Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Nothing Stays the Same





I came home one afternoon to find this little guy
sitting in his nest right in the middle of our front deck.
His safe home that was once nestled up in a corner of our roof
had been blown down by a gust of wind that came through our valley rather quickly
 bringing with it a down pouring rain.
*~*
There he sat... all alone while his sibling was on the grass
just a few feet away
The mother was flying from tree to tree chirping non stop.
The home for these birds that seemed in contact changed in a big hurry.
One minute they were comfortable in their nest,
while the next minute the mama is frantically trying to protect and move her two 
babies to another safe place.
*~*
On this particular day I had been at my parents home
helping them with the changes that are going on in their own lives.
As I watched this family of barn swallows in disarray,
I couldn't help but think of all that is taking place in the lives of my parents.
We knew the time would come when changes would have to be made
but we had no idea it was going to happen this summer and so quickly.
Fast and furious, like the gust of wind that took out this birds nest ,
we too have been making changes.
*~*
Nothing stays the same, does it?
It is so easy to get comfortable in our environment
thinking nothing will ever change
but that's not realistic.
Life brings with it changes...
*~*
There are chapters of our lives.
Some of the chapters are wonderful and pleasant,
while others are not so enjoyable. 
Have you ever come across chapters in a book that you really didn't want to read through?
I have...and I'm sure you have...
But...In order to get to the end,
we have to endure the chapter that isn't so wonderful.
*~*
We can be sure that no matter what chapter of our lives we may go through,
"God, makes all things work together for good
to them that love God,
and to them who are called according to His purpose".
( Romans 8:28 )
*~*
"For such a time as this" (from the book of Esther),
 I have been privileged to devote myself and my time to my parents
and their needs.
I have missed my blogging community and dear friends
but please know that I am here off and on
popping in to visit you.
I am praying that I will have some free time to post every now and then
but please do not give up on me. :)


Our Dear Heavenly Father.
Thank you for the chapters of our lives.
May we always praise You and give You the glory
no matter what is going on.
Cause us to be reminded of Your unfailing love.
May we hold strong to the promises that are found through out Your Word.
Amen


~ Be Lovely ~
Debbie

21 comments:

Esther Asbury said...

I once heard the statement that went something like this: Everyone you know: a)has just come through a storm, b)is in the middle of storm, or c)is heading for a storm.
Seems like that is the way life works -- doesn't it?
So glad these words are true: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!"

Stephanie said...

Good morning, Mom. Your post this morning made me cry. . .In some ways I feel like I have a shield up around my heart because of everything that has taken place (you now what I mean), but then your words this morning cracked my shield (in a good way). I appreciate you and your genuine heart to love and care for those God has placed in your path. It's not always easy to do what God has in store for you, but you continue to follow Him and let Him strengthen you - that is a testimony!

Remember this: there is always a beautiful rainbow at the end of a storm. When all of this has passed there will be calm water and a beautiful rainbow - a promise from our God.

I love you and am thankful for you!

By the way, were the Barn Swallows okay?? I saw the nest sitting on the windowsill last Saturday and meant to ask you about it :)

Debby Ray said...

Good morning, Debbie...so wonderful to see your post this morning! You are so right about these seasons in life...there are many that I would love to revisit...such as my childhood... as much as I know how impossible it is, I still find myself longing for the "good ol' days". I guess that's what our memories are for, right? On the other hand, there are those times when our world is turned upside down... that I would not want to repeat those times but I thank God for them anyway because He was there, leading, guiding, giving His peace like no one else can. I don't want to know what my life would be like without my Lord!

I hope your day is blessed!

Billie Jo said...

This is beautiful, and touched my heart, my friend.
I was just thinking the other day how things are changing in my world...
Major changes. The loss of my dear father...and how my heart aches to have that phone ring just one more time and hear hus voice on the other end...
And smaller changes too...like a doctor our children loved passing suddenly, my favorite doctor retiring, switching parishes for our church community...
And a change I am struggling to embrace...the shift in my own life from young mother thinking only about how many more children we will be blessed with to the older mother reaching the end of that phase of my life...
I was thinking about change and how resistant I am to it...And then you wrote this and shared it here. And I feel peace in my heart...
Thank you...hugs and prayers for all your changes, my friend!

SarahGeorge said...

Precious thoughts! Hope the birds are okay and the picture of the meadow is just beautiful!

Sandra said...

I know you've been going through this time with your parents and it must be tiring and difficult for everyone. Change can be hard especially if it comes unexpectedly. I pray that both you and your parents be given strength and encouragement as you all go through this process. Hugs!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

Dear Debbie,
First of all I want to say how sorry I am for this change in all of your lives. I have been there and I know how difficult these changes are. Your post today is very heartfelt and beautiful. I wish you courage as you travel these unfamiliar and uncertain roads - one that all of us must face in this always changing world. You are a wonderful daughter and with your love and caring I know your parent's lives will be so blessed. These are bittersweet and precious days and I will pray to give you and your family strength. Please make sure to take care of yourself in this difficult time. Blessings and love, Karen xo

Celestina Marie said...

Dear Debbie,
Such a wonderful post from the heart of change. I know this chapter too my friend, when life takes a new turn for our parents. You are such a good and devoted daughter taking care of their needs and being there for the changes that we all know happens.

I always thought, when taking care of my parents in their last days, they would do the same for me and they had.

It's not an easy time to see our loved ones through this journey, but a beautiful time too.

Wishing you God's grace to see you through and prayers for each and every day you are blessed with your loved ones.
God has a plan and it will be beautiful.

Blessing and Love to you dear one.

Marilyn Mathis said...

Such a beautiful post that moved my heart to appreciate the blessings that I am enjoying right now. We have all been through these times and only as we can lean on our heavenly Father do we have the strength to go on. You are such a blessing as you express so well how God is helping you through these difficult days. You are truly an encourager. PS Hope the birdies are doing well and become friends. :)

Vicky Hunt said...

Such a beautiful and touching post. There is so much truth here and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Were the little birds ok? I sure hope so! Prayers for you sweet friend in this time of change in your life.

Blessings, Vicky

The Mayo Family said...

Hello~
Just wanted to pop in and say how much I enjoy your blog and I love the colors!:)
Your post here is so great and uplifting to me......My favorite verse is Romans 8:28:)
Thank you for all you share from the LOrd!!We have really enjoyed getting to know you and your sweet girl!May GOD bless you for touching other people lifes!
Leaning on Him~
Annamarie

Sola Scriptura said...

What a timely post. Thank you for this encouragement.

Mrs. Smith said...

This is such a thought provoking, well written post. And encouraging! Beautiful pictures, too. I love your analogy of the little bird family. And I am swooning over your mountainous view. Oh what a place to spend quiet time with the Lord that must be!

I'll be in prayer for you as you go through this chapter in your life. Blessings to you!

Bonnie said...

Thanks for reminding us of God's faithfulness and promises.I understand what you are going through. Our family is also adjusting to changes with my husband's mother. Everyday is different and the new normal changes often.

Blessings to you as you assist your parents.

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

What a beautiful post, my friend, of the chapters in our lives. No, all the chapters are not pleasant, but we must have faith.
I'm still praying for you and your parents. You are a wonderful daughter and a blessing in their lives. xo

Deborah Montgomery said...

Debbie, many blessings to you as you minister to and serve your parents. They are blessed to have such a devoted daughter. Take time to gather your strength; caregiving can be exhausting (the mother bird flitting around reminds us how anxious we can get when those we love are in trouble). Thank you for the sweet spirit you share in your blog; it is a real blessing to me.

Camille said...

It is true that sudden is often how changes come...so precious to know that our Lord is never surprised by any of it. How wonderful it is that He goes before us and leads us in it and through it all. Praying for you as you walk this path of change with your parents, Debbie. May our Great God give much grace and strength for the journey that lies ahead. Hugs, Camille

Anne Payne said...

Debbie, I will be praying for you as you go through changes with your parents. I know life has its joys and sorrows, and thankfully we serve a God who is right there with us in the midst of each and every one of them. I pray he gives you strength for this journey.

Jan Hermann said...

Praying for you sweet friend, as you are going through this chapter in life. Hugs!

Little Birdie Blessings said...

This is lovely Debbie, thank you for sharing.

Linda Walker said...

Hi Debbie,
I stopped by to catch up on some reading and I scrolled down to this posting. I think we can all relate to "life's changes" and how these influence our lives in either a negative or a positive way. Lessons in life I guess. I am very sorry that you are going through some challenging times right now but so happy your faith is strong and unwavering. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda

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