Take Your Burdens to the Lord ~ What A Privilege

I woke early this morning, just as the day broke. My heart was heavy with the burdens of family and friends, so I slipped quietly from the bedroom and down the hall.

Normally, I would have stopped in the kitchen and put on pot of coffee to brew, but not this morning. Instead, I went straight to the place where I knew I would find relief—my little place of prayer.

As I sank to my knees, tears were already spilling over, names were being called, needs were being named. Big needs. Grave needs. Serious needs. Physical needs. Financial needs. Emotional needs.

The Bible says that God’s ways are past finding out. We don’t know how He works, nor how things will end. But we do know He will walk with us. We do know He can work miracles. And He longs for us to ask, to come confidently before His throne. It is His good pleasure to give His children good gifts. That's what His Word says.

So I laid it all out there, making my requests known. And within minutes of pouring my heart out in prayer, there came a relief, that sweet relief that always comes whenever we take our burdens to the Lord.

God never meant for us to carry our burdens alone, and I believe His heart is grieved whenever we attempt it. As the old hymn goes, “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear. What  a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.” These words were penned by Joseph Scriven in 1857, and they’re just as true today as then.

Whatever you’re facing today—be it serious illness, abandonment, financial ruin, the unknown, betrayal—I leave you with this passage from my daily devotional. There is no title, and the credit line is simply L. S. P., but the words are rich and powerful, worth framing for future reference:

My peace I give in times of deepest grief,
Imparting calm and trust and My relief.

My peace I give when prayer seems lost, unheard;
Know that My promises are ever in My Word.

My peace I give when thou art left alone—
The nightingale at night has the sweetest tone.

My peace I give in time of utter loss,
The way of glory leads right to the cross.

My peace I give when enemies will blame,
They fellowship is sweet through cruel shame.

My peace I give in agony and sweat,
For mine own brow with bloody drops was wet.

My peace I give when nearest friend betrays—
Peace that is merged in love, and for them prays.

My peace I give when there’s but death for thee—
The gateway is the cross to get to Me.

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Monday Musings and Father's Day Weekend

There are things and circumstances that we can’t ever change, no matter how much gnashing of teeth we may do. That’s the cold truth of the matter. And, if we aren’t careful, we will let what’s wrong in our lives overtake what’s right in our lives, causing us to miss the good times, and leaving us in a perpetual state of disappointment.

I’m not sure why I just blurted that out, but I did and, perhaps, you have the same feelings on occasion. We are, after all, fellow-travelers on this road called life, experiencing joys and sorrows, ups and downs, heartaches and highs. And it’s good to know that we share things in common—both good and bad. There’s no greater feeling than having someone to lean on in the hard times, and someone to applaud us whenever things are going well.

But enough of the serious stuff. I’m going to share some images from the weekend of everything that is good in my life. Not just good, but exceedingly good.

Father’s Day weekend—what a blessing all around. First, to have my dear father still with me and doing so well, following his horrific accident in November, is such a miracle and a blessing. The Man and I, along with sugar plum, drove over for a visit and to take him out to eat. He’d been hungry for a good steak, so we took him to Saltgrass—one of our favorite places for steak. I love the photo of Daddy yawning, and sugar plum with her mouth wide open.

After a sweet time together, back at the house, we captured some moments together on the porch before heading home again. What a joyous sight, the both of them waving to us as we drove away. And would you look at that yard! 

Yep, dear old Daddy is back to doing his yard, and back to walking around the little track close to his home, as we prayed he would. He’s not up to a mile yet, but little by little he's making progress. As the song goes, "To God be the glory, for the things He has done."

Sunday found our precious daughter and step-grandson enjoying the day with The Man. I fixed a meal of home-grown vegetables, with sausage and chicken on the grill. Although she is all grown up now, The Man loves his little girl so very much. She will always be the apple of his eye. A blessed day it was.

No matter how your weekend went, here's wishing you a week of pure beauty and goodness. Thanks for keeping me company here. It means a whole lot.

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Linking with Mary at Little Red House

Summer Bedding ~ Grandmother's Chenille Bedspread

On sticky, summer nights, after baths and showers are done, how refreshing it is to fall into a bed that is cool and light. My grandmother’s yellow, chenille bedspread, along with some crisp, white linens, make a perfect pair for my guest bedroom.

What sweet comfort in the hot summertime.

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Linking up with the lovely Claudia for

A Favorite Thing

S-U-M-M-E-R ~ It's in full-swing in Southeast Texas

I'm a girl who doesn't care much for change, so when the seasons roll around every year, I tend to haul the same four boxes from the attic. 

I don't know what it is about the passing of time that makes me less likely to want new things. I seem to grow fonder of my collections with each year that goes by. Maybe it's the predictability of flinging opening boxes and seeing familiar faces. That's me and The Man in the photo on the mantel, in the early 80's, on the sands of Destin, Florida, back before it was discovered. It remains one of our favorite beaches.

So, in usual fashion, I didn't change things up much for summer, but I did replace the large sailboat that I used to put in front of the fireplace with a Boston fern. The sailboat will probably find a place in my booth, as I'm tired of keeping it propped up. (I couldn't bring myself to wake the sleeping dog, and he's too cute to crop out.)

I also made a paper bunting banner for the mantel. It's nothing special, and was done on a whim, but I'm pleased with how it turned out.

I free-handed the word "summer" on the pennants. Using a hole-punch, I threaded twine through the holes for hanging. Super simple. Super easy. Just my style.

Each summer, it's always a pleasure adding to my growing collection of seashells. This is but a small sampling. These were gathered during our travels over the course of our long marriage. From coast-to-coast, we have shells.

Here I am in 2009, scouring the Cape Cod coastline. The pickings were slim that summer.

I turned this starfish candle-holder into a stand for my lantern. That way, we have both candle and safety and it burns a lot slower inside the lantern.

Of course, how can you think of summer without thinking of America's favorite pastime? This was The Man's  baseball glove back when he was a wee thing. 

So, how's summer shaping up at your place?

We've been sweating it out in the mid-90's daily.

Have mercy!

Thank the Lord for air-conditioning.

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Linking up with:

Pamela for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Richella for Grace at Home

Kate for Flaunt it Friday
Courtney for Feathered Nest Friday

A Quiet Mind ~ Scenes from A Blessed Life

Even though I’m retired, I occasionally cram too much busyness into my life. It seems to run in cycles. I do well for a few months—taking my sweet time, engaging in simple activities, pushing distractions away as quickly as they appear. And then the cycle breaks and there I am again, frantically rushing here and there, doing and going, or just thinking too hard about the things I need to do that aren’t getting done. That activity alone can quickly send me a half-mile down Loony Lane.

After returning from our extended trip, I noticed I was crossing the line into the frantic pace again, so the last few days have found me making a conscious effort to not let things get out of control. In the middle of all the noise, I’m deliberately finding the quiet, seeing the simple, breathing a prayer, savoring the moment.

Life is a fragile mystery, waiting to be unwrapped and unfolded. And it’s been my experience that nothing good comes from hurrying the process. A rose cannot be rushed to bloom, but each stage has its own rhythm, slow and easy.

Days of contentment are often those spent in the slow lane, filled with simple things:

• Early morning coffee outdoors. 
• A stroll through the neighborhood. 
• Gathering flowers in the afternoon. 
• The hum of the washer and dryer in the evenings, then folding warm laundry into neat piles.

All of these activities quiet my mind, but I have to be careful not to allow distractions. That is the secret.

Until next time, sweet friends, I’m reminded of the words of Socrates: “Beware the barrenness of a busy life.” May you find the quiet in your days.

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Linking up with 
Elaine for Sunny Simple Mondays
Mary for Mosaic Monday

Room-Divider Transformed

When I found this room-divider at a local thrift shop, I snatched it right up, not having a clue what I would do with it, but knowing it would probably end up in my booth at the antique mall. (This is a photo of one almost identical, as I failed to get a “before” pic. I’m handy like that.)

Since my booth doesn’t have side walls, my first instinct was to use it mainly as a “wall,” sort of hiding the neighboring booths. But the more I looked at it, the more I wanted to get a little creative with it (and it would have to be a little creative, as I don’t have big creative genes) and attempt to sell it.

As I mentioned, I tend to forget the “before” pics. I’m also handy in forgetting the step-by-step pics, as the mega bloggers do so well, but I’m really good at words, so, in a nutshell, here’s what I did.

I did away with the glass panes, as one was missing. I set aside the mats to reuse, then, using a satin finish ivory spray-paint, I gave the divider several coats—probably three in all, letting dry completely between coats. I didn’t do any priming to this piece.

For the frames, I measured the mats and cut scrapbook paper to fit, then placed them in no particular fashion.

And there you have it! Isn't she lovely?

The transformed room-divider is now waiting to be adopted by a special family. I think it would make a great addition to a girl’s room, or, if you’re lucky enough to have large bathrooms, even as a bathroom accent.

Linking up with:
Kate for Flaunt it Friday
Diann for Thrifty Friday
Miss Mustard Seed for Furniture Feature Friday
Eileen for Pink Designs for Creative Weekends
Goedele for Crafty Country Cottage

Back to the Best Place on Earth ~ Home

The travelers are home safe and sound. There's no place on earth I'd rather be. 

Much needs to be done, on every front—outdoors, indoors, the unloading, the rearranging, the cleaning, not to mention the refreshing of my new adventure at the antique mall, which brings me to say I was happy to check my sales every night while on the road, and each time a sale was recorded, I let out a little whoop. I didn't take a photo, but my little CRV (lovingly called Goldilocks) was packed to the gills on the way home, bearing "new" treasures for my little booth, and now I have to price it all.

So, as you can see, I'm going to be a busy girl this week, Lord willing and the creeks don't rise. I may be scarce in blogland, but it's all good, and we have flowers in the kitchen. My blue plumbago was a mess when we got home, as was/is the rest of the yard, so I had to do some harsh pruning. The results—beauty in the window!

Until next time, dear friends, here's wishing you a blessed Memorial Day, and may we never forget what it means to us all.

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A Full Heart, A Full Moon

Our time at the seashore is coming to an end. The days have been filled with quiet conversations and the warmth of May’s sunshine.

Not a day goes by that I don’t stop and offer thanks to God—the One who makes life possible—for His unmerited favor to me. There are no guarantees that tomorrow won’t bring heartache and trouble, because life can be that way. But no matter what tomorrow might bring, I don’t let that keep me from being happy today. To live in fear of losing what you have—whether it’s your health, a lifestyle, a person, a position—is to wither a little each day, and that’s no way to live. Jesus said, "In this life, you will have trouble." But fearing the trouble that might come tomorrow doesn’t keep trouble from coming; it only makes today untenable.

Last night, just before dinner, The Man and I took a stroll along the white, sandy beaches of Perdido Key. To the west, the sun was setting; to the east, a full moon rising. And ahead, time and space stretched out like welcoming arms.

As the moon rose steadily over the Gulf, I snapped not one, not two, but two dozen pictures of one of my favorite sights in the world. And as I stared in awe at the wonder of it all, this thought swept through me: Whatever you’re facing in life, if your trust is in the Lord—the Lord who made heaven and earth—you’re in good hands, dear friend. You're in good hands. 

I just felt like sharing that wonderful truth. Sometimes I need reminding. Maybe you do, too.

Until next time, kindred spirits, may your weekend be filled with all the things that make you happy.

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In Other News ~ On the Writing Front

We interrupt this unsteady stream of postcards for a bit of other news.

Awhile back, I blogged about twin sister and I ending up in the same Chicken Soup title, having no idea that the other one had submitted a story. This book is for writers of all sorts, so that made it extra special.

The folks at Chicken Soup were intrigued by the novelty of having identical twin contributors in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Inspiration for Writers and decided to do a feature about it in their contributor’s communiqué for the month of May.

They asked for a photo of us together with the book, so off we went to comply. As you can see, we attempted to do Texas proud and donned our cowboy/cowgirl hats for the photo shoot. We’re wearing boots, too, for the record.

Anyway, these books were released in stores nationwide yesterday and contain some great inspirational stories for writers and for those who want to write. You can also order online, of course.

And speaking of writing, I was deeply honored and humbled (putting it mildly) to receive my second Amy Writing Award a few weeks ago, this time for my work in the Beaumont Enterprise. 

If you aren’t familiar with The Amy Foundation, it is a wonderful organization that recognizes Christian writing in secular publications. Any organization that gives out cash prizes, annually, to writers who present biblical truths, reinforced with Scripture, in a secular publication has my vote. Again, I am so humbled and honored (speechless is more like it) to be one of 15 writers rewarded in this way for the year 2012. To God be the glory! For a list of winners, you can visit the foundation's website.

Until next time, dear friends, stay tuned for a Chicken Soup book giveaway coming soon, both here and on twin sister's blog. Woo-Hoo! 

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Before we go ... the ocean called

Before turning Cloud Nine toward home, the ramblers rambled on down to the beautiful Perdido Key area for a few days. We came here with our daughter about 13 years ago, so lots of memories.

 

Truth is I’ve been homesick for awhile now (concerned about this and that and the other, and missing people), but I’ve hung in there and I’m glad I did.

 

There’s nothing quite like the sounds and sights of the ocean to calm the mind and refresh the spirit. The sea brings with it a steadfastness that can be counted on, just like the faithfulness of its Creator. It’s one of those eternal truths. No matter what month, what day, what year you travel to the ocean, you know it will be there, pounding, crashing, emptying its bounty onto the shore. I’ve spent my life loving the beach, and I never leave it feeling quite the same.

 

As I write, the sun is sinking in an amber glow behind a band of pine trees, leaving the campground shady and still. The Man has two steaks sizzling on the grill and I can smell their goodness through the screened window. Later, there'll be coffee and a slice of key lime pie (being reasonable can come later), and, who knows? If I get inspired I may just scrapbook my way into the night; I'm only a year behind.

 

Until next time, dear friends, my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Moore, Oklahoma, as I'm sure yours are. I have wept while watching the devastation that goes beyond comprehension. I'm praying for God's comfort and strength to lift up those whose lives have been wrecked, and for those who are offering time and energy to bring recovery and restoration.

 

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