As Surely as the Sun Rises ...

Wishing you a beautiful and meaningful Holy Week filled with God's Glory in the Beauty of Nature ... and the Hope and Promises of Easter and Spring. The Days of Holy Week Holy Monday was when Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers, saying to them: "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; But you make it a den of robbers." [Matthew: 21:13] Holy Tuesday of Holy Week is the day when the incident between Jesus and Pharisees is thought to have taken place. This was when the churchmen tried to trap Jesus into making a blasphemous, or, anti-God remark. This day is also significant as the day Jesus discoursed to his disciples on the Mount of Olives about the destruction of Jerusalem and the signs of the last day. Spy Wednesday: The day Judas betrayed Jesus. Maundy Thursday: The day of the Last Supper. In the words of Matthew: Jesus took bread, and blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Good Friday: The Crucifixion Holy Saturday commemorates the day Jesus Christ's body lay in the tomb. Easter Sunday: The day of the Resurrection.

Morning Glory

God has many ways of saying, "Good morning!" The morning star ... [Photo borrowed from Internet/Credit Unknown] A sunrise ... Early morning dew ... Birds greeting us with their morning songs ... All of these are what I call How Great Thou Art moments, but one of my favorite "good morning" messages from God is found within the petals of His beautiful Morning Glories. Their glory glows from within ... Dear Lord, please help me to be the kind of person who "glows" from within. Help me to remember to be kind and compassionate and patient with those whose paths I may cross today, and let my actions reflect my faith and love for You. Amen.

Carpe Diem, Y'all !

If the truth be known, for the past couple of weeks, I have been suffering from a lack of inspiration, or maybe it's just a lack of energy. Whatever it is, I haven't really wanted to go out and take pictures, or to write anything — and that's just not right! On my way to Jackson yesterday, I saw a billboard which had the words Carpe Diem printed in big, bold letters, and it got my attention. I have always liked that expression and the message it conveys, and I felt as if that sign was put there, especially for me, as a reminder to quit just "drifting" along in limbo, and to go out and "seize the day!" And that is exactly what I'm going to do today. I woke up (very early) this morning, ready to take on my day and inspired to go out in search of a perfect Magnolia blossom. This is the one and only picture I deemed worthy of saving from the magnolia pictures I took last summer. I'm looking forward to capturing some more "worthy" ones today, and perhaps even finding some lagniappe along the way. I hope I have inspired you to go out and "seize your day," too! Make it a good one.

A Prayer for the Seasons

For weekend inspiration, I would like to share a beautiful prayer about the changing of the seasons, which one of my blog followers sent me.

Jane is a dear lady who lives in the Jackson area, and, although we have never met other than through e-mail correspondence, I never cease to be inspired by her unwavering faith. Her prayers always touch my heart, especially the ones she offered in behalf of our daughter Whitney and grandson Maddox, throughout Whitney's difficult pregnancy.

I asked Jane if she would mind if I shared this particular prayer here at Southern Lagniappe, and she graciously granted me permission. I hope it brightens your day like it did mine.

Dear Lord, thank you for all that we take for granted.

Seeing the leaves change ...

The smell in the air after a nice cooling rain ...

The full moon, so near, early in the mornings ...

[Borrowed from the Internet/Photo by Richard Campbell]

And God ... the wonderful children you have made,
on this earth to spread your word
and to make this world a better place for so many.

And, as always, we can never thank You enough for
what You did, so that we may be with You.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, my Dear Lord. AMEN!

For One More Day

I came across this poem on the Internet recently and it affected me deeply. It's one that all mothers need to read often, regardless of the ages of their children. You may have already seen it, but even if you have, it's worth reading again. Perhaps you know a busy young mother you can share it with whose heart it will touch and make a difference in her -- and her child's -- day.

I wish I knew who wrote these beautiful words of wisdom so I could acknowledge them, but the source indicated that the author is unknown.

For One More Day Just for this morning ... I am going to step over the laundry and pick you up and take you to the park to play. Just for this morning ... I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together. Just for this afternoon ... I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles. Just for this afternoon ... I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck -- and I will buy you one if he comes by. Just for this afternoon ... I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned. Just for this afternoon ... I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them. Just for this afternoon ... I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys. Just for this evening ... I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you. Just for this evening ... I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry. Just for this evening ... I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. Just for this evening ... I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows. Just for this evening ... when I run my fingers through your hair as you say your prayers, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given. I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly ... and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore. And when I kiss you good night ... I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except maybe ... for one more day.