Twas the night before my birthday, and all through my abode
Lots of teenagers stirred, friends new and old
The dishes were washed, dried, returned to their places
In hopes that tomorrow would be easy, slow-paced
The electric blanket turned on, the bathwater running
A magazine and epsom salts awaited for soaking
Kayla in her flannel pjs, and me in Smart Wool
Trying to stay warm in weather much, much too cool
When up on the wall, in peripheral view
My calendar loomed scary with activities anew
Check-ups, play practice, lots of chauffeuring
Gymnastics, basketball, grocery procuring
The moon on the breast of the iced-over snow
Revealed work to be done, obligations to uphold
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
but my burgundy Bible and journal so dear
And a short, little book, so intriguing, so bold
I knew in a moment, Daniel had truths to uphold.
In unmistakable clarity a theme was revealed
“There is a God in heaven.” Simple, unconcealed.
Now, Worry! and Anxiety! now Stress and Fatigue!
On Discouragement! On Despair! on Pain and Frailty!
To the Old Rugged Cross! To Christ’s Calvary!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away, flee!
And as leaves that before the wild winter winds fly
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
So to the foot of the Cross, the darkness it flew
With the burdens of grief and tragedy, too
And then in an instant, as I kept on reading
Heroes of faith I just kept on meeting
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, of course
Refusing to bow, not fearing recourse
They were dressed in belief though of outcomes unsure
Cast into the furnace, hearts and minds pure
And the bonds with which they were angrily tied
Were loosed by a fourth man mysteriously arrived
His eyes – how they loved! His protection, how near!
His arms were so strong, His sovereignty so clear!
His glory brought even King Neb to his knees
Declaring His might, instituting new decrees
“How great are His signs! How mighty His wonders!”
Yes, this is the truth I must line up under
He has power, control, and a purposeful path
That sustains through the furnace and worldly wrath
He promises no freedom from the affects of sin
Except be it in found in salvation, be it known in Him
He spoke, it is written, His statutes, my songs
When life feels so hard, when things seem so wrong
His every word, breathed straight to my heart
Hope He teaches, right perspective He imparts
My calendar still swirls fast and furiously
I still look at life much too seriously
But He springs to my side, loosing bonds, taming fires
Assuring me that circumstances aren’t quite so dire
So in the warm bath I sat and breathed deep
Praying that my mind, His promises would keep
And while laying my head down at half past eleven
Came Daniel’s refrain, “There is a God in heaven!”


Apologies for the sporadic blogging to the ten of you who love me enough to keep checking in. I’m not sure how I ever found the time to read, let alone WRITE a blog!  Yes, the calendar is swirling, and never in my life have I felt like I had no control over my schedule like I do now.  Every day seems dictated for me with not a moment for much else but what is necessarily on the agenda that day.  When did I ever cook before?  When did I clean my house?  I have no idea! Blog? Ha! 


Though Robert is out of town for 12 days ~ in TX and OK ~ preaching, reporting, fundraising ~ I did have a great birthday!  It started with time on the treadmill and circuit weights at Planet Fitness.  The kids had breakfast made and gifts on the table when I got out of the shower. Next, I had to take Kayla to her 13 year well-check at the pediatrician ~ complete with immunizations that I’ve delayed for years. (She only got one of the 5 they wanted to give ~ no flu or Gardisil for us!) But we sweetened the deal with manicures and pedicures afterward and lunch at our favorite gluten free burger joint. Then we came home and made a paleo, raw, vegan cheesecake, which sounds horrific, I know, but is really one of the best things I’ve ever put in my mouth! We took it over to my friend Betsy’s house to eat for dessert after the birthday dinner she made for me.  Played Wits and Wagers and Up and Down the River (interesting version of Spades), and finally got home around 10pm after I made Cooper drive me to CVS to get MORE epsom salts, because yes, God heals and strengthens me through His Word on a daily basis, but He also gave us epsom salt (magnesium) and Vitamin D to help us get through the dark and dreary ~ and ARCTIC, FRIGID, INSANELY COLD (this year) New England winters!


Thanks for loving me and wondering if I’m ok when I don’t blog and for the sweet, sweet birthday wishes I received from so many of you.  (Facebook makes you feel extra important and special on your birthday!)


Life feels like a perpetual furnace sometimes, but there is a God in heaven!