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I am Sandra - faithful steward. listener. shepherd. dream believer. hard worker. collects brass bells, boots. Jesus follower. contented. star gazer. homemaker. farmer. prayer warrior. country woman. reader. traveler. writer. homebody. living life large.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Open Yourself to LOVE

~ some of my aged flock, l to r - 
Polly Merino, Buffy Suffolk, Easter and Samuel Romey ~


"To love at all is to be vulnerable. (yes, it does hurt.) Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. (don't you mean, probably?) If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. 
~ Sadie, Sam, Abigail ~
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. (but my dear, how utterly boring!) But in that casket-safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable." 
(o dear God, not that...no!)
~ Sadie, face to the wind and the sun ~
~ C. S. Lewis
(surely a man after God's own heart)
~ love, the story of Christmas ~

Since Dave has died, there have been lovely people who have gone out of their way to perform a kindness toward me. Jill, at Untie the Ribbons don't you LOVE that name? sent me a card every week! True, there are many, many weeks I don't remember but I still have each and every card. She also sent me two beautiful hand crafted textiles...a felted envelope and a felted box with the Prov 31 "woman" verse. Jill, every time God brings you to mind, you're tucked into prayer; thank you for your blessing of kindness and care!

Timi, in Hungary, sent me encouraging e-notes. Farm Girl Cindy prayed...oh how she prayed! Especially during that first March when I was close to ending it all. God bless you both; you are truly Women after God's own heart!
~ some of my American Curly horses ~
Debbie, at Just Breath, is one of those and her ministry, For Your Tears, blesses folks all over the world. If you've never gone through the grieving process, perhaps you won't understand when I say, there are huge swaths of time that are, quite simply, gone forever to me. I haven't a clue what I did but was, most likely, here on the farm. I just cannot remember huge chunks of time; meaning, sometimes, entire months. That's how it was with Debbie's handkerchief. It arrived in the mail, beautiful!, and I placed it on the table until I moved it somewhere safe. Ahem. Does that sound familiar...somewhere safe? Every now and again, I run across it, pick the box up and cherish the kindness all over again. Earlier this week, Debbie commented on Saint Patrick's Day post and I popped over to visit her and BAM! On her profile page, there it was: For Your Tears

Debbie, I haven't a clue if I sent you a thank you note, sent you a piece of money (as my mother-in-law used to say) or...did nothing...? Bless you, Debbie, God bless you for your kindness in sending me such a beautiful handkerchief. Did you know? Did someone tell you Dave died? I am curious but, beyond curious, I am grateful. God bless you, yours and the work of your hands and heart; thank you so very much!

P. S. Breath was "my" word for 2012; it was so difficult to remember to breath and, too often, I'd find myself gulping air like I was starving for it. Just Breath...yes!

So many kindnesses from so many people and at a time when I felt totally alone; cut off, adrift, lost. Each act of kindness is noted by God, even though my feeble memory might remember sporadically; He knows. Your act of kindness will return to you, magnified and I bless you all. Thank you; you helped keep me alive.

There are only two ways to live. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ~ Albert Einstein ~

Today's Miracles ~ love ~ LoVe ~ LOVE ~ lOvE ~ Christmas ~ Easter ~ women after God's own heart ~ God is love ~

14 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your kind words. I know that nothing can take away your pain and the deep intense ugliness of grieving but to was my pleasure being able to give you a hug from a distance, a moment of kindness during that time. You did send me a very sweet email. ((HUGS))

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  2. You are very special,Sandra and I am so glad that we've met and I am grateful to God for you! ♥

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  3. Well said, Sandra. BTW your Sadie, what breed is she? She looks suspiciously like there is some Rhodesian Ridgeback in her! (Purebred I am guessing)

    Vic

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  4. Dear One,
    Glorious Spring Blessings to you!
    d way over in kansas

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  5. What a beautiful post -

    and can I tell you, I just adore that photo of (Sadie?) enjoying the breeze.. what a great picture...one that lets you feel the joy that dog was feeling in that moment.

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  6. Ohhhh, this made tears burn behind my eyes.
    You came to visit my blog last week.
    And I wanted to stop by and say hi!

    Wishing and praying for total strength for you.
    But I can tell you have had much love out there that caught you when you thought to fall.

    Thank you for visiting me.
    God Bless.
    Sandy

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  7. Kiss, kiss kiss kiss kiss! xoxoxoxo

    Tee hee.

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  8. Anonymous7:08 PM EDT

    Such sweet pictures. Keeping you in my prayers. May God bless.

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  9. There was so much more to this post, but I got stuck on the picture of the Am. Curly Horses. I didn't know you had them. I have always thought they were such neat horses.

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  10. The good and blessing Spirit is always with you, as humans and as animals, as those now, and as those in the past and as those, who come in futuere.

    Beautiful animal-photos and sheep-names!

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  11. Such a lovely post, Sandra...even the very small kindnesses are sometimes what get us through the day. Makes me want to look for more opportunities to share love...XO

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  12. God has been looking after you through his people. You are indeed blessed! Beautiful post!

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  13. Thank you for so many kind comments on my blog. I do stop by often, but don't comment. I do hope spring gets here soon. Cold & windy here today!

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  14. Debbie, this past year is a huge blur; I'm not really sure what I've done and not done but truly appreciate your kindness toward me.

    Timi, meeting you and your family has been one of the highlights of my life. God bless you all.

    Vic, yes, Sadie is a RR, purebread and a love bug.

    Deanna, not quite yet; we're expecting snow all week.

    Karen, that's Sadie 24/7/365; she's got a heart of gold and is a Mama's girl.

    Sandy, thank you for visiting TCF and your prayers are mercifully accepted.

    Isobelle, xxooxxoo to you as well!

    Mildred, how are you and John doing? God brings you to mind and I pray.

    Patrice, American Curly horses are so gentle, just love them! At one time, I bred and raised some of the only pinto, gaited Curlys in the world; also, HayJ was the only B&W Curly x Percheron stallion in the world. Now he's one of two geldings.

    Dori, Dave and I always gave our animals, mostly, human names. Sill us -grin-.

    Oh yes, Linda...we never know who we're standing in the gap between life and death.

    Gail, it's made a terrible situation somewhat more bearable.

    June, nice to see you here; welcome!

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