edge and I could stand there until dawn.

So yes, I’ve been in an ocean state of mind lately. Living in Kansas is about the furthest away I can be. Thank goodness for our local lake!

So look at the picture, really ‘step’ into it. What does it make you think of, hear and smell? Just a little bit of peace in a hectic day. I pray your day is wonderful!

A Day to Remember

Let Us Not Forget…

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So many wars, so many lives given, so many families with absent members. Let us not forget our freedom fought for at great expense. Pray for our soldiers, their families…the ones on the front lines still fighting for America and what it stands for. Remember our country, the leaders past and present that have made our nation great. Remember what our foundation is, what we stand for and most of all…remember that God IS in control. Have a happy, safe Independence Day!

Our Christian Walk

Oh America…where have you gone?

deborahanndykeman

AmericaI am battle sore and battle weary and it has only just begun. I know there have been many soldiers over the hundreds of years since battles began that know the feeling and emotions better than I. With Independence Day just around the corner, the timing seems just about perfect.

There has been so much on social media about the Supreme Court decision. Your mind goes into overdrive trying to sort through it all. Each of us has our own ‘take’ on it. Some are aggressively sharing their opinions, others take it all in and quietly pray about it. But we ALL have a mind-set concerning it. Even me.

For some of us, the decision hits close to home and family, for others it may not really change anything in their lives…they believe. But this will affect us all in one way or another, like nothing else has.

America was like no other nation. It was founded on Biblical truths…even our currency reflected that. Our presidents and leaders spoke of God and His leading and blessing for our country. Our schools started the day with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. People came from other countries, my paternal family included, not so long ago. They came to be a part of this great nation where you could work hard and generally for the amount of effort put into your life, you could reap the benefits. You could own land, start your own business, have a family and raise your children in the way that you as a parent deemed best. You could worship God the Father, praise Him and thank Him for the blessings given to each and every person no matter your color, your background or material status. You were proud to be an American, you learned the English language, you fought for America…you wanted to be a part of this great nation.

But somewhere along the line…our ‘rights’ have squelched our freedom. No longer can anyone speak of God the Father without facing retribution. You are called names, made fun of. You may not pray to God in school or recite the pledge. You are not paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work. Who would want to when your hard work is not recognized? When all are paid the same whether you work or sit? If you are able to purchase land or a business, you are taxed out of it. If you marry and have children, the government is now telling you/threatening you as to how THEY deem it best to raise them. Oh America…where have you gone?!

I am battle sore and weary. I don’t want to fight and constantly defend. I want the God-given freedom this nation was reared on. But sadly, it is gone. God’s word is no longer foundational to the workings of America. The media and celebrities are in charge. It’s all about who you are, your material status and your level of liberalism. We are now a weak nation…ripe for the picking of socialism and being led to the slaughter.

Yes, this greatly saddens me. I fear for my children and grand-children, pray they are stronger than I for the adversity to come. America has been granted her wish. Woe to us! ISIS and other groups have seen this as well and they are reacting. I pray daily for those that have suffered already for America’s decision.

My hope is not here. It is in heaven. The sadness and adversity on this earth are only for a season. I am so thankful that I can still worship God, hide His word in my heart and pray to Him. No government or individual can take that away.