Heart Choices: 2011-01-30 -->

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Before the Morning



My song choice for Then Sings My Soul Saturday is a song by Josh Wilson called "Before the Morning".   The words have much meaning to me, especially as I've been going through a difficult season in life. 


Do you wonder why you have to
Feel the things that hurt you
If there’s a God who loves you where is He now
Maybe there are things you can’t see
And all those things are happening
To bring a better ending

Someday somehow you’ll see you’ll see
Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

My friend you know how this all ends
You know where you’re going
You just don’t know how you’ll get there
So say a prayer

And hold on cause there’s good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot
It might take a little time but you’ll see the bigger picture

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
So hold on you gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory, memory, memory

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming

Would you dare would you dare to believe
That you still got a reason to sing
Cause the pain that you've been feeling
It can’t compare to the joy that’s coming
Come on you've gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
Cause the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the hurt before the healing
Oh the pain that you’ve been feeling
It’s just the dark before the morning

Before the morning

Happy Saturday!

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Friday Photo Flashback ~ 1953


Friday Photo Flashback

I wanted to join in today with Alicia of More than Words for Friday Photo Flashback. 

My Aunt Ruth sent some old black and white photos of me that I'd never seen before. So I thought I'd share them with you.


This photo probably dates back to ...1953!  I loved my Grandpa.  I had to laugh because my mom always dressed me up like a little doll.


And of course, I loved my Nana too!


Happy Friday!

Blessings and love,


QuickEdit

Thoughts on "Marley and Me" and Dogs


(Google images)
I watched the movie "Marley and Me" on TV yesterday.  It was the second time I'd seen the movie so I knew what it was all about.  But there's just something about the unconditional love a dog gives to his owners that intrigues me. 

Here's a quote from John Grogan, the author of the book "Marley and Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog":

"A dog has no use for fancy cars or big homes or designer clothes. Status symbol means nothing to him. A waterlogged stick will do just fine. A dog judges others not by their color or creed or class but by who they are inside. A dog doesn't care if you are rich or poor, educated or illiterate, clever or dull. Give him your heart and he will give you his. It was really quite simple, and yet we humans, so much wiser and more sophisticated, have always had trouble figuring out what really counts and what does not. As I wrote that farewell column to Marley, I realized it was all right there in front of us, if only we opened our eyes. Sometimes it took a dog with bad breath, worse manners, and pure intentions to help us see." 

Let me ask you?  Who wouldn't want to be loved like this?  Isn't that something we humans crave and seek from others?  How often we are disappointed?  It's so easy to erect walls around our hearts to prevent more hurt.

After posting on Facebook that I'd seen the movie, there were a variety of responses.  Here are a few of the responses I received:
  • I'm avoiding that movie like the plague.
  • Really dislike tear-jerkers; no thank you.
  • Don't like sad movies.
  • Deb, I watched it with my 13 year old over Christmas break.  I was not ashamed at all, crying in front of her.  Been there, done that with my beautiful Dalmatian Abbey.
As you can see ... a range of responses.

Growing up, we always had a dog.  One vivid memory I have is when our poodle Cherie got hit by a car.  My brother, sister and I were already in bed but my dad woke us up to come downstairs.  He held Cherie in his arms so we could say goodbye to her.  We all cried, including my brother Steve.

Barney

My mother-in-law has a cocker spaniel named Barney.  He is her constant companion.  She prepares his meals and they eat dinner together in front of the TV watching the nightly news.  Sometimes she complains about him but it's so obvious that she loves him.  And once more she begins to throw Barney's ball for him to fetch.  Barney is such good company for her.

Opening your heart to love can be painful, even if it is to a dog.

So, I sit in front of the TV with my box of tissues handy.  I loved the movie and I'll probably watch it again sometime.  Even Greg joined me and held my hand as the ending drew close.  And no; I won't tell you the ending but it's well worth any crying involved.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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