Grandma's Rocking Chair

I recently inherited my grandmother's rocking chair. A gift from my parents as I am awaiting the arrival of my first grandchild. What a treasure it has been to have my morning Advent devotional time sitting in my grandmother's chair and...remembering. I am so thankful for her faith in God and the times she sat in her chair, praying for me and the rest of her grandchildren.

As a new season and chapter of my life begin, I ask; "Father in Heaven" that I can be faithful to You as my Grandma was. Help me instill in my grandchildren Your unconditional love for Your creation.

I am so thankful for special memories of my Grandmother and her sitting in her chair. I remember sitting in her lap, I remember sitting at her feet as she would read to my sister and I. I remember playing "chase" around the chair. My grandmother would shuffle her feet on the ground as if to pretend to chase my sister and I, then when we were least expecting it, she would quickly reach out and grab us and hug us.

Now, the adventures continue with a new generation, but same chair. What stories will the chair have to add to it's already existing repitoires? It will be a pleasure to live the stories out!

Surprises

It has been quite sometime since I've posted on my blog. So many changes happening all at once in our lives, that it is hard to keep up on the writing and documenting of them.

We are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first grandchild...knowing that when God says, "Today is the day", it will happen.

We were rewarded with a totally unexpected surprise when our son who was recently deployed showed up on our doorstep with out warning. We were thrilled and overjoyed to be able to spend time with him and his family. We are the kind of people who enjoy surprises so this was an A+ experience.

It has been a reminder to me to look around every day and see the surprises that God has all around us. The bird singing a tune in the middle of rain showers, or the black squirrel scurrying up a walnut tree to prepare for his winter. So many "little" things that surround me everyday.

Father God, as we are in the "waiting" and "expecting" period as we anticipate the arrival of our grandchild, I pray that You would give me eyes and ears that are turned and tuned to You, as well as an expectant heart for Your surprises that are abundant.