A Way with Words Blog - Allie's Praise...

Come! Let me wait with you.

12/23/2020

El Shaddai, Lord God Almighty, you are ever faithful! You promised I would see your Son made manifest among us, and He's here! I praise your name for your goodness and faithfulness to your promises.

Lord God, we have wandered near and far, searching for what only you can give. We have sought redemption through empty words and useless actions. Forgive us for our weakness and lack of faith.

Thank you, El Shaddai, for loving us anyway! Thank you for seeing the frailty of your children, and choosing to send us a Savior...Your only begotten Son! Thank you for the example He will give of loving you first, and each other second. Hallelujah and Amen!

Come, join the chorus!

12/16/2020

O, Most High God, we have waited ages for this night! How blessed we are to be part of the blessing. I can't wait to see the shepherds' faces!

Dear Father, we're spruced up and tuned up to do our best for you. We've chosen only the best songs of praise to announce the arrival of your Son to His new home. Everybody is in fine, strong voice, ready to join together to glorify your name.

Be with us, El Elyon, our Sovereign Lord! We are humble in your midst, and thrilled to do your work. Let your voice of love and grace stream through ours this night.

Come and be free indeed!

12/9/2020

Would you look at those two? They look like they're straight off the farm. The girl looks like a child herself, barely old enough to be having a child of her own. This trip to the big city of Bethlehem may be the most exciting thing they ever do.

So many Jews, most of them looking out of place. Do they even understand what a census is, and how it will be used? Sometimes I'm not sure myself. By the looks of them, even if they understand why the "big, bad" Roman government wants a headcount, they resent it.

Just look at the faces of those who have come to be registered. Worry, doubt, maybe some fear. Some of the younger ones look at me, in my soldier's uniform with my ledger and sword, with defiance in their eyes. The old ones, resignation written all over them, like they've given up hope for any kind of deliverance. Will any of them find what they're looking for in Bethlehem?

Come, I will stand in the gap with you.

12/2/2020

Jehovah God, I know I'm just the messenger, but this girl is so young. This gift is so wondrous, but it comes with great trials and sorrow. How will she ever be able to bear all that it will bring?

I know, I know. It's not my job to worry. Sometimes it's hard for me to stay in my lane. I see the joy, the absolute rapture your word can give your children, Father, really I do. But you've given me the ability to also glimpse beyond the moment.

Forgive me, Lord, for letting the frailness of their humanity become a distorted lens for your greatness. Thank you for letting me be a part of your plan, and the blessing that comes with it.

Come to a place of comfort!

11/25/2020

El Shaddai, our Heavenly Father! You have seen my deepest longing, and you have answered my prayer. In your great love, as a parent for His child, you have listened to the heart of your daughter. You have come near and blessed me.

Can my spirit praise your name any more, El Shaddai, or be filled with greater joy? I do not know how to thank you for the gift you have placed within me. I do not deserve your grace. Help me nurture and encourage this child to be all you are creating him to be.

Dear Aunt Nell: On the Road Again

9/30/2020

Dear Aunt Nell,
Tom and I are excited to hitting the road again for a vacation in Colorado! For years we've flown. It took years for Tom to let go of the wheel, but he finally figured out flying definitely has it advantages, except maybe this year...

Dear Aunt Nell: Birthday Season!

9/23/2020

Dear Aunt Nell,
The holiday season will soon be upon us. I love the holidays, don't you? But before the more festive holidays, our family has several other celebrations.

Dear Aunt Nell: Back to School Blessings

9/16/2020

Dear Aunt Nell,
Several of my friends have said they stopped checking social media because in our currently crazy world, it's so negative. I guess that's true a lot of times.

But more often than not, social media gives me the boost I need. Like this week...

More than...

8/26/2020

Gracie's quilt is nearly done. The big work of putting the quilt top, batting, and backing together remains, and that's okay. There's plenty of time for Grandpa and I to do that before Gracie's birthday in January.

Things we do for love...

8/5/2020

Have you noticed, Dear Reader, that from the first breath she takes, a grandchild calls us to more? Do more, try more, love more.

And sometimes, right in the middle of being role models, caregivers, and confidantes, I realize she's teaching me new things instead of the other way around.