Turning over a new leaf

I have joked many times about the fact that I have a ‘black thumb of death”. Literally every plant I have EVER had, I have failed to keep it alive. Oddly enough, my mom and my sister both can not only keep plants alive, but in their tender care- plants THRIVE! Both of them can grow amazing plants from tiny clippings and they just seem to have an instinct for how to care for them.

When my first daughter was born (next month she will turn 20- how is this possible?!), my mom gave me a beautiful African violet. I did everything I could to keep it alive, but it seemed to be always on the brink of death. And after about 6 years, it finally succumbed to its eternal fate.

When my beloved mother in law passed away last summer, we were given a beautiful peace lily. I thought I’d give it another shot at keeping a plant alive. Then my sister gave me a couple of her “baby” plants. She gave me a little bit of advice- just water it once a week and keep it in a partially sunny place. Well, that didn’t seem too difficult!

Imagine my delight when I noticed a NEW flower blooming on the peace lily this morning! And I thought- what if it really isn’t that hard taking care of plants? What if my labeling of myself as “someone who can’t make anything grow” has limited my ability to actually nurture plants?

Now that I have stepped away from my full-time job, I have time to actually appreciate little things like a new flower blooming. And as I noticed the flower, I glanced outside and there was a beautiful red cardinal staring at me. I am GRATEFUL for the ability to slow down and notice these little things.

And all morning I have pondered this- what other areas of my life have I limited my abilities by my negative thinking?

I think I can, I think I can…

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. – Philippians 4:8

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In Winter

keep walking in winter

though the cold makes you shiver 

there’s growth to be found 

Buried deep in the ground 

In winter 

Keep walking in winter 

Though the frost may be bitter 

Barren fields lie in wait 

For the sunlight to breakthrough

In winter 

Season come 

And seasons go 

Every moment

leads to growth 

Like seeds our change 

Is happening 

In places unseen 

Seasons come and seasons go 

In every one of them

I know that

You’re working 

Deep below In winter 

Keep walking in winter 

Don’t be a quitter 

Keep your eyes on the prize 

therein our joy lies

In winter 

My snow buddies- the real reason I go walking in winter 🙂

a frosty delight 🙂

Even trees need to “lean in” to the Son.

Is that popcorn on my branches?!

I am a “morning” person by nature, but ever since the time change this past November, my dogs have wanted to get up before the crack of dawn. Literally. I mean like 5am sometimes. I have always been a light sleeper- and I can hear their faint high pitch whimper… which slowly turns into a deep, guttural “ARF”! The “boys” are getting older, and when they’ve gotta go, well- they’ve gotta go!

So I am usually out walking with them sometimes as early as 6am. I have learned the hard way that it is much more enjoyable when I take the time to actually prepare for this walk ahead of time. If you know me- the less I have to bring with me the better! But these chilly mornings beg for socks, snow boots, a hat, scarf, gloves, and a winter coat.

I hate wearing all that stuff, because I feel like I am weighed down. But deep down I know that preparation is everything. Just like I prepare myself to brace the cold, I have to also prepare my heart and mind each day for the spiritual walk…
so that I can be prepared to weather whatever storm comes my way 🙂

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.- 1 Peter 1:13

Color

a backdrop

of sky blue

a picture- portrait

of You

evidence

how profound

I sense Your presence

all around

I love walking and taking in all the beautiful things He has made.  The sky was cerulean blue, the air crisp and clean, and the color of the trees glowed against the autumn sky.  I woke up feeling especially thankful today-

-for the beginning of a new week

-that I have a car that I could drive to the trail

-that my hubby has the day off and that he could go with me 

-that I remembered to wear socks on our walk (so I wouldn’t get blisters!) 

-for changing seasons

-that I have a Heavenly Father who knows just what I need- at all times! 

You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
 You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
 You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
    you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
    and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
    too lofty for me to attain

– Psalm 139 

 

take a walk

take a walk with me 

see the landscape through my eyes 

become like children 

 

clouds illuminate 

and direct my attention 

to our Creator

glittering sunbeams 

highlight the snow’s afterglow 

and dance in the sky 

the sun awakens 

ice crunching beneath my feet 

the only sound heard 

take a walk with me 

see the snowscape through my eyes 

become like children 

There’s a patch of old snow in a corner
     That I should have guessed
Was a blow-away paper the rain
     Had brought to rest.

It is speckled with grime as if
     Small print overspread it,
The news of a day I’ve forgotten—
     If I ever read it.

Robert Frost 

 

want a treat?

Like every other morning, I heard the whimper of a lonely dog at my bedroom door.  One dog sleeps in my younger daughter’s room (Jack thinks it’s actually HIS bedroom!) and the other sleeps in the hallway- on guard, protecting his sleeping family.  But around 5:30am, Remy will put his nose right up to the crack at the bottom of our bedroom door and whine- just loud enough to wake me up.

I got out of bed and immediately made a cup of coffee.  I sat on the couch as I sipped my steaming cup of love, but that wasn’t exactly what Remy had in mind… then comes the tail wagging and the barking at my feet.  I got Jack out of his room and then the two dogs romp around in the foyer.  Honestly, I wanted to finish that one cup of coffee… but it wasn’t going to happen until I took care of business.

And then I caught the sunrise out of the corner of my eye- something I have missed lately! I leashed up both of my boys and took my phone outside with me.  It was a nothing short of a miracle- I held both leashes in one hand and even took a picture with the other!  I came inside and asked the boys the usual question as they wagged their tails and barked with excitement- “Want a treat? Want a treat?” 

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a beautiful sunrise.

But you know something? I wouldn’t appreciate it nearly as much if I got to see it everyday.

As my dogs ate their treat, I realized He gave me one this morning,  too!

All eyes have turned toward You, waiting in expectation;
    when they are hungry, You feed them right on time. 

Psalm 145:15

 

keep on going

though the road

grows dark and gray 

keep traveling the onward way 

until the day our 

faith will become sight 

always keeping Him in mind 

never stop to look behind 

steadfast, keep on walking 

towards the Light

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.  

Philippians 3:14

The Sound of Grace

Playing piano in front of people has always been a huge fear of mine.  I have horrible stage fright- always have.  My biggest fear is that my hands will freeze up and I will be the laughing stock of the room.  Yes, I have played many, many wrong notes over the years… but, thankfully,  He has never allowed me to make a complete fool of myself!

I had the honor of playing for a wedding this past weekend.  I opened my piano books and began playing some classical pieces as the attendees began to enter the sanctuary. As I played quietly, my mind wandered to the many hours I spent practicing as a little girl.  All that time I thought was being wasted… and now He uses it for so many awesome things. As I reminisced about my childhood, the sweetest thing happened- several of the young children who were in the wedding came onto the stage and started playing with me.  They ever-so-gently pressed the keys up high and down low on the piano, right in time with me- as my own hands played the classical tunes.  I admit that initially, I was frustrated- I was trying so hard to play the right notes and to not make mistakes- which requires a ton of concentration for me. But once I saw the joy on their little faces, I immediately let my frustrations go.

He reminds me that music is not just about playing right notes!  It’s about the heart.  

I continued to play, accompanied by the young children, and then I transitioned to “Amazing Grace”.  I didn’t have any sheet music for this one- I was simply worshipping… playing whatever He led me to play before the actual ceremony began.

Then the most awesome thing happened- one of the pretty little girls leaned over and whispered in my ear-

“That’s a beautiful one!”

 “Do you know this song?” I asked her.

“No.  But it is a beautiful one,”  she said again with her eyes shining.

Yes it is. There is nothing quiet like the sound of His grace.

There are no words to describe it.

He sings His grace over our lives in the most wonderful ways. Through giggling children,  innocent little fingers tickling the ivory piano keys, and through heart-felt words said by little ones.

His grace abounds!

“Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 2 Samuel 7:18

I am grateful for His grace and thankful that I get to serve Him in so many wonderful ways!  And to think of all those hours spent practicing at a piano as a little girl… I wouldn’t trade them for anything. Little moments like these bring me so much joy. I am thankful He sent those little children on the stage to remind me why I do what I do… He has not intended for me to play perfect notes- but to play with joy like a child.  He has blessed me beyond measure. If only I could tell those children how much they blessed me- and how He used them to relieve me of my “fears” of playing!

“Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.”

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

As the sun rises

 as the sun rises

so does appreciation

for all He creates

At the moment, I am waving my white flag- surrendering my frustrations to Him.  Sometimes technology is our best friend- and other times it’s my worst enemy!  The latter description is what I am experiencing at the moment.  Instead of continuing to work on a project that is causing me undue frustration- I am choosing to step away from the desk and worship.  He created all things and surely He will give me guidance in His timing to complete this tech-savvy task.

So this morning, I am in awe of His beautiful sunrise, and I am in awe of everything He has blessed me with… including this computer (which at the moment is the source of my frustration).  He shows me time and time again that His ways are far better than mine, and that I can do NOTHING without His help!!

Lord, thank You for being patient with me.  So many times I try to jump in and do things on my own without asking for Your guidance. Thank you for reminding me that no task is too big or too small to bring to You for help!  

Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created  Revelation 4:11

Standing Tall

Standing tall- a radiant sunflower on a recent day trip

 Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong- 1 Corinthians 16:13

It’s the little things that make me smile.  Sunflowers are one of those things.  I can’t get enough of them.  A daydreamer at heart- I could stare at them all day if I’d let myself!  I remember seeing them when I was young, and wondering how on earth they could have such a huge, beautiful bloom and still stand so tall on such a thin stalk.

God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.  Psalm 11:7 (MSG)

I remember when I was in elementary school feeling self-conscious of how tall I was. Feeling like a giant, I often walked around with hunched shoulders, hoping it would allow me to fit in and not be noticed by others for my tallness. Standing tall meant that I would be standing out above the crowd- literally. It was during my adolescence that I took notice of sunflowers and how beautiful they are.  If they somehow had the strength to stand tall, certainly I could find it the strength to embrace my tallness and do the same.  I began to realize all the beautiful things I missed out on seeing by hunching and looking down all the time.

And one of the things I detested about myself as a child, I have grown to appreciate. I love being able to grab something off the top shelf for a friend, or a fellow shopper in the grocery store.  By His grace, I now stand tall for my faith in Christ. And I stand tall for my fast-growing daughters- who look up to me (literally and figuratively) and follow my example.

God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye.  Psalm 11:7 (MSG)

maybe just one more cup…

Streaming sunlight beckons me

to sit and spend some time with Thee

one cup, two cups, maybe three

there’s always time for more coffee!

But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love. 

Psalm 59:16