Septembers
Septembers past contain both kinds of memories:  of my engagement 22 years ago on my birthday; of my parents wedding anniversaries which ended at 46 when my Dad passed away suddenly less than a week after their 46th, four days after my 45th birthday; and three years ago, my father-in-law's death.  A year ago, my sister was diagnosed as having breast cancer; in October she had surgery then radiation, and at last check, was not only cancer free but showed no sign of scar tissue even.
What has kept me together through all of those Septembers (and all the other months of all the other years)?
The Scripture, particularly the Psalms, especially 46 and 111.
Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts; the LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Come, behold the works of the LORD; how he has wrought desolation on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 111
I will praise the LORD!  I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation. Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them. Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever. He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful. He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations. The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness. He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever.  Holy and awesome is is name! The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.  His praise endures forever!

Obedience
Every Woman's Grace, which I have the privilege of participating in at my church, includes lessons for each week we meet.  These help us focus on Scripture and prepare for the next time we gather.  Often the lessons include a "dig deeper" question as an option.  This lesson's dig deeper question deals with the matter of obedience
We were to locate two cross references that support obedience as a desire of one who believes.
In my research, I cam across this in Hebrews 5, which refers to Jesus:  "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered (vv 7-8)."
Stop for a moment and think about this.  Jesus incarnate is said to have learned obedience through what he suffered.  Do we learn obedience through what we suffer or do we just whine?
How did Jesus deal with temptation and other situations he faced?  Prayer, not wimpy tossed off and done prayers, but "with loud cries and tears."  What do we do?  What kinds of prayers do we offer, if any?  Jesus needs to be our model in every situation as we too learn obedience.

When God Says
When God says "no," say "yes";
Wholly agree and He will bless,
Will bring you to
What's better for you,
Show His grace
In your heart, before your face;
If you say "yes" when God says "no"
Obedience will make you grow.

Transparent
For a while, it seemed that "intentional" was the word/concept many used.  It would seem that has been superseded by "transparent" as in "the most transparent administration ever."  Because I have head this adjective used often, I decided to see how it is defined.  I went on-line and found these definitions:  (of a material or article) allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen; easy to perceive or detect; having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily perceived; (of an organization or its activities) open to public scrutiny; transmitting heat or other electromagnetic rays without distortion; (of a process or interface) functioning without the user being aware of its presence.
How might the adjective, "transparent," be rightly applied to a Christian?
Using the first definition--(of a material or article) allowing light to pass through so that objects behind can be distinctly seen--I thought of this from 1 Peter 3, that we always be ready to give an answer for the hope within us.  For that hope to be obvious, a certain transparency is required.  The second definition also pertains:  easy to perceive or detect.  If my faith is clear, then it will also be transparent.  Having thoughts, feelings, or motives that are easily perceived--the third definition--is also easily connected, with this caveat from Proverbs 4:23:  "Guard your heart, for from it flow the issues of life."
Like it or not, a Christian's life is "(of an organization or its activities) open to public scrutiny" both as an individual and as a member of their church.  When I look at the definition of transparent as "transmitting heat or other electromagnetic rays without distortion" I am reminded that I am to transmit the truth of God's word equally without distortion.
The final definition--(of a process or interface) functioning without the user being aware of its presence--reminds me of what John the baptizer said regarding Jesus:  "He must increase and I must decrease."  I must be transparent so that Jesus can be clearly seen.
Let me add this note:  I cannot be or be becoming this kind of a transparent Christian without the on going work of the Holy Spirit (cf. Phil. 2:12-13 as an example.)

Contemplations

Sometimes it hits at the least expected moment:  missing him or her.  You think you've been through that already but no, it happens again.  Something or someone reminds you.  There is no "getting over" it.  Many of our friends/relatives have said "goodbye for now" to loved ones during the last three years--more than we saw get married or have children in the same time period.  It is a hurt that may change in intensity but it never goes completely away--not even after 17 years, which it will be for my Mom and the rest of the family.  No, a loss is a loss.  But Scripture brings comfort.  Here is a sample:

Isaiah 41:10:  "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 43:1b-2:  "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.  When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; nor shall the flame scorch you."

Excerpted from Psalm 146:  "The LORD opens the eyes of the blind.  The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous.  The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless."

Psalm 68:5:  "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation."

God's work of prayer:

John 17:20-26: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  Father, I desire that they also, who you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.  O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me.  I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Romans 8:26-27:  "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with moanings too deep for words.  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Hebrews 7:23-25:  "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he abides forever.  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."