Patti Wolf

Monday: A Song

Magnify: “And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.” Luke 1:47

How can you magnify the Lord toady as you rejoice in the knowledge of your salvation? “… for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord”. Luke 2:11

Humility: “For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.” Luke 1:48

Humility is a difficult quality, however we have the strength of the Holy Spirit, “The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.” Psalm 25:9

Holy: “For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” Luke 1:49

Do we understand the power of His righteousness granted to us on the day of our Salvation? We have been renewed by the blood of Christ and should, daily, call Him holy. “…and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:23-24

A Servant’s Fear: “And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.” Luke 1:50

Fear is a strange thing. Sometimes burdens draws us to the point of seclusion from the world. However, Mary’s prayer was not out of that type of fear, but the fear which carries abundant respect to God and a heart to want to serve Him. “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” John 12:26

Meekness: “He has shown strength with His arm;He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.” Luke 1:51-52

I believe Mary exhibit meekness in her character. There is nothing more beautiful than a gentle spirit in the life of any woman. Think of your sisters who love Jesus and follow God closely. Do they not show the meekness which is available to each of us if only we are willing to receive this gift? “…rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.” I Peter 3:4

Those in Need: “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.” Luke 1:53

We can’t follow Christ on our own; although we try. Is it our ability to nurture which gets in the way of seeing our own neediness? Or maybe it’s Eve’s boldness and drive forward attitude which allows us to think we are filled with our own richness; even in faith. God wants us to call on Him; to ask Him to fill us. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.”Psalm 145:18-19

Helper: “He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers,to Abraham and to his seed forever.” Luke 1:54-55

God speaks to each of us. Our focus should not be on the things of the world which tears us away from a healthy relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. He is our HELPER; truly believe in that truth. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Remain: “And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.” Luke 1:56

Ladies, slow down. Bath in the Word of God. Be assured He knows far greater than you as to your life: past, present and future. Not sure what He’s doing? Be like Mary and look to God and His great promises! “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

Today I Lost My Friend

For my boys: Dan, Barry & Nolan

You’re not just a dog
you are my dog who
danced across the floor
with pitter-patter of paws
which still linger in my heart.

I miss you most at night;
our long snuggles in bed,
my leg warmer, tender
hearted friend; always at
my side with every stride.

You trembled with excitement
upon my arrival, no one else does.
I am hers and she is mine till the
end; yet, forever in my heart!
For today, I lost my dear friend!

The Cattle Lowed

…the time came for her Child to be born. And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7

Stillness seeped through my heart,
the night they said the cattle lowed,
but I did not hear the animal’s sounds;
my own heart’s music was a rhapsody
of great joy mingled with anticipation.

Joseph said the moment He arrived
not a sound was heard in the cave,
a make-shift sable, where an empty
manger stood awaiting my Son’s
arrival; tears flooded my hot cheeks.

Within seconds He lay in my arms,
a son, just like the angle told me.
A nation had waited for Him for so long.
Yet, in this very moment He was just
my newborn and in need of nurturing.

He had my undivided attention, my Son,
who one day I would share with a
multitude of others; that would call on
His name. He would be their Savior.
For now, this Child is mine alone.

Monday: Music of Christmas

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28-29

For weeks many have been lulled by those traditional Christmas songs which stir memories. They travel with us as we transition from place to place. Often, they set the stage for our family gatherings. And when our weary heads hit the pillow, we are comforted by the music of Christmas.

Is it the declaration of the coming Messiah that brings peace to our hearts during times of uncertainty? Or, perhaps, the memories of a mother humming “Silent Night” before we knew many nights would not be silent, but filled with pain and grief. So many wonderful songs are attached to out past.

Music can soothe our souls and bring hope. The night the Savior was born, there was a mixture of emotions. Uncertainty for a young mother, fear and trembling for a field of shepherds, frustration for an inn keeper and joy for heralding angles; so many reactions to the birth of a King.

The Good News of the Savior’s birth is still celebrated, but what greater a celebration we can look forward to is in Jesus’s return one day. Focus on He who will come to gather His saints. May there then be “Joy to the World the King has Come”. Until then, “Oh Come, Let Us Adore Him”!

Christmas Pricing!

My gift to you. Stormy Seas, ebook format, is still free through December 13! Merry Christmas!

Language of the Stars

Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.
Matthew 2:2

Stars are twinkling tonight…
dangling, hanging above
a roadmap and shining hope;
filtering out strange darkness.

Stars from eternities past
dim in day, neon by night!
Speak of such a grand sight.

Stars with a holy message,
we know not their language.
One star led and shone bright;
it lit the way one holy night.

Stars from eternities past
dim in day, neon by night!
Speak of such a grand sight.

So graceful, grand a galaxy,
as ages of time have passed.
Yet, the Maker of stars did come
one holy night as angles sang.

Stars from eternities past
dim in day, neon by night!
Speak of such a grand sight.

Monday: With a Buddy

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day.
Psalms 25:4-6

What a joy to be part of the educational process with my grandkids! It’s a great time to instill biblical values and even to remind myself what God’s Word has to say. There’s something special about bringing a Bible verse down to a child’s level. It edifies teacher and student alike.

Over three decades ago I started to home school my boys. I had early child care training and started there. Teaching was so addictive, I just kept going. It was a blessing to see each new hurdle my kids were able to jump. Reading was one of the greatest climaxes. It’s refreshing when a child falls in love with words on the paper, or ebook.

There’s nothing cozier than a book, a child reader, a soft couch and a pup at one’s side. Many stories are filled with spiritual edifying words. I hope you can enjoy some excellent reading ‘one-on-one’ time with that special little buddy or a good book yourself.

“Lord, thank you for my grandchildren and the abilities you have given to them. May they always treasure You in their hearts. I am blessed.”

Crooked Paths

In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:6

When life’s no longer straight,
as wintry piles of pain emit
and dreary days are one’s fate;
when promises no longer fit
one looks to the opened gate.

Each tentative step seems to slip
and tranquility melts like snow
down icy paths on toilsome trip;
it’s hard to find a direction to go
for one’s only hope has lost its grip.

No shadow it too great to hide
or seek an awkward place to run;
if only one would truly abide
in the dear arms of Jesus, the Son!
Crooked paths can only divide.

Monday: Rosalia

He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Psalms 121:3

With the holidays in full swing it’s easy to think of family. Generations are drawn together to celebrate and renew their relationships. My grandmother came to mind; I remember very little of her. When an ancestry notification came the other day, it had me thinking.

Rosalia was a character, from the stories I’ve heard. Tossing items out an open window from a second story in order to purge a room or sawing a doweling of a chair to save a grandchild’s trapped head, were two amusing tales told. But as I viewed the time-line of her life, I knew there must have been more to this courageous lady.

At the age of 22, on a warm June day WWI began in 1914 while Rosalia considered married life, and prayed God would grant her direction. Four years later, after giving birth to two children, the Influenza pandemic occurred in 1918 taking the lives of many. Life continued as Rosalia gave birth to three more children. One child was blind and deaf needing daily care at home. At times, she wondered if God heard her prayers. Then in 1929 the Great Depression came and brought even more sorrow. Yet, she prayed asking God to strengthen her little family. At the age of 48, the second WW began in 1939 and Rosalia would say farewell to her only son, for several years, as he was sent to Europe. In just twenty-six years, Rosalia lived a lifetime of challenges with God at her side.

Whatever you are dealing with today, know God waits for you to come to Him.