This pictures doesn't really match. But it was pretty.
Read 1 Samuel 3:1-11.


I love the story of Samuel, a young boy, living in the temple with the prophet Eli. One hot, steamy, summer evening (it's always hot over there, right?), Samuel heard his name. He ran to Eli (just the opposite of my boys, who would run the other direction) to see what the old man needed.


"I didn't call you," Eli said. He probably kissed the boy on the forehead and sent him back to bed.


Minutes later, Samuel heard his name again. "Samuel . . ." someone whispered on the wind. He ran back to Eli, only to get the same answer.


"I didn't call you. Now, get back to bed." In his patience, he might have walked Samuel back to his room, tucked him in. Finally, some rest.


Moments later, Eli turned over in his bed, only to find Samuel standing there. "You called?" 


After thunking himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand, Eli realized the Lord was calling Samuel. 


Wow, to hear those words for the first time. Samuel didn't even know it was God. He'd never spoken to the child. Yet.


That's about right. We hear our names called over and over, yet we don't know who is calling us. We go back to bed, or work, or our lives, and never hear God speak. He keeps calling our names, but we don't hear, or listening doesn't always come easy.


Could God be calling you to service, just as he was calling Samuel? Are you hearing a voice, but don't know yet where it's coming from? 

Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." It's not always easy to hear, but He's there calling us, and still waiting patiently for us to listen.

My Addiction to Blogger Backgrounds

I recently figured out that I am addicted to blogger backgrounds. Didn't know that could happen. I don't think they've come up with a Blogger Backgrounds Anonymous yet, so I will keep on checking daily for the best one around.

I'm amazed at the amount of talented people, capable of creating things for the web. It's all confusing to me.  I'm lucky just to get on there and surf, let alone create something worthwhile.

Until then, I will shop around the blogger background sites. The best part . . . most are free!

Here's a few:
http://scrappinblogs.blogspot.com/
http://www.thecutestblogontheblock.com/
http://hotbliggityblog.com/
http://leeloublogs.blogspot.com/search/label/Free%20Layouts
http://sashwhystudio.com/free-blog-backgrounds/
http://www.shabbyblogs.com/backgrounds.html
http://daisygraydesign.blogspot.com/search/label/pink

Mess Maker, Mess Maker . . .

Summer is upon us. I know this, because my kindergartner comes home from school every afternoon and tells me the exact number of days until he is done for the year.


I usually spend my summers walking behind my six and four-year-old boys with a vacuum, cleaning up the dirt they've tracked in from our grassless backyard. The whir of the Hoover is a familiar, and comforting noise.


I often wonder if God walks behind us with a holy vacuum, cleaning up our messes. I am guilty of making bad choices now and again. I'm betting He changes the bag a couple times before His floor is shiny again, after dealing with me.


Aggravation eats at me, after I've told the boys to wipe their feet, for the four or five-hundredth time. Then I think about how many times God has told me to behave, be a good listener, and make smart choices, and I don't. I blow it. Again. 


He tells us in Isaiah 43:25, "I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" Wow. He blots out our sin. He doesn't look back at the tracks I've left behind. 


I can't count the number of times I've turned my head back the other direction, searching for the tracks my kids left behind. But, thankfully, He keeps His eyes focused ahead. He sees what we are capable of, and what is in our future. Thankfully, He forgives . . . and forgets. 


This summer, I might have the vacuum, but I won't be looking back.