Growing in the hard places....

Growing In The hard places....

It seems like it would be easier to grow in the good times we have in life....but no, for me , reality is that I grow in the hard times when I am not dependent on my own strength......which is really in itself an oxymoron ..we really have not breath or strength apart from God who gives us each breath, each bit of strength...

I am sorting  through 62 years accumulation of pictures of a marriage..and 86 years of my dad's life and 82 of my mother's..which means I was there for 61 years of their life together...but added to that...I moved away when I was 17 to go to collage, so they had lots of years of photos of which I wasn't  a part of,.... trips, seminars, other activities which filled their busy lives with enrichment before grandchildren came along...and even after...

I am watching others through their camera lens....so many have passed away,  as have they...some, I have no clue who they are...

But, lives well lived...some have gone through heartaches, health issues, hard places and still they smile for the camera....those smiles captured for a moment in time when the hard places are forgotten....

Papers with old bank accounts, receipts, showing slim times, and those with a little more creative use of time and money...maybe a little more worry on how to make ends meet....giving times of church and organizations which could use their expertise and talents...

They passed on a legacy of commitment to one another, to others, to their family...in the hard times and the good...they grew, learned, encouraged....smiled even in The hard times.....but the pictures show so many happy times as well, gathered as families, we are laughing, enjoying one another....hugs and tears ...all rolled up into lives well lived.....

Thank YOU for family...the legacy, the learning, the good and bad times, the smiles...the pictures, the papers, the trinkets, the stuff.....reminders....of generations...
Your Word in well  used and old copies...

Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

1 Chronicles 16:12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,

Psalm 111:4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Psalm 111:5a He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers .....

Psalm 115:12a The Lord remembers us....