I must be the luckiest person around! I grew up in a great family, in a loving environment that let us explore the world and find our way in it. I still adore my husband, and he seems to like me, too. Together, we encouraged the same freedom of exploration for our kids.
Life has brought so many pleasures. We raised our children with a backyard someone else mowed (NU campus), and then designed a house that suited us. After 1001 music lessons and countless pages of writing, it's effortless to think in words or on the piano keyboard. Sizing up a room and making things beautiful is like breathing. Having people over gets us excited with the possibilities of conversation, good food, and friendships.
On top of it all, we must have the most supportive friends. They share their sorrows and joys, and are not pained when we do the same with them. My work has been fulfilling, purposeful, and creative, whether working for myself (35 years) or at the university (5 years). We travel the world, meet lots of interesting people, and get to teach what we continue to learn.
Today, my heart is swelling with gratefulness to God and those around me for all these things and more. Though life is not always fun or easy (right, dear daughter?), it is rich and interesting. Underneath are the everlasting arms and a history of God's provisions, giving us confidence for the future. All good things come from him.
Yes, I must be the luckiest person around!
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*Then Hannah prayed and said: "My heart rejoices in the LORD; in the LORD my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God." 1 Samuel 2:1-2 NIV
*Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8 NIV
*But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:4-10 NIV
*Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:5-11 NIV
Well said! Love you!
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