Encouraging Deep Roots

I started my walk this morning with a head full of buzzing worries and concerns. They were interspersed with swarms of thoughts about this thing that needs to get done and that issue that needs to be addressed. I asked myself, "How in the world will I be able to handle this all? Why is this life such a struggle?" However, as I kept up my brisk pace, my thoughts settled down. I started to pray, reflect and focus on what God was saying to me. As the raucousness inside my head started to settle down, I began to see things I would have otherwise missed.  I began to appreciate the beauty around me. As I was alone with God and creation, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. And as I peered at the beauty around me, I saw my problems in a new light. I gained clarity and insight into different situations.  I discovered hidden gems.  I received insight into how to come at something from a different direction. I saw beauty in little things and felt my creativity come alive.  W...

My eyesight has always been bad and I've worn strong glasses since I was a small child. The past few years my eyes have gotten worse and I'm noticing that it's more difficult to see small print. I finally caved in and purchased a magnifying glass with an LED light in it. That has made a huge difference in my ability to read without holding the book to my face. What really made the most difference is not so much the magnifying glass, but the light which lights up the page and allows my eyes to see the words.  I was reading Psalm 36 this morning which starts as a lament about the acts of the wicked and their constant scheming. David lifts himself out of this negativity by lifting his eyes and reflecting on the Lord's faithfulness. He reminds himself of the Lord's watch and care over the righteous. And then he makes the statement that God is the source of life and it's only by looking at God's light will we be able to see light.  In other words, if we keep our ...

  I received a text this week from a woman from a local agency who works with those who are in need. She said they had a client who was looking for a church connection and could use some mentoring. She wanted to know if this was something I would be interested in. Of course, I said, "Yes!" and to be honest, was thinking that it was neat that she thought I would be a good mentor to this young lady. But then she said something that made me laugh out loud. She said, "She really could use a mother figure in her life." So my so-called mentoring  skills  were really more about me having a mom-vibe! 😀 I admit it. I do exude "mom" probably to all I meet. In fact, my sister-in-law said I'm like Kanga in Winnie the Pooh. I know I'm happy when I'm caring for others. In fact, I recently did a personality/work assessment that said one of my natural gifts is coming alongside others and helping them accomplish what they need to get done.  Anyway, I've de...

The older I get the more I realize how quickly life flies by. It's mid-August and the corn is getting high in the field. Because we've had so little rain this summer the leaves are starting to change color and fall off the trees already. It seems as if summer will be over in the blink of an eye.   In the spirit of my last post, I spent Saturday just puttering around my house and enjoying the small things. If I had a thought about something that needed to get done that was work-related, I wrote it down and got it out of my brain. This way I was able to stay in the moment. I made a pot roast for my family and homemade dinner rolls.  I processed the oregano from my garden that had been drying and then I went out and cut some more herbs to dry.  I read a book. I worked on a rag wreathe. I went for long walks.  I carried that "in-the-moment" spirit to church yesterday. Usually I'm barreling around the church on a Sunday morning preparing a bunch of last minute stuff....

In the middle of busy days I'm trying to learn to take time to stop and actually enjoy the small things in life. I want to be mindful that I'm not just racing from one thing to the next, but learning to appreciate what's going on around me and live in the moment.  I tend to be task-oriented, but then regret the missed opportunities to lean in and listen to people in my life and soak in the beauty of nature around me.  I had few minutes before a friend came for coffee yesterday morning so I just sat in this room and enjoyed some silence for a time. I didn't sit glued to my phone or reading or anything. I just sat and relaxed. I didn't even get up to adjust that crooked tablecloth! 😀 As much as I can even when I am working I try and sit on my back patio to work. Mornings are the best because it's shady and cool. I find that I can't sit there with the laptop in the afternoon because it's too bright and I can't see the screen. I get visits from birds wh...

  I was in this exact location and looking at those mountains across the valley when I heard God's calling on my life as a teenager. It is one of the very few times in my life when I clearly heard God speaking to me.  The other was in college as a group of us were traveling out of New York City. Every Friday night we would go into the city to work with a local church. On this particular night, we were driving through the city and it was quiet in the van. As I watched the lights in the apartments, I heard Him confirm again His call on my life to go and share Good News with those who didn't know Him.  And so I followed that call, feeling very inadequate and not always knowing where I was going. Dan and and I were walking yesterday and I mentioned to him that all of our experiences and the things we've learned along the way prepare us for the next place and position. I feel as if much of what I am doing now wouldn't have been possible without all those previous experiences...

  Each morning I wake up and stumble my way to the kitchen and pour myself a cup of coffee. I then make my way to my favorite chair, open up my bible and journal, and settle in to spend some time in the word and hearing from the Lord. This morning time has become sweeter as I age and is something I look forward to each day. It's been the time that centers my thoughts and prepares me for the busyness of each day. It's also the time when some of those anxious thoughts that nag at me recede and where I find hope and joy to face each new challenge. I also find that it is the time when I'm reminded of the multitude of blessings that I have in my life.  On Monday I look back over the previous week and attempt to come up with a list of ways I've been blessed, where I've seen the Lord at work, and things I'm thankful for in my life.  Last week was very busy as I plunged back in after vacation. However, there are many things to be thankful for in the middle of the busyne...

  Dan and I arrived home last yesterday afternoon after spending a few days at the beach with our daughter, son-in-law and his family. I would describe it as relaxing, rejuvenating and reflective. There is something about the ocean and the beach that forces you to slow way down.  We have one day left of vacation and I'm still in a reflective mode as I get ready to plunge back into my busy life. I've been spending a lot of time reading Ecclesiastes this week and as I get older I realize how much wisdom is in that little book.  Life is short, make wise decisions, choose your words wisely, stop being uptight about everything and enjoy each moment. If you don't enjoy your life there is no point to your activity. Realize that life is full of ups and downs regardless of your choices, but make good choices anyway. Trust God in all things.  I've oversimplified the message, but those were some of my takeaways. Some I do fairly well at and others I definitely need to work on. ...