Make Me A River

"We are rivers not reservoirs." Bob Goff 

John 7:38 "he that believeth on me... out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water."

Water is a powerful thing. The influence of my life is a powerful force. Because I know a lot of people. What I do and say today will affect those I walk with today. 

I read Bob Goff's quote and have been challenged this week. 

According to the John verse, I shouldn't just be dripping water on others, it should be "flowing" out of me. That word "flowing" implies freshness, movement, and life. I have had that kind of person influence my life. I felt invigorated to just be in their presence. I have also been with people who you feel like you have to squeeze a smile out of them.

Just doing a little checkup today on me flowing capacity. Sometimes, I find myself being like a faucet.  I can turn the water on or I can turn it off. Some days I feel like blessing and some days I going to myself.

But I've been thinking that if God pours so many good things into me, I think the rivers will have to flow out. So if I don't let the rivers flow out, I will make a reservoir within.

Reservoirs tend to stagnate. For them to be used, they have to have treatment.  Sometimes, I think that's what God does with me. He has to give me a little treatment to make me flow again.

So I'm just trying to find out what I have flowing out today. Is it a trickle? Or is it a flow that is so strong that I can't help but open up and bless my world around me today. I really want to be a river and not a reservoir. I want my life and my spirit to be a refreshing source of love and blessing that people will be drawn to my Source...

Lord, flow into me. Make me a River...

Summer Moments

"Summer Moments"
 Philippians 4:11..."for I have learned... to be content..."

We are experiencing some rare, cool August days. It reminds me that summer is fast ending and a new season is just around the corner. Not intent on wishing my life away, I often remind myself to stop and enjoy the moment. It's not something I have always done. So I have been reliving my summer moments. It has been a good one. I am blessed. 

An early in the year blessing was having our oldest grandson choose a life mate. I have enjoyed watching their old fashioned courtship, and ask her father for her hand engagement. We are excited to welcome Marleah into our family on September 16.  She's a beautiful person.....

We attended our next oldest grandson's graduation and teared up a little watching him walk across that stage. But he's an optimist and spent a summer doing what he enjoys: playing music. I anticipate him doing "adulting" well.  I'm grateful for his values.

So many small, joyful snatched moments with the other grandchildren. I love them so. 

 

Rare moments with my WV girl. I love her still wanting to share her girl thoughts with me...

Bumper boats just for fun with Emalie and Nat.... it's the simple things...

Nat's special, first maid of honor experience.. she was so pretty!
 

 

Just a swinging with these funny monkeys!! Doesn't take much to make them happy. Love, love them!!

 

Remembering past tea parties with Miss Briley and missing them... starting them 8 years later with Miss Savannah....I'm due some beautiful moments with my KY girl!!

We are scheduling a fall tea soon, Briley!!

Hilarious games with sons in laws and grandsons. Keith and Jared still thinking they can outdo Blake and Connor and Cade!! Sooo funny!!

Crying over Chad's inherited!!!!ability to put his emotions into poetry!!!

 

How wonderful to go back and let your head swell over those sweet special day posts!  Beautiful moments!! Love that my children still love me in my old age and hoping my senior moments don't hinder that too much in the future!!

Why does everyone but me love these crawfish boils? But I like the camaraderie!!

 

 

Pie supper and fellowship after flooding and an extremely stressful work day at POG with no electricity!  

Teamwork projects and fun with 30 youth!! A memorable 3 days!! 

Love having my siblings near to celebrate anything we can think of... I spent most of my life long distance from them!! I cherish our connections!

Campfire on the beach.. unusual combination.. with friends... so much fun!! 

Oklahoma Sunsets... I am learning to sprint for the POG new deck and pull up a chair..so inspirational!!

 

Sharing this happy moment, after 3 grueling years, with our pastor's wife, Renee! Such an accomplishment!!

Special trips with my husband!! They have been renewing and much needed!

I treasure our gathering of travel memories...

Positive changes for lifetime involvement at an old fashioned campground..special beautiful moments of attending my 60+ years at Monark Springs Campground...

 I am surrounded by a loving husband ,supportive children, the sweetest grandchildren, and loyal friends who all have contributed to my beautiful summer moments.  Thank you, life, and thank you, God! I am grateful!