Red Rubber Ball

Image by Roby&C. "Back" via Flickr

This beautiful sunrise is what I saw this morning. Ok, maybe not exactly what I saw. I'm no where near the ocean or any body of water for that matter. But this morning, the sun was a gorgeous and huge red ball in the sky.

It immediately reminded me of the song by Simon and Garfunkel "Red Rubber Ball." Do you know the song? I started singing it, but could only come up with the chorus. So naturally I "googled" it. This is what I found:

I should have known you'd bid me farewell.
There's a lesson to be learned from this
and I've learned it very well.

Now I know you're not
the only starfish in the sea.
If I never hear your name again
it's all the same to me.

And I think it's gonna be all right.
Yeah, the worst is over now,
The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.

You never cared for secrets I'd confide.
For you I'm just an ornament,
Something for your pride.

Always running, never caring,
That's the life you live.
Stolen minutes of your time
were all you had to give.

And I think it's gonna be all right.
Yeah, the worst is over now,
The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.

The story's in the past with nothing to recall.
I've got my life to live and I
don't need you at all

The roller coaster ride we took is
nearly at an end.
I bought my ticket with my tears,
that's all I'm gonna spend.

And I think it's gonna be all right.
Yeah, the worst is over now,
The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball.

After hearing the song and reading the lyrics, it's not quite the song I remembered. This is a sad story of a broken relationship. Did everyone know this but me? I was very young when this song came out and haven't heard it much since then. What I remember most about the song is that, "The morning sun is shining like a Red Rubber Ball."

Maybe the song lyrics are an analogy to the scripture regarding sunrises and sunsets. (Matthew 16:2-3: ²He replied, "When evening comes, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,' ³and in the morning, 'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.") Meaning the red morning sky is an indicator that the day is not going to fair well. A red morning sky is supposedly the indicator of a stormy day. Yet, if you have the One in your life who calms the storms, you can face whatever the day may bring.

What storm are you facing today, This Day? Take your troubles to Jesus. He will calm your storm and give you the strength and peace to face anything.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 4:7 (NIV) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Winnings and Awards

Last week after the Storm of the Century, I celebrated my birthday, alone. Sadly, this was me....sitting in the dark that night.


Was I feeling sorry for myself? Yep, pretty much. No cards, no letters, no phone calls, no birthday dinner......*BIG SIGH*....just me trying to lift my spirits with a thankful heart that our family and friends were safe. Yet, it was a miserable six full days with no power! No internet, no TV, no news, no music......minimal contact with the outside world. Oh how I missed my blogging friends.

But my God worked through others to bless me and show me just how important I am to Him. It started with receiving this wonderful award from Laurie at Supernatural Living.


Then, the same day, Kym at bee creative honored me with this One Lovely Blog award.


Thank you, ladies for thinking my blog is interesting, uplifting, and a blessing. Thank you, also for your kind and encouraging words.

Two days later, I win a signed copy of Her Captain's Heart by Lyn Cote from Mocha with Linda in her Mother's Day Giveaway. It arrived yesterday and I can't wait to crack the cover. Thank you, Linda!


And then (nope....not finished yet!) my dear blogging friend, Robin at All Things Heart and Home, had a tutorial and give away of these lovely anklets.


She announced the winners of this fab gift which I won...on my birthday! How great is that??!!?!?! Thank you Robin! I can't wait to start wearing it. If you are crafty like Robin, these would make great gifts or stocking stuffers. That's right, it's never to early to start thinking about Christmas.

It would not be until two days after my birthday that I actually found out about all these wonderful gifts and awards. I was happy to have power restored, but I was ecstatic to have been selected, remembered, and thought fondly of by my blog peeps.

That's how God works. Behind the scenes. When we are in need, our heavenly Father is there supplying that need. Do you have a need? Take it to the throne of grace today, This Day and see what amazing and wonderful things God has for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 3:17-18 (NIV) ¹⁷But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Thankful Thursday - 5/14/09

This is the time each week that I pause to give thanks for five things for which I am thankful. They can be silly or serious, big or small, because God honors them all.

1. I'm so thankful to Sonya at Truth 4 the Journey for hosting TT. Each week I have the opportunity to reflect on my life and how God has blessed me. Then I visit the sites of the other participants. This gives me a peek into their lives and God's work in them. There are times when are lists are very similar. Other times, I'll look at their lists and think.....yep, I'm thankful for that too.

2. I'm also thankful for the book Sonya is giving away this week: The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman. My husband gave me a copy of it with a beautiful bookmark while we were dating and made it required reading. He was (and is) dedicated to the success of our relationship. This book taught me how to selflessly communicate love to him in ways that inspire confidence and lift his spirits.

3. I'm thankful that family and friends escaped the Storm of the Century unscathed and with minimal property damage.

4. I'm thankful for my friends. These gals are a ton of fun and we always have a great time together.


5. I'm thankful for my blog peeps. That's right......YOU! You brighten my day! I love reading your blogs and the comments you leave for me. You are teaching me, encouraging me, and praying for me. Your kindness and humor have brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face. You are truly a blessing.

That's my list for the week. How has God blessed you? What are you thankful for today, This Day? Leave your comment here or link up at Sonya's.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Storm of the Century and 30 x 5 Phase 3

Greetings Blog Peeps! After some very stressful days, power is slowly being restored to our region. They are calling it an "in-land hurricane" which is an oxy moron but the best way to describe the storm that hit here Friday afternoon. I found this on YouTube and there are several other related clips you can view. Our family and friends are all doing fine and sustained no property damage. We're just a little war worn from having to live without power, not able to cook, and throwing away all the food from our fridge and freezer. We're hoping for power by tomorrow. Which would be a great birthday present for me.


After all that, you'd think I'd had my fill of water.....but no-o-o-o. Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee has put out Phase 3 of our 30 x 5 moving challenge and I'm ready to take up the gauntlet. We're to increase our water intake by half our weight. What???? Divide your weight in half and the quotient is the number of ounces of water you should drink every day. So.....if you weigh 150 lbs and divide that in half, you should drink 75 ounces of water every day. Seems like a lot? Yeah. It does to me too, and I drink water.

Honestly, it will be good to get back into a routine and start a new challenge to get past all this storm damage stuff.



Are you up for the challenge? Let's start moving today, This Day!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Proverbs 31:10, 27-28 (NIV) A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her