Spring

 It didn't seem that long since the leaves on the Sugar Plum tree in my front yard had held on for too long. Fall had passed and winter was beginning to bring its' gray skies. Still the leaves held on, failing to turn their usual bright orange and yellow, falling star shapes across the grass in my front yard.

Now, new green buds were beginning to bloom, ready with spring's green leaves. The winter was long and dreary, colder and grayer than most. Still the time flew so that it didn't seem as though it could actually be spring!

I bought bird seed and filled my bird feeder, hoping to enjoy the neighborhood birds as they traveled from tree to tree. It brought me joy as they alighted on the little blue bird house with white shutters, filled with seeds. 

My cats wandered in and out of the front door, enjoying these first signs of Spring, but skittish at the sound of cars. My usual contentment faded at times, not that I didn't trust God to provide, but feeling somehow that I didn't belong. . . not in my usual sense of belonging in all the many places in my life.

What does that mean? Could change be around the corner? My ducks are not in a row yet, my plans are not falling into place. . . but even so, I trust in my God who loves me and provides.

My God will meet all of your needs according to His glorious riches through Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:19

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

One of my favorite places in all the world is sitting on my front porch watching and listening to the birds. Today is a cool day and a light rain has been falling. There is a dove searching tentatively through the grass for seeds.

From the dove's perspective, looking directly in front of him, the supply of seed may seem limited or sparse. From my perspective, I can see the bird feeder directly above which is filled with seeds. In addition, I know there is a bag filled with bird seed tucked away in my laundry room, ready to refill the bird feeder! 

As the sun starts to peek out from behind the clouds, shining on the morning, it's brightness reminds me of God's perspective. He is our provider and knows the abundance waiting for us. We, on the other hand, can only see directly in front of us, tentatively trusting that our needs will be met, not knowing what lies ahead. 

As I have been sitting here, writing and pondering, I have been joined by a brightly colored woodpecker, a red cardinal, a couple of bluejays, two more doves and a sparrow. They are all provided for by our Father in Heaven as are we. 

Matthew 6:25-27

 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Words

She had loved reading for as long as she could remember. She had loved writing almost as long. She began writing when she was 14, coinciding interestingly, she thought, with the year she became a Christian. In reflecting back after many years, she thinks there must be a spiritual connection to her writing. 

Her first attempts were poems, interspersed with the copying of song lyrics from her favorite albums, Sweet Baby James and Carol King’s Tapestry. She loved the way songs were poetry. She loved the written word and the meanings behind the written words. 

Quiet times walking in nature are her favorites. Listening to birds, feeling a breeze, feeling the sun shining warm on her face, the sound and refreshment of rain. . . these all speak to her of God and His presence, of what is real. . . of what matters. 

Her jobs in the corporate world stole away her peace, her knowledge of what is true and important. The one minute manager types looked down at her shoes and not in her eyes, always  trying to take away her confidence and strength. However, that was long ago. . .

Working in a corporate environment and driving on a highway, at speeds to pass 18 wheelers, are places she doesn’t believe human beings were created to be. Artificial places necessitating artificial actions and attitudes, adding unnecessary stresses to our lives.

Is it possible to live a life outside of these? She teaches now. She enjoys the creativity and love she brings to her work. For her next long road trip, she determines to find backroads to get her safely to her destination. 

She doesn’t know if it’s the warmth of the coffee or the warmth of the cup in her hands or both, but sitting quietly in the mornings, with her coffee and devotional books is her favorite time of day. Her time with the Lord, looking to Him and seeking His face, can bring tears to her eyes! The power of God’s word is always an amazement to her. If she is feeling chaos. . . it brings calm. If she is feeling worried. . . it brings peace. If she is afraid. . . it brings trust. If she is filled with the lies of this world. . . it brings truth. If she feels alone. . . it brings comfort.

She truly believes that one day, we will all see Jesus in all of His majesty and holiness. We will see that He created all things and is in all things. We will see with our own eyes, hear with our own ears and know in our own hearts that Christ indeed is the Word and was in the beginning with God, and He is God. We will see that He is light itself and life itself. She prays that each of her children and grandchildren will have the joy of knowing Christ on this earth and in heaven. 

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him [b]not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.

Faith sat on the edge of her children’s bed, tucking them in one night. The bottom  dropped out from under her and she realized she was falling off a cliff. She looked beside her and realized her children were falling too. She was helpless to catch them. She was  helpless to catch herself. All she could do was pray for her survival so she would be there for them.

She searches for a single thread. Something to hold onto. She can’t see God.  She knows He must be there somewhere but she can’t see Him or feel His presence. She can’t  remember the Bible verses that used to mean so much. She’s enveloped in a blinding fog; a fog of fear and hopelessness. She’s afraid to look into God’s face. She is afraid that if she  does, He’ll tell her that she was wrong to step off the cliff. Only she didn’t know the cliff  was there. She didn’t see the deep chasm that separated her from the life she wanted for  herself and her children. A life of peace. Without anger and threats. Without intimidation  and manipulation. A life where her children could see what life is supposed to be and  what home is supposed to be.  

Have you ever felt this way? I think we all have had moments of feeling helpless and afraid as single moms. Depending on where you have come from and what life experiences brought you to this life as a single mom, the source of these emotions will differ.

When we are seeking for the answers, for something to fill our emptiness, to remove the fog of fear and hopelessness, be aware and careful of where we are looking for answers.

Jeremiah 10-14 was so powerful for me. Even though this is God speaking to Jeremiah about their exile, it spoke to me so clearly about the season of life in which I felt my children and I were traveling through. I made many mistakes seeking answers from all of the wrong places. When I turned my face to God, the fog cleared and my heart was filled. He promises that He will be found when we seek Him with all of our heart. 

10‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 14 I will let Myself be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.’

As a single mom I struggled financially and I trusted in these words for some unseen place in the future and in an unknown way, that God will restore that area of my life.

When my children and I went through difficult stages of our relationships and I felt far away from the relationship I longed to have with my children, the words in verse 14 were a comfort. For me, being in exile was not just a physical place but sometimes an emotional place. God will bring you back together.

We can stand on God's promises in these times of uncertainty. We can call upon Him and pray and He will listen and we can seek Him with all of our hearts and He will be found. 

Shepherd of the Hills

These words were written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright, in the book, Shepherd of the Hills. "Here and there among men, there are those who pause in the hurried rush to listen to the call of a life that is more real. How often have we seen them, jostled and ridiculed by their fellows, pushed aside and forgotten, as incompetent or unworthy. He who sees and hears too much is cursed for a dreamer, a fanatic, or a fool, by the mad mob, who, having eyes, see not, ears and hear not, and refuse to understand. We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisers, but refuse to heed them; we buy bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow not obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but more enduring things of life; and with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider." 

For many years, for Christmas and birthdays, I would search through out of the way used book stores and antique stores for the out of print books by Harold Bell Wright for my Dad who was collecting them. I had never read one of his books until now. A few years ago, we visited Branson, Missouri, in the Ozark Mountains, where this story takes place. I bought the book to bring home and just now got around to reading it. It's a wonderful story. 

  "This, my story, is a very old story. In the hills of life there are two trails. One lies along the higher sunlit fields where those who journey see afar, and the light lingers even when the sun is down; and one leads to the lower ground, where those who travel, as they go, look always over their shoulders with eyes of dread, and gloomy shadows gather long before the day is done." I pray that I will always choose the higher trail, seeking after the true, the real, the gifts of God.

Put off the Old. . . Put on the New 💮

Just as animals or insects enjoy the skin they're in for awhile, then grow and change and shed that old skin to make way for the new skin that fits them. . . even we, no matter our age or season of life may find that we have outgrown the skin we're in. . . or our clothes don't reflect who we have grown to be! I'm not talking about our literal clothes or skin, but our lives, our jobs, the things we surround ourselves with. One day we realize that our "old selves" don't fit.

It's usually an uncomfortable season before we realize why we feel as we do. The job that was such an answer to prayer becomes a burden. The ways we loved to spend our time start weighing us down. We know there is more out there. We know our heart has outgrown our capacity (in our old skin, clothes, job, environment) to express itself. 

Listening to a podcast by Emily P. Freeman called The Next Right Thing, she talks about how to leave the room. When you walked into the room, it was the right room. You were thankful to be there, everything fit. Then slowly, as you look around, you begin to realize it's not the right room any more. 

Sometimes God redirects us through events or situations that to us, feel more like rejection.  As we trust in God's leading and trust that His path is before us, we can step out in faith. It feels as if we will fall, that we're stepping off a cliff, away from what was once secure. The security, safety, stability isn't there any more. The feeling that we belong isn't there. So we strike out to find that space that fits us, the room we want to be in.

Lord, I will accept your garland, your oil of gladness, your cloak of praise, your garments of salvation and your robe of righteousness. I will trade in my ashes, mourning and disheartened spirit. I will welcome this new season and learn to be comfortable in my new skin.

Isaiah 61:3, 10

Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The cloak of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.

I will rejoice greatly in the Lord,
My soul will be joyful in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,

Ephesians 4:22-23

 That, in reference to your former way of life, you are to rid yourselves of the old self, you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,  and to put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Trust and Rest

In these days of uncertainty, it's easy to feel that it all depends on us. The outcomes we seek depend on our words and actions, our plans and hard work.

When I was in England, 4 years ago almost to the day, I came up with a slogan. It was my motto every day, everywhere I went. It came about because of a day in which I lost my train pass getting on the first train of the day. Then after moving through that crisis, at the next station, I got on the wrong train! That was solved fairly uneventfully thanks to the courtesy of the train conductor. It convinced me that I needed to slow down and in the midst of an apparent crisis, to trust God to sort it out.

So my motto became: Trust. . . rest. . . and do my best.

Trust in God, in his providing in every circumstance, in His guiding voice and love.

Rest in that trust, rest in the fact that God has everything under control and I can rest in that..

Do my best to think clearly, take my time, ask questions (always ask 3 times to make sure it's the right train!)

This summer, I'm not in England, but each day is full of opportunities to trust, rest and do my best. 

Regardless of where we find ourselves, our job situation or responsibilities, frustrations or struggles, we can slow down and seek God's grace and beauty. Things may not happen as fast as we want them to, or in the way we were hoping or planning, but we can "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, and He will raise us up in due time". We can cast all of our anxieties on Him because He cares about us."  

The Message:

1 Peter 5: 6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 

NIV

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Sometimes all we can do is let go, and wherever we find ourselves, to fill our lives with God's grace and beauty. 

Snow

 It snowed yesterday. It snowed in Texas yesterday. For me, snow has always brought beauty, peace, a sense of quiet and holiness. It renews my spirit, Life feels clean and new. I feel hopeful as white blankets my view. 

Sitting on my front porch brings even more joy. I noticed some birds, probably sparrows, hopping around across the street in my neighbor’s yard. I wondered if I had any bird seed left. Looking in my laundry room cabinet I found just enough to fill my bird feeder and scatter some on the ground. The bird feeder is just the right color blue to match the blue jays who alight on the branches just above and bravely hop onto the edge of the little blue house to find seeds. Yesterday, there were cardinals, blue jays, sparrows and even a big black crow. They were all peacefully sharing the space and seeds. 

As I watched through the snowflakes gently falling, creating this magical moment, I realized the blue jays feathers were the exact same color of blue as the little blue house of the bird feeder. I couldn’t have planned this moment of beauty if I had tried! Somehow, I had created the opportunity for this beauty to happen. God gave me the beauty through the seeds I scattered, taking the time to shop online for the perfect little bird feeder, hanging it from the tree branch in perfect view from my front porch glider, and cherishing the time to sit and see. . . .

Thank you Lord, for the beauty you give us and for seeing us as we see the world after a snowfall . . . clean, new, and holy. 

The Great Devourer

I’m not referring to the enemy of my soul, although it could be that as well... This devourer will promise to use only a few minutes of my time. It promises rest and relaxation, fun and adventure, mysteries and romance,  and the most important information of the day. 

         This devourer has stolen minutes, hours, days and probably if added up over a lifetime, years. . . It always starts with the promise. . . a few minutes, a little rest. . .

         Time is not the only thing of value this devourer is after. What do I use my time for? What could I use my time for? Is God calling me to invest my heart and my talents (gifts He has given me) in His Kingdom? In my family? In my home? Do I have goals and dreams for my future, both near and far?

         I have to admit I have given this enemy a place of honor in my living room on a carefully chosen table. It has offered me many hours of comfort and calm, but at what price?  This great devourer steals my heart, dreams, goals and future possibilities, one minute at a time.

         God has given us this amazing gift called time. Lord, let me be a faithful steward of your gift.

 

Psalm 31:15

My times are in your hands, deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set up eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

 

Psalm 90:12

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

 

2 Peter 3:8

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.

Just think of what God could accomplish in a thousand years. 😊

Seasons

 I was reminded of last summer's waiting and hoping for blooms on my crepe myrtle as I admired the lovely red leaves in this season of life. 

Our seasons change ~ imperceptibly day by day ~ the seasons of our years, our days, our lives.

"Isn't it funny how day to day nothing changes, but when you look back, everything is different."

Another favorite quote by C.S. Lewis

Light

 One of my favorite memories is of coming home late from work one night about 15 years ago. It was dark and when I pulled in the driveway my headlights shone on my then 10 year old son, up on a ladder, hanging Christmas lights on our house. My heart burst with pride and love for this boy who was working so hard to give me this gift. 

This year was no different! The Christmas lights were hung in time for us to enjoy before Christmas. I usually plug them in as long afterwards as I can get away with just to enjoy their beauty. For some reason this year, I noticed my neighbors weren't turning their's on so I decided not to. When I went out on my porch the evening before, it was so dark I couldn't see a thing without my porch light on. 

This morning before the sun came up, I stepped outside to feel the morning air, first turning off the porch light. Everything had a lovely glow~ I could see so easily~ everything around me. Then I realized my son had plugged in the lights the night before! I'm so thankful that his heart guided him to do that or maybe he needed the extra light to work by, or maybe he wanted to enjoy the beauty they bring. 

I've always loved this quote by C.S. Lewis which I came across this morning. "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

Perspective

 Every morning, I look forward to sitting in my blue chair tucked into a corner of the living room. This chair is the first place I sit in the mornings and the last place I sit in the evenings. I  drink my cups of coffee while sitting and reading, listening to wise words and writing. In the evening I relax and process the day behind me. 

Each morning, while sitting, contemplating, my lap full with a book or a journal, my hands holding a cup of coffee and a pen, inevitably, my two cats will try to find an inch of space to squeeze into either beside me in the chair, or on the footstool, or they will hop up on the back of the chair. Sometimes they try and find room to sit or stand on the small table beside me. And every morning, I tell them, go away, this is my chair and my space! I'm writing! or I'm reading! or I'm trying to listen! 

And every morning, I think to myself, "my cats are so sweet, they sure do love me and want to be close to me". 

One Saturday morning, when I was puttering around the house later than usual, I happened to catch a glimpse of my blue chair. On it, curled up together, were my two calico cats. 

"Whose space was it? Whose chair was I sitting in every morning? 

It's all a person's (or cat's) perspective.

We Never Arrive

 We never arrive.

The process we find ourselves in isn't getting in the way of our lives.

It is our life.  The process of thinking, pondering, analyzing, planning, questioning, hoping, dreaming, building, writing, pondering, doubting, hoping, fearing, trusting. This is the path we are traveling. 

Finding God in the midst of these, seeking Him in between the thinking and pondering, the doubting and hoping, this is how we live. This is the way through the process called life. He is our guide ~ our shepherd who leads us over the next hill, around the rocky ledge, through the old, dilapidated barn to the other side, where the sun is shining and birds are singing. 

His voice leads us forward as we leave the weights, and burdens behind. . .the path continues. He brings us to still waters and green pastures. We see fellow travelers on their paths and call out to them..."here are green pastures! Here is still water you can sit beside and be refreshed. Here is my Shepherd...He can show you the way to go~ would you walk with me?"

Crape Myrtles: One Small Step at a Time

This summer I've been blessed to read these wonderful books! 

 The Artist's Way, Julia Cameron

A Million Little Ways, Emily P. Freeman

Book Girl, Sarah Clarkson

Walking on Water, Madeleine L'Engle 

Adorning the Dark, Andrew Peterson

This Beautiful Truth, Sarah Clarkson

                         

They all express how God our creator, wants to create through us. We are His art and He wants to create art in us and through us. There are many ways for us to enter in to God's creativity and we each have our own path to take.

We create in small increments of time by thought, writing, painting, building, praying, planning. . . 

Everything worth doing is accomplished one step at a time. We can't paint the sistine chapel in one day, or write a book, or raise a child. . . it all takes time made up of small moments, one after the other. 

I was reminded of that when I made my daily walk out to check on my new crape myrtle that was planted a few weeks ago. There were no blooms on it when I bought it, but I was assured it would bloom soon. So I've been watching. . . and waiting. . . 

I looked at the photo I took of it the day I brought it home with no new growth. Then today I took a photo and realized how many new leaves have grown without me seeing their actual growth, but there they are! So change is happening, growth is happening, art is happening. Nature is God's masterpiece! My part is being faithful to water every day. God's part is the creating.

Just a reminder to me that important things take time, whether we're investing our hearts, our time, our talents or our money. If we invest one small moment, take one small step at a time, it will happen! Water your gifts God has given you, then watch and wait to see what God creates~

                                                        

 The faith of a single mom. . . This single mom is a few years older, 6 to be exact, and I go by the name Grammy these days. I have been dusting off my blog, pulling back the curtains to let in a little light and opening the windows for some new, fresh thoughts to come in. I'm excited to continue my writing adventure. 

While visiting the Magnolia shops recently, I picked up the book, "The Artist's Way". It looked familiar and I was drawn to it as if to an old friend I hadn't met before. I bought it and took it home with me. As I began reading the first chapters and doing the exercises and assignments she suggests, I realized how much I have missed writing. At the same time, I began to see posts by Hope*Writers.  I had seen a few before and I liked the sound of the name and idea behind it. This time I knew I was ready to dig deeper and see what message God might be sending. I have been so inspired and motivated and have found a renewed  joy in my writing. 

I knew I was looking for refreshment and renewal this summer, but just never thought it would look like this! I love how God brings His message to us from so many different sources and when they all come together everything becomes so clear as if we've known it all along. Maybe we have! I'll be following some new blogs I've seen lately by other Hope*Writer members. It's good to know we're all on this journey together. 

From the morning pages to my blog, it feels good to be writing again! I love the flow of words and the knowledge that God has given me this love for words. Praying they can be a blessing to others.

It's a beautiful fall day! Windows and doors open, cool breeze blowing through, leaves falling from the trees, rustling on the ground, pumpkin bread fresh from the oven. . . Fall!

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea

Psalm 46:1-2

Sometimes this is how we feel isnt' it? Whether we're worried about money or time or work or our kids, we don't have to live in fear of disaster. Our God is present in every situation. He is our strength and we can take refuge in Him. 

Devotional for Single Moms



If you are a single mom, regardless of the path that brought you here, this is for you...so you can know that you do not have to walk alone.

For all of the women who share the role of single mom, including me, we belong to a very large group of women who share the same heart, the same struggles and the same needs.

In learning how to be single, sometimes we attempt to attach ourselves to another human being, hoping they will be able to meet our deepest needs and heal our hurts. We miss the feeling that we are part of a whole. In our “neediness” we think another human being might hold the answer. So we reach out to relationships that only pull us farther away from where we need to be and bring more hurt into our lives.

The most important truth I can share with you is this. . .

There is someone who I have fallen in love with. I am committed to Him and love Him with all my heart. I am not alone anymore. He meets every need I could ever have. He never leaves my side. He is faithful. He is strong enough to protect and provide for my children and myself. Spending time with Him every day has become my greatest joy. I have learned that I can trust Him in any situation. Regardless of how impossible the world may see my plight, He can bring blessing from it. He has shown me that the greatest blessings in my life have come from my greatest difficulties.

He is my God and my Savior Jesus Christ. He loves me. He loves you. There is nothing we have done or will do that can change that love. We have made mistakes, we have made wrong choices. Those we loved have made mistakes and wrong choices. These do not limit God and His power to restore. His grace and mercy are greater than our weakness. For it is in our greatest struggles that we see Christ. Only His pain on the cross is enough to save us from our greatest pain.

When we get to the place in our lives when there is no one else, no place else to go, nothing left to believe, Jesus is there waiting. His arms are stretched out to us in love and forgiveness. We can find Jesus in His Word, in books we read, in music we listen to, and always in our heart. I found that after years of wondering if I could ever be welcomed back into God's arms, I was the one who had looked away. All I had to do was look to Him. My eyes met His and He was right there with me. No human being could ever be as close.

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:1

It's Christmas Time,

     Once Again

The wreath that hangs on my front door silently speaks to me and all who enter each day.  It occurs to me as I finish up my tasks of hustling and bustling that Christmas will arrive without my efforts! No amount of cleaning, or cooking or gift buying or decorating will bring this glorious day about. 

Christmas Day is. It just is. As in, "I AM" 

My favorite Christmas moments are the quietest ones. Late on Christmas Eve with all the packages under the tree, candles lit from the reading of Luke 2, and quiet. . . filling the house. Would Christmas arrive without my purchasing presents for those I love? I wonder each year as the money stretches thin. Could Christmas happen without them? 

One of my favorite Christmases was one in which a stray evergreen branch was our tree, one simple candle lit the room, and a simple gift exchanged was the celebration. We were in Innsbruck,  Austria, my cousin and I. In the midst of our backpacking travels across Europe, we stopped in this beautiful village to celebrate Christmas. We attended an international Christmas Eve candle light service, listened to the singing of Silent Night in many different languages, walking back to our room through the snow covered streets.

These memories are my reminders to cherish the simplest of moments. The hearts of those I love are my greatest treasures.


Through the inevitable disappointments of the season, hurts and struggles. . .

Believe. . . believe in the HOPE that Christ's birth brings.  

And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying.  For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things.  But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.   Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.

Luke 12:29-32

A soft rain is falling. . . a few birds are singing even in the rain. . . so good for all of the plants, flowers, trees, grass. . . for all of us living things!

"Look to the Lord and His strength.

Seek His face continually."

Psalm 105:4

The flag is waving in the breeze, the sun is shining, the birds are singing

~A glorious summer day~

Thank you Asia at A Lady in the Making for this sweet award. I'm almost a year late in responding! I'm so glad you visited and enjoyed my blog. Blessings to you~

"Delight yourself in the Lord

And He will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4


"My darling child. . . My heart is your heart. . . I am always by your side. . . walk closely beside Me. . . listen to My word. . . trust. . ."

It's a new year! And a time to remind myself that it's never too late to dream! I decided the best way to accomplish new things is to set a goal of doing something creative every day. So far that has included painting a couple of ceramic pots and playing around in photoshop. Not sure if that qualifies, since what, in days past, took hours and days to create, now just takes a click of a button. But it's fun and good for the soul, anyway.

The last few months of this year were a time of change. It began with the "knowing" that I had to find a way to quit my second job. With the holidays coming up, my hours would get later and later, keeping me away from home until 10:00 or later the nights I worked. Just not acceptable. I knew I needed to be home. My heart was always torn when I was at work, wanting to be home, even though I enjoyed  my job and the creativity it involved. So, one day during a break, a rare quiet moment, I sat down and prayed. The verse that immediately popped into my mind was Proverbs 3:5-6. I knew my heart and spirit were deeply troubled by my dilemma and as I thought on these verses, I wasn't sure how to interpret them in my situation, but I began to feel my trust increasing. It was still based on faith in a result I couldn't see, but I was ready to trust that God was working.

My trust was tested in more than one situation at a time. My parents moved into an assisted living home in Tennessee, close to my brother's family. This was such a life changing experience for me and required TRUST in God working His plan in their lives, not mine.

And then, an opportunity showed itself, that I didn't even recognize at first, but then realized that this was my chance to quit my second job, budget out my resources, and TRUST! So, with trepidation. . . I did! And each day was filled with a trusting so real it seemed tangible. It still does. Just being. Being at home. Time at home. I have learned that time is money. Time has a value that money can't buy. This decision was life changing as well.

Shortly after this change, I was transferred to a different school. So, I've been learning how to work with different students with different challenges. Trying to TRUST that I'm where I belong at the moment.

Praying that through my attempt at creativity, I can find a way to support my spending more time at home.
Isn't it funny how even when it comes to doing the things we love, it requires discipline? So, that is my goal, to discipline myself daily, to do one thing I love!

Happy New Year

My New Year's quote for the past few years, has been 
"We will open the book. It's pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. 
The book is called Opportunity and it's first chapter is New Year's Day."


This year I think it will be a little different. Each morning, as I look upon the blank page I 
think I will wait and see what God writes on the page first, what He lays before me each day, 
what He presents to me as "Opportunity". 


This year has been one of trusting. Learning to trust and then being given opportunities to rely on that trust. 


Proverbs 3:5~6 have become so ingrained in my spirit, thoughts and heart that the words will forever be a part of me! 


Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Do not rely on your own insight
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight.


Some days, just by thinking on the words, saying them over and over, brought the trust I needed for the moment, for the day. 


I love this time of year. After the emotions that Christmas brings about, I savor  the quietness of the days that follow. And then we see the end drawing near. We can close out the old year, and wake up to a new year. Our God is faithful and is beside us regardless of the time of day, or the day or year, but for us, it's helpful to think of new beginnings. 


My new devotional book, "Jesus Calling", says,


"As this year draws to a close, receive My Peace. This is still your deepest need, and I, your Prince of Peace, long to pour Myself into your neediness. My abundance and your emptiness are a perfect match." 


December 31


Now, I can't wait to read what  it says in the morning~


The first day of our new year~




 I love new beginnings.


 I love that our God is a God of . . .


 forgiveness


 new beginnings


 grace


 and second chances. 






HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!