Yet, as I ponder upon all that lies ahead, I can't help but think about my dad who died at this same age of 59. Bertram Elwood Lord, a man I've learned to honor, admire and appreciate more and more as time has passed. He died when I was 23, lost and angry at the world! And though I know he is joyfully enjoying the Lord in heaven ~ I wish he could have seen me mature and find my peace and place with God; happily married; I wish he would have met his grandson and great-grandson, impacting their lives like only he could have! Oh, my dad would have loved and enjoyed Nathaniel and Vincent!!! He would have taught them all his handyman skills ~ done with honor, respect, Godliness and all the values that only a Navy man who lived a very hard life could. He would have loved them with a pure and tender Godly heart!
But as I look back at my dad's life, I know that he instilled in me all that God placed in him. Though I didn't understand my dad's strict ways, I now understand he only wanted the best for me ~ the life he didn't have. He protected me, as I only learned of his difficult childhood after he passed. Testimony to the joy of the Lord, his strength. He loved God with every ounce of his body, mind and soul. He would do anything and everything he could for those in need. He showed me that a man could be tough, hard-working and yet tender hearted. I thank God today for my dad! And, I pray that as I move forward in this life, walking out all that God has planned and purposed in my life, I not only honor God, but I honor my dad for all he instilled in me. I thank God for my dad's tender heart.
So celebrate with me! Life is good because of Christ. No matter what is going on around us, we are loved unconditionally by a Loving Father God through Jesus! A God who knows every detail of our lives, both beginning and end. And HE has plans for us ~ plans for good!
Psalm 118:24, 28-29:
This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it....
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His loving kindness is everlasting. "
Let us rejoice and be glad in it....
You are my God, and I give thanks to You;
You are my God, I extol You.
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
For His loving kindness is everlasting. "
God's Love and Blessings,
Michelle Lord Samples
Psalm 139:13-18
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
"For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How vast is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You. "
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. NLT
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