Tag Archives: children

Mannerism, music, Poetry, Video

The Bestowing


I gave my daughter away last Saturday. Now that statement by itself sounds awful, but then we read in Genesis 3:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” And that brings me comfort, that warms my heart, because over the past few years I’ve seen my daughter, and my son-in-law act as one through some highs and some lows.

In Eph 5:33 Paul writes, “Let each one of you men, love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.” All any father can hope for, pray for, is a man who puts his daughter above himself, and commits to a lifetime of loving her, and that prayer’s been answered in the affirmative.

Yes, last Saturday I gave my daughter away, but today I’m a peaceful and contented father, and father-in-law. Lord, bless them with happiness and a healthy and long journey together.

The Bestowing
As I sit by the window, coffee in hand
And the sun begins to shadow the sound
My mind drifts to memories, of a little girl
That will later be clothed in a gown
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
Where I’ll give my daughter away for keeps

He loves her as much as I could expect
Maybe a little more
And it gives my heart solace, as a piece breaks off
To know that he’ll catch it before it hits the floor
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

She’s waited what seems like all of her life
To arrive at this moment in time
A moment that’ll be covered with tears of joy
And no doubt some will be mine
Her smile will be the same as it ever was
Reflecting on all that it greets
As later today we’ll make that walk together
When I give my daughter away for keeps

~ E.M.
September 14, 2024

She’s Me (Album: The Consequence)
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Mannerism

Recast: Nature at Play

You don’t have to be seven years old to feel the energy and excitement of the ocean. There is a rhythm to the waves both aural and visual and it’s contagious.

Nature has a way of subtly sneaking up on our senses. Before long the rolling sounds, misty air and foamy splashing create a natural meditative effect. One that can transport the stodgiest of us into a youthful bliss.

It’s just nature at play.

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted August 19, 2013

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Mannerism

Recast: The Weeper

Lexi arrived early Tuesday morning …weeping. She left to go swimming around noontime …weeping. She returned home for a nap late that afternoon, only to leave after dinner …weeping.

Oh yeah, in between the tears she found it in her heart to allow me a momentary picture, as she pensively thought about …weeping.

We all have those days when nothing seems to go right, when everything we say is wrong, when the world just seems to be against us. We would do well on those days to remember the One who walks with us, watches over us, and saves us.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18 ESV)

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted on July 28, 2015

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Mannerism

Recast: Who’s Watching Over You?

Over the past few years I’ve grown quite fond of putting on my grand-pop hat every once in a while. It’s a good fit, comfortable, and almost childlike …and best of all I can take it off whenever I need to.

This past week Lexi, as she’s prone to do, came to visit. As is the case on most visits, after lunch we took a little time to be quiet. On this particular day she napped under the watchful eye of this Sunflower. Who’s watching over you?

“I will instruct you and teacher you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted July 26, 2015

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Mannerism

Recast: A Sense of Balance

As I wake this morning I’m disappointed by the thought of missing my appointed walk. The current high temperatures and humidity have curbed my outdoor activity for the past few days, and I’m noticing the lack of exercise along with the meditative solitude that comes with it.

What I’m sensing is an absence of balance. I’m sensing that something is missing, something’s wrong, and that something needs to be corrected.

My physical, mental and spiritual self need to be in balance for me to walk as designed. All of God’s creation was designed to be in balance. It was perfect, it was in harmony, and it was good.

And God saw everything he had made, and behold, it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a ESV)

And then came the fall, and just like in the Garden we’re falling again. If we aren’t taking the steps to be humbly and gratefully disciplined and aware of ourselves and our environment, then yes, we’re falling short of our Maker’s plan for us. We were formed in balance with everything. In doing so we need to live physically, mentally and spiritually balanced lives to fulfill our purpose.

The Lord had made everything for it’s purpose, (Proverbs16:4a ESV)

Being aware of our brokenness is a great first step, but it’s only the first step. I’ve heard Andy Stanley say that there are three laws of physical balance –

  1. Having a reference point
  2. Making constant corrections
  3. Having a clear objective

I’d like to suggest that one, our reference point be God’s design for us. That two, by being aware of our personal brokeness we make constant corrections to our faltering life style. And that three, we have a clear objective in living to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives.

As for me, I’m going to finish my coffee and listen to myself, or in this case the Spirit that’s leading me on this journey.

Stay healthy, stay balanced!

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted July 20, 2015

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Mannerism

Recast: Blockages

Are there times when we aren’t aware that there’s a blockage between us and God? It certainly isn’t on His end, but can we amidst our busyness have a spiritual ailment and not know it?

This past week a blockage in our home plumbing was made apparent almost immediately. Grandchildren are quite good at creating such blockages, and then indeed in our case, reporting them. It was an immediate problem that needed immediate attention. It wasn’t the most pleasant of jobs, but one that was quickly remedied once it was made known.

My father just recently discovered a blockage, or two, or three, in his heart. This required a little more intricate work than I was capable of, but was once again an immediate problem that needed immediate attention.

Recently a neighbor of ours lost his life to a blockage of sorts. As he was dinning out, a piece of food lodged in his throat, and the blockage of air cost him his life before it could be removed. Witness another immediate problem that needed to be attended to immediately.

As I ruminate on Luke 8:43-48 and the healing of a woman of faith. I can’t help but wonder about our sense of touch and how we might often fall short of reaching out to God in faith to receive his healing, comforting, clarifying, and powerful love. On this occasion Jesus speaks, without seeing, of the power that has been released from him by a faithful touching hand.

Can a lack of knowledge, lack of trust, lack of faith, or lack of relationship with God cause a blockage of that power? Could it be that we’re unaware of an immediate blockage that needs our immediate attention?

Sure the plumbing was just messy, but my father’s blockage was life threatening, and my neighbor’s life ending. Our five recognized senses are used to relate to each other, and more importantly to our Father in heaven. I’m thinking He created and designed us with those senses to help us to be in relationship with Him. That being the case, we would be well reminded to check all those connections out and to make sure that we’re spiritually healthy.

Pray on,
Eddy

Originally posted July 13, 2015

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