Three Word Wednesday: Your Great Grace

His great grace found me.

His great grace found my family.

As our church family prayed for us on Sunday,

His great grace covered us.

This I know...

It's His great grace that fills me

and gives me the courage and strength to say good-bye.

So I'm breathing in His grace

and I'm breathing out His praise.

His great grace is there for you too.

Will you breathe it in?

I promise when you do
you will be breathing out His praise.

"Your Grace Finds Me"
by, Matt Redman

It's there in the newborn cry

It's there in the light of every sunrise

It's there in the shadows of this light

Your great grace

It's there on the mountaintop

It's there in the everyday and the mundane

There in the sorrow and the dancing

Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross

Then from the cross into eternity

Your grace finds me Yes,

Your grace finds me

It's there on a wedding day

There in the weeping by the graveside

There in the very breath we breathe

Your great grace

Same for the rich and poor

Same for the saint and for the sinner

Enough for this whole wide world

Your great grace

Oh, such grace

From the creation to the cross

Then from the cross into eternity

Your grace finds me Yes,

Your grace finds me

There in the darkest night of the soul

There in the sweetest songs of victory

Your grace finds me

Yes, Your grace finds me

Your great grace

Oh, such grace

Your great grace

Oh, such grace

So I'm breathing in Your grace

And I'm breathing out Your praise

I'm breathing in Your grace

Forever I'll be Breathing in Your grace

And I'm breathing out Your praise

I'm breathing in Your grace

Forever I'll be

Breathing in Your grace

And I'm breathing out Your praise

Breathing in Your grace

For our God, for our God

Yes, Your grace finds me

Yes, Your grace finds me

Friday Randomness (Vol. 2)

Honestly, my thoughts revolve around my son returning home for a visit this weekend. The past week we prepared our third bedroom for his return. When he married we let him take the bedroom furniture from his room so something new was needed so he has a place to sleep.

I wanted the room to be multi-functional; it needed to serve as an office/writing space for me and also a guest room. I love how the room turned out. My husband is all sorts of awesomeness!

Back to my son...the awesomeness of my husband distracted me.

My son returns home to see his father before he leaves. You see, he may deploy next year and the two of them could potentially go approximately two years without seeing each other. The weekend will end with the first of a series of good-byes. I need to remember to give thanks to God in all things...including good-byes.

Scripture speaking to my heart

"Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life." ~ Mark 10:29-30

When we surrender everything to Him, we will "receive a hundred times as much." The act of surrender may not be easy but this reminds me of how greatly He wants to bless us.

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." ~ Matthew 20:28

As Christians we are to follow His example. It's not about us. We are to serve others.

Can I also say the Book of Ephesians rocks! I'm so happy this is the book my husband and I will read over and over again while he is away.

More from Let Hope In

"Pleasing God is a great longing, but it cannot be our primary motivation or it will imprison our hearts. When our motive is trusting God, our focus is then living out who God says I am. As a follower of Christ you have received a new heart. You have a new identity. You've already been changed and now you get to mature into who you already are." ~ Pastor Pete Wilson

Favorite blog read from the week.

Tracy of One Degree Ministries writes about a question her daughter asked as she flipped through her toddler Bible. In her post she asks us consider what our own hearts say as we open the Bible. A quick and powerful read.

A new favorite song

Ann Voskamp recently shared a series of links in her post Sharing Whatever is Good: {Sharing Links to Love the Internet Again}. One of the links was a YouTube video of the song "In The End" by Natalie Grant. I've now watched/listened to the video at least several dozen times. As Ann says, "Turn it up loud and play it again." It's SO good.

A Cup of Coffee

My dear friend Barbie of My Freshly Brewed Life has a new devotional releasing soon called Coffee Talk with Jesus. I'm confident her devotional will encourage and bless us. If you would like to write a review of her book during the month of November, email Barbie at barbie@myfreshlybrewedlife.com.

Beginning the first Tuesday of November you can also have Coffee Cup Tuesday delivered to your inbox every month. If this is the closest I can come to having a cup of coffee with Barbie, I'm all in. How about you? Will you join her for a cup?

All the Things I Don't Do

1. I do not talk politics. I stay away from any conversations. Instead of debating with you, I prefer to pray for our leaders.

2. I do not cook. You don't want me to cook either. If you want to know how you can help me while my husband is gone, invite me over for dinner or come by with dinner. :)

3. I do not stay up late. I need my eight hours of sleep.

4. I do not listen to voicemail messages. I have no good excuse for this. If I don't answer your call, try me again or send a text.

5. I do not do winter. Okay, that should say I do not do winter well. I'd rather hibernate in our cozy home until it goes away. I'm going to do my best to embrace winter this year. Bring on the snow!

6. I do not dress up for Halloween. I do not understood this holiday. If you have a Halloween party and announce costumes are required I'm less likely to attend. Sorry, I'm being honest.

For an explanation on why I'm sharing this with you read Amy Sullivan's post on freeing ourselves from expectation. Let's embrace our quirks and flaws. I found this both difficult and freeing to do. Yes, I stole number three from Amy; it's the truth though.

Finding blessings in a deployment

 ~ Special time with family beforehand
~ Bringing my son home for a visit

~ More frequent and longer hugs

~ Parties to celebrate him

~ Patriotic decorations

~ Meeting our extended military family

Thank you again for your continued prayers. They are truly felt.

God bless.


Anything random from your week you would like to share?

Three Word Wednesday: Walk with God

"This God, this God of the Bible, is a God who wants to be with you. You were made to walk with God. You were made for a 'with God' life." ~ Let Hope In, by Pete Wilson

(p. 87) 

I considered only sharing the quote above as Pete Wilson says it so beautifully. But there is desperation in my heart for those who may not "walk with God." I desperately want you to have a "with God life." So I pray Paul's prayer from Ephesians.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparable great power for us who believe." ~ Ephesians 1:18-19

I know this hope Paul refers to. This hope has filled me with peace as I prepare to send my husband off to war. There is even a hint of excitement over what God will do during our many months apart. Because our God only does good things!

Alecia of There's Something Different, who has joined us the past several weeks for Three Word Wednesday, writes in Day 12 of her 31 Days to Fearless Living post, "When I called, you answered me; you make me bold and strengthened (Psalm 138:3)."

The past several months, I've called upon Him over and over again. I've prayed for strength and courage. Oh how He has answered me. I'm feeling "bold and strengthened."

In her devotional Serving You: 31 Days of Encouragement for the Military Wife, Kristen Strong of Chasing Blue Skies tells us in Day 18 (The Big Awful News), "If we are going to follow Him, we must have faith and trust that while He may not answer our prayers immediately, He does answer them completely."

My faith and trust is in Him. And when I pray for you to have a "with God" life, I know He is moving in your life. Do you hear Him? Do you see Him? Will you let Him in?

He cares about you.
He wants to be with you.
He knows the desires of your heart.
He will answer your prayers.

Walk with God. It is what you were made for.

Let Hope In.

Snapshot Love—the strong and courageous

The above is a small collage of cards received from the youth group at our church for my husband and other deployed service members.

There was also a card for me that simply said, "You will be brave Mrs. Beth." Yes, I shed a few tears when reading that one.

Paper, pens and envelopes sit by a military support mailbox at our church. Every Sunday I open the mailbox and find more cards and letters for those serving in harms way. The letters are not only from the children.

I held a recent collection in my hands and realized for the past year we've been sending them to men and women I do not know. Now they will make their way to someone I do know. Suddenly they have new meaning to me. I feel a sense of urgency to collect more; not only for my husband but for the many more who will serve along side of him.

The cards and letters bring messages of gratitude, hope and love to those willing to serve and protect our country. They tell these men and women we have not forgotten them.

I believe they bring a needed reminder of where to draw their strength and courage from.

"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." ~ Psalm 121:2

Can I ask a favor?

Would you take a moment to write a letter? Below is a list of organizations who accept letters for our troops.

Operation Support our Troops - America

Operation Gratitude

American Red Cross

USO

Better yet, multiply your efforts by starting a letter writing campaign at your office, school or church.

A little something for you..

Do you know someone currently serving in harms way? OSOT-America will send them a comfort care package at no cost to you. Go here to add their name.

Are you looking to support a military family in your community? Kristen, of Chasing Blue Skies, provides 20 sure fire ways to love the military spouse in your neighborhood.

One last request...

Friends, never stop praying for them. Pray for their strength and courage. Pray for them to know God is with them always.

"O Lord, be with our Soldiers as they leave their homes and their families to serve our Nation. Guide them as they plant the seeds of peace for these are the seeds that will forever keep America the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. Bless them, O Lord and bless their families, for they are all the Heroes of American Freedom. Their sacrifices for us will Not be Forgotten." ~ author unknown

For your Sunday

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Today my husband and I celebrate 23 years together. On the day of our wedding my father stood and shared the words from 1 Corinthians 13. At that time, we were not Christ followers and those words were just words to us. Twice our marriage came close to ending, "but God" three years ago found His way in to our hearts.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 

No matter what we may endure together we know God is able to do immeasurably more than we can imagine because of His power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

Happy Anniversary, Dear. I love you with all my heart.

Friday Randomness (Vol. 1)

A new Friday series...maybe. We will see. No promises. I've been feeling prompted to replace Five Minute Friday with something new.

I love FMF but I never come close to writing for five minutes and I'm battling to keep up with link-ups these days. I do not want to be someone who links up but does not visit others who have linked up. I do not want to be someone who only comes to your blog to link up. I do not want to participate in a link-up because everyone else does or because it may help build my followers.

What I'm trying to say — I want my heart to be in the right place.

I need it to be about God. I want what He wants and to be going in the direction He is leading. I want this for you too. It needs to be Him leading you here. It needs to be Him who is leading you to keep returning.

Am I making sense? I hope so.

If I continue with the series, I'm not sure what it will look like other than me randomly sharing my heart with you. We will wait to see what God has in mind. Sound like a plan?

Scripture I'm meditating on

"Search me God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." ~ Psalm 139:23-24

Instructions for living

I spent time in Matthew 5-6 and Ephesians 4:17-32 this week and can not help but to wonder why we would turn anywhere else but the Bible for instructions on how to live a good life. After reading from Galatians 5:22-23 last night I'm reflecting on what fruits have showed up in my life recently and what fruits are missing. What fruit has popped up in your life recently?

Inspiring quote

“The willingness to be and to have just what God wants us to be and have, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else, would set our hearts at rest, and we would discover the simpler life, the greater peace.” ~ Elisabeth Elliot

More from Let Hope In

"When somebody loves us, when they put their arms around us, when they give us a hug, it's literally life-giving." ~ Pete Wilson

Seriously, you need to read this book. It is SO good.

Brighten someone's day

Jenn of Running This Thing Called Life is doing a series on 31 Ways to Brighten Someone's Day. She shares simple ways of how to be the light in someone's day. As Jenn writes in the first post of her series, "...little acts of kindness are not little."

Love Others

Have you clicked on the Love Others button on my home page and wondered why it continues to say "Coming Soon?" Oh my. I do plan to do something with this page soon. I really do. I've got thoughts on having others contribute to the page and have a few words from a dear friend that will eventually be shared there. In the meantime, come visit this dear friend of mine as she recently wrote a fabulous post on words we all need to hear. Love you, Bev.

A servant heart

There are three ladies who are planting a desire in my heart to write more about serving. I'm always inspired when I come to their place. Thank you, Alene, Amy and Lisa.

One of these days I hope to share more about my time in Guatemala and my passion to serve our military and their families. In the meantime, would you be willing to sponsor a wreath for only $15.00 to have placed at the grave site of a fallen hero this holiday season? Visit my fundraising page here.

I'm grateful for

I'm grateful for a friend who graciously gave to me this week the book The Whole Bible Story by Dr. William H. Marty. I can't wait to dive in to this book.

It's party time

I've got a party to plan for a growing number of guests. I pray I remember this isn't about food, decorations or any of those typical party things. It's about family and friends coming together to celebrate a man's heart (that would be my husband!) to serve and protect his country. That is all. Nothing more.

God is with us

The days are flying by. I'm currently doing okay with this. Our oldest son will come home next week to see his father before he leaves and my heart beats with excitement over seeing him in the house again. I can't wait to simply watch him sleep at night.

God is with us. He will be the strength of our hearts and our portion forever. (Psalm 73:26)

Thank you my dear friends for all your prayers.

Three Word Wednesday: Let Hope In

I'm not sure why I've had a difficult time picking up a book and finishing it this year. Last year I read more books than I have ever read in one year. You can see my top 12 from 2012 here.

This year I do not think I could even give you a top 12 as I most likely have not completely read 12 books. I'd previously read while I worked out. I then discovered I could write while I worked out. Multi-tasking we call that! I miss reading though.

Emily of The Inner Harbor wrote a review of the book Let Hope In: 4 Choices That Will Change Your Life Forever by pastor/author Pete Wilson. While in Orlando this past week, I picked up the book and began reading.

Friends, this book is a must read. Read Emily's review and I'm sure you will be convinced to read as I was.

Because I need to spend less time writing to be with my family, I'm going to let Emily's review convince you and I'm sharing only a small portion of the book that has stood out for me so far. I cheated and picked the title of the book for my three words. There are two other words I want to share with you this week: "But God"

What does the author say about these two words?

"I love the phrase "but God" and believe a case could be made that it's one of the most important phrases in the entire Bible. This phrase is used throughout Scripture as a turning point, a line of demarcation between peril and rescue, chaos and control, fall and redemption, hurt and healing.

But God! Every time I read a verse that says "but God," it is fantastically good news. There are literally hundreds of verses that have "but God" in both the Old and New Testaments:

The psalmist in Psalm 73:25: "My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever."

Jesus in Matthew 19:26: "Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible."

The apostle Paul in Acts 13:29-30: "When they had done all that the prophecies said about him, they took him down from the cross and placed him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead!"

Once we were dead in sin, but God made us alive! Once we were captive to our past, but God made us free! Once we were unworthy, but God has promised to spend eternity unwrapping the riches of his grace in kindness towards us!" 

(p. 10-11) 

"But God!" Oh is He good news. He is the best news!

I have not reached this portion of the book but I love the quote Emily shared in her review from page 196 of the book:

"All of Scripture points to one man, one God, not because he gives us everything we're hoping for but because he is the One we put our hope in."

He is our hope and He's knocking at your door. Will you let Him in?

Snapshot Love—Jesus is the way

While in Orlando this past Saturday, instead of making our way to the Magic Kingdom as originally planned, my husband and I headed to the golf course. Early on there was a sign we were right where He wanted us to be.

I have many more photos from our morning of golfing (well, my husband golfed and I drove the cart) but there is much to catch up on since returning. Instead, I'm going to leave you with scripture and a song.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." ~ John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus said, "I am the Road, also the Truth, also the Life. No one gets to the Father apart from me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him. You've even seen him!" ~ John 14:6-7 (MSG)

Jesus: I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ~ John 14:6 (Voice)

"One Way Jesus"

by Hillsong United

I lay my life down at Your feet

You’re the only one I need

I turn to You and You are always there 

 In troubled times its You I seek

I put you first thats all I need

I humble all I am, all to You 

One way

Jesus

You’re the only one that I could live for

One Way

Jesus

You’re the only one that I could live for 

You are always, always there

Every how and everywhere

Your grace abounds so deeply within me 

You will never ever change

Yesterday today the same

Forever till forever meets no end 

One way

Jesus

You’re the only one that I could live for

One Way

Jesus

You’re the only one that I could live for 

You are the way the truth and the life

We live by faith and not by sight … for You

We’re living all for You

Three Word Wednesday: A Guest Post

I'm delighted to have my dear friend Barbie of My Freshly Brewed Life guest posting here for Three Word Wednesday. The best way I'd describe Barbie is to say she's an encourager! If I were to feature a monthly inspired blogger, like she does at her place, I'd feature her every month. She blesses me with her words and her heart for God. I know she will bless you too.

Let's turn it over to Barbie.

What's the Point?

I often find myself asking this very question. Especially on the hard days, when you throw your heart and soul into life, when you work diligently, careful to follow the rules and not crumble underneath the pressure, yet life still falls apart. It's on those days that I find myself wondering what the point of my life is. Why was I created? What is my purpose? Why does everything go so wrong when I try to do it all so right?

If I'm not careful, my quest to find the reason for my existence can lead me down a dark and dreary pathway, one laden with fear, regret, anxiety and even depression. Before I know it, I lose my joy for simply living in my pursuit of the point.

I once heard a wise man say, "You were made to know God and be known by Him. To love God and be loved by Him."

And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

Sounds easy enough, right? So when did life become so complicated?

We want to know what the meaning is in all aspects of our lives. God has called us as women, wives, mothers, teachers, ministers, and the list goes on. And even on those days when you feel as if you aren't sure what the point of it all is, because you are busy spinning your wheels our chasing your tail, there is a point. It all goes back to the beginning.

God desired a counterpart, one who would partner with Him in seeing His glory fulfilled on this earth. He created us for a love relationship with Him. He longs to know us, just as we long to know Him. He longs to love us, just as our hearts yearn to love Him.

My friend, YOU are that counterpart! God loves you. His desire is for you. You don't have to run the ragged rat race of life asking yourself what the point of it all is. You simply need to rest, be still, and breathe Him in. God desires an intimate relationship with YOU! You were made to love Him, and be loved by Him. You were made to know Him and be known by Him.

I know God has an even greater plan and purpose for your life, but let's just start here, shall we? Let's be content in this truth today. The next time you are struggling to fold that laundry, keep up with the house hold chores, or write that book, take a deep breath and remember what the point of it all is.

Barbie is a wife and mother to four children. She works full time while juggling faith, family, homeschooling and ministry. Her heart is to encourage women of all ages in their pursuit of the Lord. She enjoys a good cup of coffee, reading, writing, painting and spending time with family and friends. You can visit Barbie at My Freshly Brewed Life where she shares openly about her faith, sprinkled with freshly brewed grace along the way.

For your Sunday

On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them."

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

"You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6:60-69

A letter to my husband

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: "WRITE."

Today's post is an old Five Minute Friday post written when the prompt word was, "LETTER." Please pardon me for reusing. I'm limiting my writing as I focus on time with my family before my husband deploys. When I saw what today's prompt word was this post seemed appropriate to share again since I will soon begin writing letters to my husband again.

My love,

I remember clearly the day when the boys and I said good-bye to you in the parking lot of the hotel you would depart from the following morning. Our eyes were filled with tears. Letting go of you to send you on your way to become a soldier was a mixture of excitement for you and sadness for us. The months we would spend apart would be hard.

The first thing I did that evening after saying good-bye was write my first letter to you.

"Dear, I just returned home from saying our good-byes. We cried for a bit longer on the ride home and then one of the boys made a comment to make us laugh. I miss you already but I'm incredibly proud of you."

Here my love for writing began. Here my love for a written letter began.

I waited patiently for you to write me. When the first letter arrived my heart leaped with joy. Holding a piece of paper you had touched brought you a little closer to home.

"Dear Beth, I have started writing this letter at least five times. I really don't know what to say other than I miss you and I love you. I will hold on to your last words to me with every ounce of strength I have."

Our mailman quickly became my favorite person as new letters written by you were delivered.

Then it became time to send our oldest son off to become a sailor. Could I survive another good-bye? Yes, I could because I had learned the secret to survival: WRITE!

Letters to both of you were written, sealed and mailed daily. Every day (except for Sunday of course) I would be filled with hopes of opening the mailbox to a letter from one of you. I remember the day I received a letter from our son. He had written only four words, "I love you, Mom." Those four words were enough.

I'm filled with wonderful memories of watching you both become a soldier and sailor. My greatest memories will always be of the joy found in every letter written and every letter received.

As we prepare to send you on your way to do the very thing you set out to do, my heart aches over saying good-bye again but I will wait patiently for you to write me. Oh how I will be ready to write to you.

My love, thank you for what I consider precious treasures: letters of love written by you.

Love, Me

Three Word Wednesday: An Honest Heart

Original photo by friend Judd Johnson

How do I begin? My three words this week are: An Honest Heart. The proper place to begin would then be to honestly share my heart with you.

I'm hurting. My heart hurts. I honestly thought I'd be emotionally prepared for my husband's deployment. I am not.

I cry a lot these days. I'm fond of long walks because the time alone allows me to have a good cry. I take my phone, plug in the headphones, click on Pandora and off I go. Before long the now familiar tears start falling. I cry in the car, shower and just about any place where I'm alone. On Monday night I returned home from work and fell in to my husband's arms in tears.

I know without a doubt God is with me—He is with us. I'm sure of the path He placed my family on: the path of being a military family. I'm sure He will do something good with this new season.

It does not change the fact that my heart hurts. I'm also realizing I'm not the only one with hurting heart.

My husband and I sat in front of our church youth group this past Sunday to talk about courage. We were there to share our hearts on being brave to do what we must do even when we are afraid. I'm confident it will be a piece of cake for my husband so I told him the baton was being passed to him.

He began by saying thank you to the children for the support they have shown to our troops. Then he shared a few verses that spoke about courage. He turned the focus inward and began to tell them he would soon deploy. This strong soldier of mine couldn't get the words out while trying to hold back tears. I took the microphone from him and God did one of his many miracles. He gave me the courage to tell these children where we will draw our strength from.

It's didn't take long for us to fall in to a rhythm as we took turns with the microphone. We appeared to have the full attention of the youth group so I'd say it went well.

Earlier that morning we made plans to spend the evening with our youngest son and his girlfriend. We are making it a priority to spend more time with them. Our oldest son will also return home for a brief visit the end of the month. This new season will have an impact on the entire family so I'm grateful for the small window we will have to be together again. Our son is scheduled to deploy next year so our time together will be precious.

Family and friends will join us one evening to celebrate my husband's heart to serve and protect our country. Have we gone overboard with our plans? I believe our hearts are in the right place. We know we can not do this on our own. God will want to use others to lend a helping hand.

My honest heart needs you to know I will need you. I also want you to know how thankful I am for you. To every single one of my followers I say, Thank You.

Building a relationship with you is important to me. I do my best to visit your blog, leave you some comment love and engage with you on Facebook or Twitter. But when I'm sitting in front of the computer that means I'm not where I should be. I'm afraid of losing you so I keep trying to balance my time.

Right now, I'm unable to keep up and it's hurting this heart of mine even more. Not keeping up makes me feel like I have failed as your friend. As much as I want to try harder, I know I need to follow advice received this past week: "Take care of YOU!! You matter to God and he wants you to take good care of his fearfully and wonderfully made treasure!!!!!"

Taking care of me includes focusing my attention on my family. My husband and children need me. I need them.

I'm committed to this weekly Three Word Wednesday link-up no matter what. God is doing something fabulous with the words you share. To lend a helping hand, a friend will be guest posting here next week. If you are interested in guest posting for a future Three Word Wednesday, I'd love to have you here or you can also host at your place. You can email me at simplybeth3(at)gmail(dot)com.

I'm hopeful I can still manage my Monday Snapshot Love and For your Sunday posts. They do stand a good chance of being brief or skipped. Five Minute Friday may need to take a back seat for now. God has the lead.

Friends, you hold a special place in my heart. I treasure your friendship. Staying away completely would be too hard. However, if you do not hear from me quite as often these next several weeks please know "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." ~ Ephesians 1:16

God bless.