Just thinking....again.

So many thoughts swirling around in my head....must write some of them down to decrease the mental clutter. I've been thinking about the faithfulness and provision of God. No matter my situation, He has always provided for my daily needs. There have been times when we had more resources and I used some of those resources to stock pile. You know, you see a screaming deal on canned peaches so you buy as many as you can afford and store. Then the times come that are a bit leaner and you remember - ah! I have peaches! - and it just makes your day. You can't convince me that that is a coincidence. If I remain open and yielded to God, He uses it all: all of my efforts and desires and longings and whatever. It is truly a confort to me to know that He is always watching out for me and always creating a way for me to not only survive, but thrive. It is truly humbling!

I have another example....there are several women at church who are expecting a baby. I love to give gifts to new moms and love to participate in the fellowship at baby showers. But, in hard times, it can be difficult to know what to do about the gift. Again, like the canned peaches example, many years ago someone taught me how to make a very simple denim strip quilt. I've stockpiled enough old Levis to make 100's of quilts! So, now I am known at my church as the lady who makes denim strip quilts for new moms. And, years ago, when I was learning this particular skill, I wasn't thinking about how useful it will be in the future. I was just happy to learn. Now I can look back and see how it all fits together in my life now.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that nothing is wasted in God's economy. What I'm living through right now is going to help me or someone else in the future. God has it all in His very capable hands and all I have to do is be obedient and yielded to Him. It gives me great peace.

A resolution of sorts....

My Symphony

To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
To study hard, think quietly, talk gently, Act frankly;
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;
To bear all cheerfully, Do all bravely, Await occasions, Hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.

THIS IS TO BE MY SYMPHONY

William Henry Channing

A New Year...

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Author Unknown
Take twelve whole months,

Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,

Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or thirty-one different parts,

but don’t make up the whole batch at once.

Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.
Mix well into each day one part of faith, one part of patience, one part of courage, and one part of work.
Add to each day one part of hope, faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation, and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,and a cupful of good humor.
Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy, garnish with a smile, and serve with quietness, unselfishness,and cheerfulness.
You’re bound to have a happy new year!

(and that is my wish for you!)

On my mind today...

Love is a movement....Switchfoot

Love is the movement
Love is a revolution
This is redemption
We don't have to slow back down

The picture is from our anniversary trip to Jackson, Wyoming and the glorious Tetons.

What Faith Can Do...

Kutless - What Faith Can Do (From the album It Is Well) --

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you are stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Just a little snippet of a song that I've been hearing lately. Every time I hear it I feel blessed.