I Have Heard... I Have Seen...

Ever feel like quitting?

No one notices or appreciates what I do anyway. 

© 2011 Harpo

In the whispers of the morning when I'm so tired my eyes just want to close, and I ask God, "Why am I so tired?"... 


When my heart is hurting, and I wonder how long...


When I'm overwhelmed with responsibility, and I would love to just run away and hide...


When I'm crying, and I don't even know why...

My God answers me, as He answered King Hezekiah in II Kings 20:5: 

"... I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee..."

I want to share this devotional excerpt, a reminder for my spirit, my heart, my soul, my emotions...

It is a new day, and as the foggy vision of sleepiness clears, the mountains of clothes to be laundered looms into view. Then come the thoughts of floors that need mopping, furniture that needs dusting, and that pie you promised to bake. Not to mention, of course, the whole routine required to get the kids off to school. It seems that before your feet ever touch the floor, you're tired again. 

Sometimes it's the menial tasks of everyday life that an take the most out of women. Perhaps because of its repetitive nature. Or maybe because our efforts are not always noticed. Not even paid. It is here that satan hopes to defeat us--to distract us from the proper perspective, which (as in all things) is still found in Christ. 

For Jesus Christ knows what it is to serve an inattentive and ungrateful world. The King of all creation actually washed His disciples' feet. He died for people who didn't even like Him. What an honour, then, if is for women to be able to serve others in the same capacity as Christ. Whether it's wiping little noses or cleaning off countertops, the more things we have to do, the more opportunities we have to bring Him honour. Though no one else may see or care, God does. And He receives each effort as a gift of thanks for the incredible sacrifice He gave us--Christ Himself.

Source: Heart Reflections Devotional, by Nanette Kincade

Hagar was in the desert, wanting to die rather than be subjected to her "boss's" abuse. 

WikiPaintings

But God found her! 


Genesis 16:7 says, "And the angel of the LORD found her..." He cared enough to initiate the conversation! Then He promised her that the baby she carried would live and prosper!


"And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?" (Genesis 16:13) 


God sees you, exhausted homemaker... weary wife... single mom... praying nana... selfless grandma... God sees all that you are and all that you are doing. And that is all that matters. 

He. Sees. You.

"... I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee..."

Mother's Day

This weekend I am praying for all the women who desire to be a mom and for whatever reason are not.

I know how you feel.

Romans 8:28 seems trite, yet it is true. No matter the hurt, God will work it all out for good to those who love Him. Love involves trust, and you can trust the *good* heart of God. He knows why.

I am thankful for the three [step]children God has given me through marriage, and the granddaughter we have with us in our home, but for many years it was not so for me. I was alone, and I longed for children. There is still, at times, a little ache inside when conversations come up about pregnancy, carrying a child inside your body... and the statements--albeit true--that "you cannot understand until you experience it."

When I hurt like that, I must ask myself two questions:

1. Will I trust the good hand of God? That He knew best for me and that He allowed it to happen in my life the way it did for a reason? (Or will I choose to be bitter about it?)

2. Is there another area in which I do this to someone else? Another topic/area of life entirely where I may have been granted something that they have not. If God puts His finger on an area, am I willing to be more sensitive to that person (even if he/she is not sensitive to me), realizing the hurt he/she may be feeling? Am I willing to see him/her through Jesus' eyes?

The Perfect Plan

The Perfect Plan

(c) Dayna Spear Guenther, March 2011

Mine, yet not really mine—

I hold on, Lord, with open hands;

You alone are in control—

Help me trust in Your perfect plan.

Tiny hands and sweetest voice—

How can I simply let go?

Beautiful smile and tinkling laugh—

God, You see, and so well You know.

In my Bible I read, “For this child I prayed,”

Yet I do not know for how long;

You, Lord, alone hold my heart in Your hands,

I will trust, and through You, be strong.

I pour my very self into this child,

She may go, next month or next year;

I’m “the called”—I’m the one to stand in the gap,

I will rest in Your arms, not fear.

Mine, yet not really mine—

I hold on, Lord, with open hands;

You alone are in control—

Help me trust in Your perfect plan.

Ice Cream Date

Kyla's ice cream date at McDonald's with Nana (me). Simple joys.

Life's Little Pleasures

Our grandbaby Kyla (now 18 months old) loves kitties! She's a gal after my own heart: she loves her Papa (my husband) and kitties! :) One minute she squeals, "Papa! Papa!" The next, she squeaks, "Mew! Mew!" (her name for the kitties).

Life is an adventure-gift from God. Kyla always reminds me to enjoy the little pleasures God gives us richly to enjoy (I Timothy 6:17).

When the old preacher Gypsy Smith was asked the secret of the success of his ministry, he replied, "I've never lost the wonder."

Tell us (comment below) about a little pleasure from God that you enjoyed today.

The Joy of Discovery

Life is an adventure.

My granddaughter Kyla is teaching me more and more about this. Too many times I get so caught up with the "shoulds" and "have-to's" of life that I forget to enjoy the beauty God placed all around me. Flowers. Trees. Animals. Clouds. I neglect to notice the intangibles with which God has blessed me. Love. Acceptance. Security.

The Truth says He "daily loadeth us with benefits" (Psalm 68:19)! That means that every day a TON more blessings are there that I did not even see!

I think I'll head out on a journey of discovery today. Talk to you later...

Hey, come back and tell me what you discovered and thanked God for today.

Our Little Blue-eyed Beauty, Kyla Nichole, at 16 Months

Our Cutie Patootie at 16 Months

This is our grandbaby Kyla Nichole... growing up fast! She is such a precious gift from God!

I was made in His likeness, created in His image
For I was born to serve the Lord.
And I won't deny Him, I'll always walk beside Him,
For I was born to serve the Lord.
~ Janet Trout

A Sacred Trust: Our Cutie Patootie

Peter and I are so grateful for time spent with our little 15-month-old granddaughter, Kyla Nichole. We got to keep her this past weekend, and I took about 150 photos and videos! Here is one of my favourites.

Nap time and bed time are special. I take Kyla with her "bah-bah" (bottle) upstairs to her room. As she drinks her bottle, I rock her and sing "Father, We Thank Thee" and "The Birdies in the Treetops." Then I quote to her Psalm 23, Psalm 1, Psalm 100, and John 3:16-17. Sometimes I sing other songs and quote Psalm 91 as well. It's such a special bonding time for us. I love cuddling her, telling her I love her, and praying for her, that God will protect and guide her little life and that she will accept Christ as her Saviour at an early age.

I just have to share one more favourite photo from this weekend... bathtime!


A precious memory from this weekend was made on Sunday morning, as I was listening outside the door of her bedroom to see if she was awake. What did I hear?

"Nana?... Nana?"

When she saw me, she would excitedly exclaim, "Nana!"

She did the same to my husband. Everything was "Papa! Papa! Papa!" Such a fun, sweet age!

Comment below and share with me things you do to bond with your children or grandchildren, and the ways you teach them about the Lord, as you're "sitting down" or "walking by the way." (Deuteronomy 6:7) This is a sacred trust God has given to us!

Christmas Memories at Home

Grandbaby Kyla opening her doll baby


















Giving the doll baby kisses


















Kyla's first taste of eggnog: She gulped it down and wanted more! Obviously takes after her papa, not me!














My Peter got me a new camera for Christmas!

Kyla wanted some of Uncle Anthony's Twix bar!

Kyla reading her new Peter Rabbit book with Papa

Kyla playing with Papa

Kyla and her Nana (me)

My daughter Chrystal got me a new toaster oven! She also got me the sweetest Christmas card!

This is the song that was played as I came down the boardwalk to marry my Peter at our beach wedding. It still expresses what we feel.

We Are So Blessed
Gloria Gaither, Greg Nelson, William Gaither

We are so blessed by the gifts from Your hand,
I just can't understand why You love us so much!
We are so blessed, we just can't find a way
Or the words that can say,

Thank You, Lord, for Your touch.

When we're empty, You fill us 'til we overflow!
When we're hungry, You feed us and cause us to know
We are so blessed! Take what we have to bring,
Take it all, everything! Lord, we love You so much!

We are so blessed by the things You have done,
The vict'ries we've won,

And what You've brought us through!
We are so blessed! Take what we have to bring,
Take it all, everything! Lord, we bring it to You.

When we're empty, You will us 'til we overflow!
When we're hungry, You feed us and cause us to know--
We are so blessed! Take what we have to bring,
Take it all, everything! Lord, we love You so much!
Lord, we love You so much!

Kyla Nichole Is One

Our precious grandbaby Kyla Nichole turned one year old on Saturday, November 14. Where does the time go!? When you look at her photos, would you pray with us that she will come to accept Jesus at an early age?

Her Aunt Kali (our daughter)--or Auntie Kakes, as she's affectionately called--and Nana (me) baked and decorated a flower birthday cake.

It was our first cake decorated on this scale, so we were excited and pleased with the outcome!

Here's our cutie patootie enjoying her cake:

Greener Pastures

The Grass Is Greener...

One morning recently my phone rang. It was my neighbour across the road. "You have horses on your front lawn," he told me. WHAT?!

Sure enough, two of our four horses found a gap at a broken gate where they could get out without the electric fence shocking them, and they were roaming around nibbling our grass! I guess the grass was greener on the other side! In the paddock they rely on the hay we provide; but the yard on the other side tantalizes them with luscious, albeit dandelion-infested, grass. Sterling and Lacy just got impatient waiting for their breakfast!

How like me in my Christian walk. More times than I care to count, I have grown tired of waiting on the Master for what I thought I should have coming to me. After all, I'm worth it! I deserve it! Right? (See Romans 3:10, 23.) God’s taking too long; I'm tempted to go check out what's on the other side of the fence.

My 11-month-old grandbaby Kyla was visiting for a few days last week. Rather than remove all the pretty things, we leave some in place and teach Kyla what is a "no-no." One such item is a pretty red basket which sits on the coffee table holding all the remote controls. I saw her reach into grab an intriguing converter, and said, "Kyla, that's a no-no." She looked at me with those pools-of-blue eyes, kept staring at me, and reached for it again. In a stronger tone, I said, "No-no," and shook my head. She paused a moment, and then stretched her neck up, sticking out her little chin and looking down her nose, as if she were trying to look over the edge into the basket to get a better look at the "no-no." Her face was filled with longing as she continued to crane her neck and scoot herself around the coffee table, to view the “no-no” from another angle.

After laughing and calling her a "cutie patootie," I thought, I do that too. God tells me "no" in His Word, and I clearly know that it's for my safety and good! Yet in my flesh, I gaze longingly and even reach for the worldly things, as if hoping that they will become approved somehow, that they aren't as bad as God makes them out to be, or I try to adopt the philosophy "just ask forgiveness later."

~I just want to hold a grudge for a little while.
~My feelings are hurt, and I want to make them pay, just for awhile.
~I can't say this is helping me get closer to God, but...
~I just don't care right now.
~I just don't want to try anymore.*

* This is a certain indication that I am trying in my flesh, rather than allowing God's Spirit to work through me!

Why do I long for the things that God has said will hurt me? Why do I turn away from the Truth in His Word when I know that it is good and that His way is the best?

The enemy of my soul pounds his philosophy into me any way he can—through music, TV, magazines, books, conversations with others, etc. This is why I must hide God’s Word in my heart, “that I might not sin against [Him]” (Psalm 119:11). God’s boundaries protect me from the enemy; they don’t restrict me. Within that fence line is freedom! Freedom from fear. Freedom from destruction. Amazing freedom! True freedom!

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. (Proverbs 3:13-14, 17-18)

True happiness comes only from God. In a love relationship with Him is deep joy. God IS wisdom. It is His very Being. Just as I seek to protect Kyla by not allowing her to go near the stairs, God seeks to protect me by the limits He sets in His Word, which are “wisdom.”

My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Proverbs 3:21-24, 26)

"Contentment is the crown jewel of a happy life." ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

When you know--and accept--that guidelines are truly written with your safety and best interests at heart, you can embrace the restrictions and be content with them. Yet with God, they can hardly be called restrictions! How could you say that trading a meal out of the garbage can for a steak dinner is a restriction?!

As my Kentucky friends say, “I’m just sayin’ ‘s all!”

My Grandbaby Nearly Seven Months Old!

Kyla Nichole (6 months old) with her Nana (me). :)

Rest, Contentment, Satisfaction, Purpose, Joy...

"It is the faith that continually closes its eyes to the weakness of the creature, and finds its joy in the sufficiency of an Almighty Saviour that makes the soul strong and glad." --Abide in Christ, by Andrew Murray

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." --John 15:4-5

Only when I recognize that "I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30), and believe and claim HIS power that already lives in me, can I find true joy in Jesus.

When I choose abide in the Vine (freely yield to His Spirit--that already lives in me), I find rest, contentment, satisfaction, purpose, joy, and so much more!

Oh the struggle in my soul when I do not yield to Him. Believing in His sovereignty and believing that He IS good--His very nature is GOOD!--helps me yield.

My grandbaby Kyla is a living example. At times, she chooses to fight sleep; she is cranky and grumpy, and twists her head around as I try to feed her the bottle. She pushes at me with her arm and tries to sit up when I'm trying to rock her to sleep. Yet if I allow her to sit up, she cries because she is so tired! She just won't yield to the one who knows best for her and loves her so much!

How like her I am when I fight what God is doing in my life and refuse to surrender to Him, the One Who knows best for me and loves me so much!

"...Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." --Jeremiah 31:3

I can trust the goodness of God Who is in control of everything that is happening in my life.

Our blue-eyed beauty at almost 5 months!

Grandbaby Kyla Nichole doesn't stop growing!

Cutest pootie lip ever!

My grandbaby, Kyla Nichole.

Things I'm Learning

Here's the most beautiful baby in the world! Kyla Nichole Guenther was God's gift to us this past year though our daughter Chrystal. When you look at her picture, please pray that she will come to know Jesus at an early age.

Recently, I was able to go with my husband to the Antioch Baptist Jubilee in Bristol, Virginia. There were many messages that encouraged me, but one stands out. It was a message given by Evangelist Tom Hayes. It was entitled, "The Lord, Our Righteousness." Jehovah Tsidkenu is the name for God in Hebrew which is translated, "The Lord is my righteousness." What God suddenly revealed to me is a simple truth that He has been reinforcing to me over and over again the past 10+ years. I accepted HIS righteousness as mine in order to get saved, yet in my pride and flesh, I try to live for Him in my OWN righteousness! How silly when He IS STILL my righteousness! Philippians 3:9 "...not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith..."

The same way I accept His righteousness for salvation is the same way I must accept His righteousness to live through me every day of my life! What a simple but profound truth! I have no righteousness of my own! I only have any good through HIM! As I YIELD myself to Him and allow Him to live through me, I have HIS righteousness flowing out through me! I do not have to conjure up any goodness! Its already there through the Holy Spirit, freely given to me at salvation!

Here is a list of all the names of Jehovah. This was a blessing to me as well. Just think of all the things that God is to YOU personally through these names!

Jehovah's Name

Exalting the Name of Jesus Christ

Jehovah - The Lord - Exodus 6:2-3

Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha'arets- Lord of Earth - Josh 3:13

Jehovah-Bara - Lord Creator - Isaiah 40:28

Jehovah-Chatsahi - Lord my Strength - Psalm 27:1

Jehovah-Chereb - Lord the Sword - Deut. 33:29

Jehovah-Eli - Lord my God - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Elyon - Lord Most High - Psalm 38:2

Jehovah-Gador Milchamah - Mighty in Battle - Ps 24:8

Jehovah-Ganan - Lord Our Defense - Ps 89:18

Jehovah-Go'el - Lord My Redeemer - Is. 49:26, 60:16

Jehovah-Hamelech - Lord King - Psalm 98:6

Jehovah-Hashopet - Lord My Judge - Judges 6:27

Jehovah-Helech 'Olam - Lord King Forever Ps10:16

Jehovah-Hoshe'ah - Lord Saves - Psalm 20:9

Jehovah-Jireh - Provider - Gen. 22:14, I John 4:9, Philip 4:19

Jehovah-Kabodhi - Lord my Glory - Psalm 3:3

Jehovah-Kanna - Lord Jealous - Ex 34:14

Jehovah-Keren-Yish'i - Horn of Salvation - Ps 18:2

Jehovah-M'Kaddesh - Sanctifier - I Corinthians 1:30

Jehovah-Machsi - Lord my Refuge - Psalm 91:9

Jehovah-Magen - Lord my Shield - Deut. 33:29

Jehovah-Ma'oz - Lord my Fortress - Jer. 16:19

Jehovah-Mephalti - Lord my Deliverer - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Metshodhathi - Lord my Fortress - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Misqabbi - Lord my High Tower - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-M'gaddishcem - Lord my Sanctifier - Ex 31:13

Jehovah-Naheh - Lord who Smites - Ezekiel 7:9

Jehovah-Nissi - Banner - I Chronicles 29:11-13

Jehovah-Rohi - Shepherd - Psalm 23

Jehovah-Rophe - Healer - Isaiah 53:4,5

Jehovah-Sabaoth - Lord of Hosts - I Sam 1:3

Jehovah-Sel'i - Lord my Rock - Psalm 18:2

Jehovah-Shalom - Peace - Isaiah 9:6, Rom 8:31-35

Jehovah-Shammah - Present - Hebrews 13:5

Jehovah-Tsidkenu - Righteousness - I Cor 1:30

Jehovah-Tsori - Lord my Strength - Psalm 19:14

Jehovah-Yasha - Lord my Savior - Isaiah 49:26

Jehovah-'Ez-Lami - Lord my Strength - Ps 28:7

Jehovah-'Immeku - Lord Is With You - Judges 6:12

Jehovah-'Izoa Hakaboth - Lord Strong -Mighty - Ps 24:8

Jehovah-'Ori - Lord my Light - Psalm 27:1

Jehovah-'Uzam - Lord Strength in Trouble - Is 49:26

Bath time!

and sleeping...