He Has Made Me Glad

I feel sad today. It will be my Dad's birthday soon. I truly miss him.  I miss him everyday.  I miss the times when we were little... when Papa would wake us up and run after us.  My brothers and I would then race towards the dining table.  My mom was there preparing breakfast and we would all happily gobble up the food.  No camera captured that scene but I remember it vividly.  It was etched in my heart.  Precious memories.

My Mama and Papa separated when I was around seven years old and they both have different families now whom I dearly love.  I learned to accept how things are but the pain of separation lingers.  It is like my back pain.  It is just there.  I learned to live with it but it is just there.

This is not always what I feel.  But there are just days like these when I think of 'what could have beens'....days I feel "senti".

At times like this, I turn to my Father, the Great and loving One.  He knows my heart, my feelings, my pains.  He knows how to lift me up, ease the ache and make me smile once more.

"The Lord has done great things for them.
The Lord has done great things for us;
We are glad...
Those who sow in tears 
shall reap with joyful shouting.
He who goes to and fro weeping, 
carrying his bag of seed, 
shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, 
bringing his sheaves with him."
Psalm 126:3-6 (NASB) 

John Piper said sowing is simply the work that has to be done even when there are things in life that make us cry.  He said "... when you are full of sadness and tears are flowing easily, go ahead and do the jobs with tears.  Be realistic.  Say to your tears, 'Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life.  But there is a field to be sown (dishes to be washed, car to be fixed..) I know you will wet my face several times today, but I have work to do and you will just have to go with me. I intend to take the bag of seeds and sow. If you come along, then you will just have to wet the rows". (http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/talking-to-your-tears)

At the end of the day, I would have to make the choice to continue living a joyful life.  My parents would never be reunited, problems would probably remain, conflicts would arise but God is still in His throne.  He has done great things for me and I will be glad. (Psalm 126:3).

I choose to be glad.

My Papa singing a song for us during my wedding
- created using Leaving a Legacy Designs'
FIND YOUR VOICE

----------------------------------

FIND YOUR VOICE
by Leaving A Legacy Designs
Click the photo to grab the kit

Fresh Start - Project 52

Happy new year!!!

So excited to start scrapping this year.  I just joined PROJECT 52 at Scraps and Pieces. It's a year-long weekly project where I would have to scrap my life - weekly! Yay! I have always wanted to do this but never found the time. I  will be doing a gratitude album where I would scrap the things I am grateful for.

The Bible says, "Give thanks to Him, bless His Name, for the Lord is good, His lovingkindness is ever lasting and His faithfulness to all generations". (Psalm 100:4b-5)  We give thanks to God not just for the blessings we receive everyday but simply because of who He is ... His goodness, lovingkindness and faithfulness are enough to generate praises that would last our lifetime.

I also truly believe that grateful people are joyful people.    I love this quote from Ann Chan, "Joy is a grateful response to God for who He is -- our loving, faithful Creator. It is a deep contentment in God such that no matter what happens in life, there is every reason to give thanks". This year, I will choose to see the beauty in the 'simple everyday-things' that happen in my life.  I will choose to thank God  in everything. (Phil. 4:4).  I will choose to be grateful.

created using ALL WRAPPED UP and LIFE'S A BEACH by
Leaving a Legacy Designs

This week, I want to thank God for:
1. Family ties, Vacation, fun - We enjoyed every minute of our stay in Ate Aileen's house. I thank God for the chance to rest and enjoy this vacation with our kids.
2. I thank God for giving the kids a lesson on faith.  It was Michael's first time to ride the Super Viking. He was terrified but he was with his Dad & for him, that was all  that mattered. I call that faith.  Michael trusted his Dad because he knows he'll take care of him and he won't let go.  In the same way, in the midst of fear or problems, we need to trust God because He will never leave us nor forsake us.
3. When we were back home, the kids were a great help to me.  They helped me cook, wash clothes, clean the house, etc.  And they did this joyfully (with my eldest even whistling all the time). I thank God for giving me two wonderful, obedient and joyful boys.
4. I thank God that we were finally able to get a follow-up x-ray on Alvin's back. I thank God that we found friendly doctors near our place who patiently and clearly explained possible reasons for Alvin's back pain. I thank God for Alvin's health card. We didn't have to pay a single cent.

created using FRESH START
by Leaving a Legacy Designs

Praise God for a FRESH and wonderful START!

-----------------


p.s. very timely .... Leaving A Legacy Designs has a new kit  - FRESH START - perfect for scrapping P52 projects, new year's resolutions, and special everyday moments. Get the pieces for $1 only  until January 7.  Full kit with solid papers will be in the store by January 8 and will be 30% off until January 12, Sunday.

My son, Michael, 7 years ago

created using FRESH START by 

LEAVING A LEGACY DESIGNS

The Paper Packs:

The elements

Grab them HERE - FRESH START