God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed. Job 1:21 (The Message)

There are times when I want to ask God, "When is enough, enough?"

I received an email from my daughter that a very good friend, the principal of my grandgirlies school, suffered a tragic loss today. Her sweet dog, Bo, was killed in a car accident. As devastating as that is all by itself, this dog was the darling of the school. He was only a couple of years old and began "attending" school as a puppy; sitting quietly in his carrier until the bell rang for "recess". All the kids loved him and my grandgirlies even enjoyed play dates at the park with Bo. We're not really a "dog" family but he was given a special dispensation and had the run of the house whenever he stopped by for a visit.

So how does a child express sorrow? Because most have little experience with this kind of emotion, it was suggested that they draw a picture or write a note to give to my friend. That's probably a good idea for all of us rather than stuffing emotions that are hard to handle. My prayer is that although tomorrow will be a day of sadness, tears, stories, and hugs, it will also be the beginning of the healing process and a lessening of the pain.

One of the lessons I taught my kids is that life is not fair. This latest tragedy seems like the last straw after a very tough week for all of them. There is no explanation, no reasoning. Just the simple fact that God does what He sees as best and we are to bless His name…no matter what.

Enjoy doggy heaven, Bo.

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Colossians 3:2 (The Message)

I went to a chick flick with a friend yesterday and saw the movie, Leap Year. It was the classic girl wants to get married but boy is slow to make a move. In some very funny scenes, she takes things into her own hands, suffers the consequences of her decision, and ends up changing her mind. Doesn’t that sound just like a woman?

But, why did she change her mind? She was challenged by the antagonist to look at what was most important in her life. He asked her what she would save if her apartment caught on fire. As she thought about it, she realized that the answer was nothing. She had no life and the life she thought she wanted was empty.

Doesn't that sound like most of us as we cruise through daily activities? We work, and scrimp and save for the next biggest and greatest only to find that once we have it, there is no satisfaction and we start the process all over.

All the to-do's set up on our calendars, the outings with friends and family, the carefully planned vacations, and even our own personal desires can go up in flames in the blink of an eye.

So what should we be doing? Where do we put our energy? Paul answers the question…it is in Jesus.

Want to be part of the action? Change your focus. Make decisions with the long view of life knowing that His way is really best. He will guide you and satisfy the desires of your heart.

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today...The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)

In our fast-paced world, "being still" has become an art form. Cable news with 24-hour coverage doesn't help. Neither does the instant access to updates via facebook, twitter, or the iPhone. Information bombards us all the time, whether we want it or not. My daughter, in an effort to protect the girlies, turns the TV off when the news comes on (a challenge for me when visiting...the news junkie). However, I understand. The violence, murder and mayhem, war, and politics that splash across the screen add an undercurrent of fear and instability to their world that they don't need.

The enemy seeks ways to destroy us and seems to find our most vulnerable spots. Many years ago, when I was much younger and more naïve, I thought that with enough time, energy, and money, I could solve any problem. Wrong! We can't do it by ourselves.

Our marching orders are to stand firm, rejecting the temptations of power, fame, money, or position. We must be patient and unafraid and watch with anticipation as He steps in and fights the battle. Sometimes it takes minutes. Sometimes it takes months or even years, but victory is assured. I encourage you to take time to be still in His presence. Watch and see what He will do.

The valleys will be filled,
and the mountains and hills made level.
The curves will be straightened,
and the rough places made smooth.
Luke 3:5 (NLT)

My friend, Jan, is a brand new grandmother of a baby girl. She has been hanging around in cold Colorado since Christmas, awaiting the birth of this precious baby rather than enjoying the warmth and sun of Arizona. However, I know the feeling. The expectation and joy are overwhelming and you just need to be there.

My daughter was born on January 10th so I can really relate to the timing of this grandbaby. I remember how long the days seemed after the rush of the Christmas holidays ended, before the arrival of this new little one in our home. Then once she was here, I could never seem to catch up. In the back of my mind, I would ask myself if things were ever going to get back to normal.

When Mel was about 6 weeks old, I was rocking her after the 2 AM feeding and looking at her sleeping face in the moonlight. I kept thinking of all undone things that stared back at me each day: laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning…. actually anything. For the thousandth time, I wondered if things were ever going to get back to normal. As I sat there praying, I realized that no, it would never be the same. I felt as if my Heavenly Father said to me, "We are going to now have a 'new' normal around here and the sooner you accept that premise, the more contented you will be." That night was a turning point and the daily demands began to fall into place.

I have since found out that we have "new normals" all of our life. Some are easy and fun, some are not and the adjustments can be difficult at any age. But, the glue that holds it all together is the God who gives us strength each day. He is the one who smoothes the rough path and makes it straight.

This baby is well loved by all around her. So are we.

And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!" Matthew 10:42 (HCSB)

Nine days before our wedding, Mark suffered his second heart attack. I cancelled all of our California wedding plans and flew out to Memphis, where he lived. From the moment I walked into the hospital room, he began to rally and we did get married on the day we had planned—only in Memphis. For a California girl, from the Bay Area no less, it was a bit of a culture shock to find myself smack dab in the middle of the South for seven weeks as Mark recuperated from not only the heart attack but also a bout of pneumonia.

But I enjoyed my time in Memphis and all things southern: the food, BBQ (the noun, not the verb), azaleas, the drawl where one word could have three or four syllables, the ducks at the Peabody, great jazz, and a church on every block. Everyone goes to church on Sunday and lunch reservations are often the hottest ticket in town—or else you better get there early.

Today, we finally saw a movie that I have been trying to see for several weeks, The Blind Side. I like Sandra Bullock and I knew it was a heartwarming story about a family from Memphis. Bullock played the part of a southern "mama" to a young black man that she noticed walking along the road one night. After she picked him up, it was obvious that he had no hope and little to offer, but she brought home and gave him a warm bed. I could say it was just that old southern-hospitality thing, but I would rather believe that she was willing to offer a cup of cold water to someone in need. He stayed and the family learned the meaning of love in a way they never expected and that seemed foreign to their family and friends.

That young man, Michael Oher, is a testimony to the power of God when we are willing to go the extra mile. His success was not without a lot of personal hard work, but in the process he learned the meaning of both courage and honor, along with love.

I encourage you to see the movie. Take a couple of tissues—mine were soggy at the end. And…be on the watch for someone who might be thirsty.

Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God…they should teach others what is good. Titus 2:3 (NLT)

I received my first email written by my almost-10-year-old granddaughter, Kate. She mentioned a few days ago that she needed to practice her typing so would be sending me an email. Would I like to write back to her? It just warmed the cockles of this Nana's heart to be asked to share in her life this way. I have a friend who is a pen pal to her two granddaughters and I have often thought what a wonderful way to speak into their lives in a loving and thoughtful way.

I had to laugh as I read Kate's message, detailing her school activities and plans for making Christmas presents for her sisters. However, the best part was the PS: Ask me questions to answer! That's my girl.

I feel the weight of the charge by Paul that the older women are to teach what is good. Today's world looks nothing like my world did as a fourth grader. Kate will face challenges that I never even contemplated – and it will hit her soon. What a privilege and opportunity to ask her what she is thinking and offer her guidance as she reflects on hopes and dreams, relationships, attitudes, and decisions.

My grandgirlie loves life and nothing is better than picking up the phone and hearing, "Hi, Nana!" Now I look forward to those emails with the latest rundown on her world of school, horses, church, sisters, piano, guitar or the latest book she is reading.

"Father, give me wisdom to meet her questions with answers from You and Your Word."

People cry out when they are oppressed.
They groan beneath the power of the mighty.
Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator,
the one who gives songs in the night?'

Job 35:9-10 (NLT)

Over dinner the other night, a discussion with friends turned to sleep patterns. I had climbed out of bed that morning, noting three o'clock beaming from the clock in the darkened bedroom. I was wide-awake, knowing it was really too early to get up, but refusing to lie there and toss and turn for the next couple of hours. For several months, sleep has been a challenge. It began during the depths of Mark's depression. I would lie in bed, tense and watchful, listening to him wander around in the middle of the night. This went on for several months until we figured out he needed some help and medicine. Finally, he could sleep but I still struggle.

Our Bible study is finishing up a study of the Psalms, taught by Beth Moore. The first verse of Psalm 134 caught my attention this morning as I worked on my lesson. Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD. Night—the time of day I dread the most. Yet, God has work for us to do at night and expects us to do it with praise. That stopped me since I don't like the night. However, there was more…I discovered that He gives songs in the night.

As I thought about the songs we sing, I realized that the most meaningful words often come from the depths of our hearts in the silence of darkened sky, alone, and afraid. The enemy loves to get us in this spot and distract us, but he sure can't help. Only God is there to listen and comfort us. He turns our cry into praise and gives us songs in the night when we lift our hearts to Him. I've decided to do some songwriting the next time sleep eludes me. Want to start a choir?