inspirations

All Photos By: Glen and Stacey Garton, January 2009

Inspiration

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me."
Erma Bombeck

If you completely give of yourself physically, you become exhausted. But when you give of yourself spiritually, you get more strength.
Oswald Chambers

God is eternal.
(Deuteronomy 33:27; Jeremiah 10:10; Psalm 90:2)

God is infinite.
(1 Kings 8:22-27; Jeremiah 23:24; Psalm 102:25-27; Revelation 22:13)

God is self-sufficient and self-existent.
(Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 50:10-12; Colossians 1:16)

God is omnipresent (present everywhere).
(Psalm 139:7-12)

God is omnipotent (all powerful).
(Genesis 18:14; Luke 18:27; Revelation 19:6)

God is omniscient (all knowing).
(Psalm 139:2-6; Isaiah 40:13-14)

God is unchanging or immutable.
(Psalm 102:25-27; Hebrews 1:10-12; 13:8)

God is sovereign.
(2 Samuel 7:22; Isaiah 46:9-11)

God is wise.
(Proverbs 3:19; Romans 16:26-27; 1 Timothy 1:17)

God is holy.
(Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15)

God is righteous and just.

(Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 11:7; Psalm 119:137)

God is faithful.
(Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 89:1-8)

God is true and truth.
(Psalm 31:5; John 14:6; John 17:3; Titus 1:1-2)

God is good.
(Psalm 25:8; Psalm 34:8; Mark 10:18)

God is merciful.
(Deuteronomy 4:31; Psalm 103:8-17; Daniel 9:9; Hebrews 2:17)

God is gracious.
(Exodus 34:6; Psalm 103:8; 1 Peter 5:10)

God is love.
(John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:8)

God is spirit.
(John 4:24)

God is light.
(James 1:17; 1 John 1:5)

God is triune or trinity.
(Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

A tiny one room church off the well traveled path, Beechwoods Church is hidden behind a treeline as you enter the Lost Valley Park access near Ponca, Arkansas. We had driven this road before, always in July when the trees were full of leaves. We had never noticed the little church tucked away on the hillside, but on this trip, it caught our eye. As we drove up the path toward the church, the lane opened up along the board fence to a large church yard and a very old cemetary. We walked among the headstones reading the names and dates. Some were so old you could not read the inscription. Some were recent and new. Scattered among the inscribed monuments were small rocks ranging in size from baseballs to the size of a medium pumpkin. They were in all shapes from round and square to jagged and pointed. These tiny stones numbered greatly, nearly exceeding the number of what we would call proper markers. These stones were markers of a life on earth left behind. Markers of someone loved and cherished by friends and family. Even though these stones bear no names or dates, they are no less important to those who know exactly where they are located on that hillside. We would like to think that many of these plain rocks with no name are from a hundred years ago when times were tougher and "proper markers" were not available. The truth is, many of these plain little rocks are probably newer than you think. Monument stones range in price from $500.00 to thousands of dollars. Many families that suddenly have to bury a loved one simply do not have the money for a headstone. The funeral expense consumes every dime they have and many dollars they don't have, leaving the headstone as the luxury item not necessary. For generations, people have made due and survived in the small towns and rural areas. Today is no different. Today, a child or a loved one will be buried in a cemetary that will never have a carved marker. Those families will make due by placing a rock with no name on their beloved. Sure, a little metal name plate from the funeral home will stand for a few years but it will not stand the test of time. In 10 or 15 years someone will visit that cemetary and say, "oh my, these rocks must have been placed here 150 years ago before we had modern headstones", when in reality, it was placed there in 2009. When you are forced out of your normal. sheltered world as Glen and I were, you begin to notice things like this. You begin to wonder about things never thought of before. You begin to see just how hard "survival" really is. You count your blessings more frequently. You no longer think about what is for dinner, you think about how to change the world. As you are counting your blessings, you think about someone else out there that has not been as blessed like you have. You no longer worry about having a well furnished house, you worry about all the children in the world without headstones on their grave. You wonder what it must feel like for the mother that visits her child in the cemetary filled with granite markers with names and dates only to feel like you have let your child down because you cannot "afford" a carved stone. In reality, the markers, rocks, granite monuments, they do not matter. God knows our name, everyone in heaven with us will know our name. Those left here on earth, may or may not know who we are or care about who we were. The reality is - These makers, with carved names and dates are a form of comfort for those of us left behind on this earth. They are something real, something you can place your hand on and trace the letters, something solid in an unsure world. They are something that says to us and others, my baby existed, if only for a short while and this was his name. He was somebody. All of these are material things for the comfort of our own soul. It is hard to find comfort in anything during a loss. You would certainly not expect to find it in rock, but you do. Most of us will not experience the feeling of not being able to afford a headstone for our loved one. The next time you hear of a family struggling to financially lay there child to rest, consider how you would feel if you could not afford to place a headstone on your childs grave. Consider going to the church or funeral home and making a donation to help that family place a rock of comfort in the cemetary where they will visit their child from now on. A few giving people can give can give the gift that will provide the most long term comfort for a family that will stand the test of time. If all else fails, I will carve a stone by hand if asked........I can't imagine how some mothers and fathers must feel. I only know we can all help to eleviate this one, tiny little problem.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10

Though you have made me see troubles many and bitter, you will restore my life again from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.
Psalm 71:20

Jesus said, " I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."
John 11:25-26

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 1:3