The NorMel House

I'm not alone, I know that. But some days it sure feels that way. I'm sure I'm not the only one to feel this way; like there's a millstone in the middle of my chest and at any moment I could be crushed by the weight of it. Today there is so much emotion wrapped up in my memory bank; a lot of wondering about the things that might have been. 7 years ago I sat in an emergency room just waiting for the bad news. I knew it was coming. I had told my doctor a few weeks earlier but she had passed it off as first time nerves. I had tried to be positive despite my feelings that something was wrong. I didn't want to believe it, desperately wished it WAS just first times nerves, and up until those words were spoken I held onto that thin light of hope. I don't think you ever forget moments like that. Holding on to Norm's hand like it was a lifebuoy that he could pull me in from the storm with. Because despite him being there, despite it being his child to

Everyone needs a deliverer. By nature we would all reject The Deliverer, yet God, in His great love, sent Christ to be what we cannot. Jesus stood in our place and died the death we all deserve; how amazing is the Father's love! Today's #TuesdayTunes is Fernando Ortega's lovely rendition of How deep the Father's love. How deep the Father's Love by Fernando Ortega

Forgiveness is something that many of us often struggle with. We may have a hard time forgiving someone for hurting us or we may struggle with wondering if we are truly forgiven by God. The Bible tells us “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34). If we come to God in faith and repentance God will forgive us.  We owe God more than we can ever give; we enjoy God’s mercy, grace and incredible riches at Christ’s expense. Whatever anyone may have done to offend us pales in comparison to what we have done to offend God. Who are we, who have been forgiven so much by God, to withhold forgiveness from others who owe us so little?

We live in strange times, which aren't made any easier by the media. False stories, both to over-scare people and to play it down too much make it confusing to know what is really even happening. For the most part I'm not caught up in either. I believe there's good reason to take lots of precautions and to stay home, but I'm not so overly protective that I don't take walks. I do. When the sun is shining and the weather is nice I make a point of trying to get in a good walk. I still avoid getting even remotely close to other people, but I wave and smile and try to keep things positive. It's been a bit difficult with the crazy weather we've been having though. In the span of a few minutes it can go from sunny and no wind, to dark, stormy looking skies with hard snow pellets flying and smacking you in the face, to rain or back to sunshine. I find, at times, I feel like a yo-yo from all the havoc it wreaks on my body. When I look back to my younger days I feel a

"I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The maker of Heaven and Earth" No matter what storms we're going through we can trust that God holds us in His Hands and He is our help in times of trouble. Check out today's #TuesdayTunes , Casting Crowns Praise you in this storm

I think nowadays speaking includes speaking via social media... may I learn to THINK before I speak. 🙏🏻 Is what I want to say: True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary and Kind #HelpmeLord #ChildofGod #THINK

"God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything" (1 John 3:20b) Wow. This is such a huge comfort for the believer! In His omniscience, God knows all things, at all times, effortlessly and intimately. Have you ever tried to count the stars?  "He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names" (Psalm 147:4) We can't even begin to count them, yet He determined each one, gave them their places, gave them their names! What about the hairs on your head, not as many as the stars in the sky but "even the hairs of your head are all numbered" (Luke 12:7). Does that not fill you with awe and amazement? His knowledge is far beyond our comprehension. He knows all things that are possible, all things that have happened and all things that will happen. We often think we're quite smart yet our knowledge is but a drop in the ocean, just a spec of what God knows. As Christians we ought to be humbled and comforted by all this. We are

"But now thus says the Lord , He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine." #Isaiah43vs1 ESV How #comforting and #amazing it is that God knows us and calls us by name. Today’s #TuesdayTunes is full of comforting lyrics, ‘He knows my name’ sung by the Maranatha Singers . "My life was in his hands He knows my name He knows my every thought He sees each tear that falls And He hears me when I call"

7 years ago I was pregnant and took up crocheting, somedays it doesn't seem that could possibly be right, other days it feels like a lifetime ago. I guess technically it was 8 little lives ago. Strange how seeing something so simple brings back so much. My little Miya, I was so looking forward to meeting you but I guess I'll have to wait longer still. My arms will be so full in heaven.

This little "gem" was written way back when I was in Grade 10, I want to say late 1999 or early 2000. Apparently it won 2nd place in a class poetry contest. Yikes! That shows how old I'm getting... The Gypsy's Lady A freeborn man Was the gypsy rover With his horse and dog He roamed all over With a smiling face and dusty shoes He walked the country lanes and byways He travelled over hill and dale He was the "lord of the highways" One day he spied a great castle And in it a lady fair Her beauty captured his heart Her noble face and long golden hair He brought her wild flowers And wooed her with his smile They took long walks in the woods And talked mile after mile The days were filled with winde and roses And picnics on the open ground They danced in the silver moolight And there, they, love found The lady had a rich father Whoose nobility was his pride His name was spoken of highly He was known of far and wide He said he would n

Today I'm thankful for sunshine. Seems the flowers agree as they're slowly reaching up for it...  I love this time of year.  It's my faithful reminder of God's love and power.  Of mercies new every day and that even amidst the ugly, beauty can be found.  "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 ESV "And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,  yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father know

He bore our punishment, He conquered death and the grave. We're alive because He lives! "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow Because He lives, every fear is gone I know He holds my life, my future, in His hands" Today's #TuesdayTunes looks to our Saviour. The price He paid, the death He suffered and the resurection. We're alive because He lives! Check out Matt Maher singing "Because He lives"   Matt Maher Because He Lives

I close my eyes, basking in the gentle warmth of the sun Its light kissing the surface of everything around me The soft hum of cars passing by barely breaks the silence of the morning And I am at peace. Though the world is living in fear Though the virus has put us all in isolation  Though we know not what tomorrow brings I find myself content. Here in this moment, the sun wrapping me in a warm soft hug, in the quiet before the day begins, I find God. It's as if He's sent this comforting sunshine to remind me of His unfailing love.  Just as the sun is holding me, He holds me And as the sun gives life, so He is the giver of all life  I find peace and comfort in this moment I'm thankful. Thankful for this moment of calm before the day ahead Thankful for the gentle reminder of God's grace Thankful for the strength I find in Him The day has begun