MOMENTS OF SIGNIFICANCE.

Gloria Phifer




I am joining the gals at FMF...we write for five minutes on one word...the word is ..."Moment."

I thought of moments that were significant in my life.

The birth of my brother when I was five years old...a big moment in my young life. I loved him from the beginning.

The moment when I answered the door to two strangers, who bore the news that my step dad had been accidentally electrocuted at his job.

The moments when I entered new schools almost every year. The loneliness, insecurity and wanting to fit in.

The moment, when I was a teenager, a call that told us of my uncles suicide. The sad moments following. The grief and denial.

The moments, as I struggled in the Rio Grande, drowning. I was pulled to safety, but my friend drowned. The survival guilt. The sorrow.

The moment when I sat in an empty church, all by myself, Looking for God. I could not answer the question in my mind "If I had drowned would I have gone to heaven?"

A moment in time, as a senior in high school at a dance. Suddenly an intense loneliness in the midst of a crowd. And I knew in my heart it was God spotlighting me.

The moment I met a young man, not realizing at the time, that  he would become one of biggest parts of my life as my husband.

The moment we crossed the border into Iowa, not realizing it was to be my home for over 50 yrs.

The moment my husband, who was in the air-force, leaving my side, entering an airplane. I would not see him for a year.

The moment my daughter was born...our 1st child.

The moments when I was alone, with only our daughter, realizing I needed God. 

The moment we bought a house as a young couple. Setting us up for life.

The moment I prayed and asked Jesus Christ to be my Savior. I was forever changed...through moments of prayer.

The moments when our sons were born.

I have had wonderful moments of grandchildren and now a great grandchild.

In December, I will be 75 years old...I am still living "moments." Every moment is significant. Every moment has meaning. 

In the moments I live...I want to live them in the Light of Eternity. I want to live to give glory to Christ. 

Moments....significant in all lives. Cherish the moments of your life. Look for God in them. He is there in the moment.

SPOTLIGHTED IN A CROWD.

Gloria Phifer

I am joining FMF gals we write on one word for five minutes...the word is "Crowd."

I was a Senior in high school. All week I had looked forward to this Saturday night dance. The auditorium was packed. Country and western music blared from the band. (I lived in New Mexico.)

I was standing on the sideline of the dance floor with other young friends. 

All at once I felt a deep loneliness. Everything around me seemed to disappear as I experienced something I couldn't explain. It was like time stood still.  I can only expain it as a deep moment as I felt the intensity of the loneliness. 

A hand was extended toward me leading me onto the dance floor, but I would never forget that moment in time that was all consuming. 

Every time I think about this I feel like I was "Spotlighted." I was all alone in this crowd. Separated. Longing for something to fill the emptiness and intense loneliness.

I now know, it was one of the many times The Lord came on the scene of my life. My intense loneliness was for Him. My emptiness could never be filled ...until His Presence would abide in the deep of my heart.

I could tell you many times when The Lord would show up in my life...talking to me...protecting me...urging me to come to Him.

It took one hard year for me to realize I could not go on with out Him. I knew for the 1st time I could not make it on my own. Everything was spiraling around me. My new husband, who was in the Air Force, was stationed in Alaska in isolation and I couldn't go.

I was devastated. There was one wonderful event, I was pregnant and gave birth to a baby daughter. 

I lived in an apartment with her...and literally looked out the window at a brick wall. Life had brought me to the end of myself. I saw that I was not in control. And I knew I needed God.

At 22 yrs old, after reading the Gospel of John, I asked Jesus to come into my life. I surrendered.

I no longer feel that deep emptiness, that intense loneliness. I know I belong to Him and He lives in my heart. He filled that void inside of me. And I am so thankful. 

I want you to know that Jesus can fill your emptiness...your loneliness. You only have to ask Him to come into your life. He is waiting at the door of your heart. I am sure He has you "spotlighted" to belong to Him.

MY OWN

Gloria Phifer....Jesus My Shepherd...watercolor.

JESUS MY OWN

                      My Jesus from childhood

                      My Friend to a little girl

                          My One Who loved me in grief

                             My One Who kept me through darkness

                               My One Who stayed with me in loneliness,
                                                  chaos and confusion.

                            My One Who wept with me in loss

                             My One Who prepared the path before me

                              My One Who revealed Himself as Savior

                              My One Who delivered my soul, my life

                               My One Who freed me from fear

                               My One Who held me close to His Heart

                        My Own Who took away my hurts, fear and pains

     My Own Jesus, Who loved me, before I knew He was my Own.

                My Own, to Who I belong. My Jesus.

                           My Own Jesus...my Own.

HEAR THE CALL OF THE SHEPHERD'S VOICE

by Gloria Phifer



Gentle Shepherd
Watercolor by Gloria Phifer



           

Over the barren wasted hills

   High above the lofty, rocky crags

Through the winds and stormy gale

          Comes the call of the Shepherd's voice.

Low in the valley, so dark and deep

          Amid the crevices and hidden caves

Through the air so gray and mist

          Comes the call of the Shepherd's voice.

Upon the hills of lofty heights

          At morn, mid and dusk of day

Clear and still, the sound of love,

          Comes the call of the Shepherd's voice.

In the pastures of sin and shame

          Amid the grazing and searching within

To the lonely among the thorns

          Comes the call of the Shepherd's voice.

Turn from your wondering and going astray

          Come from your wilderness of shame

Follow the sound that rings in your soul

          Heed the call of the Shepherd's voice.

Enter His arms out stretched and opened wide

          Snuggle safe within.

Little lamb come home to God

          Come to the call of the Shepherd's voice.