Encouraging Deep Roots

I'm a fairly sensitive person and the emotional level of the internet is just too much this week with all that's going on in the news.  Yesterday and this afternoon, I headed out to enjoy the quiet. I was alone and it was good to spend time taking in the sights and sounds and just reflecting and praying. I felt some of the stress abating and came home feeling less unsettled. Sometimes alone is a good place to be and silence is golden.

This year has been strange to say the least, and has not gone exactly the way I expected. A good chunk of the first part of 2025 was spent helping with my in-laws before my mother-in-law passed away the day after Easter. And as we are entering into the last part of 2025 I think the word, mindful, is an accurate description of how the year as gone so far. In fact, I was browsing in a local book store and found this book entited, A Mindful Year. It is a journal of daily writing prompts and I just started it the other day.  I've worked at being intentional in many of the areas of my life and I think "mindful" is a good word to use.  I've been mindful in taking time to pray, read, and hear what God is saying to me.  I've been mindful in getting in many days of exercise each week, especially getting out and walking and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. I've been intentional with family and taking time for them. I've been mindful in my other relationship...

Jeremiah 12:1-6 ~ You will be righteous, Lord, even if I bring a case against you. Yet, I wish to contend with you: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the treacherous live at ease? You planted them, and they have taken root. They have grown and produced fruit. You are ever on their lips, but far from their conscience. As for you, Lord, you know me; you see me. You test whether my heart is with you. Drag the wicked away like sheep to slaughter and set them apart for the day of killing. How long will the land mourn and the grass of every field wither? Because of the evil of its residents, animals and birds have been swept away, for the people have said, “He cannot see what our end will be.” (The Lord responds:) If you have raced with runners and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in a peaceful land, what will you do in the thickets of the Jordan? Even your brothers—your own father’s family— even they were treacherous to you; even they ...

I've been super organized this year and on Monday morning was able to get all of my fall decorating done. Usually it doesn't happen until sometime in mid-September. I think the cool temperatures have definitely put me in the mood for autumn decor. We had a family picnic at my sister and brother-in-law's home and had a wonderful time. It was the first time in a very long time when we all got together and just had fun. The past couple of years have been very hard as we dealt with things with my mother-in-law and father-in-law. So it was nice to just enjoy each other's company. I'm plugging away, canning tomatoes, and today's plan is to pick up another half bushel and do tomato sauce. I love this time of year and being able to preserve fresh food. I try and get out and walk each day and I've also been doing some crafting and sewing.  This morning I was wide awake at 3 a.m. (ugh) and made my way downstairs to have my quiet time. As I'm sitting in my recliner...