A Goldilocks Life

Special Occasions

I can’t wait to get there! We’ll be leaving soon for a birthday celebration with my granddaughter for her big 18^th. This is our second such celebration in the last two months, as both our granddaughters turn 18 this year, their birthdays only a month or so apart. There are sweet treats and the main dish ready in the fridge, and we’ll pack those into the trunk soon.

It’s hard to believe that our grand girls are adults as 18-year-old are called. I remember outings when each of our four grans were small—fairs with face-painting and shopping trips for school supplies. When they were older, we went on vacation to the cottage together, and once we took a sailboat ride in the bay.

We are so thankful for these memories and for our close relationships with our grandkids. “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3. Grandchildren are especially wonderful considering we can spoil them and then send them back home to mom and dad.

Lord, thank You for our kids and grandkids. They bring us joy and keep us feeling young. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with each one of them, and please draw them close to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Safe with Jesus

It seems everyone has their eyes on their screens to see where Hurricane Isaias is now. My friend, Brenda in Pensacola is safe thus far, though last we texted she said the winds were terrifying. When my mom still lived north of Orlando, Florida, I spent time with her during Hurricane Jeanne. It’s nothing like what we face up north. Tornadoes last about ten minutes. Hurricane Jeanne spent three days howling over Mom’s house with the power off the entire time. Mom had faced many storms before and was calm, which helped me face it.

When natural disasters hit, whether in another state or across the world, we become anxious thinking of lives lost, families suffering, and what it would be like if it were us. As a follower of Jesus Christ, we may pray for those people or for ourselves if it’s our disaster, and He hears our cries for help. Brenda reads Psalm 91 when life throws a curve. It begins with this simple verse: “Lord, through all generations you have been our home!” It’s comforting to know He’s our safe place. Moses, the author of this psalm, goes on describing how God “sweeps people away like dreams that disappear.” Some may say that is cruel, but our God knows all about it and His timing and plans are laid out for us His children before we were ever born. Verse 10 says, “Seventy years are given to us. Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.”

No matter what happens, we know that trusting Jesus is the answer for everything. Romans 5:11 says, “So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.” Because we are His friends, we can trust that whether in life or death, He is with us. Romans 8:38-39 reminds us that “nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. . . No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We are safe with Jesus—now in a hurricane and forever in His loving presence!

Only You

Seven years ago, I wrote a song entitled “Only You.” I revised it a few times and shared it with Bob Paster, worship leader at our church at the time. He used it in a Sunday service and sent a recording to me.

Please take time to listen to Bob and the CrossView Church praise team lead the congregation in worship with “Only You.” I’ve included lyrics below. Thanks for joining them in praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

“Only You” by Lynn Lilja, led by Bob Paster at CrossView Church, Antioch, IL

ONLY YOU

Verse 1: Fill my hungry heart in every way
Quench my thirsty soul every day
Lord, I feel so far away from everything you are
Fill my hungry heart with only you. 

Verse 2: Help me have a longing not to boast
All the vain things that charm me most
Lord, I sacrifice them all to everything you are
Fill my selfish soul with only you.

Chorus: Only You, Lord Jesus, only You
Only You, only You
Only You, Lord Jesus, only You
I give everything I am to only You.

Verse 3: Tell me why I feel so self-content
Complacency! Now I repent
I pour out contempt on everything that comes from pride
Fill my broken life with only You.

(Chorus)

Verse 4: There is only One who reconciles
I'm Your prized possession, Your child
What could I desire that's more than everything You are?
Fill my hungry heart with only You.

(Chorus)