Years ago, after I dropped my son off at nursery school I drove around enjoying some quiet with God. I wound up in a cemetery I had never been to before. I had been praising and singing a good part of the morning. I came up the steep curved driveway and much to my surprise there was this huge tombstone with a simple word daughters.
photo taken more than 45 years ago
I had been studying William Law and the idea of dying to self. I was struck with the idea that this is the place where daughters come to die. As a daughter of the King of kings, the will of God is more important than my will. I was at the place in my walk where I realized that obedience to the King is more important than what I want in any given situation.
That same morning I heard a worship chorus. It goes, “Total surrender brings total power, Spirit of Christ in me, totally yielded to Thee every hour, until Thy will I see. Death to my passions and every desire, living wholly for Thee, have Your own way Spirit of Love, totally flow through me.”
Recently, I drove to the same cemetery and the headstone is terribly discolored.
photo August 3, 2025
I decided to return and try and clean it. Online it said to use vinegar water with maybe a drop of dish soap in it and a soft brush. My husband went with me. We took a gallon of water and scrubbed and scrubbed and scrubbed. It did look better when we were finished, but still discolored.
August 4, 2025 Prior to second scrubbing
Recently, we’ve had some family trouble. With all the stress, I was having difficulty concentrating on writing, so I decided to return to the cemetery and scrub some more. This time I took a baking soda solution, another internet idea. On the way there I remembered the chorus about total surrender. It was so fitting because in this family situation I have no influence and no control over the outcome. Once there as I got my supplies out of the car and climbed a little hill to the headstone, I began singing the chorus. I was reminded once again that this place of surrender to God is the healthiest and happiest place for me to be.
I will go back tomorrow take another photo and see how the daughter’s grave is looking. In the meanwhile I will do my best to stayed yielded to God my Father and Mother.
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you refused Isaiah 30:15 NRSVUE
And Samuel said,
“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obedience to the voice of the Lord? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice and to heed than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 NRSVUE
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. 17 This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.” John 14:15-17 NRSVUE
I would not knowingly use what someone else wrote and claim it as my own. My notes below from June 9 may be my writing or that of someone else. Where it says From Lectio I am quoting Lectio 365 Daily Devotional.
25-6-9
From Lectio of same date. “Holy Spirit, reshape the pattern of my life. I offer you my story again today: all that is old, all that is new, all that is broken, all that is whole. Give me a glad and generous heart to receive your word.”
Many decades ago the Father asked me if I am willing to teach even if it is one woman by the well. Yes, Lord all these years later I am still willing even if it only touches one woman or one man.
I have started work on a second book. The title of this one will have to do with relationship with God. I am trying to put my experiences in words. So hard to SAY what can seem so UNSAYBLE!
Relationship is not going through the motions of religion. True relationship is more like a river flowing through the desert of life. A river that offers refreshing water, gently sloping banks to rest upon.
True relationship offers new vistas towards the mundane things of life, giving us new impetus for growth and flourishing. This is a differing sort of thing than religion offers. Seek and you will find (Matthew 7:7b). Seek the Presence of the Holy and your eyes will be opened, your heart softened, your ears enabled to hear the voice behind you saying, “Turn to the left or turn to the right.” (Isaiah 30:21) Relationship offers you mother love and father care. Going beyond that to indwelling assurance of an accompanied life. Never alone, always companioned.
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent John 17:3 NIV
If you are taking a Sabbath rest I pray these ideas give you something to ponder and use as you wait upon the Lord.
Sometimes I have to just return to home. The home plate with my Father.
I am easily distracted and must withdraw from the many distractions if I am to maintain equilibrium. The Audience of One, the Holy One who loves me, that is where I find rest and restoration.
Daily I need this. When things are too busy I need this more than once a day. Do you have a similar practice? When you get tired of all the outgo, how do you open the faucet for inflow?
This can be especially difficult when my physical being flares up in pain or distress. Why is it so very difficult to ignore the flesh and flow in things of the Spirit? That will be one of my most pressing questions in heaven!
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord,one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
I just love the underside of the ocean surface. Here is an an example why!
When we traveled to Cozumel many years ago I could have sat and just watched the underside of the waves for hours. Of course, I could not hold my breath that long, though the snorkel certainly helped! I was mesmerized by the sight.
How many other things upon the earth have we never seen or contemplated? What fascinates you?
Have you ridden in a plane recently? Bob caught this photo of the clouds for me when we recently flew to New Mexico. I was thinking of the underside of the waves and wanted to compare the water of the ocean and the water in the sky visually.
rmdutina
How wonderful our Creative God made all things!!
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:7 NIV
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Even on days when the ocean is dark and seems foreboding, God is with us. The One who spoke to waves and winds can still command our lives.
In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. 5 The sea is his, for he made it, and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
6 O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Psalm 95:4-6 NRSVUE
When I was mourning my mother recently, nothing seemed to comfort me. Then I heard this song rolling through my soul. The first version I heard was done by Willie Nelson. He almost nailed it. It amazes me where comfort can come from!
Then I found what was likely their version from December 1951.
With someone like you, a pal good and true I'd like to leave it all behind and go and find Some place that's known to God alone Just a spot to call our own We'll Find perfect peace, where joys never cease Out there beneath a kindly sky We'll build a sweet little nest somewhere in the west And let the rest of the world go by
As I listened repeatedly to the song, I realized that my sister has a sweet little nest, somewhere out in the west. She spends June into September there! And we have been privileged to stay there a time or two!
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 NRSVUE
Have you ever said,”I am so tired I could sleep standing up?” Sperm whales actually DO sleep vertically. I’ve seen it before on TV, but I am never bored by the scene.
The same website says, “In a nutshell, it’s so that they can float near the surface and stay alert to potential predators. Sleeping vertically means they can breathe when needed and quite literally keep one eye open whilst they sleep!“
The Americas narrated by Tom Hanks has been entertaining and fascinating us. If you have not seen it yet, this is a show certainly worth your time!
Praying your sleep is restful and hopefully horizontal!
I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety. Psalm 4:8 NRSVUE
I do not like waking up in the night and being unable to get right back to sleep. It seems the older I get the more often this happens. The internet lists a multitude of reasons this happens, from medications to temperature in the room, to body discomfort, and on and on.
Recently one night it was allergy discomfort. I know the neighbor has honeysuckle vines that are blooming. Though they smell sweet during the day, I know from our last house they can really trigger my allergy symptoms. So I went to close the open window and noticed how strong the mold smell was from the wet grass. Yep, I am allergic to mold, also! I took my acetaminophen and allergy medication. I returned to bed and after 20 minutes I was aware that I was still wide awake. Lately my mind runs along the lines of “What will I write about on the blog?” or “Did I remember to ask the editor this?”
So I made notes about what to write, editorial questions and then opened the book on my iPad to read until I was drowsy. Of course, that sent me off exploring why does reading help me get to sleep?
The short answer says my eyes get fatigued going back and forth on the lines and my brain then gets triggered that it is time to go to sleep. Even if the plot has just thickened and the clue to the mystery of the story is almost there on the page!! I am not concerned about that. Just hoping I set a bookmark on the page before I nod off.
So yes, I got back to sleep but this waking and staying awake is getting old. Oh! I am getting old, too. Guess it beats the alternative.
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. Isaiah 46:4 NIV
It recently came to mind as spring leaf sprouts became true leaves. God is near at all times. The Almighty goes to incredible lengths to abide near us! David danced before God. Miriam danced before God. How about you?
Neighbors leave their porch lights on Every night of the year The maple leaves are finally large enough To cast shadows on the window shade
The spring wind blowing all night Showed fancy patterns at my side Each time I awoke the dance steps Lulled me back to sleep
Mystery of nature Here again you comfort me If I observe or not the dance continues Were the moves a fox trot or rumba
Another night the breeze Was gentle as a caress The dance was more like box step Slow waltz of lovers unaware of other dancers
One night the storms rolled through Tearing leaves from tender shoots The yard was littered next morning Debris of tango or jitterbug
My mind was racing and I was sleepless. I asked the Lord to help me through it and these verses came to me. I looked them up using key words or phrases on the iPad mini, saved them to the i Cloud Notes and was able to get back to sleep after reading a few pages on the novel I had been reading earlier. I thought the verses might be a good reminder to some of you, so here goes. The trouble starts when I think I need to have the answers to the questions that trouble me.
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Rev 7:11-12
Ponder that for a moment. Angels around the throne, around the elders, and the four living creatures – I wonder how many angels it takes to surround that great company of beings? And the words they sing! BLESSING and GLORY and WISDOM and THANKSGIVING and HONOR and POWER and MIGHT be to our GOD. I do not think we can declare this too many times! I need not fret. Wisdom belongs to God first.
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Psalm 32:8-9
Do these sound familiar? Yes, I have posted these before, but I need to be reminded of them often. I am learning to trust that the Lord will instruct me, teach me, and counsel me. That also means the Lord thinks of me as instruct-able, teachable, and able to receive counsel. He has great faith in me. Do we have great faith in the Almighty One?
And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
Have I waited? Have I listened? Am I willing to follow the instruction I am given?
Years ago, when I was first beginning to tell relatives that I was writing Peggy, the wife of my Cousin Art, told me these verses. I was reminded in the night.
2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. 3 For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4 Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faithfulness. Habakkuk 2:2-4
So when it comes time to give away the printed copies of the poetry, I am trusting that those who do not get a printed copy will be able to use the electronic copy I can send to any email address. As long as they open it in Microsoft Word, it should appear just like the printed copy. The tablets of Habakkuk have taken on a new form!
And this picture also popped up that night seemingly out of no where.
Veteran in a New Field by Winslow Homer
The image shows a man cutting the harvest. One of the first art images the Lord used to speak to me was by Vincent van Gogh, entitled the Sower. There was more than one of these paintings. Here is the first I knew about.
From the sower to the harvest. Wow. Such blessings for us all.
I try to write every Monday and Tuesday mornings to post on this blog throughout the week. Many times during the week I will rough draft an idea to work on. Not this week!
I spent Thursday working with my dear friend Dana to begin printing, punching and assembling the poetry books. That took much longer than anticipated. We had completed none of them. Many were in various stages of production. She met me Friday morning with some completed books. I went to the Convent for the weekend retreat delighted to have a few copies in hand. One gal lives in Chattanooga and I knew I would see her at the retreat. I wanted to get a copy to her so we would not have to ship it!
The editor for the book about prayer gave me information about next steps towards getting that ready for publication. I just never quite realized all the work that occurred after the actual writing! I spent part of the weekend trying to plan the order the 31 selections should appear in the finished book. She also wants an “About the author” page and a Preface. I had a rough draft for the Preface, but hesitated on “About the author.” Bob agreed to do the first draft for me and then we can work on it together. I need to decided if the photos I chose can be printed in black and white. The color photos will make the book cost more. Aye yai yai!
And I just needed to get still and quiet. I had asked the Lord on Thursday to help me direct my heart and mind to Him over the weekend. (The editor taught me that capitalizing pronouns that refer to God is not correct, but I have always done it as a way to show respect! I have to decide if I want her to change that or not.) I realized with all these decision and things looming I needed help. The Lord referred me back to Psalm 131 again. I was instructed to write part of it out in longhand, I do not do that much anymore because arthritis has ruined my handwriting.
My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. 2 But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131: 1-2 NIV
I am not to think about things I cannot control. I am not to think about things too wonderful for me. (Thus I hired an Editor!) It is up to me to calm and quiet myself. So I set about doing just that. You might want to copy those two verses and ponder how they apply to your life right now!
Before I left on Friday morning another Psalm came to mind. Years ago I wrote in my bible “Vulnerability, Untd.” next to Psalm 34.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!
4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
It is hard with this Psalm to know when and where to stop when choosing a selection! I made it my business to spend the weekend trying to bless the Lord at all times and continually have His praise in my mouth. It can be powerful to turn to this practice and turn off worries and distractions.
Walking I saw places of such quiet!
Quiet flowers, I just love the sun through the purple petalsQuiet Dogwood
I have promised only a few people a printed copy of the poetry. I realized while in retreat that I can offer anyone who wants it an electronic copy! If they want, they may print it out for themselves, or simply print the selections they desire. What a relief! Bob continues to wonder if I should have planned to have the poetry printed through Amazon Direct Publishing. The way we are doing it right now the material remains free to others though costly to produce.
I was told by reputable sources instead of giving the poetry away for free I should ask for a charitable donation. I am doing that through the West Clermont local school district. The donations will go towards the Paid Student Lunch Charges. Many families today have to decide whether to pay for their power bill or pay the school for the lunch program. There are thousands of dollars of lunch debt in almost every school district. I think the children should receive food. With all of the government cutbacks there is likely to be even more debt. I am asking that donations be sent to the local elementary school down the street.
You can likely tell by now that my brain is spinning in many directions! I was able to get still on retreat. I did get some solid rest, though it is almost a memory today! The 31 book selections are arranged in an order to be reviewed with Bob. These two projects have demanded that I am participating constantly in vulnerability, unlimited with the Lord.
Monday was busy, busy with a funeral in the morning, followed by lunch celebrating mother’s day with our son and grandson and then back to Dana’s house to work on the poetry books. I write this on a gloomy Tuesday morning with fondness that you continue to read and follow my writing.
May the Lord bless you with a renewed sense of His Presence and love for you! Trust Him with your everything.
