Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Fog Lifts

This time of year the daffodils and dogwoods begin to bloom, dotting the grayness of late winter with brilliant color.  The earth stirs from its winter slumber and new life is evident in the plant world as well as in the animal kingdom.  Just the other day I noticed a pasture with baby calves leaping around and enjoying the beautiful sunlit day.

My mind turns back a few years -- three to be exact -- when my late husband and I spent a whole day looking for bluebonnets in Texas.  We found the purplish blue flowers in fields that stretched as far as the eye could see.  A truly amazing and spectacular sight indeed!  I am very thankful for that spring day because of the memories we made looking at the Creator's handiwork.



But this year there is another stirring in my heart as the Lenten season progresses toward the Cross. There has been a renewing within that has been for several years buried in a deep "widow's fog." The renewing has come through scripture, through events, through devotionals and through self-examination.  God has impressed on me that clinging to the past -- the way things once were -- is not His way of doing things.  God is always pushing us forward -- toward eternity.

Does that mean we are to forget the past and our loved ones who once existed in this life?  No.  Their memories are to be treasured because they are precious and because they are part of who we are.  Yet to make the past an object of worship is impeding forward progress.

Therefore, it's time for me to unload the baggage, quit holding on to things past, empty the closets and cupboards of unnecessary ideas and objects, and get back to living life to the fullest -- which, for me, means living the way God directs me to -- always giving Him praise and honor in everything I do.  There is no other way I want to live -- simply for God!


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Where Does the Time Go?

My life in the past few years has taken me on an unplanned, and in many ways unwanted, journey.
Here's just a brief synopsis of my life since 2011:

  • Started a new job in Texas in 2011
  • Was at the birth of my granddaughter in January 2012
  • Found out that my husband had pancreatic cancer in March 2012
  • My daughter-in-law suffered a major stroke in April 2012 and was then diagnosed with Stage 4 choriocarcinoma in May 2012 (She has recovered, thank God!)
  • My mother-in-law suffered a major stroke in June 2013
  • My husband passed away in July 2013
  • I moved to a different state and bought a house in September 2013
  • Started another new job in January 2014 at a local church
  • The church was all but demolished in a tornado in April 2014 and I had to work out of my home for several months.
  • My mother-in-law passed away in January 2015
  • Two of my sons who lived close to me moved in 2015 and early 2016
No wonder I'm tired!!

The only thing that "got me through" these past few tumultuous years is the never-ending love, comfort and provision of God.  He has picked me up when I was down, toted me when I couldn't take another step, comforted me gently, guided me in making the right decisions  and provided in ways that I had never even imagined.  All thanks and praise go to Him!

As my life begins to settle into a somewhat normal routine, my intentions are to get back into sewing, quilting and crafting that I simply until now had no energy to do.  And, of course, to start blogging again.

Here's to a calmer life!
Rhonda