"The Mighty One" - Updated 5-25-2026

I originally posted this on 5/31/2014, just one week after the passing of our son Matthew...after his 4 year battle with a deadly foe that just wouldn't give up.  (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor- DSRCT).  Today, 5/25/2026, marks 12 years since his passing from this life into heaven. I have reposted this before in 2018, but what was said here originally 12 years ago and also in 2018 is still so real. I repost this today to hopefully encourage someone out there who may be going through a similar trial and time of grief.  I can honestly say that it does get a little easier with time...but only in the sense that we move from raw, unabashed sorrow and tears to a quieter, sweeter kind of grief. Acceptance? Perhaps.  I know that in my head I do accept the fact that our son is gone from this earth forever...and that he is now in heaven...forever.  But I still miss hearing his voice and seeing his face and feeling the warmth of his hugs.  I will say that there are many times that I feel his presence near me...I really don't think heaven is all that far away.  If only we could just reach through that veil and grasp onto each other again...but that is not to be...yet.  

Someday I, too, will pass through that veil from this life into the next...and I truly believe that my son will be standing there, next to Jesus, with arms open wide...ready to welcome me "home".  Until that day we will continue to carry on his memory in our hearts and in little things that we can do to keep his flame burning brightly.  I pray that these words will bring comfort to someone today whose grief is still fresh and glaringly painful.  May God's peace be your peace today.  May you place your hope in Jesus...and trust Him to carry you through. He will.

Our Memorial Garden in our back yard, in loving memory of our son. A wonderful place to pray, meditate on God's Word, and remember a marvelous son.

Original Post 5/31/14:

"The LORD your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17

It is hard for me to realize that it was just one week ago today that I said my last farewells to my son Matthew.  It would be several more hours, in the wee hours of the next morning that we would receive the word that he had taken his last breath here on earth.  Can it be that a week has already passed? I believe I have been floating in a cloud mixed with sorrow and relief all week long.  Sorrow that my wonderful son is no longer with us here on earth, and relief that my wonderful son is no longer suffering from disease and that he is now totally healed and safe in heaven.

I know, I have already said these things to you.  I don't need to remind anyone about these events that have transpired this past week, especially not myself.  Everyday brings fresh reminders to me as we prepare for his memorial service and think of ways to honor him and keep his flame burning bright.  Sweet memories flash before my mind's eye, pictures of a precious little baby born earlier than expected and who lived a marvelous life and  left this earth earlier than expected, 41 years later.

The one thing I am mindful of is how the Lord has been carrying me in His arms this past week. This morning as I read my daily devotions, the verse written above stood out in bright highlights to me. Especially the part about "He will quiet you with His love..."  Yes, He has done just that. I have felt His love tenderly quieting my heart every time I have given over my mind to grief. When the tears began to overflow out of my eyes, I felt His hand gently wiping them away as He caressed my face.  I believe I could hear Him singing a sweet lullaby as He held me close and rocked me like a little child who needed to be comforted.

This same One who saves us, rejoices over us with gladness, quiets us with His love, and rejoices over us with singing. I've heard Him singing...He has filled my heart with songs of joy, peace, promise and love.  I have been flooded with songs in the night, the daytime, and at times when I didn't even think I could or should be singing.

Some of you may not understand how I could feel this great comfort...you may think I'm a bit daft in the head. But for those of us who have been there, we know how wonderful it is to have such a "Mighty One" as this Lord our God in our midst. "The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save..."  

I take comfort in knowing that this "Mighty One" takes the time to notice my sorrow...He is touched with my grief.  And He assures me that 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

I cannot say enough about this "Mighty One"

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."  (Psalm 34:1)

This is the way I love to remember our "Deer" son.  Always smiling and full of joy and mischief.

Back to the present, 5/26/2026...today we are heading to a Memorial Day Picnic at our church. I am baking a cherry-blueberry cobbler.  It's good to keep busy on this day.  Benton and Rose will be there too. Hopefully I will have some pictures to share later.  Yesterday Scott was here and the "kids", and we cooked ribs and chicken on the grill,  along with corn on the cob, a salad, baked potatoes, and we had watermelon.  I didn't take one picture!  I wanted to plant something in memory of Matthew, as is our custom, but it was very hot and we were all tired and I didn't have what I wanted to plant, so we decided to wait.  Hopefully we will get some much needed rain this next week, as the storms that others are having in Florida continue to bypass us.  Once we get more rain it will be a better time to plant something.    I can smell the cherry/blueberry cobbler baking, and it's almost time to get it out of the oven, so I'd better go. I will write more probably tomorrow.  Thank you for bearing with me.  Hug your family tight whenever you can. Life is short.

Sunday Night Sunset, Geese and More

Zechariah 10:1 NIV

"Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;

it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.

He gives showers of rain to all people,

and plants of the field to everyone."

This lone Canada goose was standing out on the "still very dry Still Waters Pond" this evening, just before sunset.   

I thought he looked rather lonely and perplexed, wondering where all the water was that he remembered from all the years past...

It also seemed rather strange to me that he was alone out there on the pond. Canada Geese normally travel in pairs, as a couple.  

This picture is to give you more perspective as to where he was standing out there in the very dry pond bed.

He started to honk, which is what they normally do when they are calling their mate and usually just before taking off in flight.

Oh! Look there!  Sure enought...there is his mate, coming around from behind the bushes on the island! I knew he wouldn't be alone!!! And right after this they both took off in flight, honking all the way!  I do hope they won't give up on our pond. I believe this is the same couple who have come here every year and have builts nests on that island most every year.  It's been a very sad year for our water bird families. No new babies for any of them. I hope next spring will be much better...and I hope they will come back!

After the geese flew away I noticed that there was a beautiful sunset forming...so of course I had to go outside and watch.  Wanna come along with me?

These really aren't in any order.  I miss seeing the reflection of the sunsets in the water on the pond, but still the sunset itself is beautiful.

The sky has a lot of smoke in it because of all the wildfires burning throughout the region. Thankfully none are too close to us, but still we can smell the smoke.

Not sure what that bird is, but it was nice of him to fly over just as I was snapping this picture.

There he goes...

Wow...this is a close up of the skies...it almost looks stormy...but there's no rain in our forecast for over 10 days...

We really really need rain...please pray!

The air quality hasn't been too good, so I really haven't wanted to be outside too much...plus it's been VERY HOT!

Speaking of very hot... (yeah, these guys are "hot", lol! That's not what I was meaning),  The boys were here this afternoon and I asked them to move this planter with the tomato plants in it to a different location because it was getting way too much bright hot sunshine in the afternoons, and I'm afraid that as the tomatoes develop they will be baked in the sun!

They are putting on a little show here, but it truly was extremely heavy to move because it's full of dirt. But being sweet sons, they did as Mom asked. I hope they won't have backaches or hernias tomorrow. LOL.  

Speaking of today, I woke up this morning with a nosebleed. Not a severe one, but enough to get my attention. I also just plain didn't feel too good, so we decided it would be best to stay home . I actually went back to bed for a while because I hadn't slept very well.  However, I knew that Scott was coming and I had already planned to have him cook some chicken on the grill, and by noon I was feeling better, so I asked Benton and Rose if they wanted to come on over for lunch since I had plenty of food anyway. And so they did. It's really no trouble to have them because everyone pitches in and helps with clean up,  etc., and Scott did the hardest part of grilling the chicken.  So it ended up being a lovely day. Thank you all also for your kind comments on my previous updated post about my father. Today marks 15 years since he passed away, and I just didn't want to let the day go by without remembering him.

Anyway, I was disappointed that I wasn't able to go to church this morning. I was looking forward to singing this song that we recorded at choir practice this past week. Here's  the video of us singing, along with the Pastor's sermon for today, if you'd like to listen.

Well, that about wraps it up for tonight. It's been a long day and I'm ready to get back to bed. 

 

Speaking of singing...did you know that God will "rejoice over you with singing"?...Here's one of my favorite verses...it's a good one to remember when you just feel like you need a little extra comfort and maybe a lullaby to help you sleep...

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

"The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Good Night! Sleep peacefully.

God is watching over you...and He rejoices over you and quiets you with His love...what could be more comforting than that?

Monday Monday...A Lesson from Nature...

Happy Monday from Still Waters Pond...Thought I'd start off this week with a few pictures of our turtle friends out on the little marsh island in the pond.  We've had some bright, sunny days lately and the turtles are taking advantage of this time to do a little "sun-bathing".  

Today was actually quite chilly here, and I imagine the waters are kind of cold...so that sunshine must feel good to these cold-blooded reptiles.

We really don't get to see much of the turtle population out there in the pond unless the weather is just right and they decide to come up and enjoy the sunshine for a few hours.  I am not sure which ones these are...there are at least two different varieties I've seen here in our Still Waters Pond...the Florida Soft Shell Turtle, and the other is most likely some type of Florida Cooter.  This link will tell you more about these turtles:   https://www.boxturtles.com/florida-turtles

There are two here:

Although I enjoy seeing the turtles out there sunning themselves, I was NOT happy with them a couple of weeks ago, when I believe one very strong turtle decided to try to take on one of our beautiful Ring Necked Ducks for a potential meal.  

We watched helplessly from a distance as the duck swam for his life, apparently with the turtle attached to one of his feet. He swam and swam in circles quite a long time. I seriously wanted to go out there in my kayak and knock the turtle loose, but I learned some time ago not to interfere with nature.  

Eventually we believe the duck freed himself and flew away, although we did not actually see it happen, but from all indications we do believe it was able to extricate itself after a very long struggle.  However, all of the Ringed Neck Duck community took off and left our pond and has not returned since that event.  I hope they found some safer waters in which to swim and dive.  

I have to remind myself that the natural world is not always a safe and peaceful place. There are enemies lurking beneath the surface or along the shore or up in the trees, watching for opportunities to snatch a quick meal.  It is often a battle for the survival of the fittest.  

I don't mean to be gruesome or upsetting to anyone here...just stating the facts of life.  And it isn't limited just to the realm of nature.  We are all subject to the dangers of our adversary, the devil...who according to this warning in I Peter 5:8 ~

"8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

But I appreciate what the rest of the verses surrounding that particular passage have to say to us:

"6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

9 Resist him, (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever." Amen.

If we humble ourselves before the Lord, and put our faith and trust in Him, not only will He show us how much He truly cares for us, but He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you..."

Just like that duck, who swam and struggled against a formidable foe for sometime, I honestly believe that he literally wore out the turtle and the turtle let him go.  We could say that God gave him the strength to hang in there and fight and finally the turtle gave up and the duck was able to fly away to join his family.  And apparently the ducks were intelligent enough to know that they needed to stay away from this enemy and have not returned.

When we are faced with formidable foes, whether they be from the "nether world" of Satan and his dominion, or perhaps we are faced with difficult circumstances of health, finances, family or other personal issues, we need to remember to be humble before the Lord.  Seek His face and surrender our heartaches and issues to Him, and He will give us the STRENGTH we need to fight our foes.  I love that part of verse 10 that says "after you have suffered a while"...yes, we all do go through some deep waters as a part of this life, but God will actually perfect us in this process...He will establish and strengthen us, and this is what I love...He will "settle you".    I love that feeling of finally being "settled" after struggling with life's issues...it's that feeling of being tucked into bed by a loving parent after a difficult day, the covers are pulled up snuggly around us, and we are tenderly caressed and kissed goodnight, and we are settled...totally at peace, and ready to drift off to sleep without a care in the world...because Jesus is there with us, taking care of all our concerns.  

As an added postscript...thank you for your prayers for us last week as my hubby had a follow up appointment with his surgeon from the surgery/procedure he had done last fall. The report was very good and encouraging, and we are very very thankful to God for His healing.  He will continue to have periodic check ups just to be sure of nothing changing...but the Doctor was very pleased with his progress.  This was very comforting to us.  

I hope this post has not been disturbing to anyone, but only a reminder to us to always "cast your care on the Lord, for He cares for you." That is the good news that gives us peace and comfort.  

Good night dear friends! Praying you will be "settled" and at peace. Amen.

Post Thanksgiving Post

Happy Saturday after Thanksgiving! This is also known as:

So I hope you are out there supporting your local small businesses...I know I talk about our family's "Dixie Cottage" a lot, but I am sure there are many such places across the country, where you can find wonderful handmade crafts, repurposed items and furniture, and unique items that will definitely make someone smile...especially the small business owner, when you make your purchase! LOL.

Today I am not working at our Dixie Cottage as I am still recuperating from the "bug" that got me this past week and changed our Thanksgiving plans all around. I feel better but still tend to cough, especially at night, which disrupts my sleep, and I am just very tired.  So I am still taking it easy and not doing anything I really don't have to do. And so far on one else has gotten sick, so I pray it stays that way.

Meanwhile, back to Thanksgiving...after calling my sister and her family to cancel the big dinner at our house, our kids here decided to go ahead and cook the big 20 lb. turkey and all the trimmings and brought it over to us hot and ready to eat.  My fever had broken and I felt well enough to sit up and eat, so we were able to have a small family gathering. The best part was I didn't have to lift a finger to do anything! They cooked, served, and cleaned up and divided up the leftovers so everyone would have plenty to eat for a few more days.

We did use the vintage cranberry sauce turkey dish that was given to me by our former neighbor in our previous home. It belonged to his mother and he said she always served the cranberry sauce in that dish, and so when we had invited him to Thanksgiving he brought it and gave it to me.  Sadly, since then, our friend has passed away, so now we will continue to use it in his memory.

Here's the kids, helping up their plates. I couldn't believe how much food they managed to cook on such short notice...they had everything...turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, rolls, and even pies!  My daughter in love did the most of it...she's amazing!

Here's our sweet kids...Rose, Benton and Scott...

And here's them again with Daddy. Everyone was already eating when I thought about taking pictures, so that is why they look like they have their mouths full....the do! LOL

And there is my plate...I was actually hungry because I had not eaten anything hardly at all the day before, and this looked so good to me!

Right down to the pumpkin pie!

After dinner I took a nap while they cleaned everything up! Now that was sweet!

I am very very thankful for our family. They really amazed me with what they were able to accomplish on such short notice.

Oh, and the "icing on the cake" was a nice long phone conversation with our grandson Noah and his mother Nicole up in Maine later that afternoon. It was so good to get caught up with them as it has been quite a while.  That did my heart good.

So now I look around at all the Thanksgiving decorations and think about the fact that I need to put them all away (again!) and start getting ready for Christmas. But right now I don't really have the energy for that. I'm thinking maybe we will put the tree up next weekend when our son Scott comes back home for a day, so that gives me all week to work on putting stuff away slowly.

Meanwhile, we've had some fine feathered friends visiting Still Waters Pond to keep us entertained. 

Mr. and Mrs. Sand Hill Crane some frequently...

And we have different flocks of Canada Geese fly in to rest a while.

We are always so thankful for anything God provides for our enjoyment. They are a delight to our eyes!

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

I love that verse!

Okay, I need to go for now. Thank you all for so many wonderful comments. I am trying to get around to visiting you all as many as I can.  You are a delight to me!

 

Happy Valentine's Day! It's Not Too Late, Is It?

 I may be a little late in wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day. I started to write this early this morning, but then got busy with everyday "life" and couldn't get back to it until now! 

I hope you have all had a beautiful and wonderful day, even if you didn't do anything particularly special or "valentiney".   We don't do anything big...just exchange cards with each other:

And I found it interesting that we both picked out cards that had a similar theme..."Our Journey Together" and writing our "love story"...that we've been "writing" and living together for going on 53 years, (well, already 53 years if you count from the time we met and started dating).  

I've often said that someday I was going to write a book about our life together.  And that card that says "the best love stories are the real ones God writes with His love, grace, and a miracle or two for trusting hearts..." pretty well says exactly what I feel about our life's story.  Especially the "miracle of two" or three or four or a whole lot more...we've had a bunch of miracles throughout our life together...and yes "I love our journey together."  

Yep, that's the truth!!

Oh, and for you who are "The Adventures of Lily Grace" fans, she wants to send you a Happy Valentine's Day wish too!

Here she is with her pet doggy "Bailey"...

Lily gave little boxes of "Conversation Hearts" to all of the family for her Valentine's wish for us.

And she wanted me to share them with you...not sure what all of these say. They use a lot of those initials for words like BFF, and TTYL, and some others, but there's still some good old fashioned ones too, like "Dream", "You & Me", "Laugh", "nice", and sweet little messages like we remember, like "Real Love", and "Only You".

So sweet and fun...remember them?

And I apologize to Lily's fans that we haven't had any recent adventures. Just haven't gotten back into my "groove" yet since we were sick for three weeks and still just not as perky as I'd like to be, but I am thankful to be getting stronger every day. God is so good.

Okay, how about a scene from Still Waters Pond to close this out?  The Canada Geese were floating around enjoying a beautiful sunny morning.  The air was pretty cool, but the sun was warm and they seemed to appreciate the peacefulness of the pond.

Sure beats the other afternoon when whey decided to challenge each other to see who's the "bull goose around here"...

Yes, I believe mating season has begun, and the male geese do get aggressive and possessive about their mates...maybe this is their way of celebrating "Valentine's Day".

Okay, I guess I'd better leave it at that!

I hope and pray that tonight you will hear the love song that the greatest "Valentine" one could ever ask for will be singing for you...

"By day the Lord directs His love,

at night His song is with me—

a prayer to the God of my life."

Psalm 42:8, NIV

"The Lord your God in your midst,

The Mighty One, will save;

He will rejoice over you with gladness,

He will quiet you with His love,

He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV

What a beautiful way to end this sweet Valentine's Day...knowing that the One Who loves you most is directing His love toward you and rejoicing over you with gladness, quieting you with His love, and rejoicing over you with His song.  There could be no greater love song than that.

Happy Valentine's Day (Evening)!