Category: Life is Good (mind)

  • DREAM Big!

    My husband and I did some after-Christmas shopping. While browsing the shelves for bargains, we purchased hand towel with the words: DREAM written across the bottom edge. Above the lettering appeared a spray of green leaves and red berries with a gold thread running throughout.     DREAM (Copy)

    I didn’t pay a lot of attention to a possible meaning behind the word on the towel until several days later after the excitement of the holidays passed. This morning I picked up the towel and realized just how inspiring this towel could be for my writing in 2014.

    I recently read a piece from Jeff Groins, How to Get Ahead During the Holiday Season (or anytime of year). He includes several tips about how to get ahead and stay motivated.

    “Successful people aren’t successful because they’re like everyone else. They are successful because they’re weird. Because they do what others are afraid or unwilling to do.”

    I began to ask myself questions while thinking about Jeff’s article. Am I that type of person? Am I willing to do what no one else will? Willing to be classified as weird?

    If I am willing, I must learn focus, stamina, and balance. Only the smart ones will finish. Will I finish that book I’ve started? Query an editor about an article burning deep within? Jeff goes on to say, “I must put pain from my mind. And on the last day … you alone will be friendly with the dark.”

    My desire is to “break out of the constant feeling of being left behind. Work harder; show up more often; and eventually, you will prevail. It’s not easy. It will require sacrifice. But it will also lead to victory.”

    So Dream Big—I plan to dream so big others will look sideways at me concerned. Concerned that I possibly might have bit off more than I can chew. That is just fine. Because when I bite off more than I can humanly handle, that’s when God’s miraculous powers come into play. And into view for all to see, marvel, and glorify His holy name!

    What are you willing to do to break out of the norm? Will it be staying up an extra hour to put the finishing touches on a manuscript? Or, maybe sequestering yourself away from the TV room and spending an extra 45 minutes in front of a computer, or reading and doing research for your project.

    What goals or new patterns do you want to put into practice in 2014? Here are a few suggestions to get your thinking cap spinning:

    • Get up early to write
    • Less TV; less Candy Crush, Lucky Slots, etc.; more real writing
    • Exercise consistently (not just when the clothes don’t fit like they used to fit)
    • Read the Bible through in a year

    Dear God, as I look at my new, unspoiled 2014 calendar, my desire is for a new me too. You’ve taught me much in 2013. I have grown, but there’s so much more internal growing to be done. This new me—I want to look more like You and less like the old me. Thank you for what You are about to accomplish in my life, my goals, and talents. The goals and talents You so graciously gifted me before the beginning of time. Amen.

     

  • Feeling cowardly or courageous?

    How do you handle bad news? Or news that could potentially be negative? Do you fuss and fume for days on end like I am inclined to do?

    I’m programmed to ask my family and friends for prayer. Even that took years to sink in that more prayers equal more power. But I’m sometimes negligent to go to my heavenly Father immediately. I tend to over-analyze the situation looking at all the possible human angles. If the result of that situation is ____, then what about ____? This could happen and if that happens, then such and such could result.

    As a child, I learned the verse “Cast all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” I didn’t forget the verse, but I don’t always put the verse into practice in my own life when worries knock at my door.

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—Joshua 1:9.

    Dear Heavenly Father, I want to be strong and courageous. But sometimes I more closely resemble a coward. Teach me to lean on You. I need to believe and trust that You have my best interests in mind. Help me to live my life in such a way that others see I am not afraid of whatever comes my way. I want to rejoice in You during the good and the bad times. With You by my side, nothing is impossible. Amen. 

    What circumstance in your life today causes you grief or stress?

  • Beauty and Majesty on Mackinac Island

    I just returned from a dream-come-true mini vacation. Three days on Mackinac Island, located in the State of Michigan between the states’s upper and Lower Peninsula.

    The island is a national historic landmark and a motor-free environment since 1898. Only walkers, bicycles, and horses are permitted. The experience is truly stepping back in time. To top it all off, the 3.8 square miles in land (eight miles in circumference), the island is totally surrounded by water accessible only by boat or airplane. In the winter, snowmobiles are allowed if Lake Huron is frozen. More than 80% of the island remains preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.     purple flowers on Mackinaw Island (Copy)

    Whenever I visit the Island, it’s a brand-new experience for me. Riding the ferry over, I still marvel at the majestic landscape, hotels, and homes as we approach the dock. The distinct smell of horses hits my nose first. Followed by sweet smells of fudge, candy, and popcorn. Clothing and trinket shops abound.

    It’s only natural for me to get caught up in the pursuit of finding just the right souvenir. Will it be a shirt, hat, jacket or other item? Would this fit my grandchild? Or, so & so would love this!

    I see this/that and I either say out loud or to myself, Liberty, Elijah, and Ezekiel would have fun riding on a horse-drawn carriage. My daughter, sister, and nieces would love shopping in this jewelry or clothing shop. Look at those beautiful flowers — wouldn’t my Mom love to see those? And, she’d known exactly what they are called.  

    But there’s always a problem. Actually two problems.

    1. I want to bring back some token of the trip for everyone I know! And it’s difficult to know where to draw the line.
    2. I also would like family members and my friends to be there with me. Is that crazy or what?

    Whenever I see beauty or experience something unique or out-of-the-ordinary, this is where my mind goes. If only given enough time and money.

    Am I odd to wish my loved ones were there with me? Does anyone else ever think like this?

    Mackinaw Island Marina
    Mackinaw Island Marina

  • Come away with me

    “See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth, the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land. The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. Arise, come, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me” — Song of Songs 2:11-13.     tomatoes on the vine v2 (Copy)

    In the book of Song of Songs, King Solomon writes of love & carefree days. He speaks of courtship & consummation of love between a man and a woman.

    This type of pleasure can also be carried over into our relationship with God. God longs for my companionship. He eagerly awaits me to quiet my body and mind. To still my thoughts & drink in His presence, love, and wisdom. He woos me away from the cares of today. Coaxes me to focus on Him; not on my problems or circumstances.

    When life calls me away from contemplation and into disorder, confusion, and strife — I push God further and further from the center of my life. The center of my soul.

    Chaos, fear, doubt, depression, and health problems are symptomatic results.

    I’m sure your days are filled to the brim … just like mine. I feel there is little time to pause, read scripture, and pray. Or maybe it’s that I’m not allowing for that time in my life. When there’s much to do, that’s the day, I need to spend more time on my knees.

    How about you? Did you steal away for some God-time yet?

     

  • Chosen by the Master Gardener

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener … I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” — John 15:1, 5.    tomatoes on the vine (Copy)

    The Master Gardener is at work in my life, my actions, and the words that appear on paper. The amount and quality of fruit is in direct correlation to how heavily I lean on the Gardener.

    Much leaning, trust, obedience = much quality product.

    Do you have days where you feel like you’re just going through the motions? Every task feels labor-intense. I cross off two items on my to-do list and add three more. If I go throughout the day in my own strength, my energy wanes before the day is half over. Words and stories spiral around in my head. But if those words do not reach my paper or computer, no one benefits.

    Step back a few steps. Reflect on yesterday … on last week. Can you see a positive pattern in your life when you leaned into the Master Gardener’s plan?    banana peppers on the vine (Copy)

    “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” — John 15:16.

  • Do you think you can?

    Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ford in his first car
    Mr. & Mrs. Henry Ford in his first car

    “There are two kinds of people in the world, those who think they can and those who think they can’t. And both are right.” — Henry Ford

     Which kind of person are you?

  • Smaller tasks … less grumbling

    baby tomato close up (Copy)

    There it was. My very first baby tomato. I felt almost as if I’d birthed the vegetable myself. Of course, I didn’t. I just planted it and watered it. And God watered it for me too. I saw other yellow flowers which meant more tomatoes grew on the horizon.

    baby tomato (Copy)

     

     

     

     

    I was not always a garden girl. No, when we owned almost an acre of land, I rarely planted anything worthy of eating. The land seemed too vast for me, so I didn’t even tackle the ground. In fact, you could probably hear me grumbling about the magnitude of weeds and yard to maintain.

    But now, with just a deck and a few deck planters, the task seemed manageable. I am even excited to be the caretaker (along with my husband) of a two tomato plants, one banana pepper, cilantro, mint, dill weed, sage, rosemary, and lettuce growing from seeds.

    Maybe that’s the key to starting any formidable project. Breaking the tasks down into smaller, more manageable sections. Maybe then forward motion can be maintained and I won’t feel overwhelmed and defeated before I begin.

    It won’t be long now when I’ll be able to walk out on the deck and pluck some fresh lettuce for an evening garden salad.  I can almost taste the freshness!

    lettuce from seed (Copy)

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  • Cause to Rejoice

    Mother's Day Knockout Rose
    Mother’s Day Knockout Rose

    “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing” – Zephaniah 3:17.

     

  • Water your own grass

    “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” —
    1 Thessalonians 5:18.

    “I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving” — Jesus Calling.

    Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.   image002 (Copy)

    The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more published magazine articles than I do.

    Instead, I need to be thankful for:

    • Sufficient food on the table
    • Employment opportunity
    • Children & Grandchildren alive & well
    • The gift of writing
    • My own platform to proclaim my story

    I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

    Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like.

    “You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.

     

  • Be thankful along the way

    “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” –
    1 Thessalonians 5:18.

    I am calling you to a life of thankfulness. I want all your moments to be punctuated with thanksgiving –  (Jesus Calling).    Be thankful along the way (Copy)

    Unfortunately, there are many examples where I failed to thank God for all my blessings. I find myself complaining about petty items.

    The weather is too hot or too cold. We need more rain or there’s been too much rain. This meat is too spicy or too bland. They get more time off to do what they want to do. Or, their grandchildren live close by and mine don’t. She’s further ahead in her writing career, or he has more accepted magazine articles than I do.

    Instead, I need to be thankful for:
    * Sufficient food on the table
    *  Employment opportunity
    *  Grandchildren alive & well
    *  The gift of writing
    *  My own platform to proclaim my story

    I am right where God intended me to be. He placed me in this family for a reason(s).

    Dear God, forgive me for daydreaming and wondering what the grass on the other side might be like. 

    “You may think the grass is greener on the other side. But if you take the time to water your own grass, it would be just as green” – unknown.