The Rolingers

I was sick on 9/11 and watched the memorials from my sick bed. It got me thinking.

I heard repeatedly why we need to remember this day.
"We have short memories."
"We must never forget."
"It gives us an opportunity to have a lasting tribute, to honor those who died."

How did we remember the day?
We talked all about it from every angle.
We sang.
We listened.
We were quiet, reverant and thoughtful.

Some cried.
Some smiled.

The observations were made about the day:
"It was a somber day." "It was an important day."
"It was an emotional day." "It was a reverant day."

It reminded me of what the Lord Jesus asked us to do regarding His death.

The Lord Jesus took bread and wine and said "Do this is remembrance of me."
He knows we have short memories.
He knows we must never forget.
It is our opportunity to honor Him in a lasting memorial.

How do we remember Him?
We talk all about Him from every angle.
We sing.
We listen.
We are quiet, reverant, and thoughtful.

Some cry.
Some smile.

It's an important day!

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13
"For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." Romans 5:6
"While we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son." Romans 5:1

"Sing a little song of trust,
O my heart!
Sing it just because you must,
As leaves start;
As flowers push their way through dust;
Sing, my heart, because you must.

"Wait not for an eager throng
Bird on bird;
'Tis the solitary song
That is heard.
Every voice at dawn will start,
Be a nightingale, my heart!

"Sing across the winter snow,
Pierce the cloud;
Sing when mists are drooping low
Clear and loud;
But sing sweetest in the dark;
He who slumbers not will hark."

I love everything about winter.
The cold,
the frost,
the snow,
the freezing fog,
the crunch under your feet as you walk
the coats,
the mittens,
the cold nose...
Please, stop me, I could go on and on.
Perhaps that's why I made the page wintry, even though we are supposed to have rain this week.

I really desire to feel that way about the winter God sends into my life.
I'm in one now as I care for my mom and I would like to enjoy it even though it is difficult,
because He sent it!

"Though the rain may fall and the wind be blowing,
And cold and chill is the wintry blast;
Though the cloudy sky is still cloudier growing,
And the dead leaves tell that the summer has passed;
My face I hold to the stormy heaven,
My heart is as calm as the summer sea,
Glad to receive what my God has given,
Whate'er it be.
When I feel the cold, I can say, 'He sends it,'
And His winds blow blessing, I surely know;
For I've never a want but that He attends it;
And my heart beats warm, though the winds may blow."

Yesterday I made the card on our front page to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. We decided this year that we aren't mailing cards, so I hope you will forgive our ecard! I started with lots of pictures and a year in review, and then cut and cut and cut. I said "what do we really want to convey here?" and then I cut some more. What thrilled me as I reviewed 2010, is that whether we are serving the Lord in what might seem like "big ways", (conferences etc...) or what may seem like "small ways", (caring for mom etc...) all are lead by the Lord. Our job is simply to follow where He leads. God asks of us is faithfulness! I would like to be a faithful follower because I love and trust the One in the lead. This is why I'm singing:

All the way my Savior leads me;
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav'nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate'er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread;
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter,
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

All the way my Savior leads me
O the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages-
Jesus led me all the way.

Fanny Crosby