A Prism Promise

                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

 Look thou with pity on a brother's fall,

But dwell not with stern anger on his fault;
The grace of God alone holds thee, holds all;
Were that withdrawn, thou too wouldst swerve and halt.
J. EDMESTON.

The morning started out in a rush as usual. I slept in more than I wanted to and now I was running a bit late. Running down the stairs, I stopped midway to admire all the tiny prisms scattered upon the walls and stairs. The Sun was rising and streaming through the glass stained door creating these beautiful tiny promises of God. 

A memory flashed before me from one year ago. We were moving in and I could feel the excitement, the gratitude of being here. I remember it so well, that emotion of having finally made it, a dream come true. 

It has been wonderful living here as if we have done so all of our lives. Yet, it would be immature and unrealistic to say there weren't any upsets. Life is life, affecting us in both negative and positive ways. 

Sometimes we need reminders to how much we are loved! We tend to forget all the wonderful moments we have experienced and we tend to focus on all the wrong things going on in our lives. That prism, that tiny promise, of all the blessings I have experienced along the way. Don't let me forget. Thank you Jesus for all that you do for me.

Have a blessed day everyone. 

A Divine Appointment

 

                              Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey. 

On the great love of God I lean,

Love of the Infinite, Unseen,
With nought of heaven or earth between.
This God is mine, and I am His;
His love is all I need of bliss.
H. BONAR

People often ask me about the start of my Ministry. They have so many questions, but little do they know, I never planned on leading a crocheting Ministry. It just happened. Honestly, my number one answer is always that it's not my Ministry, but God's. Let me tell you, everyone looks at me like I'm crazy whenever I say that. Yet, it's true.

Do you believe in a divine appointment?

A divine appointment is a special meeting, an unforeseen connection, a significant opportunity that God sets up in your day through His providential guidance. It is a situation when and where the Lord gives you a unique moment to share His love with others or be a blessing to someone. It is God breaking into your world to use you, encourage you or give you a key relationship link for the future.

Dale O'Shields.

Back in 2013, I had a divine appointment with God. He had a mission, a purpose for me to fulfill. There were a group of young women in our Church who wanted to learn how to crochet and they approached me for lessons. Little did I know that God would use that setting to place an idea in my head to form a Ministry in helping others through crochet.

I didn't know what I was doing. I was just heading out in whatever direction He set out for me. I would sit and crochet with these young women silently asking God what are we going to do with all these items? Then someone would approach me with a need somewhere for hats and scarves or blankets. It just grew and grew and grew.

Many young and senior ladies went through the Ministry. There were a few men as well, but wish to remain anonymous. A little embarrassed, I think, in looking not very masculine as they crocheted. 

The Ministry went through many changes as well. Some good, some not. It's very hard to believe that we will be celebrating eight years this coming August. I had a saying that we would continue on as long as God provided the yarn and He has. We had some lean years where I thought we might have to close the Ministry, but He provided just enough to finish strong every year. 

God truly has a purpose for all of us. I know, I know, that sounded a bit "churchy" and yet, it's true. I never planned this and yet it landed on my lap. One only has to open their heart, their ears and their eyes to what God has waiting for them. Not all of us are willing to do that. You don't want to miss your divine appointment. It might just change your life for the better. 

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Good Morning!

 

                            Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey. 

Oh, give Thy servant patience to be still,

And bear Thy will;
Courage to venture wholly on the arm
That will not harm;
The wisdom that will never let me stray
Out of my way;
The love, that, now afflicting, knoweth best
When I should rest.
J. M. NEALE.

Good morning! 

Ever have that rested feeling upon waking? The feeling that you slept peacefully and deeply? These kind of mornings are rare, aren't they? One must enjoy them when we can.

There is something about Summer that brings on many of these types of mornings. Is it the birds singing? The perfect temperatures in the predawn hours? Perhaps that glorious Sun providing that energizing vitamin that we so badly need?

Whatever it may be, we need more mornings such as these. Life has become so hectic and so very stressful. We cannot turn on the news or our phones without some negativity pouring out. There is always someone who has been offended by something. It is no longer proper to exercise self control or tact. One can say whatever one is feeling without any thought involved to the consequences. 

I have to watch myself very carefully not to get involved in any of that. I didn't move out of the city to participate in the negativity or the drama. Peace and happiness is vital to my well being. It should be to yours as well. We have a lot invested in how we deal with life. For every action there is a consequence, a reaction. Do you want that reaction to be a good one or a bad one? Life is a choice, so make sure you make the right one. 

I'm not trying to sound all preachy or as if I know it all, but I have made way too many of the wrong choices. Those days are gone! Nowadays, I think things through to death. Don't even try to rush me, lol. I want to enjoy the rest of my life however long that may be!

Have a blessed day everyone. 

Too Much

 

                             Everyday is a brand new day, everyday is a journey.

Sinful word, nor deed of wrong,

Nor thoughts that idly rove;
But simple truth be on our tongue,
And in our hearts be love.
ST. AMBROSE

I awakened to the sound of thunder and lightening. The heavens opened with a downpour that was deafening and explosive. Soon after, a loud boom echoed through the sky. Was that a transformer? Someone lost power somewhere, hopefully not us. 

The last few weeks seem to have gone by in a hurried and exhausting flash. Too much busyness. Too much of everything. Sometimes, we need some noise, some living water to cleanse away all of it leaving a fresh slate. Let's start over, just a little slower this time. Bring on the rain.

Do I sound tired? Oh, so true, my friend. I have this habit of biting off more than I can chew. I am so afraid of missing out on life that I fill up my plate. Sometimes, a bit too much.

I guess it didn't help that I just got my first vaccine dose and now I am totally exhausted, physically drained of any oompf! The solution? Nothing and I mean nothing, but relaxation for at least two days. I do have work tomorrow, but afterwards . . . that's a different story. 

People always end up being concerned for me whenever I mention any tiredness. There is no need to worry. I know my limits and take appropriate action to rectify it. When my body is exhausted, I will rest. My only regret is that I don't have enough time to do all I want to do. I need health insurance and that means I have to work. Right now, I am working the minimum required for health insurance, a mere 30 hours weekly. 

I can definitely see the differences in my body and the progression of tiredness after all the chemo treatments I have endured. Don't get me wrong. I am here, but my body has been put through the wringer to get here. I don't have the strength nor the endurance I once experienced and took for granted. It's even worse to see the look of surprise on everyone's face when I can't open a simple jar. What's wrong with her?

 People forget and people expect everything to go back to normal when one's treatment is over. Well, I have news for you. Things never go back to normal. We just adapt to what the new normal has become, whatever that may be. We can only take life one day at a time. That's all. So if you are tired, take a minute to rest. Whenever life becomes a way bit too much...... just rest.

Have a blessed day everyone.