A friend of mine often reminds me that “no” can be a complete sentence.
My urge to supply ample explanation and curry favor with the delivery of my dissent is strong. I fear rejection, disappointment, and disapproval. Sometimes, meanness and retaliation may occur to my “no.” Pouting too.
This creates a cloud of overwhelming emotion. It becomes confusing to know what to say.
Which is when my friend reminds me to just say no.
This is rooted in scripture too:
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.
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He squeals in delight and I can’t help but chuckle. His 5 year-old arms, spread wide, wave wildly as he tests how fast and far his legs can take him.
I watch long and can’t help but feel even his play is an act of worship. For he holds nothing back and makes reckless abandon look easy. What freedom…
The sparrows’ chorus catches my attention and I tell my blue-eyed boy they are encouraging him along. He stops his own flight, looks up towards the branches of the cottonwood and exclaims plainly: “Mom, the birds always sing.” And while skipping off, he joins in…
All day, I carried that thought around with me.
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The early morning sun is usually warm on my back while I search though the leaves and vines. It’s a contented feeling to harvest what we had hoped and waited for. Our garden seems to be overflowing at the moment. The tomatoes have synchronized turning from green to red, zucchini are abundant, and beans…oh the beans! They seem to grow overnight, and just when I think they may be ending, along comes another round. They’re fresh, healthy and we’re grateful for the provision!
With the exception of tomatoes, (whose bright red beauty always catches my eye)I have to search for garden goodness.
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She opens her eyes slowly, taking in the angle of the light hitting the walls, listening for the sounds of her offspring, wondering if she has slept late. She collects her thoughts, separating the real from the fantasy of her dreams, making mental lists of what must be done and deciding what should be done first. Does she have time for a walk? Will her husband be able to talk for a minute before he leaves for work?
Often, she busies herself before her mind wanders too far. All too familiar is the path toward discontent, beginning with a scream or the sound of something hitting the floor, ending with tears and sobs getting closer to the bedroom door.
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With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. ~Isaiah 12:3
In a recent attempt to draw closer to the Lord in prayer through fasting, I pondered the most basic of all needs.
Our need for water.
It seems obvious that we need water, of course. And who can argue with the reality that our body is made up of 60-75% water.
Roughly 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered with water. Water is vital to every living form of life.
Water is needful for our survival. Take away water completely and you have roughly 3 days to live, because the physiological functions of your organs will fail.
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Oh, the bliss of sinking my teeth into a warm, chewy chocolate chip cookie!
I love to collect recipes. Folks are often willing to share, but every now and then, someone answers, “It’s my grandmother’s secret recipe.”
Some secrets are made for sharing, and the secret ingredients of contentment are blessings to spice up a life well lived.
Personally, I would love to simply order contentment like a favorite dessert. I state my order, and presto…a friendly waiter serves contentment, along with a tasty side of joy. With each bite, I unfold the warmth of contentment, letting go of all the concerns that stir up disappointment or restlessness in my ever-wanting heart.
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Somedays I don’t feel very lovable.
Truthfully, most days I don’t feel very lovable.
I look at my failures and weaknesses . . . my foolish emotions and misunderstandings, my lack of patience and persistent procrastination just to name a few.
I’m a mess. You too?
Then join me for a few moments and look at several quotes and Bible verses that will remind us that it’s not about us. It’s about Him. It’s always about Him. God’s grace and mercy in and through Jesus giving us new life and a hope that will last forever.
Grace is love that cares and stoops and rescues.
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Today is my birthday and I’m 46. It’s one of those times in life when you look in the mirror and ask yourself questions.
Because I recently had lunch with a beautiful older woman who told me she couldn’t recommend the facelift and laser treatment she’d had (which she said felt like a blow torch on her face), I’m not considering a facelift.
Is Your Faith Sagging?
I have been considering how to repair my sagging faith. Like aging skin, faith can lose its strength so gradually that you don’t even notice. It isn’t that I’ve neglected my faith routine any more than I’ve neglected my skin care.
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