Rejoice!

Once again, my purple irises were in bloom for my mom's birthday.

As I have mentioned before, it seems as though she comes to celebrate life with me

each year when the flowers she loved burst in on the scene.

This year I spent a little time taking a closer look.

As I was enjoying all of the delicate lines and parts, I was reminded of her favorite verse--

she called it her "birthday verse" for some reason from her childhood that escapes me.

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice!"--Philippians 4:4

Don't you love it?  In case you didn't hear me the first time, I'll say it again!  How many times in my life do you suppose she repeated her instructions to me, suspecting that I didn't hear her the first time?  God has to do that too.  Especially with regard to rejoicing--because how many times are we not "in the mood" to rejoice?  My mom was no exception to that.  There were plenty of "not rejoicing" moments in her life, but she never forgot altogether.

This whole chapter has long been one of my favorites.  It's all about taking responsibility for your thought life. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again:  Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

"Finally, brothers and sisters. whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:4-9

 I pray that my kids might inherit this part of their Grandma Rae's legacy.  I pray that I might be faithful to hand it down to them by example.