Fall or autumn, call it what you like, is my favorite time of year. I guess I should qualify that; LATE Fall is more accurate. In most of Texas, we rarely get to see seasonal changes that a lot of the country takes for granted. I have a mental seasonal change in autumn.
Fall brings a barrage of scents, colors and textures that stir emotions deep inside me. I have not found the key to why that happens but I don’t care. I just love that it happens. I love that I can actually spend time outdoors for more than a few minutes at a time. The sun is not my best friend but autumn allows me more freedom and time to soak up nature. Nothing is more comforting and basic to me than walking in the woods this time of year. Even later when all the leaves that have fallen are crunchy underfoot, these walks renew and invigorate me.
Chilly air brings out my inner child. The girl that ran and played peeks outside my grandmotherly face and tugs at memories long tucked away. Memories such as walking along side my grandfather; he made up songs about anything he saw to make me laugh. They never made much sense but we enjoyed them.
The smell of chicken and dumplings simmering on the stove can warm you to your toes though the wind howls and swirls beyond the steamy windows. A mug of apple cider with a cinnamon stick can not be resisted. A favorite fuzzy robe makes snuggling on the couch more relaxing. Pumpkin pie scented candles warm a room with just their tiny flame.
Autumn also brings my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. I’ve written before about Friday being my dedicated day to look back at all the Lord has done in my life that week and give thanks for each thing. Daily prayers should begin with words of thanksgiving. So, for me, Thanksgiving Day is the ultimate holiday because people all over are giving thanks and I see in my spirit’s eye a tender vision of how the Lord might look hearing prayers of thanks from people He might not hear from on a regular basis. A harvest of souls praying for the harvests in their lives! A spontaneous chorus of thanks ringing out when families gather and bow heads together! Oh, my! Gives me goose bumps!! Yes, Thanksgiving is most certainly my favorite holiday and it comes in my favorite time of year.
What’s not to love and be thankful for about this special time of year?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Clean Slate
I will be the first to admit I am ‘techie challenged’! This simply means I know just enough to get myself in trouble when I try to make changes on my computer operating systems but certainly not enough to actually ‘fix’ any problem. Oh, the hours of frustration I have created for myself.
Recently, I attempted to correct some problems I was having on Facebook. I tried everything I could think of, read comments on the HELP boards….all to no avail. It began to take on a life of its own because I was so focused on fixing it! I can hear the taunts and snickers coming from inside my PC. Surely it was demon possessed!
So, in what I call a ‘flash of brilliance’, the thought came to me to reset the computer to its default settings. This should not only undo all the ‘opps’ I created but restore it to the original settings from the factory. See, brilliant….right? Perhaps we should not be hasty to rush to that conclusion.
My magic default restoration did, indeed, fix the Facebook problem. Awesome! I was feeling pretty proud of myself right about then. Still focused on fixing the problem, I felt I had accomplished all I set out to do. My triumphant happy dance did not last long.
What I did not consider was the big picture. In the reality of said big picture, I had lost all information, program settings and http addresses I use on a daily basis. Yep, all gone! Including the addresses to my blogs…this is a big OPPS! I wiped them all out with the light touch of a key, a click of a button and the single mindedness in which I was functioning. Wiped clean…I may have corrected one issue but I created a host of other problems. I put away my Happy Dance shoes!
As I see it, this is a fairly accurate picture of what we do in life. We focus on what we perceive to be ‘the problem’ and set our minds to fixing it. We try all we know, talk to anyone that will listen, take advice from people that know nothing more than we knew in the first place and end up with a stack of add-on problems we created in our ignorance.
Looking at this from a spiritual perspective we have collected an array of OPPS and sins. Let’s look at some of them:
Focused on the problem rather than going our ultimate problem solver, God.
Pride in our own actions and works.
Breathed life into the problem by constantly talking about it.
Prayer as a last resort..”All we can do now is pray.”..rather than the first course of action!
The good news is, when we finally get real and take our issues to God, asking for forgiveness for our foolish ways, He can and will hit His holy 'reset button' and wipe our sin slate clean. Then the real problem solving begins. That’s about all the technical information we need to know.
Recently, I attempted to correct some problems I was having on Facebook. I tried everything I could think of, read comments on the HELP boards….all to no avail. It began to take on a life of its own because I was so focused on fixing it! I can hear the taunts and snickers coming from inside my PC. Surely it was demon possessed!
So, in what I call a ‘flash of brilliance’, the thought came to me to reset the computer to its default settings. This should not only undo all the ‘opps’ I created but restore it to the original settings from the factory. See, brilliant….right? Perhaps we should not be hasty to rush to that conclusion.
My magic default restoration did, indeed, fix the Facebook problem. Awesome! I was feeling pretty proud of myself right about then. Still focused on fixing the problem, I felt I had accomplished all I set out to do. My triumphant happy dance did not last long.
What I did not consider was the big picture. In the reality of said big picture, I had lost all information, program settings and http addresses I use on a daily basis. Yep, all gone! Including the addresses to my blogs…this is a big OPPS! I wiped them all out with the light touch of a key, a click of a button and the single mindedness in which I was functioning. Wiped clean…I may have corrected one issue but I created a host of other problems. I put away my Happy Dance shoes!
As I see it, this is a fairly accurate picture of what we do in life. We focus on what we perceive to be ‘the problem’ and set our minds to fixing it. We try all we know, talk to anyone that will listen, take advice from people that know nothing more than we knew in the first place and end up with a stack of add-on problems we created in our ignorance.
Looking at this from a spiritual perspective we have collected an array of OPPS and sins. Let’s look at some of them:
Focused on the problem rather than going our ultimate problem solver, God.
Pride in our own actions and works.
Breathed life into the problem by constantly talking about it.
Prayer as a last resort..”All we can do now is pray.”..rather than the first course of action!
The good news is, when we finally get real and take our issues to God, asking for forgiveness for our foolish ways, He can and will hit His holy 'reset button' and wipe our sin slate clean. Then the real problem solving begins. That’s about all the technical information we need to know.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Onward Thru the Fog - Revisited
On a recent weekend morning, upon waking, I was startled by how bright the sun was as it poured in my kitchen windows; I thought it was still early. My eyes are not use to waking up to sunlight, I’m typically a very early riser; darkness still abounds. Stumbling into the kitchen for that first cup of nectar of the gods, coffee, I was honestly startled by the glowing brightness. I then became a bit concerned about just HOW late it must be but it was only a little after 7, so that confused me even more. I confuse easily before coffee. To add to the confusion, when I looked out a living room window I saw it was very foggy! HUH!!?? It was so foggy I could barely see the outline of the house across the street.
OK, now my curiosity has surpassed the confusion and I headed out the front door to examine this craziness from our deck's vantage point. Yes, indeed, it was quite foggy, rather mysterious and surreal looking out over the valley in front of me like something from a hobbit movie. Yet, turn ever so slightly toward the east and the glow was overwhelming! It was awesome.
The first thought in my now less confused head was, "Isn't that just like God!!" We can be shrouded in foggy situations/problems/sins that seem all encompassing but God is still shining on all around us; even when we can't see His light. The glowing brightness that is God never goes away, we just focus on the fog.
I smiled that smile, you know, the one that always comes on our faces when we see a rainbow. You can't help yourself; you always smile that little comforting smile of reassurance because we know the promise that comes along with that rainbow. Maybe, just maybe, the next time you're in a fog, (whatever kind of fog it may be) you'll think about the glowing brightness that is all around and take comfort in knowing it's there even if you can't see it. You'll smile that little smile and walk on because of the promise HE is always there!
OK, now my curiosity has surpassed the confusion and I headed out the front door to examine this craziness from our deck's vantage point. Yes, indeed, it was quite foggy, rather mysterious and surreal looking out over the valley in front of me like something from a hobbit movie. Yet, turn ever so slightly toward the east and the glow was overwhelming! It was awesome.
The first thought in my now less confused head was, "Isn't that just like God!!" We can be shrouded in foggy situations/problems/sins that seem all encompassing but God is still shining on all around us; even when we can't see His light. The glowing brightness that is God never goes away, we just focus on the fog.
I smiled that smile, you know, the one that always comes on our faces when we see a rainbow. You can't help yourself; you always smile that little comforting smile of reassurance because we know the promise that comes along with that rainbow. Maybe, just maybe, the next time you're in a fog, (whatever kind of fog it may be) you'll think about the glowing brightness that is all around and take comfort in knowing it's there even if you can't see it. You'll smile that little smile and walk on because of the promise HE is always there!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Freedom in Boundaries
Boundaries should not be drawn in sand. Sand shifts and moves too much, leaving unclear lines where boundaries once were. Boundaries in our lives are a good thing.
Contradictory to what they would have you to believe, kids, adolescents and teens need and want boundaries in their lives. They will kick and scream that they do not, but they do. They just do not realize it yet. This understanding doesn’t come until much later.
I’ve started teaching a class for twelve and thirteen year olds at church. It’s a new class and we are rather developing it as we go. Week One, I laid out the boundaries. Having raised a few kids over the years, I know boundaries are the grease that help the wheels go around. Without them, things come to a screeching halt! So, Week Two, we reviewed the boundaries. Week Three, there was no need to revisit the boundaries, they haven’t changed. No one is confused about what and where they are because I made them very clear from the beginning. It takes nothing more than a slight raised eyebrow in the direction of anyone toying about near a boundary line to bring them back to reality of the boundary line.
Yet, in the face of more structure, these kids are fired up about this class and are responding positively. It’s all very rewarding to see this. They have fun, learn and are required to come up to a higher level of understanding and behavior than before and they like it! They are challenged and made to actually ‘think’ about what they think about. Then, they are told they will be held accountable for decisions and actions. We haven’t had the time yet for this accountability to manifest yet but they know its coming. Still, they are excited about this class.
I rather feel like a tour guide sharing the details about a hiking trail. I get to talk about the beauty of walking with Christ they will experience, educate them about the forks in the road they will encounter and warn them of the inevitable pitfalls waiting ahead in the life of a young person living a Christian life in a world that mocks rather than embraces our choice.
As baby Christians, we stumble along, don’t we? As mature Christians we stumble long, too; this time we are just more prepared because we know Jesus is walking along side us.
We, too, have learned the comfort and joy that can be found when we live within the boundaries of a Christ-filled life. Some come to that knowledge kicking and screaming about having boundaries. Many think the boundaries of a Christian walk must be confining and restrictive. I’ve heard people say they would do the church thing later in life after they’ve had their fun. How sadly miss informed are they?
God-placed boundaries are not made of barbed wire but of time tested love and concern. He knows the trouble we will get in to left to our own devices and so He has provided His boundary lines to be available to us in written Word, the Bible. Having such we are held to a higher level of expectation and accountability. Within the boundary lines, however, we are free to run and play; to build our families and find the area God would have us serve. It doesn’t feel like a burden to have these boundaries but freedom to dream higher than we could before because we know the Lord of Creation inspired and authored our dreams. We are able to accomplish more because we can do all things through Christ.
My new class is not unique. It’s the foundational stuff a Christian walk is made of. The goal is to equip these kids to face the world just ahead of them; to help in the transition from children to young adults. We, the kids and I, will learn together as we walk this out. I have long believed that we should never stop learning or growing. When you cease to learn, you die. I can’t wait to see what the Lord teaches me through all this!
Contradictory to what they would have you to believe, kids, adolescents and teens need and want boundaries in their lives. They will kick and scream that they do not, but they do. They just do not realize it yet. This understanding doesn’t come until much later.
I’ve started teaching a class for twelve and thirteen year olds at church. It’s a new class and we are rather developing it as we go. Week One, I laid out the boundaries. Having raised a few kids over the years, I know boundaries are the grease that help the wheels go around. Without them, things come to a screeching halt! So, Week Two, we reviewed the boundaries. Week Three, there was no need to revisit the boundaries, they haven’t changed. No one is confused about what and where they are because I made them very clear from the beginning. It takes nothing more than a slight raised eyebrow in the direction of anyone toying about near a boundary line to bring them back to reality of the boundary line.
Yet, in the face of more structure, these kids are fired up about this class and are responding positively. It’s all very rewarding to see this. They have fun, learn and are required to come up to a higher level of understanding and behavior than before and they like it! They are challenged and made to actually ‘think’ about what they think about. Then, they are told they will be held accountable for decisions and actions. We haven’t had the time yet for this accountability to manifest yet but they know its coming. Still, they are excited about this class.
I rather feel like a tour guide sharing the details about a hiking trail. I get to talk about the beauty of walking with Christ they will experience, educate them about the forks in the road they will encounter and warn them of the inevitable pitfalls waiting ahead in the life of a young person living a Christian life in a world that mocks rather than embraces our choice.
As baby Christians, we stumble along, don’t we? As mature Christians we stumble long, too; this time we are just more prepared because we know Jesus is walking along side us.
We, too, have learned the comfort and joy that can be found when we live within the boundaries of a Christ-filled life. Some come to that knowledge kicking and screaming about having boundaries. Many think the boundaries of a Christian walk must be confining and restrictive. I’ve heard people say they would do the church thing later in life after they’ve had their fun. How sadly miss informed are they?
God-placed boundaries are not made of barbed wire but of time tested love and concern. He knows the trouble we will get in to left to our own devices and so He has provided His boundary lines to be available to us in written Word, the Bible. Having such we are held to a higher level of expectation and accountability. Within the boundary lines, however, we are free to run and play; to build our families and find the area God would have us serve. It doesn’t feel like a burden to have these boundaries but freedom to dream higher than we could before because we know the Lord of Creation inspired and authored our dreams. We are able to accomplish more because we can do all things through Christ.
My new class is not unique. It’s the foundational stuff a Christian walk is made of. The goal is to equip these kids to face the world just ahead of them; to help in the transition from children to young adults. We, the kids and I, will learn together as we walk this out. I have long believed that we should never stop learning or growing. When you cease to learn, you die. I can’t wait to see what the Lord teaches me through all this!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Not One More Thing
I have written before about waiting to hear from God before I write the morning blog. It is named Truth in the Morning for a reason. Some mornings, like this one, I do not readily receive divine inspiration quickly so I take some time to go back and read writings I’ve done over the years. It serves to get the creative juices flowing and helps me focus in on what might be a gentle nudge from on high.
As I was reading this morning I began to see a pattern or at least a frequent common thread. I had written many times about making time to spend with the Lord…..many times! I talked about making it a priority in our day-to-day lives. I talked about tithing the first time of our day to the Lord. I had written about structuring our time. Like I mentioned, it was a common thread over the years.
While reading one piece a line jumped off the page at me. It said in part…’…spent all her time on the harried and hectic activities of her everyday life.’
Indeed, that is what we do, isn’t it? We can get so absorbed in the activities we choose to do that we rarely look up. Our time is valuable. If we are spending time on it, we must consider it important. How often have you said or heard someone say they were so busy they could not do one more thing?
“I didn’t have time.” These are very popular words; people say them all the time. I know I’ve been guilty of saying that. When I wrote a daily e-mail devotional and encouraged people to spend time in God’s word, I heard that often. People would say they wished they had the time to read the Bible before work or before going to bed but they were just too busy. Not enough hours in the day.
It is all about choice, People! There are things in our days that we can not change but most of our activities, most especially the mental ones, we choose. We have, as a people, been bitten by the bug of self-importance and we scratch the itch of delusion that bite leaves behind.
It may take creative re-organization of your time and/or some editing of activities, but you DO have time….by choosing to spend it on something else, you are choosing not to spend it with the Lord.
Does that sound harsh to you? Perhaps it is; the truth behind the statement, however, can not be denied. The very moment you acknowledge that to yourself, you can start to make the changes necessary. You no longer are able to tell yourself that your activities are more important than spending time with the one and only living God. Something somewhere can be eliminated so time can be set aside for godly pursuit. I’m not talking about a monk lifestyle where you walk around in robes chanting; I’m talking about taking time each day to honor, worship and grow in understanding of our Lord. This isn’t just a suggestion I came up with, it is scriptural.
You can be alone with God on a crowded bus when your relationship is a priority. Get creative in carving out time to spend with the Creator. You plant the seed of time with God and you will reap an abundant harvest.
Those three simple statements could be life changing IF you choose……life is but a series of choices. Nothing is more important than fellowship with the Lord…..not one more thing.
As for me and my house…….
As I was reading this morning I began to see a pattern or at least a frequent common thread. I had written many times about making time to spend with the Lord…..many times! I talked about making it a priority in our day-to-day lives. I talked about tithing the first time of our day to the Lord. I had written about structuring our time. Like I mentioned, it was a common thread over the years.
While reading one piece a line jumped off the page at me. It said in part…’…spent all her time on the harried and hectic activities of her everyday life.’
Indeed, that is what we do, isn’t it? We can get so absorbed in the activities we choose to do that we rarely look up. Our time is valuable. If we are spending time on it, we must consider it important. How often have you said or heard someone say they were so busy they could not do one more thing?
“I didn’t have time.” These are very popular words; people say them all the time. I know I’ve been guilty of saying that. When I wrote a daily e-mail devotional and encouraged people to spend time in God’s word, I heard that often. People would say they wished they had the time to read the Bible before work or before going to bed but they were just too busy. Not enough hours in the day.
It is all about choice, People! There are things in our days that we can not change but most of our activities, most especially the mental ones, we choose. We have, as a people, been bitten by the bug of self-importance and we scratch the itch of delusion that bite leaves behind.
It may take creative re-organization of your time and/or some editing of activities, but you DO have time….by choosing to spend it on something else, you are choosing not to spend it with the Lord.
Does that sound harsh to you? Perhaps it is; the truth behind the statement, however, can not be denied. The very moment you acknowledge that to yourself, you can start to make the changes necessary. You no longer are able to tell yourself that your activities are more important than spending time with the one and only living God. Something somewhere can be eliminated so time can be set aside for godly pursuit. I’m not talking about a monk lifestyle where you walk around in robes chanting; I’m talking about taking time each day to honor, worship and grow in understanding of our Lord. This isn’t just a suggestion I came up with, it is scriptural.
You can be alone with God on a crowded bus when your relationship is a priority. Get creative in carving out time to spend with the Creator. You plant the seed of time with God and you will reap an abundant harvest.
Those three simple statements could be life changing IF you choose……life is but a series of choices. Nothing is more important than fellowship with the Lord…..not one more thing.
As for me and my house…….
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sin Doesn't Whisper
Whether you've been walking a Christian life for decades or hours, we need to be reminded that we are no longer slaves to sin and temptation. It WILL jump up in your face as long as we are walking on earth, but once we dedicate our lives to following Jesus, we have His strength to help us say ‘NO!’ to all the wickedness the enemy throws at us.
One day my husband I were in town for a Doctor appointment that lead to a visit to the pharmacy across the hall. It was a small place and you could readily see everyone. There were a couple of men there together; it was hard to miss them because they were loud and obnoxious. They were going up and down the aisles, (a whopping 4 short aisles in all) touching and talking about everything. One of them paid for something and, yet as they walked out the doors, the alarm went off. The one that says to step back in and let the employees take the security tags off. They didn't even look back as they walked down the hall.
The people at the counter were watching and started talking about how they weren't going after these guys; their fear obvious. I was rather stunned by all this. It was obvious they had stolen something. It was just as obvious the store personnel were not going to try to stop them.
Then the scene became even more bizarre when the two guys came walking back up the hall to get to the building exit. They looked into the pharmacy with smug delight, knowing they had gotten away it their crime.
Why am I sharing this story with you? Because it occurred to me that, in that moment, these guys were walking, talking sin. Sin, like these men, mingles with you in ordinary places and ways. Sin, like the loud behavior of the guys, intimidates and produces fear. Fear of being found out, fear of being caught, fear of confronting sin when we witness it. Fear and intimidation are NOT of the Lord. Sin is smug and obnoxious like these guys walking back pass the pharmacy, knowing it had gotten its way with you; that you weren't going to try to stop it. Sin can and will attempt to beat down anyone in its path. Anyone!! No one is immune to temptation of sin, fear produced by sin or the empty feeling you get when you've fallen victim to sin.
Though no one is exempt, someone walking in the power of the Holy Spirit has the resource to walk away victorious.
The power of the Holy Spirit living in us is the source of our strength. Calling on that strength, relying on the power of the Spirit, listening to that small voice of guidance all comes when we make a point to listen. The Holy Spirit will not yank you by the collar or scream at you or even come in the clap of thunder. It comes when YOU tune in. We have choices everyday; to listen for the Holy Spirit or change the channel. I saw walking, talking sin in action in that pharmacy that day; it was neither a pretty nor comforting sight.
As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord! May the small quiet voice of the Lord ring in your spirit today!
One day my husband I were in town for a Doctor appointment that lead to a visit to the pharmacy across the hall. It was a small place and you could readily see everyone. There were a couple of men there together; it was hard to miss them because they were loud and obnoxious. They were going up and down the aisles, (a whopping 4 short aisles in all) touching and talking about everything. One of them paid for something and, yet as they walked out the doors, the alarm went off. The one that says to step back in and let the employees take the security tags off. They didn't even look back as they walked down the hall.
The people at the counter were watching and started talking about how they weren't going after these guys; their fear obvious. I was rather stunned by all this. It was obvious they had stolen something. It was just as obvious the store personnel were not going to try to stop them.
Then the scene became even more bizarre when the two guys came walking back up the hall to get to the building exit. They looked into the pharmacy with smug delight, knowing they had gotten away it their crime.
Why am I sharing this story with you? Because it occurred to me that, in that moment, these guys were walking, talking sin. Sin, like these men, mingles with you in ordinary places and ways. Sin, like the loud behavior of the guys, intimidates and produces fear. Fear of being found out, fear of being caught, fear of confronting sin when we witness it. Fear and intimidation are NOT of the Lord. Sin is smug and obnoxious like these guys walking back pass the pharmacy, knowing it had gotten its way with you; that you weren't going to try to stop it. Sin can and will attempt to beat down anyone in its path. Anyone!! No one is immune to temptation of sin, fear produced by sin or the empty feeling you get when you've fallen victim to sin.
Though no one is exempt, someone walking in the power of the Holy Spirit has the resource to walk away victorious.
The power of the Holy Spirit living in us is the source of our strength. Calling on that strength, relying on the power of the Spirit, listening to that small voice of guidance all comes when we make a point to listen. The Holy Spirit will not yank you by the collar or scream at you or even come in the clap of thunder. It comes when YOU tune in. We have choices everyday; to listen for the Holy Spirit or change the channel. I saw walking, talking sin in action in that pharmacy that day; it was neither a pretty nor comforting sight.
As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord! May the small quiet voice of the Lord ring in your spirit today!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
A Little Peek
The following is just some random thoughts and beliefs; a little peek into me.
I like the person I am becoming. I was not always happy with the ME that be but I do like the person in to which I see me growing. I’m not saying that I think too highly of myself, just that I can see and appreciate the changes the Lord has made in me over the years. Like most of us, I am painfully aware of my own ‘warts’ and I am in no way a finished product. I could make a list the things I would like to change about myself but why keep a critical eye focused and waste precious time the Lord has given me. If He can look at me and see the good He knows will one day be, then I choose to as well. I won’t stop striving to be more Christ-like, that is my goal as a Christian but I will be kinder to myself than in times past. The Golden Rule says to treat others the way you would want to be treated. You have to start somewhere and how can you be kind to others if you can’t even be kind to yourself?
I enjoy thinking about making things beautiful, not in the eyes of those that think they can tell us what is beautiful and what is not; but beautiful in and of itself, in simplicity. I need an outlet for artistic and creative flows without the pressure of performance. Art from within is a gift from God. Should it be thwarted by the human perspective of someone you do not even know telling you what is or isn’t beautiful? Who came up with the concept of Art Critics and why? I think our soul reaches out to those things that bring a sense of peace to it; it is there in that peace we find beauty.
I believe joy can be found in the most mundane if you are open to it. I’m not referring to the spiritual kind of joy in the Lord; though I do cherish that joy. I’m talking about being open to the joy simple day-to-day life can bring. For instance, the feel and weight of my mixing bowl makes me feel good. I have allowed myself to get glass mixing bowls now that the children are gone, I can’t stand plastic bowls. I love the way a bamboo cooking utensil feels to my hand so the simple act of stirring while cooking is a pleasant experience for me. The smell of coffee brewing, bacon cooking and chocolate anything…all makes my heart happy. Watching the puppy run across the room is another simple joy. I neither need nor want electronic gadgets and/or expensive clothes in hopes of feeling good and joyful in my life. I believe joy is all around us and it’s about being open to finding your joy right in front of you.
The ability to experience kindness, beauty and joy come from within us; it’s an attitude and mindset. In a world full of turmoil and uncertainty we need all the kindness, beauty and joy we can get. It’s there for the taking and enjoying and enriching of our lives. The size of your house doesn’t matter; your happiness is not proportionate to your square footage. Happiness is about how you live, not where you live. Kindness, Beauty and Joy are enhanced by thankful hearts and giving spirits; pretty good way to live if you ask me.
I like the person I am becoming. I was not always happy with the ME that be but I do like the person in to which I see me growing. I’m not saying that I think too highly of myself, just that I can see and appreciate the changes the Lord has made in me over the years. Like most of us, I am painfully aware of my own ‘warts’ and I am in no way a finished product. I could make a list the things I would like to change about myself but why keep a critical eye focused and waste precious time the Lord has given me. If He can look at me and see the good He knows will one day be, then I choose to as well. I won’t stop striving to be more Christ-like, that is my goal as a Christian but I will be kinder to myself than in times past. The Golden Rule says to treat others the way you would want to be treated. You have to start somewhere and how can you be kind to others if you can’t even be kind to yourself?
I enjoy thinking about making things beautiful, not in the eyes of those that think they can tell us what is beautiful and what is not; but beautiful in and of itself, in simplicity. I need an outlet for artistic and creative flows without the pressure of performance. Art from within is a gift from God. Should it be thwarted by the human perspective of someone you do not even know telling you what is or isn’t beautiful? Who came up with the concept of Art Critics and why? I think our soul reaches out to those things that bring a sense of peace to it; it is there in that peace we find beauty.
I believe joy can be found in the most mundane if you are open to it. I’m not referring to the spiritual kind of joy in the Lord; though I do cherish that joy. I’m talking about being open to the joy simple day-to-day life can bring. For instance, the feel and weight of my mixing bowl makes me feel good. I have allowed myself to get glass mixing bowls now that the children are gone, I can’t stand plastic bowls. I love the way a bamboo cooking utensil feels to my hand so the simple act of stirring while cooking is a pleasant experience for me. The smell of coffee brewing, bacon cooking and chocolate anything…all makes my heart happy. Watching the puppy run across the room is another simple joy. I neither need nor want electronic gadgets and/or expensive clothes in hopes of feeling good and joyful in my life. I believe joy is all around us and it’s about being open to finding your joy right in front of you.
The ability to experience kindness, beauty and joy come from within us; it’s an attitude and mindset. In a world full of turmoil and uncertainty we need all the kindness, beauty and joy we can get. It’s there for the taking and enjoying and enriching of our lives. The size of your house doesn’t matter; your happiness is not proportionate to your square footage. Happiness is about how you live, not where you live. Kindness, Beauty and Joy are enhanced by thankful hearts and giving spirits; pretty good way to live if you ask me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)