Abound....An Old Word that Sounds New

I think the word abound is an old word.  I use that phrase to describe words that I feel like we do not use anymore.

But I think I really like the word abound.

Merriam-Webster defines abound as "to be present in large numbers or in great quantity - be prevalent"

My Bible dictionary even mentions abound (yes I have a Bible dictionary - I have more books that some small real libraries - that is a blog for another day but oh my word - I love books!).

This all started when I was at my computer this morning.  I have a screen saver of pictures with scriptures and other phrases to keep my focused on what's important - this one flashed by this morning and caught my eye.

I tend to stand at my computer quite a bit and it is only increased lately.  I have the absolute wonderful opportunity to keep granddaughter one (Kg5) on Mondays & Tuesdays.  Oh how my life is just perfectly blessed!

I love music and lately I have been turning on iTunes to an album of Christian music songs and I sing while she falls asleep.  

We actually do quite a bit of singing and dancing - she will grow up loving all kinds of music.  Most of all I want her to grow up knowing and feeling the love of Jesus.  I want Jesus to fill her with joy and peace as she believes in Him so that she can abound in hope.

Abounding in hope - that is what we all want - right?  There has to be more!  We must have hope that our belief is real - that we do serve the God of hope.  

Abound in hope - Great quantities of hope!

To me one of the greatest passages about hope is in John 14.  I remember this passage best from almost 25 years ago.  I was in Graham Regional Medical Center and Kerry opened his Bible and read this passage as I was put on seizure alert and wondering when that premature baby would be born.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God, trust also in me.  In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you...

That baby (son one) was born about 24 hours after Kerry read the passage to me.

Son One at 4 months.  He was born 7 weeks early!

To understand abounding in hope - one must know Jesus and accept His grace.

For more on this grace - prepare2prosper

Yes!  Let's abound in Hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And let's share that with others - share that as we love.  

Extra note - over on the other blog - prepare2prosper - you will read about a man in our community who was larger than life.  A man that while I did not know him well, his son has spent many days in our home with nephew three, and we have gone to church with them and watched many, many football games with his family.  His dear friends are my dear friends and I have been a small part of helping during their loss.  Well - imagine my surprise when I read his obituary.... his mother's name - Greta... The only Greta that I have heard of before (well except for the famous one) was this baby...

God speed Jeff! We will see you soon.  Please tell your mom that another Greta will meet her one day too.  

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.

Showers of Blessing Continues

He never talks to us.  In fact he never really seems to know we are there.  A while ago in his rough, tired, lived a hard life voice he told us "I can't hear".

Well not being able to hear doesn't keep one from recognizing pure beauty and wanting to gaze for just a moment.

I am not sure why I am so surprised and taken aback each time - but I am.  This isn't her first visit to Horizon Bay but each time someone's life is impacted by her.  Someone is blessed and those showers just pour from heaven.

He stopped walking with his walker, grabbed the wooden rail and touched her feet and told me how perfect she was.  He wanted to know how old she is and fortunately she is 3 months old and I could make the hand gesture.

We stood there in the hallway for several minutes - he just looked at her - just smiled - and his eyes held joy - his eyes recorded the blessing.

Earlier in that visit she had sat with her great grandfather (my dad).  One of the caregivers said "I have never seen him interact this way"

Babies do that - they allow all of us to interact on a level that we don't with others - because our age doesn't hinder our desire to interact - and there's not any condition that overcomes our bodies on this earth, that can keep us from naturally gravitating towards the blessing that is showered.

The showers poured from heaven that afternoon -

"Look at those hands - you need a picture of her holding her hands."

"She's just a dumpling.  Sweet dumpling.  It has been so long since I have seen one that little."

"Look at those eyes, she is just beautiful."

"How old is she."

"Look at those feet."

And each time the smile on their face was complete with joy.  I wish each one of the Clare Bridge family members could have seen each one with our blessing.  She brought joy to their lives -

He sends the showers in all kinds of places and our blessings just continue.






Seriously if we truly wanted to improve the quality of life for our elderly (us someday) we would build daycares and retirement homes (nursing homes too) right next to each other.  We would find a way for our aging communities to help us as we raise those daycare children.  As for me - I am going to make myself go every week and take as many children as I can find.  The joy - the interaction - the BLESSINGS are just too great to miss!  Can you join me?  Can you find a child to take to visit someone who is aging?  

I always went to the nursing homes when I was growing up.  Our church would sing at the ones in Jacksboro and then later in my life my aunt and my grandmother were both in the home in Collinsville.  It doesn't bother me to visit the aging - I am guessing that is because these ones that I visit now made sure that I went when I was younger.  I don't think they did that because they thought they would be there one day - they went and they took me because it made a difference for their daughter......... and the ones I visited.

Psalms 71:9

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails.

Proverbs 16:31

A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age I will be the same, And even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; And I will bear you and I will deliver you.

Always, May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14.