such small hands

I AM Forever WHO I AM

We sang this last Sunday for Reformation. Its words echo Psalm 46, on which Pastor based his sermon. I can't sing or listen to this hymn without tearing up; it speaks to my heart so very deeply.

Though mountains slide into the sea, and waters rush where fields should be,
Though monuments and nations fall, Your holy city stands through all.
When nothing seems to stay the same, You teach us Your eternal name.

Refrain: I AM forever WHO I AM. Above you, beneath you,
around you and within you. Be still, and know that I am God.

We buy and sell; we lose or gain; our fortunes shift like sun and rain.
Sustain our lives, reward our toil with bread and honey, wine and oil.
Save us and others from our greed; You always give us what we need. [Refrain]

Our lust for power, wealth and land diminishes the earth You planned.
Prevent our crimes and futile wars; convince us that all things are Yours.
We rage and burn and kill and steal. But You redeem, restore and heal. [Refrain]

Like shepherds watching for the light, aware of dangers in the night,
We hear the angel, "Do not fear, the Savior of the world is near."
We run, we see, we touch, we laugh. You came to earth on our behalf. [Refrain]

Each generation looks for truth. And doubt can trouble age or youth.
If other gods would take Your place, remember us with love and grace.
Reclaim us if we go astray; You are the Truth, the Life, the Way. [Refrain]

Some days seem long, though life is brief. And death is waiting like a thief.
When vision fades and dreams go dry, we will on unseen things rely.
Our stories take up but a page, but Yours goes on from age to age. [Refrain]

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

In this phrase from the Lord's Prayer, we ask for all those things that sustain our physical life, and He provides. Not too soon and not too late, but He provides. I've seen Him do it over and over. This afternoon I was half-heartedly taking a nap while thinking, praying and trying not to obsess about the lack of work I've had this week. When the phone rang. One of my former colleagues at C------ has figured out a way for me to freelance for him, doing some of the writing that I used to do! The best part is that it is regular, consistent work --- at least, as long as they have the Ford contract for the job. Thank you, thank you, Father.

Jury duty turned out to be nothing. They didn't need us because the case was dismissed, due to the non-appearance of the alleged victim. I was back home by 10 a.m. Sweet.

Worked in the garden for a while yesterday, pulling out dead and dying things. Saved a bunch of green and ripening tomatoes for eating later.

We have rain this afternoon and it's predicted to last the whole weekend. So, I guess there'll be no golf. It was so chilly last weekend, I was wearing Ken's earmuffs over my visor. Quite the fashion statement, that was. Made me wish I had some UnderArmor.

Where Has October Gone?

It has been way too long since I last posted. Really, I'm still here. Although, with this head cold, I don't expect this post to be very coherent. I'll give it a shot, though.

I've had some real, for-pay freelance work in the past three weeks. These are good, repeat clients, so I'm hopeful they'll have other projects for me in the near future. This week is looking wide open, unless something new is thrown into my figurative inbox.

That's OK, though, since I have a summons for jury duty on Wednesday. Not looking forward to it much. Sunday's sermon was on the "render unto Caesar" passage, so I just figure whether I'm seated on a jury or not, this is part of the price for living in a democratic society.

Ken and I took our last trip up north from Oct. 10-14. The colors were stunningly beautiful (I'll post one, if I ever download them from the camera) and the weather was unseasonably warm. The golf was good and I succeeded in breaking 140 at both LLWC and White Pine National.

Amy turned 21. Wow. It's amazing to be the mother of a young adult. She is such an awesome person. (Let me tell you, this post just got shorter. Try typing with a 14-pound cat between you and the keyboard. Thing is, it's a good 45 minutes until mealtime.)