Noah Found Grace

 Bobby posted a video of Tennessee Ernie Ford on my Facebook page today in honor of our 1000-year flood here in South Carolina.

He knew that I grew up listening to Tennessee Ernie Ford sing “Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord” on an 8-track tape as our family pulled our camper traveling as a child.

All of that family time in the car brought about a lot of conversation and laughing. We did not have the “luxury” of electronic devices to keep our attention…  We had imagination and creativity.

The one I remember BEST…. was watching for tags on cars and trucks that we met and passed on the road. Our goal was to see if we could find a tag for every state in the United States. Our eyes were always searching for the unusual color or design so that we could add that “ one state” to our list.  I think one time we found 45 of our 49 continental states and several of the Canadian Providences.  It was always fun to find that “one more” on our list.

To this day, when I travel, I have my eyes peeled for the variety of different tags that are available.

I truly believe that not only did “Noah Find Grace in the Eyes of the Lord”…. The Scurry family also found grace in the eyes of the Lord… The time we spent together experiencing and appreciating the nature that God created camping…. our “car” lessons and the family bond we built was life changing but more important LIFE forming.

We did not all sit in the car and stay in our own little world… there was conversation…including the sharing of childhood stories and experiences.  Our time together allowed our family to share news events, activities of our community and more importantly…. our DREAMS..  

Our travels modeled our values, grounded us with the history of our family and allowed each family member to truly connect and know each other. We knew what each other’s favorite meal was… favorite color was… favorite hymn was and of course their favorite trip in the car.

The games…. family singing alone with Daddy’s 8-tracks…. and the stories were family times that will be always loved and cherished.

 Not only did Noah find grace…. The Scurry family find grace…. but Arlene found grace in the Eyes of the Lord too…. Grace that is humbling… undeserved and precious….

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Why me Lord?

Happiness is all a state of mind and heart… How we react to our everyday trials and experiences can be and should be a testimony to others to our faith. I have ask myself “Why me Lord?” more times that I care to count through out my lifetime and every time the answer is always the same. No matter what the situation or the circumstances… the answer is ALWAYS the same.

After many times of hearing the same answer… I have come to the conclusion that my hardheaded self gets it…. Truly gets it….

When I ask the question “Why me Lord?”

I am reminded every time with the same answer….” It is NOT about YOU”…. Yes…I said it…. The Lord reminds me that when things are hard and I get selfish in my thoughts and questions… that the world does not revolve around me and I am to be a Christian example to others. 

You never know who is watching…  you never know who is paying attention to your choices…. you never know how your words are going to change someone’s life.

Luck is NOT your lady… God LOVES you and has your BEST interest at heart… He uses each of our paths to assist and answer the prayers of others. Isn't that awesome.... we are God's hands and feet when he needs them... When I get a thought and my heartstrings are being tugged at… I take that as the Holy Spirit leading me in that direction… I don’t want to know the whole story… I have learned to “do as I am told”… and move forward…

I now try to stop and speak when the opportunity arises… Donate when the opportunity arises… Support and Encourage when the opportunity arises…. Pray and Worship when the opportunity arises…. Surround myself with people that LOVE the Lord when the opportunity arises and....

 Love People ALL the Time.

Life’s opportunities are God’s way of allowing His will to be shown.  What a comfort to know that even as an adult… I have the opportunity to live with a "child like faith".

When I do ask why?  I am gently reminded that God loves me and that my best interest is always at heart.  It is my responsibility to be a mirror of that LOVE and always have the best interest of others at heart.

Why me Lord?....

 Because God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that who so every believes in Him should not perish but have ever-lasting life.

John 3:16

Love is the most excellent way

                                                    
                                      

February 14^th is now considered, in the modern day world, to be the day of “Love”.

The media has highlighted in its celebration and the retail business has commercialized it. I don’t think that February 14^th should be considered the “Day of Love”. Love should be used more as  a verb not a noun. I believe that you need to demonstrate love to those around you every day.  When the Bible says “Love is patient, love is kind….” Those are strong words to live by when you tell someone that you " Love them".

In many cases, the ones that we are supposed to love are the ones that see the worst side of us all of the time.

As we look around us and remember that our children are learning from us. Please remember that young men will model their actions after the male role models in their life. What is he seeing?…..

Remember young ladies may find interest with young men in the same manner that their female role models and allow themselves to be treated in the same way that was demonstrated to them.

 Love …. Is the most excellent way… but what is the definition of Love?

Webster’s definition is below:

a (1) : strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties <maternal love for a child> (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests <love for his old schoolmates> b : an assurance of affection <give her my love>

2

: warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion <love of the sea>

3

a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration <baseball was his first love> b (1) : a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2) British —used as an informal term of address

4

a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God

The Bible indicates that love is from God. In fact, the Bible says "God is love."¹ Love is one of the primary characteristics of God. Likewise, God has endowed us with the capacity for love, since we are created in His image. This capacity for love is one of the ways in which we are "created in the image of God."
 

I feel that as we grow older in our lives… we experience love in a variety of ways in various stages with a variety of expectations.

When we are young……..Love is   mom and dad and family

When we are teenagers…Love is a relationship of friendship

When we are young adults…. Love is infatuation and physical

When we are middle age…. Love is children

When we are old age…. Love is service to one another.

Experiencing love in each stage in our lives leads to the next with knowledge, experience and joy. As we move through and apply, learn and live an example for others, our Love for one another is emotion in action. Each leaves a legacy through example and provides the opportunity for “Love to be the most excellent way 356 days a year not just on 1 specific day.  Expect more of love...demonstrate our love for one another and our Lord daily...