Dear Reader:

Saturday evening I was reading a couple of chapters from Marianne Williamson’s best-seller: Everyday Grace.

Our Sunday school class has been reading it this year and we are closing in on the  final chapters.

When I first came across this line: “For Angels are the Thoughts of God” I stopped reading, put down the book, and realized that I was experiencing an “Aha” moment.

We tend to think of angels as messengers with big white wings… bringing us all kinds of advice and direction…which, of course, stems directly from God…so yes…metaphorically… “Angels are the thoughts of God” (personified).

It is God’s thoughts being manifested into our thoughts…blended until we are no longer sure where the idea  originated…at least…until later.(Like Ben’s experience in Vietnam when he heard a voice urging him to leave one crater for another…only to look back and see the old crater blown to smithereens by explosives…seconds after leaving.)

I chose the beautiful purple/blue hydrangea photo to represent the thoughts of God because when I first saw it I was simply stunned by its beauty. It belongs to a friend and member of Dorchester Presbyterian Church- Ann Savage. Doesn’t it take your breath away…it sure did mine!

While seeking God…if I could fall into this “succulent” hydrangea bloom (like Alice in Wonderland) I feel sure it is where God would be found. Can you imagine being surrounded (360 degrees) by these colors of purple and blue. I can see an exquisite sea filled with these colors as I  float on my back until plucked from the sea into the Hand of God.

In one particular chapter that I was reading, Williamson was discussing the importance of setting time aside for God. The connection to the angel quote correlated with the idea that God wants to share His thoughts with us and then give us time to respond and share our thoughts.

Isn’t this what every parent wants from their children? Time set aside at some point, in regular intervals, to be able to sit down with their children and ask about their lives, their activities, their dreams and hopes.

After everything God has done for us…don’t we think we owe him time…if nothing else? How can we have a loving relationship with someone if we rarely talk to each other about our lives and goals?

Jesus Calling (devotional) reaffirms this goal saying: “Our goals should be to become aware of unseen things even as we live  out lives in the visible world.”

There are numerous ways to talk to God….in solitude…perhaps on a long walk or even a  slow jog…or we can talk to him at sunrise or sunset each day on our porch or deck… or in a church setting each week. With whom, where, and the number of times can be flexible to each individual’s aptitudes and personalities…the important thing is to simply make time for God in our lives.

Especially take time to thank God each day for the universe, we call home, that He created for us.

I saw a church sign on the way to Moncks Corner the other day that said: “If the only time you pray is when you are in trouble; then you are in trouble.”

Don’t you remember resenting phone calls from loved ones who only called when they were in a “fix” and usually needed money? They never called to share the happy times, proud times, or even to show appreciation for one’s continuous support…only when their back was pushed up against the wall?

Don’t you think God tires of us when we only make time for Him when we are in a “fix” …that we can’t fix?

So until tomorrow…Let’s wake up with a smile on our faces and a heart full of gratitude for the One who should be Number One in our life. Don’t think it…tell God…He might can read minds but He still wants to hear it from us.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

* Yesterday I went to John and Mandy’s where Mollie dropped Lachlan off for me to babysit while she took Rutledge to a birthday party. It was fun to watch all the cousins interacting and watching each other with interest…trying to figure out this
“family connection” thing.

When Mollie and Rutledge returned John grilled hot dogs out and the children played some more…they danced, ate, and laughed…slowly they are learning an important lesson…that everyone needs family…and how it grows more important with time. ( Jake was an appreciative audience for the song and dance numbers)

Even Lachlan picked up his toes to the beat!

It was also Tigger’s 7th birthday…he got a “hot dog” for supper and lots of shouts of congratulations!

Lachlan rarely takes any kind of pacifier but ‘while in Rome’…it became his best friend.

Boys and their bottles…as long as they have a bottle in their mouths…life is good!

Cousins sharing a moment watching sea creatures float by…

One of Carrie and Mandy’s former roommates (Suzanne) came and brought her little boy Jimmy who was born a couple of weeks before Jakie. My “thoughts” were on my little angels!