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Linda Roorda

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Blog Entries posted by Linda Roorda

  1. Linda Roorda
    Despite all the work to get ready, I really enjoyed being part of our Spencer-Van Etten Farmers Market yesterday, with a surprise video made (by a friend of my high school friend!) which introduced each of us vendors, shared to my Facebook page. It was great to meet friends I haven’t seen or talked to in a good while! One of our vendors introduced herself, saying she remembered me and my sister from high school in Owego, and graduated with my sister! Amazing! But what deeply touched my heart was when a precious young lady and I shared smiles and greetings as she told her grandfather she knew me from school! As a sub this spring, I’d always worn a mask; yet as a pre-K student, she recognized me without a mask! It reminded me that we truly can make a difference in the world…
    Laughter is good for the soul, they say.  It can lift us up when we’ve had a down day, when nothing seems to be going right… hearty laughter, giggles over the silliest of things, and laughter that brings tears of joy to our eyes… it’s all like a song of love in our soul.
    So often I see my husband’s love and care for me like that of our Lord’s above.  In praising and thanking God, the One who sustains me and you day by day, I felt a song of love rising within my soul.  In every way, every day, He is there… even when I fail to see Him or thank Him. Unfortunately, sometimes, I take my Lord for granted… just like I do with my husband and others at times.
    Yet, in the depths of His loving care, you and I are not taken for granted by our gracious Lord.  If He so cares for the birds that fly around us, providing their next meal and the means by which they make a nest and raise their little ones… then surely He will care for you and me with His great love.  And, if He also cares for the beautiful wild flowers of the field and the hybridized delicate and hardy flowers of our cultivated gardens, surely He will also provide for all of our needs in the way He knows best!
    “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
    “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:25-34  NIV)
    Today’s poem and theme come from one of my favorite section of verses since childhood. Our God cares so much for us - when life runs along smoothly and even in the most difficult of times when we struggle. Sometimes we forget their source and take our blessings for granted… but may the beauty and blessing of this new day remind us how greatly we are loved. And may you find joy and laughter in the simplest of things today! God bless you!   
    Your Love is a Song
    Linda A. Roorda 
    Your love is a song bringing joy to my heart
    For all I need, Lord, is found in you,
    And carried on wings to Your throne above
    Are prayers of praise from my grateful soul.
     
    Your love is a song that gives me reason
    With You at my side my life has purpose,
    You assuage my fears and calm worried brow
    And lighten the load of burdens and cares.
     
    Your love is a song in the morning dews
    For all You do to meet daily needs
    That I would know how great is Your care
    In giving me strength to face each new day.
     
    Your love is a song within the trials
    When my heart cries out in deepest despair
    Your answering voice calms my weary soul
    As Your gentle hand brings comfort and peace.
     
    Your love is a song in laughter’s therapy
    From giggles and grins to snuggles and hugs
    You care for me like birds of the field
    With a gentle hand as you hold my heart.
     
    Your love is a song that frees my soul
    With mercy and grace to cover each day
    Your welcoming arms delight in Your child
    And guide my steps along wisdom’s path.
    ~~
  2. Linda Roorda

    Your Love...

    By Linda Roorda,

    On the day before Valentine’s Day, our thoughts are turning to special ways we can express love to our treasured family and friends.  This year, wanting to express that love in a unique way, Valentine’s cards that I’d made of red and white construction paper hearts were sent off to our five Grands, wondering why I’ve never thought to make cards for them before…  In saying “I love you” to those dear to us, we share our heart with them. And that reminds me of how much our God loves each and every one of us as He expresses love to us in so many ways - if we’re paying attention. Otherwise, we might miss even the simplest of blessings all around us, seeing His handiwork in nature, His generous caring expressed just when we need it the most in just the right way… and, of course, His greatest gift of love when our dear Lord and Savior died on that cross to pay the penalty of sin for each of us… Love is a many splendored gift in so many ways.  God bless you today and always! 
    ~~
    I love it when my husband wraps his arms around me.  Being a foot shorter and about one-third the size of my 6’ 7” big guy, when those strong arms envelope me, I feel loved, protected, and sheltered… But there’s so much more to his love than those big bear hugs! 
    It was his great sense of humor that attracted my attention in the first place.  His love also encompassed special looks from his only viable eye – his silent way of speaking volumes.  Now that he can no longer see, I miss the twinkle and winks, the loving gaze, and the many changes in visual tone that I took for granted all those years ago.  But his love also embodies a physical and emotional strength that I don’t have.  And, his love includes advice from an innate wisdom that I also don’t have… and, unfortunately, have not always heeded when I should have… only to realize later on how right he was. 
    In Ed’s love, I also see a kindness, a generosity, and a forgiveness with grace and mercy… all of which remind me of my Savior’s love.  For the love the Lord showers upon us… we who don’t meet His perfect Ten Commandment standards… is powerful.  His wisdom is beyond my full comprehension... and His ways are greater than mine.  “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”  (Isaiah 55:8 NIV)
    Like my husband, the Lord gives me a strength to persevere in whatever trial I face which helps to see me through… as He gently holds and guides me, even though I may fret and complain about the difficulty… until I realize the wisdom He’s imparting could not have been gained except on that rocky path.  Like I’ve read - “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)
    Followed later by:  “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13-18)
    Then, as I consider how Jesus gave His perfect life for me… for each of us… as He draws us to His side... as He forgives our stupidest mistakes, and our worst sins upon our confession, and loves us despite our myriad faults… I am utterly overwhelmed.  To feel the peace that our Lord gives amidst our most difficult struggles is reminiscent of my husband’s arms wrapped around me… for it’s as we understand the love which we share with another, especially as husband and wife, that we begin to comprehend how great God’s love is for each of us. 
    Your Love
    Linda A. Roorda 
    Your love is like the moon’s brilliant glow
    Like the sun’s glory to brighten the gloom
    Like pillars grand is the strength within
    As ever gently you carry my heart.
     
    Your love is like a bird in flight
    Soaring to heights above the fray
    Floating freely upon the breeze
    Seeing clearly through wisdom’s sharp gaze.
     
    Your love is like warm rays of the sun
    That awaken the dawn to welcome my day
    Cheering my soul to bask in the truth
    From the Lord’s love, the light of the world.
     
    Your love is like a pillar of strength
    That holds me up as storms rage about
    To comfort my soul when fear envelopes
    So I may know great strength from within.
     
    Your love is like a breath of fresh air
    That clears the haze which clogs my view
    So I may see the depth of your heart
    With calming peace as we become one.
     
    Your love is like a rainbow’s hues
    After the rain and trials of life
    A promise made with showers of blessings
    And simple joys to brighten my day.
     
    Your love is like arms holding me close
    Enfolding me in the depths of your heart
    Strength they exude with tenderness mild
    Tucked in your embrace with comforting peace.
    ~~
  3. Linda Roorda

    Your Voice I Hear

    By Linda Roorda,

    What our thoughts focus on tends to tell us where our heart resides.  We may focus on our loved ones, our hobbies, fun and games with friends, climbing the corporate ladder, earning a vast estate, and collecting things… reminding me of the popular saying, “The one with the most toys wins.”
    Don’t get me wrong.  These are not, in and of themselves, inherently wrong.  Instead, it’s the how and why behind that which we focus on.  I’m no different than anyone else.  I like my “things” – especially my collection of reproduction Delft, particularly the tiles hung in my kitchen which remind me of our Dutch heritage.  My grandfather had remodeled their kitchen, putting Delft tiles into the wall design, something I had always admired.
    But these things mean nothing to my spiritual and eternal well being. Instead, it’s who I heed in my heart, whose word I focus on to direct my life.  And I willingly admit, it’s not always easy to stay focused… for this life calls in all its many splendored ways.  So I especially appreciate my favorite Psalm 139:1-18, 23-24 (NIV):  “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit?  Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.  If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you… 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting with you.”
    Years ago on the farm, a gate was accidentally left open.  Late that evening, Ed’s dad got a phone call.  Cows were in the fields of another farmer about a mile or so up the main road, and the caller was trying to determine to whom they belonged.  Ed and his dad went up to see if they were their cows, and, sure enough, they were.  But they were scattered all over!  The neighbors wondered how in the world they’d gather the whole herd and get them back to our farm.  “No problem,’ said Ed’s dad.  He simply started clapping his hands and began walking up the road.  And to the stunned amazement of the neighbors and other farmers, every one of those cows calmly and peacefully gathered behind their leader and followed him home… back to the safety of their own pasture. 
    For you see, those cows had been trained since they were little calves to come to the clapping – it meant food and a clean stall in the barn. As they grew older and became part of the milking herd, they continued to respond to their master’s call… for clapping still meant food and a clean stall in the barn at milking time!
    And isn’t this how we respond to our master, our shepherd… our Lord?  If our heart has been trained to listen to His words of wisdom, we will respond and heed His call.  When we find ourselves in time of need, we’ll seek Him and follow His leading along His path.  As Jesus said in John 10:14:  “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me…”
    God knows my every thought, He establishes my path and guides my way when I wander off, calling me back to His side.  What peace and comfort are found in His words.  And may it always be His voice that I hear and pay attention to.
    Your Voice I Hear
    Linda A. Roorda 
    On You above my thoughts do focus
    You see my heart and the depths thereof,
    The secrets hidden away from the world
    For You know the thoughts that reside within.
     
    Yet I freely admit I wander away
    What You expect is beyond my grasp.
    Though I stumble, and now and then fall
    You pick me up to try once again.
     
    As Your tender voice calls gently to me
    In the midst of life and trials of pain,
    What shall I fear though my frets alarm
    When your face I seek and You are my guide.
     
    May I ever hear Your voice in my ear
    But more important may I heed the nudge
    Of a still small voice down deep in my heart
    A voice whose wisdom guides my every step.
     
    It’s a voice that brings singing to my soul
    With a joy that fills my heart with peace.
    For I cannot fail to see You around
    You’re always there to hear my heart’s song.
     
    How great is Your love that You’d call me near
    Close to Your side from out of this world,
    A world of cares, a world of troubles
    Gently enfolding, Your love touches me.
     
    For You called my name before time began
    You cared for me with a tender joy.
    You carried my heart gently in Your hands
    And stretched out Your arms to wrap me in peace.
     
    You gave away Love, the depth of Your heart
    To make my heart sing with joy each new day.
    You lift up my soul and fill me with praise
    As Your love for me encompasses all.
    ~~ 2015 ~~
    Photo taken by my friend's husband, Hugh Van Staalduinen, 
    of churches where I grew up in East Palmyra, NY.
     
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