Dare to love LOUD!

The love of God has been poured out in our hearts
by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:5

      What if this next year...2012, the entire Christian community decided they were no longer going to love quietly and in the privacy of their own homes and churches. What if instead, their love got loud...very LOUD? So loud in fact, that the entire world could hear it. What if it made the world turn its head to look...to see what all the comotion was about? What if in every small town, every big city, office, school, orphanage, prison, and home, God stretched out His hand of love through us and loudly touched the people there? What would a love like that sound like? What would it look like? And what would it accomplish in this world? Would you like to find out?

      Join me this new year to share God's love - LOUDLY. "How do we do it?" you ask. Well, in as many different ways as God's unique children can come up with. Our Father is very creative, and He will give us ideas and opportunities. We can start where we are - in our homes, our work places, our schools; and take it everywhere we go. Yes, that means you and I will have to take chances, venture out of our comfort zones and be brave. I know God will use our efforts if we step out and trust Him with the outcome.

      It would be a blessing to me and very encouraging to hear your ideas and what kinds of things you come up with to share God's love. I think others would like to hear also. Let's make 2012 a year to remember, a year filled with the love of God poured out on a lost world.


Link your blog here to give ideas or tell how you shared God's love this week.

The Manger Heist

by Charlotte Foster

 

It’s Christmas time. What does that mean?

Time to party, dance and sing?

When hollow gifts are wrapped up tight,

And manger scenes kept out of sight.

As atheist now run the day,

And try to change the words we say.

“Merry Christmas” blotted out,

While “Happy Holidays” they shout.

All signs of Christ are tucked away,

As Santa Claus comes out to play.

And malls begin to overflow,

Church attendance starts to slow.

People look for other things,

Replacing joy that Jesus brings.

Complaining every time they see,

Reminders of His infancy.

They want the party not the child,

His special day they have defiled.

Exchanged the gift – perfect and holy,

For worldly gifts of pagan folly.

Any other god can reign,

But from the Christ we must refrain.

And here’s the reason, simple yet true,

From the very first Christmas, it’s nothing new.

There’s one who is called the father of lies,

And though defeated, he still tries.

To turn our eyes away from Christ,

And so began the manger heist.

To keep our lips from saying His name,

He tries to steal the Savior’s fame.

Close our ears from hearing His voice,

Telling us He’s not the only choice.

Jesus said - I Am the only way,

But people don’t like to hear that today.

They want to choose the path they take,

Even when it ends in a fiery lake.

The world still wants to party and sing,

But never bow to a holy King.

So shop they will and hang their lights,

And toast to the season ‘most every night.

Removing Christ from mangers and art,

But cannot remove Him from a follower’s heart.

“Happy Holidays” will never bring,

The joy in which the angels still sing.

I’ll join their chorus without fear,

And wish you “Merry Christmas!”

loud and clear.

The Christmas Letter

Reposted from Christmas past...

Just a letter once a year, folded in a card.

What's the big deal? That shouldn't be too hard.

Just put my pen to paper, and write a word or two,

Telling of the happenings, the old and the new.

Why does it feel like therapy, as I sit and reminisce?

Over opportunities, those taken and those missed.

The trials and the blessings, enough to fill a year.

Ones that made us laugh, and those that brought us fear.

Of lives that changed forever, and those that wouldn't budge.

Teaching us this lesson - it's not for us to judge.

God is working everywhere, in every single day.

We don't know the how or why, and we don't pick His way.

I'd choose the path with flowers, the one that's smooth and clean,

But God allows some potholes, to let His grace be seen.

Life is like a story, a stack of letters sent.

Revealing where we're headed, and where we just went.

Another year folded up, and placed within a card.

With creases made by choices, some easy and some hard.

All together they add up, to life that's full and blessed.

Every year through pen and ink, I put this to the test.

But every time I start to write, I'm overwhelmed with praise.

For all God's done within a year - three hundred and sixty five days.

Those things I saw as problems, He used within His plans.

Teaching me this simple truth - It's all within His hands.

I hope this letter finds you, believing even more.

And knowing Him more fully, than all the years before.

And know that in my story, you hold a special part,

Not just in Christmas letters, but deep within my heart

©2009 Charlotte Foster

WAIT

There’s beauty in this season

While shedding of the old,

Leaves drift down upon the earth

In yellow, red, and gold.

They knit a leafy blanket

To warm the ground below,

Dressed in autumn’s sweater

Before the falling snow. 

The animals now scurry

To find a place to rest,

Snuggled in the hollows

Against the earth’s warm breast.

We who watch in silence

Can learn a thing or two,

As God tucks in creation

To rest till winters through.

There are times He says to wait

And He’ll renew our strength.

Sometimes it’s for a season

He knows the perfect length.

But when the time is over,

Just like the budding trees.

We’ll mount with wings like eagles

And dance upon the breeze.

We’ll run and not grow weary,

Our strength renewed by God.

And once again we’ll briskly walk

Upon the fresh new sod.

“But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:31 NKJ

Thank You!

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and comes down from the Father of lights,

with whom there is no variation

or shadow of turning.

James 1:17 NKJ

The month of November always reminds me to count my blessings. With Thanksgiving just around the corner my thoughts are drawn to the many reasons to be thankful for a life filled with goodness. From the moment my eyes open in the morning, until they close again at night, everywhere I look I see an abundance of grace poured out from the hand of a loving and gracious Heavenly Father.

Every single day He has touched with His abundant mercy. Yes, even the worst day, He was there with His compassion and comfort. In the darkness He became the light, in the rain He sent a rainbow. When I felt dry, He poured for me a spring of living water, and when my soul was hungry - fed me with the Bread of Life. He gave me seeds to plant and flowers of every color to pick, a home with children to love and people to serve, filled the open spaces with birds and butterflies, green pastures, and oak trees. He put a song in my heart and a poem in my pen.

When I lift up my eyes I see blue sky and cotton white clouds floating past the bright sun by day, and in the night I see the twinkling stars. All these things and more are gifts to me as sure as if they were wrapped and tied with a bow. I am overwhelmed with His generosity. All I possess came from Him. Words seem too small an offering to lay before One so loving and kind, yet words of thanksgiving should never cease to flow from the storehouse of a thankful heart. It is the only gift we can give back to Him.

THANK YOU FATHER!

Your Story

Today I am posting "Your Story" over at Laced With Grace.

Please come and visit me there.

Charlotte

Waiting on the Lord

But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

Look at the Birds!

      Today when I got home from Bible study, I noticed a frenzy of activity in my front yard. There was chattering and movement everywhere. The railing along my front porch was lined with feathered guest who seemed to be guarding something. Occasionally, others would swoop in from nearby trees and cause a ruckus. After watching for a few minutes, I realized why all the commotion. My lovely sunflowers growing in a barrel next to the porch where no longer lifting their faces to the sun. They were drooped and hanging down; dry and shriveled...looking sad. The activity was centered around them!

      The Bluebird guards posted on the railing were waiting their turn to eat the dry seeds inside the flowers. Then out of nowhere a Titmouse would swoop in and timidly sneak a few seeds while hanging upside down.

Then the Goldfinches would fly over and nibble on the leaves.

I was reminded of this verse in the Bible...

"Look at the birds of the air,

for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not of more value than they?"

Matthew 6:26

Jesus was reminding us not to worry about tomorrow because our Father will provide for us just as he provides for all His creatures.

He is a good and loving Father, there is no need to worry.

Joining Laced with Grace

I am writing over at Laced with Grace today.

Please come on over!

The Trip

      One day I’m going on a trip. Not now, but one day. I’ve been packing for it for several years, and I’ve sent things ahead. When I first began thinking about the trip I wasn’t very excited because I wasn’t familiar with my destination. I wasn’t sure what to expect, and if I would like it once I got there. The more I thought about it, and read about it, the more I looked forward to taking it, so much so that I began sending more stuff ahead to be waiting for me when I arrived.

      Before I knew it, I began thinking about the trip all the time. Everything I did was based on how it would affect my time there.  An excitement grew within me, and a longing to go there. It was though I was no longer living in my homeland…my heart belonged somewhere else…to someone else. You see, I will be meeting the one I love there, face to face. He is waiting for me to arrive. He wrote me love letters long ago that I read over and over. I talk to Him as often as I can, and when I do, it is like there is no distance between us. He knows me better than I know myself…better than anyone knows me. He has prepared a lovely place for me, fit for a princess. He has been working on it longer than I have been preparing for my trip. He has a reputation for creating the most beautiful things; I won’t be disappointed.

      All that I have sent ahead are things for Him. They are things I knew he would like and would have packed himself if He were here. Because I have read his letters and know him, I am familiar with what will please him and what will not. He has been so kind and loving to me, I want to please him and show him I love him too.

      The wait won’t be too long now, but there is still so much left to do. I don’t want to waste a minute. If my ride comes, I want to be ready to go, having everything sent ahead and no looking back with regret. I only have a one way ticket…no return. He purchased it for me, and it cost him all he had.  

This is the promise He left with me ~

“I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” ~John 14:3

And he signed it Jesus.

"But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." ~Matthew 6:20 - 21

A Wake-Up Call

Someone else is concerned about knowing what time it is...Anne Graham Lotz. I received her ministry newsletter shortly after posting for Spiritual Sunday last week. I wish I could copy the whole letter here because it is something I think every Christian should read. Here is just a little piece of it...

          "The signs that Jesus gave and the headlines in the news are coming together in a dramatically sobering way. I'm alarmed because it's five minutes to midnight on the time clock of history, and so many Christians seem to be sleeping!"

Remember Jesus' words in Revelation 1 to the churchs? She goes on to say...

          "While I believe we are living in the most strategic and critical generation in all of history, other than perhaps the original one and also the one which witnessed the first coming of Jesus Christ to earth, God's people in general seem to be oblivious to what time it is!"

So again I ask, "What time is it?" I will answer my own question and say I agree with Anne; it is five minutes to midnight on the time clock of history. So what are we to do? I think the first thing is to wake up!

Anne will be talking on this topic with Joel Rosenberg, in a simulcast being broadcasted on September 11, 2011. You can watch it at a host church or on your own computer at home. You can watch the video below and go to her website for more information.

Click on the picture to go to her website

It's nothing love can't fix

As I read the comments people wrote for my last post, it got me thinking even more about the changes taking place in many churches, especially here on the West Coast. There were valid points brought up about our changing times and getting too stuck on trivial things like the cosmetics of the church...I agree and I thank you for your comments. If the gospel is being preached and truth is being taught, the other things are of much less importance. In my opinion, as long as the walls of truth still stand, it doesn't matter what color they are painted. And as long as we are not tearing them down to replace them with something more like the world - to fit in,  I don't think we should have a problem with it.

I believe the distinction between the church and the world should be visible by the character of the body of Christ. A deep distinct line should be drawn in the sands of time, that defines us as followers of Jesus Christ in this age. If in fact we had the characteristics of the early church, there would be little infuses on the material aspects of worshiping together, and more on being united together to worship. And we would have little concern about what the world thought about how or where we did it.

Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)

The world does not dislike the church because of its buildings, or the decorations within them. It hates the church because it belongs to Jesus. And just as you and I were called out of the world by Him, so too He will call many more out, and place them into the body of Christ. We are His witnesses to the world that by His grace we are saved through faith in Him - He did not intend for us to fit in.

I believe we are not as effective in the world as we should be because they do not see us as being much different. We struggle with many of the same problems they do.  We get divorced, have problems with our children rebelling, and live weighed down by our circumstances. They do not see the victory in Jesus that should be recognizable in our every day lives because we trust in Him. They do not see the unity and love that caused the first church to turn the world upside down for Christ. Nor do they see the sacrificial giving to meet the needs of others. Jesus said, "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." (John 15:12) Wow, what would that kind of love look like? His love was one that gave all...even His very life.

He said:

          "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one."

I think it is the infuses on "form" that has caused many divisions in the church. Christ prayed to the Father for us to be one...united with Him and each other; unity in the body...the whole body- young, old, and in between. How can we do that with a different Sunday service for each generation? I think this separation hurts God's heart. I don't believe it is the fault of any one group, or lack of the right cosmetics or form that causes this separation in the church. When our eyes are kept on Jesus, we seldom care enough about the trivial things to make them an issue. And when we love one another, we are not easily offended by such things.  I'm sad to say that I think it is the lack of love and unity within the body of believers that prevents the power of  God from transforming congregations into powerful witnessing forces in this world. (ouch...that hit me too!)

The enemy in any war does what he can to divide the oppositions army. In doing so, he knows that it will be weaker and easier to defeat. The church is in a spiritual battle with a very ruthless enemy and he is hard at work.

I think what concerns me the most about this whole subject in some American churches is that the focus is on the cosmetics; the form, instead of the Savior; instead of obeying His commands. The world is deep in sin, and it will get deeper as we approach the time of Christ's return, but God has given us the tools we need to witness in this age...and the greatest of these is love. His word says love will cover a multitude of sins.

It is still Jesus alone who calls sinners out of the world and places them in His body of believers, no one else and nothing else. We are to be witnesses for Him of the saving grace we have experienced in our own lives, and the demonstration of our unity and love for one another in the church will point people to God, because God is love.

Jesus said, "You shall be my witnesses." (Acts 1:8) Let's witness to His love, His joy, His peace, His unity, His saving grace...to a world in desperate need of it.

In His love,
Charlotte

We serve a God who can do ALL things. Nothing is too difficult for Him...nothing. He is in the business of Miracles - in individual lives, churches, relationships, and all kinds of situations.

On this weekend as we celebrate a Miracle Makeover for a sick child, please know that God wants to bring His miracle makeover into the lives of all who will put their trust in Him. Whatever you may be facing, our God is willing and able to meet you there and bring you through it.

Please visit Spiritual Sundays to see the Miracle Makeover for a little boy named Charlie by Design Gives Back. Your comment on their site will be worth $1 and help with the next makeover.

What time is this?

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions

which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."  

2 Thessalonians 2:15



      Every so often I ask this question, "What time is it?" I ask it because this blog is titled "For Such A Time As This." So, what time is this? I look around for clues and see some disturbing things...signs if you will, that tell me this is a time of change. Now change can be good...if it is good change, but much of the change I see isn't so good. On the Christian radio recently I heard that Campus Crusade for Christ (a well known college campus ministry) is changing its name; they will be removing the words "crusade" and "Christ." Hmm...taking Christ from their name? What does that mean?

      I see the "change" happening in my own church. First the name was changed to take out the word Baptist. I guess that word isn't cool anymore. Now we are a community church...Hmm, what does that mean? Even the youth building was changed from "Faith Hall" to "Worship Cafe." It now looks like a coffee shop. Other changes are taking place, like moving the chairs around in the sanctuary, eliminating the rows; setting up tables instead. Trying to make it feel more like an informal get-together instead of a church service, even making it interactive. Much effort is put into marketing ourselves and finding new ways to look more appealing to the unchurched; to look less like a church. I watch this happening, and my heart hurts.

      So much has changed over the years since the days I attended church as a youth; no more alter calls (we wouldn't want to make anyone feel uncomfortable). Not much, if any, talk of hell  (too condemning), yet that could end up being a shocker later on.

      I walked down the isle of a little church and gave my heart to Jesus when I was nine years old. My father and mother followed behind me. We were baptized the next week. There is something precious and life changing about coming to the alter and publicly professing your faith in Jesus Christ - even at nine. It takes a step of faith to put your foot out in the isle and say yes to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. I don't believe those things can be reproduced by checking a box on a comment card and putting it in the offering plate as it passes.

      I see other churches changing. Whole denominations dropping names, changing their values and re-wording their mission and belief statements. Changing to fit into our society...the society Christ asked us to be separate from. Some are even trading their Bible truth in exchange for tolerance...a tolerance of sin. It is a fact that we all sin, you do, I do, but we are to turn from it...confess it, and not embrace it.

      It seems to me like we are taking our light and putting it under a basket, which Jesus warned against. He said we are the salt of the earth. Are we allowing the church to be diluted to the point that we are no longer preserving the gospel of Jesus Christ for the next generation. I know there are still churches and Christians who are standing firm...unmovable for their faith, but the winds of change are blowing hard on this country in a direction that seeks to bend and destroy the Christian church.

      So I ask the question again, "What time is it?" If we (Christians) are put here "For Such A Time As This," then what time is this, and what are we here to do? If this is our time, our watch, what are we to be doing?

I think the answers to these questions are clearly found in the Bible (for those who still believe it is truth). Reading through the first few chapters of the book of Revelations where Christ is speaking to the seven churches, I see over and over again these words, "repent, be faithful, overcome, hold fast, be watchful, persevere, and strengthen the things which remain."

      None of these words are passive, they are all action words. They refer to things we have been given and are to keep (hold fast, be faithful), things we are to turn from (repent), and things we have to stand strong through (overcome, persevere). How can we do this? By being watchful and strengthening those things which remain. The things we were taught by Christ and His letters to the churches.

These are the seven churches He was speaking to: Revelations 1:1-3

• The Loveless Church
• The Persecuted Church
• The Compromising Church
• The Corrupt Church
• The Dead Church
• The Faithful Church
• The Lukewarm Church

      Which of these churches do we want to be? Without doing much at all, we can comfortably find ourselves in five of the seven, but I think if we want to be found as a member of the Faithful Church, it will not be so comfortable, and require us to be actively pursuing those things mentioned above. I'm pretty sure the persecuted church is not persecuted because it tries to fit into the world, but because it does not.

      Making Christianity acceptable to sinners is the work of the Holy Spirit  when the gospel is faithfully preached and is not reliant on a name change or a cleaver marketing plan.
I'll end with the same verse I quoted above -

"Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions

which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle."

2 Thessalonians 2:15

Charlotte

He Uses Everything!

...being confident of this very thing,

that He who has begun a good work in you

will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Philippians 1:6

       When I go through difficult times or through things I don't understand, I try to remember that God allowed it, and there is a purpose for it. I may not understand, but I can know that He is in control; He reigns over everything. He is never surprised or taken off guard by anything that happens...He is God. Everything that comes into my life or yours, is sifted through His hands, and they are loving hands. If He allows it in our lives, He will use it...He doesn't waste a thing.

He Uses Everything!
by Charlotte Foster

There’s not a single thing, that passes through a life,
That God does not intend to use, no triumph, pain, or strife.

It’s all a part of His great plan, set perfectly in place.
To teach us hard learned lessons, and demonstrate His grace.

Though some things seem so hard, we don’t think we’ll survive.
But when we reach the end of them, we find we’re more alive.

He stretches us in areas, we thought we couldn't grow.
Maturing us in such a way, His handywork to show.

Often things we thought we knew, are visited once more.
Making sure our trust in Him, resides down at its core.

He wants us to remember, as we walk through life’s hot fires,
The image of His Son in us, is all that He desires.

Distractions?

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NASB

Distractions…so many distractions! The world is full of them. Things to do, places to go; more than a lifetime will allow. So many good things- what should I do today?

Whatever it is I choose to do, it should be something pleasing to God…to glorify Him instead of myself. If this one standard is used as a sifter, it will stop the meaningless time wasters from making their way into my day.

Sometimes the things that please Him are simple, like the laundry getting washed or dinner cooked on time. They bring Him glory by me loving and serving the people in my home…as unto the Lord.

The distractions will always come, that is sure, but knowing I have a choice, to choose the things that glorify God, will help me separate the good things from the best.

Today I chose to write this post for you and share this simple truth in hope that in some small way my Lord will be glorified within the words written here. I chose to press the “publish” button as I said a prayer for you.

          ~ “That the Lord will bless and keep you, that He will cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace…and that His glory will be revealed within the framework of your life.”

To God be the glory, great things He has done…and continues to do!

Charlotte

 And now, I will finish the laundryJ

 

Tea with a friend...

It is hard for me to separate the garden from tea time. They seem to go together so well. If I could drag my table and chairs out next to the zucchini and tomato plants, I probably would. The butterflies and bumblebees wouldn't mind my company one bit, and I wouldn't mind theirs. Today, the back deck is as far as I can go with my tea. But don't be surprised if a future post finds me knee deep in Lemon Balm, Rosemary, sage...and yes, tomatoes!

I set out a table cloth with a Lady Bug pattern I made a while back and cut some Hydrangeas from the yard. If I can't go to the garden, I can bring it to me!

"For flowers that bloom about our feet,

Father, we thank Thee;

For tender grass so fresh and sweet,

Father, we thank Thee.

For the song of bird and hum of bee,

For all things fair we hear and see,

Father in heaven, we thank Thee."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The tea cup I'm using has roses on it but my roses aren't feeling well today, so I didn't cut them for the table.

This carrot cake was made for a potluck at my church; there were a few pieces left over for tea today, and I added some zucchini bread, to stay with my garden theme:)

I've found some wonderful recipes in our church cookbook. Both these treats were taken from there.

I love to bake, but the best part of all is sharing it with a friend. 

Having tea alone is nice and relaxing, but sharing it with someone special creates a memory to cherish forever.

"A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

I hope you are able to spend tea time today with someone you love

...a dear friend?

If you can't be out in the garden, perhaps you can bring a small piece of the garden to you.

"If I could treat my friends as flowers,

I'd like to spend away the hours,

arranging them around the table

as long as life has made me able."

Blessings and have a happy Tea Time!

Charlotte

Can You See It?

"So it shall be, while My glory passes by,

that I will put you in the cleft of the rock,

and cover you with My hand while I pass by."

Exodus 33:22

      I have a favorite place I like to sit and read my Bible. It's a bench made out of an old log cut in half. It was difficult getting it right where I wanted it because it's very heavy, but I managed to drag it to the barn and close to my favorite oak tree where I feed the horses in good weather. You can see the bench in the header above. There is something special about sitting under the blue sky, listening to the birds sing in the trees, watching the horses graze and reading the words, "The earth declares the glory of God."

 

      Those words take on new meaning as everything around me says Amen. His creativity is seen in His handiwork and it glorifies Him. Do I notice it enough? Do I even take the time to look each day? Is it possible that I could walk by such beauty and not even see it, that my eyes could become accustomed to it and I might no longer behold His glory in it?

      I want to see it, to always notice, to never take it for granted...never take Him for granted. His breath of life fills the air around us all. His majesty is displayed in all He has made...even you and me, His children. Can you see it?

The earth declares His glory!

Your Glory

By Charlotte Foster

“Show me your glory,” I dared to say,

As I walked along the road today.

 Then as I spoke a cloud passed by,

A soft white pillow in deep blue sky.

 And gentle breeze of such degree,

Not hot or cold as it touched me.

 More like a touch from someone’s hand,

Softly passing where I stand.

 A bird high in the old oak tree,

Sang his tune so happily.

 And then I realized all around,

Your voice was heard in every sound.

 In every wind and passing cloud,

Revealing of yourself out-loud.

 For all to see - Yes you were there,

In every song or breath of air.

 In Your creation loud and clear,

Are signs of you so very near.

And when I stopped to ponder You,

I saw Your glory fresh and new.

The earth declares the glory of God!

Linking up with Charlotte and Ginger at....

And also...

Pink Roses

      As I visited my Father-in-law one day I walked along the little garden path leading to his front door and saw these roses bent over with their stems broken...barely hanging on. The rain had fallen with such force that they bowed from the weight of it. They were so beautiful, I thought it would be a shame to leave them there so as I left I broke them off and put them in  the back seat of my car.

      They didn't mind the two hour ride home one bit. I think they were grateful for all the attention I was giving them. My Father-in-law takes care of them, but he doesn't really admire them and baby them as my Mother-in-law did before she passed away five years ago. He maintains them, but doesn't love them as she did.

      When I put them in the vase at home they reminded me of her and what a gracious lady she was. She was also beautiful, like the roses. She chose them long ago, planted them, and nurtured them. Now they live on as a memory of her caring touch.

("Fragrance" Royal Grafton, Fine Bone China, England)

      When I pulled out this teacup, I saw the pink roses looked a lot like the ones in the vase. I'm sure they are happy to share a cup of tea with each other and me. The gold trim on the handle of the cup is worn off a bit, so I know someone in the past enjoyed using it. Perhaps it was someone special like my Mother-in-law. I'm thankful she took good care of it and I can enjoy it now...and the roses.

      I hope I will be the kind of person to pass on beauty to others, whether it is something I have planted and nurtured, or gently cared for and preserved - like the tea cup. In that small way I can share a little of the blessings God has given me.

What blessings are you enjoying today?

Charlotte

I'm linking to these lovely tea parties...