TIME TO SAY GOODBYE.

It's been fun. Blogging is a great way to express your feelings in a way that can be entertaining. but after a while in can become a crutch. Do I write for others or do I write for myself? Then there's the guilt of not writing because you're worried you are either boring people to death or perhaps just looking for cheap therapy. Well, what ever "the story", my blogging days are over. No more blogs will go into cyber space to clutter mailboxes, be politely read and deleted or passed on to unsuspecting friends.

Whether your favorites were the pithy ones, the humorous ones or maybe there may have even been those that brought a tear to your eye; this is a new year and with all things new, something must end. Before you put my blogs to rest, I have one more blog to send out. It may not seem important to you while you scurry around at this time of year putting away Christmas decorations that have accumulated a month's worth of dust hanging in your home. I assure you, that to me, this blog is of utmost importance. For me, this marks the end to the "easy way out". You've probably heard the saying "Either put up or shut up!". If the day ever comes when I use my writing as the talent that I'm hoping it is, let that day be today.

My first book obviously never hit the New York Times' best seller list. Neither was Rome built in a day. I am a work in progress and am willing to step out of the boat in faith that if ever I am to be everything I was meant to be, today is the time to begin. I'd like to thank you, my readers, for all the support and encouragement that you have so generously given me. Without your constant love and comments, I would have never written my 1st book and "Yes" there is now a second. You can't imagine what it meant to me to have had your words urging me on when discouragement set it. For these simple, but constant nudges, I will be forever grateful.

And so, as I close this chapter of my pennings, I look forward to keeping in touch with the people who took the time to read my writings. I am by no means laying down the pen or closing the keyboard. It has served me well and I know that, God willing, it will continue to do so. Public writing is no longer on my agenda. I will seek out a willing publisher to publish my second book
"Out of Darkness" and soon try my hand at a novel.

I invite you to share with me in this new adventure, my friends, by keeping your friendships and e-mails coming. I need them now more than ever. Wish me luck and God speed.

IN MY FATHER'S HANDS...

I am safe. Secure to be at rest and without fear of forces that threaten my well being.
For my Father God has known me since before I was even knit in my mother's womb. There should be nothing that I fear, for my Lord has said, "Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 18:3. KJV.

When did the words fear, burden, weariness, mistrust and despair creep into your vocabulary? As I gaze into my granddaughter's big, brown eyes in this picture, I am aware of one thing. In the hand's of her father, she is at ease. Oh, if only we could be that confident and trusting that our heavenly Father has us safely in his grip. A child surrenders to her trusting notions that, since the day she is conceived, her parents will hold her up, fulfill her needs, and keep harm at bay.

When did I ever go through the "fire" and not be protected from the flames. My Lord has always been by my side even though the rocky road may cause me to stumble. Oh yes, I have often thrashed around on His strong arm. His grip has even seemed like pressure to keep me safely in place; but that's usually because I was tense and not willing to surrender; flopping around to follow disobedient, self absorbed ways.

My grandchild's little head resting comfortably in her father's hands teaches me that I don't always have to be doing, preforming or even happy. She is not smiling. She is just being. In the protection of her father, there is no great expectation put upon her at the moment. She is just his child and welcome in his hands. Our Heavenly Father only expects one thing from us; to love Him with all that we are at the present time.

May I be at ease, Lord, to lean into you as my grandchild leans on her father's hands. Help both of us to learn that whether we are laughing or weeping our Father's hands will be the steady, but easy grip that will pick us up when we fall and hold our fragile hands when we dance.