Walking along the beach with hot sand beneath my feet, a river on one side of me and a picnic area in the shade of some trees . . .
My Life seemed to be just like a plant I saw on this beach that was the only plant I saw anywhere on that beach surrounded by rocks and sand . . . did I look around me and complain that there was no one else like me and I felt SO alone OR did I look up at the sunshine and drink in the light of its rays and feel embraced by its presence . . . did I stop looking at the rocks and realize that I was not that far from the river, the refreshing living, flowing water OR did I gripe about having to try to reach that refreshing spot by growing my roots toward the river . . . sit in the hot sand and complain OR choose to grow deeper and out into the unknown, ignoring the fear and reaching out toward the source of Life . . .
choose . . . MY focus . . . look UP or look DOWN . . . MY choice . . .
a work in progress . . . God's grace has brought me through many traumas of varying intensities and I am alive today (both physically & spiritually) because of Him and His work: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus"-Philippians 1:6.
My childhood was spent living in many places in the United States due to my family's music or ministry—The Hicks Family, made up of Olan & Barbara Hicks, my younger brothers, Clint & Chuck & me, sang in different combos (put out an album), does so no longer professionally . . . but, visit a family gathering in Searcy & you're bound to hear some foot-tapping sounds (or catch my dad & mom on the road)!
I believe that every moment of each life path (the good & what I perceive as the bad) God works together for my good as His child whether I understand it or not. MUSIC and MINISTRY are still primary aspects of the path God has me walking—so exciting!
Words that have encouraged me since 1980: ". . . giving them a garland instead of ashes,The oil of gladness instead of mourning,The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting So they will be called oaks of righteousness,The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3
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Jeanne
Jeanne H Barnett's Blog 