Saturday, May 16, 2009

sumballo



Today is my Mom's birthday. While wanting to dedicate a nice blog of sweet words to her, I always struggle with writing when it comes to these types of things--anything having to do with parents, family, or the Lord. Probably because I know that words alone just can't properly position certain things that rest in your heart.

And then in one of my daily devotions this week Beth Moore referenced Luke 2:1-20. It spoke of Mary, a woman who witnessed the work of God in ways far beyond what is written. Experiences. Experiences that could never be fully expressed in one good Word. Luke 2:19 says, "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart". Beth went on to say that the word "pondered" is sumballo--which describes taking many things, casting them together and considering them as one. Throughout Mary's life she experienced a number of things. Pain. Joy. Fear. Belief. Each experience making up the whole. What held them together as one? The faithfulness of God--that He was intimately involved in every piece of the puzzle.

I realized this morning that I did not need to ponder any more about what to write to or about my mom on her birthday. She and I have shared so many things in life. Good times. Hard times. Better times. ....Laughter. Crying. Love. ...Faith. A perfect blend of the ugly and the beautiful. And the most beautiful thing of all is that there is faithfulness. An intimate involvement in the pieces of each others' puzzles.

Mom, I treasure every bit of what we have shared, and ponder it in my heart. The experiences we have known make up a
whole that I am very thankful and proud to own. Happy Birthday...your presence in my life is beyond words.

I love you.
Emily


ps...while speaking of things shared.....another shares the day. Happy Birthday, Matthew DeLellis! :)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

flare (part 2, the unexpected)

Cinco de Mayo, 2:00 pm :: back porch view

:: as the sounds of sirens and helicopters sing me to sleep tonight, I will be saying some prayers for the ones fighting flames for my sweet city on a hill ::