My sister – in – law’s baby was due on August 18th.  That day came and went.  My brother, who is a man of precision, was fast to tell me that “6% of babies are born on their actual due date.”  When I called him later in the week and asked him what he was doing, he said, “well, I’m here at work…but what I’m really doing is waiting for Teresa to have this baby!!!”

So the 18th came and went.  So did the next day.  By the 22nd, Wayne and Teresa (and the family that were visiting at the time) had decided to write a few notes in washable marker on Teresa’s belly, just to speed things along.

One of the notes was an eviction notice.  For Teresa’s sake, I won’t share the picture of her belly online.

Apparently, the notes worked, and on Monday, August 25th, Annabelle Johnson was born!!!

Presenting, for the first time on This Side of Eden.... Annabelle Johnson!

Welcome to the world, my little angel. 

May you never receive another Eviction Notice.

Peace.

For most Sundays in my life, at some point in the morning, I have said the following words…

“We look for the resurrection of the dead…”  It’s a part of the Nicene Creed, which is said corporately in my church on Sunday.

But today it totally sunk in with me.  As I look back on the past year, my most painful year by far, but, also the year that I have really kind of found out who I really am…saying those words today really made me wonder if I’m actually looking for the resurrection of the dead.

Because it seems to me that we should be.  I mean, it doesn’t say, “I believe in the resurrection of the dead.”  But, “I LOOK”.  It tells me that there is always hope.  Have faith, God will come through.  There will someday be new life.  The old world will pass away, but God is making all things new. 

Lord, through the darkness and struggles of life may I expect resurrection around every corner.  Thank for the gift of new life.

Peace.