What is Love?

Love is not saying you would die for someone.. it is constantly dying for them.

I praise God today because He is the God of my mercy. There is nothing like knowing that you need Him, stop to find Him, and realize He's been carrying you all along. That is the joy of having a heavenly Father.

A picture of my wonderful nephew, Noah, and my,uh, o.k... wonderful brother, Josh! Love ya, bub!

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.   Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8-9

Faith's Scrabble Tile Necklaces

Faith is making scrabble tile necklaces to sell. She is trying to raise money to buy a horse. She is using a variety of pictures, including Christmas, Alice in Wonderland, and nature (butterfly/flowers) on the back of them. I am proud of her. I think they will sell well because they will make great Christmas presents!

I have told her she can get a horse when she earns the money for one, and she is holding me to it!

Poem I wrote this year: "Waves"

Waves

He beckoned me into the ship

to go forward while he stayed

I did not know this while I sailed:

He knelt and earnestly prayed

The ship went into the midst of the sea

Tossing with the waves

The wind was blowing against my face

Whispering “face your grave”

It seemed so long that I fought so hard

To keep the ship afloat

Then, exhausted, in body and in mind

I thought I saw a ghost

But straightway Jesus spoke to me

And said, “Be of good cheer.”

“It is I; be not afraid.”

But I could not help but fear

I wasn’t sure it was my Lord

I thought he’d left me alone

I did not know that while I tossed

In tears his prayers were sown

I said, “If It is really you

Call me to your side.”

Now to the point if it was not Him

I cared not if I died.

“Come” He said

So out of the ship I carefully climbed down

But as I did the waves and wind

Taunted, “You will surely drown.”

Sinking, I cried, “Lord, Save me” and

 I felt a hand reach me.

I did not know that as I feared

He was next to me on the sea.

He asked me why I lost my faith

But then stayed with me still

As we entered in the boat

I knew, now, he was real.

The wind stopped blowing, the waves were still

Now everything was new

I had no doubts, I felt his love

And my faith and knowledge grew

I declared his praise, I spoke the truth

To my new captain and my guide,

You are the Lord, the the son of God,

And he took me to the other side.

Now when I doubt and hear the wind

Accuse me of no hope

I know that he is on his knees

As I sail in life’s rowboat

And if one day he beckons me

To come to him nearer still

May I know that no matter what I see

His hand is there to feel

And one day there will be a time

That he will join me in the boat

And we will sail on silky seas

With Grace keeping us afloat

Until I reach the other side

Where wind no longer blows

But the river brings refreshment

And for eternity it flows.

There I will proclaim the truth,

And have no need for faith

Cause as we sing, “Behold the Lamb”

I will see him, face to face.

Painting by my Mom, Dot Courson

A song I wrote last year: "The Roads I learned to Drive On"

Sittin’ on a pillow

In that old black ford

Both hands on the wheel..

Dad climbed in beside me

And it seemed like then

That time stood still….

Dad said check your mirrors and told me turn right

Stay between the lines and you’ve got the green light.

Now follow this road, son, and we’ll end up back home

I couldn’t understand ---seemed so far I’d gone.

Chorus:

These are the roads I learned to drive one

This is where I used to roam

This is where I learned what love was

And how to get back home.

Verse 2:

Sittin' in the back

of that country church

I heard the preacher say

The roman road

 is where you can find

The truth, the life and the way

It starts by checking the mirrors and finding out

What you need to clear before heading out

Then follow this road, son and we’ll end up back home

I couldn’t understand---seemed so far I’d gone.

(Chorus)

Sittin’ on a pillow both hands on the wheel, my Father leads the way

He tells me the truth and he saves my life and he shows me the way.

He says:

“Turn here..

Stay straight

Stay between the lines…

Slow down..

Good job..

Now just take your time..

Pulling up to home never felt so good

We’d made it back just like he said we would.

Painting by my Mom, Dot Courson

More Portraits

The top picture is from the "Reception for the Media" during the Presidential Debate at Oxford, MS in 2008. My mother, Dot Courson, and I represented Mississippi artists by displaying our artwork and doing demonstrations of our art at the event. The picture hanging over the mantle of the cotton field is her painting. The Dashound (on the easel on the mantle), the white dog lying down (on the floor easel), and the girl smelling the rose (on the floor) are my paintings. They are all done in acrylic.

The bottom painting is a commission I did of a Himalayan cat in 2008. It is also acrylic.

"Grass Roots"- a painting from 2008

This is an acrylic painting that I did in 2008. It is of me when I was 5 years old at the "catfish pond" with my "Pop", and brother, Josh. It seems like yesterday....

God has always led the way when things went right. I have never had to look hard to find where His will for me is located. It's when I start trying to "save the world" in my own way or totally get off track that I fall on my face. The most refreshing moments are the small ones that present them self and do not appear newsworthy to others, but bring the presence of God to me and to the person He has the moment intended for. There are no closer times than those, when I know God came near and used an unworthy vessel like me. Refreshing, like good sweet tea in a plain mason jar. If you look at my paintings, the one of my grandfather holding me on the edge of the catfish pond is one of those moments. The time he invested in me was so plain and simple, yet gave me the confidence I have today.

"Close Enough"- my latest painting and poem

Close Enough

How far apart do you walk-between a “Pop” and his “Grand”-

When walking side by side, Man and man?

Close enough to hear his voice - Raspy and low-

Each word with weight, Soothing the soul.

Close enough to watch his walk- Knees bent and back curved,

Treading familiar ground. Those feet, how they’ve served!

Close enough for him to listen, Loving to hear you talk

Loving to spend each moment-Each step precious as you walk.

Close enough to be there for you, But far enough not to crowd.

Close enough to offer help, But far enough to make him proud.

Close enough that you will know- You are never alone.

Far enough to be there waiting when your journey leads you home.

How far apart do you walk-Between a “Pop” and his “Grand”?

Always close enough to you, That I could reach your hand.

-Susan Patton, 2010