Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Magical Moments


Allison and Russell Sharing a Magical Moment in 1997

1 John 4:8 NIV
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

It's a snapshot, one of dozens I took when Allison was a baby hardly old enough to crawl. 

It's faded now. The events surrounding the moment are even fainter memories, but the photo is tangible evidence of an inseparable bond between brother and sister.

She is sprawled full-length on her belly, head raised and tilited sideways. Her mouth agape in a quizzical expression trying to discern meaning from nonsense.  Totally enthralled by her big brother, making funny faces and playing with one of her favorite toys, had she the power of speech, she might have asked, "Bubby, why are you so silly?"

Silliness and laughter and love. God is love. Our family has love. God is a part of the fabric of our lives.

We aren't perfect, and we don't always do or say the right or best things. We have fits of anger and frustration and tears at times, but the fabric of our existence has always been our love for each other.

Life is filled with lovely magical moments like these.

On this 11th Anniversary of a despicable act of hatred and evil, it's nice to remember Love will conquer all in the end.
----------------
Help me Lord to always remember your love underscores and fills my life.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

There's No Such Thing as "Junk"



Allie's 7th Grade Science Project: a 3-D DNA Model

Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
"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."

Genetics research has made a landmark discovery poised to springboard years of research in the fields of DNA study, disease control and the pharmaceutical industry just to name a few. What have scientists discovered?  That no part of our body should be considered "junk".

Here is an excerpt from the article I read tonight on nbc.com:

"Stretches of DNA that we call genes are only a very small piece of what makes the body work. Much more important is the stuff in between the genes - stuff once dismissed as 'junk DNA.' It turns out that junk DNA is what is in control.

So, although the material between genes had been disregarded by researchers for years as mere junk, science has finally figured out there is no "junk" in our core design. In fact, it's the unassuming "stuff" that has been in control of our genetics all along.

At our most basic level, our DNA strands, every minuscule part serves an important role in our existence.

God doesn't make "junk". Not on the small scale and certainly not on the large scale. 

Lest I ever forget the worth of my existence here on Earth, let me continue to remember, I am a child of God: fearfully and wonderfully made!
---------------------------
Lord, thank you for your attention to all details of my life from those I can see to those I can't.