At Any Cost

O Lord my God, much grace by Thee

Has freely been bestowed on me.

Thy mercy, love, yea–wondrous light

Delivered me from blackest night.

And now can I, dare I, choose ease?

Go back to things myself to please?

Nay, Father, stir me for the lost

To give myself,–at any cost!

~~

How greatly privileged I have been

Thru out these years on Thee to lean.

Upon thy word I’ve freely fed;

By waters still I have been led.

How great a debtor now am I!

Take thou my all, to live or die.

Have mercy, Lord, don’t let me rust!

Break Thou my heart at any cost!

~~

Yes, much I’ve heard of all the lost;

I’ve even prayed, “O save, Thou must”!

But now, it’s up to me to choose:

Will I my life for thy sake lose?

Some day I’ll answer for this choice.

Will I regret? Will I rejoice?

O solemn hour! O countless lost!

Can I say, “Yes, at any cost”?

~~

From henceforth ALL to thee I give,

I know not where my life I’ll live,

And care not, only if God’s Son

Can look on me and say “Well done.”

In joy? In pain? what matters where

If I but know you sent me there?

Cost? Nay! ‘Tis gain to follow Thee;

Lead on, Thou Lamb of Calvary!

~~ anonymous ~~

Copied from the prayer card of Elaine Townsend (1915-2007)

wife of William Cameron Townsend (1896-1982) founder of

Wycliffe Bible Translators, JAARS, et al.

PBS is re-running the series The National Parks. I’ve watched…over and over, hour after hour. Oh, the beauty!! The history behind the parks is fascinating!!

Last night, I couldn’t sleep; so much on my mind!!  I watched two hours of The National Parks on PBS.

(Six o’clock PM.) Today has been very productive–but I’m suffering with a back ache!! I disassembled the Singer Sewing Machine wrought-iron base and removed the screws holding the table top—my TV stand. I packed the DVD player and boxed the DVDs and CDs. Many, many items were handled, documented in Its Deductible, and moved to the front door for the eventual load into the back of the KIA (en route to the thrift store).  IF (**if**) I could keep up this pace, I’d be ready for the move in about one week.  Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Furthermore, I request prayer for a significant-to-me person suffering depression.  ~~ Tomorrow I haul things to Second Chance Boutique so I redeem space in the car for next load of donations. Less back pain tomorrow?!

To the left are “before” pictures: Nasturtiums in hanging baskets, Begonias in the base. They departed (free) to a new home so I shuffled hanging baskets from other locations. Although I still have lots of plants, in planters, some have gone to new homes.  ~~ I have published many ads with “for sale” yard and garden items–but limited response. I can’t take them with me!!  ~~ Actually I **can** take the planters… but not the plants (agricultural restrictions at the state lines). I’ve dumped plants, and soil, along the embankment at the edge of my back yard.  My beautiful second-season Calibrachoa–with purple-red blooms–and Miracle Gro soil–went to an early grave so I could scrub the tub (identical to the one pictured here). It cost an extremely discounted $26. from Tuesday Morning, plus (as I said Miracle Gro soil) and a vineing plant we’d pay at least $20. for at Lowe’s. Nobody wants to pay $25.– or even make an offer. I have signs everywhere saying “My prices are negotiable.”

Finally, earlier today I was able to photograph my four recently fledged baby Bluebirds–on the mealworm feeder.

Unimaginable that babies can mature so rapidly in less than six weeks!!

There are so-o-o-o-o many things to handle, so many decisions to make. I’m in a full-blown major depression!! So-o-o-o-o much to do!! This afternoon I started moving books from the bookcases to cardboard boxes. They were on display because I wanted to “eventually” read them. Today, handling them, I have anxiety because I don’t want to ship them off to the thrift shop. During the shuffle, I found a study (from the Holy Bible) on the book of Esther. It concludes with this prayer:

My Precious Princess and Daughter–

I love you and know you by name.  I want you to be secure in My love for you because My will for you is centered in that love.  It is always for your best.

When I ask you to take action, I will give you the courage and strength you need in that moment.  My Spirit is praying for you in My very presence, and He knows exactly how to pray according to My will for you.  So don’t be afraid.  I have seen your uncertainty.  I know your indecision.  But those are not rooted in faith.  When you must take a stand for a godly principle, I will empower you.  When you must make a decision, seek My wisdom for it. Remember?  I give you the desires of your heart.  Trust your heart when it is tuned in to Me.

I know that there are times when you desire the approval of people you may need to comfort.  I understand.  But please remember that My acceptance and approval are much more important.  Everything may not turn out as well for you as it did for Esther.  Remember that My plan for each of My children’s lives is custom-made, just for you.  Will you still trust Me if disaster or trouble or pain follows your decision to obey My will for your life?

You already have My approval.  I’ll open other doors of favor according to My will.  And, as it’s appropriate, I will give you the favor needed just as I influenced King Xerxes to receive Esther.

I have wonderful plans for you, beloved one, so learn to seek Me, and My voice will become more familiar to you.  Dare to risk everything to follow Me. You will never lose anything of value.

Lovingly,

Your Heavenly Father, the King

Isn’t that awesome??  “Thank you, Father!!”

Watch this video by Senator Elbert Guillory. I’m impressed!!

There was an awesome program on PBS that was mesmerizing!!  I was glued to the TV between 8 and 9 PM watching Birds of the Gods on the Nature series. It’s so encouraging to observe other individuals who patiently watch the activity of the birds.

These have been in my home for decades!! “Collector’s Plates” dating back to the Bicentennial (1976)!! Many, many images from Norman Rockwell paintings.  (I love Norman Rockwell paintings!!)  The plates have resided in Lancaster, CA, Long Beach, CA, Hollywood, CA, Brookville, OH, Shelby, NC, and Waxhaw, NC. In rented apartments–without a sense of permanency–I never displayed them.  Much as I hate to part with them, “it’s time.”  This morning I started moving the boxed items from their nooks-and-crannies and began documenting them in a software program called It’s Deductible. Properly documented, my donation information is automatically available when I do my income taxes with Turbo Tax.  North Carolina really zaps me for state taxes.  Itemized donations are a blessing!!  (I found out “the hard way” when I failed to keep records!!)  So another trunk-load of donations for Second Chance Boutique in Waxhaw.  ~~  Several more garden items have departed for new homes.  Far too many things remain!!

FYI: I’m not having head pain (praise the Lord!!) but I am terribly tired!! The fall was a shock to my body.