Encouraging Deep Roots

How is your attitude today? My focus in life has been on doing things well.  Whatever comes my way, I want to do it to the best of my ability.  Whether it's managing my home, doing a project for my husband, working with children in the church or running my own business.  Ephesians 9:10 ~ Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom.     But sometimes I need an attitude adjustment.  I can get overwhelmed, annoyed, irritated and complaining about the things in my life.  I love the verses that talk about working for the Lord, because the reality is that everything we do is for Him.  When I have that perspective then it changes how I approach all I do in my life. Colossians 3:23-24 ~ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know you will receive an inheritance as a reward.  It is the Lord you ...

Dan & I took a much needed afternoon off yesterday after church.  One of the things we wanted to do was go apple picking but rather than go some place close to home, we decided to drive about 45 minutes away and do a number of activities. One of the things we both commented on is how busy and distracted we get.  We race through life and forget to just stop and relax and breathe in the fresh air and notice the beautiful colors around us.  We can be color-bind! Yesterday was a day full of colors!  I thought I'd share some with you.   Sometimes you just need to get rid of the distractions and appreciate the beauty around you and enjoy the colors!

I've had such full, busy days lately but if you've read my blog for any length of time you know, I love it! :-)   This week was filled with cleaning the house, continuing to pull tomatoes off the vine.  Those grape tomatoes did fantastic this year.   I've been watching Emily's tennis matches.  The school is about a block away from the shop so it's great that I can get over there just in time to see her play.  She has improved so much and yesterday she was bursting with pride because her coach, who is sparse in his praises, went out of his way to tell her how well she is doing.       I've made bread for the shop.  I've been taking orders so I don't end up with leftover bread and each week the amount is increasing.   I just got a bunch of new fragrance oils in and can't wait to make some new candles in fall scents.  These have long since flown off the shelf!  I hardly sold a candle all summer and in the pa...

Yesterday was officially the first day of autumn and it felt more like the beginning of winter.  It was extremely windy and there was definitely a nip in the air. I went to the lake to pick up some rocks for an object lesson and had a hard time staying on my feet at times.  It was funny to watch the geese try to fly and not get anywhere.  They finally gave up and settled back down on the rocks. The leaves are changing. Football has started.  These little guys ran by me yesterday and were so cute! Tennis is winding down which is a good thing because they have to bundle up in order to play. The next few months are some of my favorite.            I'm looking forward to the holidays and all that comes with that.       Of course, winter won't be far behind.  But in the meantime, I'm planning on enjoying the beauty of the fall.    

People throw the expression, Thank God it's Friday, around quite a bit.  On this Friday, I want to thank God for the blessings in my life! This week I'm thankful for blessings #2191- 2200.   2191.  Thankful that I was able to get out in the garden and get the last of the tomatoes before the cold hit last night.   2192.  Thankful for a wonderful bounty of them this year.     2193.  Thankful for a husband who spends time in God's word every single day.  I cannot remember a day that he has ever missed, no matter if he's on vacation, sick or what is going on. 2194.  Thankful that I can have heat at the flick of a switch. 2195.  A friend's generosity allowed me to put up pickles this year.  My cucumbers were a flop and she stopped by the shop one day last week with a basket full. 2195.  Peaceful days that allow me to get a lot of a sewing done. 2196.  Good friends.  I prayed long ...

Good morning, my blog friends! It's chilly here in Central New York and tonight we are supposed to get down into the 30s.  Definitely, sweater weather!  It's my favorite time of the year.  I love autumn.  Changing leaves. Apples, ready to be picked. Wonderful scents of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, baked into pies. Beautiful colors. In the midst of my very busy days I don't want to forget to stop, smell and look around and appreciate this moment.  This is the only time I'll have this minute in my life.  I'll never get it back.  I don't want it to slip away unappreciated. So no matter what you are doing today, be alert!  Keep watch.  Look for that precious moment and just breathe.  Smell the air.  Appreciate the beauty around you.  And thank God for it! Have a blessed day.  

I Corinthians 7:17,24. ~ "Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him...Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to." If only my children acted like Sue’s children, then I could be patient.   If my husband was like Jane’s then my marriage would be great!   If I had a job that paid more then I could be relaxed like Jennifer.   If my situation would change, then I would be able to trust God. Do you fall into this trap at times?   Do you wish things were different in your life?    Do you think that if your situation were different, then you would be different?   Are there days when you want to give up?   Are you in a situation that you wish would change?    I think we all experience this from time to time.   Yet, the Lord wants us to be content with the circumstances and situations that He has allowed in ou...