Winter’s Work

Winter’s work is about what happens during the cold months before the rebirth that comes in Spring, and the work God is also doing inside of me.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be thy glory both now and forever! Amen. 

2 Peter 3:18

I love when spring shows up in the dead of winter. It was one of those 60 degree days in February.  My windows opened to usher in the fresh air, the smell of spring and the hint of new beginnings thick on the breeze. My soul needed this winter reprieve, and my heart was full of hope and possibilities.  I had a busy day; but just before dinner, I asked my daughter to join me for a walk. I couldn’t let that day go by without spending time outdoors.

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First and Third Wednesdays

I joined Bible study and worried I wouldn’t fit in. I was intimidated by all these women who had it all figured out. Then, through sharing, I learned that what they had was God’s peace. In time, with their help, I found that too.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

My pastor’s wife invited me to join the Wednesday evening Women’s Bible Study soon after I began attending my church. I was very busy at the time. I was a wife and mother, overwhelmed with running two child care centers and taking care of my family. I recently finished treatment for stage 2 breast cancer, and was putting my life back together after chemo, surgery, and radiation. My priorities changed with my diagnosis, and I worked to get my life in balance. I cleared my overbooked schedule, and tried to focus on what mattered. I was ashamed to say that at first, I hesitated about joining the group.

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I Find Peace in the Open Spaces

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Psalm 29:11

 

The last day of 2018.  New Year’s Eve.

I put away the Christmas decorations yesterday. In the past, I was always sad when the trees were gone, the garland was removed from the staircase, and the Christmas decor was put back in boxes.

This year was different.

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…But Now I’m Seen

Do you ever feel invisible?
Do you feel like no one sees all you do?
Know that God sees you, even when the world does not.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)

My kitchen garbage can is one of the most overlooked things in my home. It does its job; collecting all the extra, all the unnecessary, all the stuff nobody wants. Day in and day out, filled to the top, and then to overflowing. As its contents reach the top of the can, family members will cram more in, pushing down the waste to fit more inside. For some reason, emptying the garbage can and relieving its load is not something my family thinks to do.  

Don’t worry, family … I got it!

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In the Sharing, I Find Healing

LifeConfetti is not just a hobby.
It is a way to share my heart.
And in sharing, I find healing.

I love the fall season!

I had a great time putting together October and November’s LifeConfetti bags; and I embraced fall themes for the contents of the bags as well as in the presentation. You know the LifeConfetti bags have to be pretty, right?

Seriously, a lot of love goes into these bags every month.

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Lessons from the Porch Swing

I was 14 when Grandma passed away on that summer day in late August. We spent a few days at my grandparents house, and just got home when my Grandpap called. We assumed he called to make sure we got home safely. I remembered standing in the kitchen, looking at my Mom, as she heard the news. She told me what happened. I couldn’t believe it.

My Grandma was sitting on the porch swing when we left just a couple hours earlier. I realized I forgot my sunglasses and we were just streets away, so my Mom turned around to go back. She parked in the driveway, while I ran up to the house.

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Unraveled…

I still had the rainbow patchwork blanket Mom crocheted me that covered my bed as a teenager, but my favorite blanket is a pink one Mom made when I had cancer the first time.  I took that blanket with me to every chemo treatment and wrapped myself in her love. Over the years, she crocheted blankets for my kids, family members, friends, and even strangers donating her creative gifts and her time for charitable organizations.  I was not sure what it was about those blankets, but they were ‘magical’.

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