tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post4407778439247346974..comments2018-02-18T08:41:39.235-08:00Comments on BettieG'sRAseasons: Shade for our SoulsBettieGhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-73182669790751168562017-10-10T07:50:49.674-07:002017-10-10T07:50:49.674-07:00Dear Mary,
Oh what fun to know that you have enjoy...Dear Mary,<br />Oh what fun to know that you have enjoyed your own motorcycle excursions! :-) I am so thankful that the Lord allows us to share our hearts and to extend the shade that He offers to us, throughout His Body. Thank you for your encouraging words, Mary! Blessings to you!BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-25697302229721817982017-10-10T06:21:30.118-07:002017-10-10T06:21:30.118-07:00Wow! Reading your excerpt and reflection of Jayber...Wow! Reading your excerpt and reflection of Jayber Crow shows me what a deep and powerful book this must be. You have a beautiful way of expressing yourself through poetry. Thank you for sharing that gift with all of us.<br /><br />PS I have ridden a motorcycle before. I loved it!Mary Geisenhttp://www.marygeisen.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-88179289224202493422017-10-08T18:20:15.626-07:002017-10-08T18:20:15.626-07:00Audrey is such a heartfelt singer isn't she? I...Audrey is such a heartfelt singer isn't she? I listened to this song of hers during my early morning devotional time while I was in Vietnam! His rest and His shade is such a precious gift! Blessings to you!BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-23248871075401070662017-10-08T11:50:55.638-07:002017-10-08T11:50:55.638-07:00I could almost feel the sun on my skin. Lol Great ...I could almost feel the sun on my skin. Lol Great job describing the scene and reminding us of God's shade He offers us. I listen to Audrey on Pandora 😉👍Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18313135773826226851noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-88245927383069706442017-10-07T12:09:00.458-07:002017-10-07T12:09:00.458-07:00Dear Debbie,
Oh, yes, what a blessing we have foun...Dear Debbie,<br />Oh, yes, what a blessing we have found in being able to extend that shade around us! I love this thought you expressed: "Also mirrors for the joy when the dim glass becomes clear for moments of God revealing Himself," because He will break through those heavy waves of grief, sometimes only for a moment, to show us HIS HOPE and GLORY in Heaven. But we can only experience that with our friends, as we sit with them through the hard & painful places! What a blessing that He gave you such friends during those early days, and then you were able to be that same shade with the family you visited with this summer! His ways are so far above ours, aren't they? Thank you for being such a friend to me as well. Hugs & Love! xoxoBettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-75702735867500563152017-10-07T12:03:52.467-07:002017-10-07T12:03:52.467-07:00Dear Joy,
Oh, I am so sorry for the grief that you...Dear Joy,<br />Oh, I am so sorry for the grief that you and your fellow church members must be feeling today. I will be lifting you all in prayer! He truly is our resting place when those unanswered questions and pain seek to overwhelm us. I am thankful for that grace-gift of coming alongside me on my journey, has been such a blessing too! Much Love, Hugs and Blessings to you, my friend! xoxoBettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-57915289624801117532017-10-07T07:00:38.513-07:002017-10-07T07:00:38.513-07:00This is beautifu,l Bettie! I am reminded of friend...This is beautifu,l Bettie! I am reminded of friends who rallied around in my own season of raw grief, friends told stories and we all laughed, because Roma made us all laugh and laughter was appropriate and even required when remembering that boy. I have become bolder in coming alongside others on this inevitable journey of grief, and in the isolated moments of pure joy. He made us for community. He made us to be shelter for others, shade from the heat. Also mirrors for the joy when the dim glass becomes clear for moments of God revealing Himself. Sometimes I am overwhelmed by Joy in God breaking through to us about our mission and our missions field-- a JOY that makes no sense apart from God! dbmichaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00634865584435335429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-18537910309809014482017-10-07T04:46:17.798-07:002017-10-07T04:46:17.798-07:00Dear Bettie, there is something so beautiful and p...Dear Bettie, there is something so beautiful and profound about how the Body of Christ is knit together intrinsically, sharing joys and sorrows, leaning on and supporting one another in love. This thought strikes home to me with fresh poignancy today as our church community mourn the loss of our beloved Pastor and gather for his memorial service. <br />Being shade and shelter for each other is how we mirror God's love, mercy, grace and compassion toward us. The lovely song you have chosen beautifully highlights our restlessness, our great need for the rest and peace of body and soul that only God can give us. Sitting in the ashes with one another, often silently and lost for words, is a grace gift beyond words. Thank you for the sheltering oasis your own sweet and gentle presence, experienced here, is for so many. God bless you, my friend. Love and hugs. xoxoJoy Lentonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03486637586238798088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-20009133350011995122017-10-06T19:21:51.974-07:002017-10-06T19:21:51.974-07:00Dear Trudy,
Oh thank you for sharing that beautifu...Dear Trudy,<br />Oh thank you for sharing that beautiful story! What a compassionate heart that little boy must have carried! And, yes, you are right that sometimes we just need to sit and be with each other. I'm praying for rest for you this weekend also, my friend! Blessings, Love & Hugs! BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-53044682448190463452017-10-06T13:27:18.471-07:002017-10-06T13:27:18.471-07:00What a touching story, Bettie! I love how God used...What a touching story, Bettie! I love how God used the barber to help others through their grief. This reminds me of another story that impacted me - A little boy went to his neighbor who had recently lost his wife. He didn't say a word. He just sat with him and cried with him. I think sometimes we think we need to say something, but we really don't, do we? I love the song, too. May we rest in Him!Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05179372917600231306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-34461672280646704452017-10-06T08:01:51.016-07:002017-10-06T08:01:51.016-07:00Dear Michele,
What fun memories! I tried so hard n...Dear Michele,<br />What fun memories! I tried so hard not to hold on too tightly, when all I felt like doing was to hold on for dear life! I love your description of your ride!<br /><br />I can imagine that Jayber's chair became a prized possession--not only for it's comfort, but also for all of the memories attached to it too! I like those words of a "counselor/listener" that you gave to him. Jayber did possess those gifts in a large way. And now that I'm reading ahead into the next few chapters, it's becoming even more evident! Thank you for hosting, again, and giving us all such a great foundation from which to launch our own thoughts! Blessings to you, my friend!<br />BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-66693887884375594962017-10-06T07:57:14.291-07:002017-10-06T07:57:14.291-07:00Dear Gayl,
Yes, isn't that such a lovely song ...Dear Gayl,<br />Yes, isn't that such a lovely song by Audrey Assad? It was one of the songs that blessed me so much during my stay in Vietnam. He is so good to confirm His thoughts to us, and to let us know that He wants us to rest with Him! Thank you for your kindred heart, my friend! Love and Hugs! xoxoBettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-83885595732146708172017-10-06T04:08:45.403-07:002017-10-06T04:08:45.403-07:00Oh, my! This brings back memories of a very brief ...Oh, my! This brings back memories of a very brief motorcycle ride I "enjoyed" with my oldest son. I'm afraid I spent the entire ride in a tucked position, waiting for glory.<br /><br />I really enjoy Jayber's enjoyment of his little space -- and his chair. Later in the book, when he moves outside the town limits, he takes his chair with him. :=)<br /><br />I find that Jayber has it just right when he comes into his role as counselor/listener. He didn't try to cheer Mat up or diminish his feeling by putting a pretty ribbon on them or mouthing a platitude. He listened and felt the grief along with him. That dream Mat had about his boy was so jarring to read about. God is, indeed, merciful.<br /><br />And thanks, Bettie, for this beautiful meditation on three very poignant chapters.Michele Morinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814119096056835884noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-80988986871742086422017-10-05T20:45:21.703-07:002017-10-05T20:45:21.703-07:00Dear Bettie, this is so beautiful! And Audrey'...Dear Bettie, this is so beautiful! And Audrey's voice is perfect. Thanks so much for sharing. I love how our thoughts were similar about sitting and resting together and in God. Blessings to you, dear sister, with love and hugs! xoxoGayl Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02564461995154051353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-74098672713871824592017-10-05T17:55:37.259-07:002017-10-05T17:55:37.259-07:00The power of grief shared, is so strong isn't ...The power of grief shared, is so strong isn't it? Blessings to you today, Christy!BettieGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01184677704960428160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4123043706114460279.post-28530076194027483862017-10-05T17:50:44.767-07:002017-10-05T17:50:44.767-07:00Yes Bettie the tears were dripping down my face as...Yes Bettie the tears were dripping down my face as that father left the barber shop. Christyhttp://mywritingplayground.comnoreply@blogger.com