A Psalm of Bursting Thanks

July 6, 2009 | 16 comments

“My heart bursts its banks,
spilling beauty and goodness.
I pour it out in a poem to the King,
shaping the river into words.”
— Ps. 45:1 (The Message)

This is my heart,
bursting its banks this weekend.

We play dress-up, finding bits of history to wear on our backs.

A Southern belle, a bonneted prairie girl and me, having found — at last — the occasion to wear Grandma Taylor’s hat.

“Your servants’ children will have a good place to live
and their children will be at home with you.”
— Ps. 102:28 (The Message)

Father-in-law, gun on his shoulder, never missed marching in a Fourth of July parade. Why should this day be any different? Paul Lee missed our parade this year, but he surely marched to freedom’s beat on Golden Streets.

Fruits of the harvest (our family’s homemade soy snack) tossed from a neighbor’s parade float.

We sit in lawn chairs and worship here, by a flatbed trailer parked at river’s edge.

The Spirit rests on Chris (of Experiencing Grace and Peace). Chris delivered a Sunday message of hope and freedom that unshackles souls. (An eagle soared behind him as he spoke.)

Daughter, making rings from blades of grass.

“… As for man, his days are like grass. …
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD’s love is with those who fear him.”
— Ps. 103:15, 17

by | July 6, 2009 | 16 comments

16 Comments

  1. Amy Jo

    Just dropping by from Wendy's blog and am SO glad I did. 🙂 Can't wait to dig in and read. God is SO good! Thank you for bearing your soul with us. I absolutely LOVE it when other believers are real. That's where the best growth comes and conversations happen. Sweet blessings! Amy

    Reply
  2. RCUBEs

    Thank you for sharing a wonderful remembrance of celebrating "freedom". The pics are awesome! That looked like so much fun when you guys got dressed up complete with the hats! It felt like I was there in that parade. Except I didn't get to catch the soy snack 🙁
    Everything surely is fun when the Lord is in the middle of it all. Glory to the One Who died for the cause of "freedom". God bless.

    Reply
  3. Billy Coffey

    What a great day you all had! And I LOVE that hat.

    Reply
  4. Kee

    You all looked like you had a great time. Love all the pictures and the attire. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Deb

    I admire the simplicity of your posts. You show that the small things really do have the greatest impact on our lives.

    Loved the pics…especially, that southern belle, y'all.

    Reply
  6. Warren Baldwin

    Freedom is a gift from God, whether it is spiritual freedom or our political freedom. Looks like you enjoyed an exciting celebration of it!

    Reply
  7. Melissa Groman, LCSW

    Jennifer,
    What great pics! Great blessings!
    Glad to have found you again!
    Melissa

    Reply
  8. Beth E.

    This is beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart with us.

    Also, thank you for your prayers for my mother. 🙂

    Blessings,
    Beth

    Reply
  9. Ruthie Allen-Hamilton

    I just happened on your blog! "just happened?" NO WAY! it was a GOD-incident for sure! what a blessing…. over the next few days i will return and read some past posts!
    Blessing on you as you minister to us all!
    Ruthie

    Reply
  10. Runner Mom

    Hey, Jennifer! I love the pics–thanks for sharing them with us! I know y'all had a wonderful time! Hmm…maybe you should consider these for your Christmas cards this year!!

    Hugs!
    Susan

    Reply
  11. Kristi L

    It was a fun day wasn't it??? Good memories were made, that's for sure. I thought of you and your family during the parade ~ there were many of us that missed Paul's presence during it this year ~ he marched proudly every year since i've lived here (26 of them!) and you're right, he's no doubt marching to the glorious sounds of heaven ~ God bless his memory.
    PS – I love Grandma Taylor's hat!!

    Reply
  12. Faith Imagined

    How wonderful! I love all the pictures!!!

    Reply
  13. Lyla Lindquist

    Somebody looks a little like her mom…

    Reply
  14. Elizabeth

    Thanks for dropping by and leaving your comment about the sp*der post! Lyla has mentioned you a few times, and I know she enjoys reading your posts!

    I'll drop by again!

    Elizabeth

    Reply
  15. Laura

    How fun, Jennifer! Your celebration makes me smile. How can we live set apart if not in the joy of celebration?

    Beautiful.

    Reply
  16. Pfeiffer Photos

    Great scripture refs, thanks!

    Reply

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