~FingerPrint Friday~

There's a song by Steven Curtis Chapman called "Fingerprints", that goes:

"I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know it's true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God."

Tonite we're going to Winter Jam Fest, with our son, Tom, and his girlfriend, Amy. Jam Fest is a concert given by a group of Christian artists, hosted by NewSong.

Brandon Heath, who sings, "Give Me Your Eyes", which is one of my favorite songs, will be one of the artists taking part. Those words just really speak to my heart. Certainly his music is touched by the FingerPrints of God, as is all the music of the artists' we'll hear tonite.

To quote Brandon about why he wrote this song:

"The song was inspired from the idea that every once in a while, God gives us His eyes. You tend to see a lot of different kinds of people in places like airports. Sometimes, usually only for a few moments, I feel like God gives me true compassion for those people around me. I think that the longer I get to know the character of Jesus, the more compassion I personally have for others. “Give Me Your Eyes” is saying, “Jesus, give me Your eyes so that I can see people the way You see people, so I can love people the way You love people.” One of the core goals of my ministry is focused on striking up conversations about social injustices around the world and being a voice for those who have often been silenced by poverty or lack of influence. I want to challenge people more. “Give Me Your Eyes” does that. It is one thing to have compassion and quite another to act on it. Most times, it starts with the people around you." –Brandon Heath

Lyrics | Brandon Heath lyrics - Give Me Your Eyes lyrics

Here's the You Tube Link.

Take a peak at Beki's blog to see links to more Fingerprints.

Have a blessed Friday....wherever you are in the world today!

~Katie: Part 1~

I first met Katie when she was barely sixteen. My business was doing well, and my little Italian mother proclaimed that I “needed help with the cleaning”. I was shocked. MY mother suggesting I needed help? But being a good daughter…..I listened! We live near a large Amish community. My friend, Cheryl, had been using Elizabeth to help her clean for a number of years, and Elizabeth suggested her 16-year-old niece. That's how it came about that Katie entered our lives, arriving early one snowy Tuesday morning.

I loved her from the start, and it wasn’t long before she was like a member of the family. Katie is one of the oldest of her 11 siblings. She arrived each week at 6:45 am, kicking off her shoes and socks the moment she walked through the back door. And when Katie cleaned, Katie sang. Always. Religious hymns she learned as a small child. Before too long, Katie was not only cleaning, but cooking meals, packing orders, and filling in wherever she was needed. She filled the house with unabandoned joy. She had such a 'crush' on my son, Jeff, that she blushed whenever he was around! She teased Tommy incessantly. Gently.

Things went well. I had the much-needed help with just-about- everything, and Katie loved us as much as we loved her. When she asked if she could stay overnite, I readily agreed. I could take her to her next job in the morning. First, she had to get the permission of her community’s “Elders”. I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I wasn’t tickled at the thought of being judged by a group of bearded Amish strangers. What had Katie told them about us? Would we be deemed ‘appropriate’ for this young Amish woman to spend more time with?

We were approved. But I was worried. I had a real heart-to-heart with Jim. He needed to clean up his act! He was not to say “damn” or “hell”, take even a sip of beer or alcohol…and NO television. Did I mention that I was worried? Well… so was Jim. “What are we going to DO with her all evening?”. I told him not to worry, as I knew Katie goes to bed at 9PM.

Things went well. We decided to pop corn and play Monopoly after dinner. And then to my disbelief, Jim offered Katie a beer, and as I heard her response of “Sure”, I was afraid we were going straight to hell! When she asked if she could sleep in Jeff’s waterbed (it's not what you're thinking...he was away at college!), I was sure of it!

Spending time with Katie taught me what was important in life. She lives a “no frills” existence. She doesn't have the encumbrances of material things to weigh her down. She lives a simple life. Her only goal is to help others whenever possible. She fully intends she will go to heaven when her time here is done.

I had to let Katie go 6 years ago when I abruptly ended my business to take care of Mom. She called me every week, and stopped in whenever she could.

Now at the age of 33, she is no longer the shy young Amish girl I met 17 years ago. But now, she brings tranquility to my life that is unequaled. She has taught me patience. And most importantly, she has taught me what it means to have faith.

Katie started back with us last month. She still sings while she cleans. And she still brings peace and calm to my life. But more than anything, she's taught me that life is fragile.

Next: Part 2

~This Is Faith~

My son, Tom, sent me today's clip from ABC's Good Morning America show. Though many of you are aware that the daughter of Christian songwriter, Steven Curtis Chapman, died in May when her older brother accidentally hit her with his car, many of you may not be. I feel this is worth posting here. The remarkable faith that this family has, is a lesson to all of us. If you can have faith during the darkest hours of life....you have true faith.

The song, Cinderella, that he wrote for his daughter, reminds me so much of my grand-daughter, Ella, and the day Jim and I took her and Jackson to Squire's Castle. I've added it as the first song on my playlist.

The Youtube video is here: Cinderella.

Life is too short, and too fragile. May God continue to hold this family in the palms of His hands.