Changing Seasons

As I sit on my sofa, looking through the east facing windows of my home toward the lake, I see new life joyfully springing forth.  The skies are bluer, the temperatures warmer, the grass is greening and the birds seem very happy!  This change seems so out of place given that just a week ago we experienced a winter storm that ended with heavy ice clothed tree branches that snapped and crashed down all over our property.

Seasons are that way.  They sneak up on us, don't they?  One day it is so cold you cannot steal enough courage to walk outdoors, knowing the north wind will painfully punish any skin that happens to be left uncovered.  And, the next, you look out and see new populations of birds at the feeder, and leaf buds forming all over the still bare tree limbs that reach desperately toward the heavens as if looking for what they need to bring them back to life. 

Isn't this true of humans too?  As in nature, we pass through seasons of life and sometimes we can't know when the season will change. Just when we think we can take no more - no more stress, no more bad news, no more uncertainty - a friend comes along and throws us a life preserver in the form of an encouraging word, an offer of help, or simply an ear to listen with true concern.  Suddenly, the sky isn't as dark and our countenance begins to soften as the stress melts, even if only for a while.

Sometimes we are sailing along enjoying our summer without a care in the world - all is well.  The kids are healthy and happy, the finances are in order, the job is secure, and then it comes crashing down.  The season is suddenly changed to a cold, dreary, gloomy time that seems without hope or answers, or end.  The marriage you thought was rock solid is falling apart.  One of your kids is abusing drugs.  Your company is about to downsize.  You ask, "What happened?"

Life happened.

The seasons of life ebb and flow.  We're not privileged to live in uninterrupted summer (insert whichever season is your favorite here - mine happens to be summer) with our smiles, our tans and our icy lemonade. But, we are blessed to witness the beauty and joy of summers, and that helps us, and even prepares us, to endure the harsh times of winter. 

A deep and abiding relationship with Jesus Christ is the way we get through the seasons of life and maintain a joyous attitude.  When we carve time out of our lives during every season to build our relationship with our Savior, we find that in good times and bad we maintain joy.  We can face the sudden changes in life with a smile and with the assurance that in the end we will live in the beauty and the glory of perpetual summer.

What season are you in currently?  Are you desperately reaching for what will bring you back to life?  The Good News is you don't have to reach far, just grab His hand.  He's right beside you.

Be love and be blessed,

Make New Friends, But Keep the Old

Today will be a new beginning of a wonderful love affair.  Today, we become new parents to a Labrador Retriever puppy whom we've named Riley.  It is an incredibly exciting day, as we have looked forward to having her for quite a while now.

But, the day is also a little bittersweet because even a new, precious puppy can't replace our beloved Katy.  And, that is the way it should be, isn't it?  My heart still aches sometimes when I think of her and wish she was still beside me.  She will hold a permanent place of honor and love in my heart and mind. 

Riley will be loved just as Katy was and is, not as a replacement, but as a new unique member of our family.  My prayer is that Miss Riley will live up to the standard of intelligence, companionship, kindness and unconditional love set by my sweet Katy girl.

Katy, watch over this new girl and help us remember how to teach her to be not just a good dog, but an exceptional friend, as you were. 

 

 

Be love and be blessed,

 



Oh My - I Went On A Shopping Spree!!

The very few people who read my blog know that I've challenged myself to a year of non-consumerism, of frugal living, of being grateful and focused on all that I have instead of wanting and buying more.
 
Now, before you get judgmental about the title of this blog, let me explain myself.  I've done quite well since January with my pledge to not buy new.  There have been some exceptions, particularly when it comes to my grandson, but I put him on the "does not count if I buy him any amount of clothes or toys" list before I ever agreed to this endeavor.  Though I'm proud to say that I mostly buy his clothes at baby consignment sales.
 
Back to my confession of my tremendous, excellent, stupendous, amazing shopping spree, the likes of which I've never experienced in my life!  You ladies who like to shop will just laugh and think I'm loony, but I really HATE shopping.  Yet, this was the most fun I've ever had shopping for clothes.  The good news is......

I DIDN'T BREAK MY PLEDGE!!

My closet really has become sparse when I discount all the shirts with holes in them and the clothes that don't fit anymore.  It was time.  I had to get some new duds.

Thank God for a wonderful resale clothing store in Tyler where I spent 4 hours shopping (folks I've NEVER spent 4 hours shopping for clothes) and tried on at least 100 pieces of clothing!  To my surprise, absent was the pressure I would've normally felt shopping at Macy's to find the perfect ensemble at a price that didn't give me buyer's remorse.

It was also surprising to me how I felt a new sense of freedom and adventure in choosing what I liked.  When a name brand skirt is $6 or $8, you can venture out and try a style that is a little different than what you would normally do, with no guilt.

I left the store with 17 gently used pieces of clothing, including one pair of dress shoes that looked like they had never been worn, spent about $170 before tax, and felt like a million bucks! 

Now, I have 2 dilemmas. 

The first is when I'm going to wear each of my new items!  And, the second is will I ever go back to the old way of living and consuming?  I feel so much better shopping this way where I save my family money, reuse items that are still wonderful and viable, and feel like I'm being a much better steward of all that God has given me. 

It's something to think about.....

Be love and be blessed,