On the Precipice of a New Year

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."    ~ Phillippians 4:11-13 NIV

I posted this picture of a winter sunset along with this Bible verse on my Facebook page, Hope to find. Want to know the story behind the photo? This verse and photo actually inspired this posting, so I wanted to share. 

It's true, the part about living with plenty and living with less. I have lived both, and learned how to make life work, with little or with much. It's what we do, isn't it? We make do. Or, as the DMB puts it, "We make the best of what's around". One of my favs, and true in its lyric. That's how we survive. 

Last year, this outdoor tree was our Christmas tree. We got it as a cast off. It was free to a good home on a neighborhood website -- someone had purchased it before realizing it wasn't the "right" tree. 

Picked up for free, I placed it in the only soft soil in the yard, the spot where the septic tank had been recently dug up for emergency pumping. Romantic story, right? Hilarious, but true, the trunk was plunged into the nearly frozen, newly turned soil, and I propped it up with rocks and decorated it with bright LED lights. 

You can see the result. 

Peaceful beauty. 

All for free.

It wasn't for lack of money that we chose to not put up an indoor tree. Truthfully, I have 2 big Ficus trees in my living room that are decorated for nearly every season, so I wasn't lacking for lights or ornaments inside. It was lack of holiday spirit, changes in holiday traditions, and life in general that made me realize this little tree was enough. It matched my spirit that season.

This year, we have made up for it with an 18' tree adorned with hundreds of lights and ornaments, beautifully decorated by many hands with care and fun! Certainly exemplifying plenty! It was a joy to bring this 23-year old tree into our home for the holidays.

Whoever took the picture cut off the top of the tree!

It had stood, year after year, while all the other trees around it were cut and hauled away. New transplants came in, but still it waited for its turn to be turned into a Christmas tree, all adorned in splendor and beauty. Now that it's our Christmas tree, I enjoy it every minute that I am home, turning on the lights early in the morning when it's still dark outside to enjoy the colorful glow.  

But nothing lasts forever. When it begins to drop more needles than I care to sweep up, this beauty will take its place, where all  of our former Christmas trees go: out in the yard as a shelter for birds during the winter months, sometimes getting sprinkled with bird seed treats. When the weather warms, it will ultimately become fuel for a summer bonfire, going out in a blaze of glory.

The Bible verse I quoted has been nagging me through my subconscious for days. When I looked it up today, I realized -- this verse is my life! I do know what it's like to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. 

Somehow, through God's grace, we make it through, no matter what the circumstance. Life isn't easy. This game of Life is not for sissies. But we can persevere. We can strive to be the best we can, regardless -- no despite, our circumstances. Defiantly, maybe. Strong willed, most definitely. And we never have to do it alone. Not for a minute. 

Reach out to the hand that is always there. He will gift you with strength. And you can gain hope, knowing that tomorrow will be a different day. 

Live on. Live well. We have only this one precious life to live. Here's to new beginnings! Happy New Year! Bring it on!

Summer Blues and Fall's Hues

When blue cornflowers and Queen Anne’s lace line the edges of country roadways, you know summer in the Midwest is coming to its end. As we grab hold of the last of our summer fun, cicadas can be heard buzzing their season-ending songs.

The bees seem more busy than usual, and you can sense a subtle shift in the life of the plants. The green canopy overhead rustles in the breeze, but there is a different feeling in the air, and afternoon skies seem nearer to the cobalt blue of autumn. Nights are much cooler, and heavy dews can cover lawn grasses until close to mid-day.

It seems everyone loves Autumn. Folks travel miles to see gorgeous views of the changing leaves. We’re lucky to live right in the middle of this beautiful fall spectacle, and we don’t have far to drive to see the hilly Kettle Moraine adorned in Autumn’s glory.

View from Observation Tower at Lapham Peak 

Lapham Peak is a beautiful State Park near my hometown, located in the ridge of the moraine left behind by ancient glaciers that forever affected topography here. 

Hiking the observation tower offers great views including area lakes, and if you time it right, you'll see beautiful fall colors, too.

Savor these late summer/early fall days. Bask in the quiet of a soft, golden afternoon, enjoying the lovely green canopies that have cooled us all through the heat of summer. They soon will display leaves in many hues, which will fall to the ground and ultimately become compost. 

That is Nature's way. While we glory in the colors of Fall, we know fully well what will come after months of splendor in the grass, and then the raking of the grass.

Winter, with all its fierceness and stark beauty, and its unbelievable persistence, will soon quiet the landscape into a long and hushed slumber; until once again the songbirds wake early to bring forth the sun in the early Spring.

Personally, I live by the seasons. Perhaps that’s why I returned to Wisconsin, as this cycle of life is born into my being. Do I wish that winters were shorter? Of course I do! As do many Wisconsinites. But having lived in warmer climates, I realize how fortunate we are to have such a relatively long summer season where we can celebrate being outside and sharing in nature’s beauty and bounty.

Breathe in. Draw deeply of the scents of summer, for they are quickly fading. Autumn has scents of her own, deeply satisfying and earthy. But nothing beats a nose full of soft, warm-from-the-sun flower petals, or tastes better than sun-warmed cherry tomatoes bursting in your mouth with sweet juiciness. 

Such is the character of summer. Bold, daring, and somewhat fleeting. Right now she is green in all her glory, but not for much longer. 

I recommend that you take a good, long breath and savor a peaceful moment under the shade of your favorite tree. As you gaze into its canopy, give thanks for the summer shade you have enjoyed. Tree hugging is highly recommended. Breathe deeply and feel the quiet peace that fills your spirit.  Life is good in nature. She is a healing balm for whatever ails you. ♡

Learning to Fly - Finding Hope Again

It has been a really difficult week. Our nation mourns together again for lost innocence. Friends and loved ones joined together for a night of fun, which turned into a bloodbath and terror. How can we cope with the myriad feelings of loss, great sadness, anger, frustration, uncertainty and fear?

Many are choosing to focus on the good side of humanity that emerged amid the carnage. Heroic efforts by so many to save the wounded; people risking their own lives for strangers. As these stories emerged, little drops of hope filled the chasm of pain we felt.

There is still good in the world.

I am forced to have CNN on in my office. For someone who rarely even watches the local news, this has been an adjustment. Every horrific act of mankind against mankind is emblazoned in large banners across the screen, whether I want to see it or not.

Over the last year that I've worked there, I cannot count how many times I have been brought to despair by this constant barrage of bad news as I try to do my job. My sensitive spirit becomes crushed with despair, and I mourn the loss of the peace we strive so hard to find.

Then, in steps the indomitable human spirit. We try to work through our grief, and we get on with the busyness of living. Gradually our intense sadness is replaced by an aching feeling of loss. Life really does go on, and we are committed to living again, trying to make sense of a senseless tragedy.

I fear we will become desensitized.

We have to move forward, so we do. We have to begin to fade the memories of the horror and devastation, or we will keep living in fear and desperation. We must find a way to keep living in hope. We need an anchor for our soul.

We pray for those affected, and we pray for a better world. We hold our loved ones close, and leave our petty grievances aside, at least for a few days. We strive for some normalcy, keeping our routines. And gradually, we begin to feel less anxious and more in control.

But where do we find hope?

I think that may be different for everyone. And I think the healing process is different for everyone, too.

We will never understand the mind of someone bent on the destruction of human life. We can never make sense of a senseless tragedy such as this.

But we can find rest. Rest from our fears and constant worry. A safe refuge to share all of our anger and frustration, our sadness and our fear.

We can turn to the One who can restore us, who will bring us out of the darkness into the light again.

We can trust in God to be Sovereign over all the earth. We can lean on God and not on our own understanding. Knowing God in our lives really can ease the pain of the trials of this life. We have somewhere to turn when the world makes no sense. We can find comfort and refuge, and peace.

Pour out your heart to God. Let go of all that you are carrying inside. And the peace that passes understanding will find your spirit, and give you the strength to carry on.

I pray for you, my friend, and I pray for our world. This is a fallen world we live in. It is up to us to find the Light, and to follow it. ♡     

The Only Constant in Life is Change

Have you heard people say that the only constant in life is change?

While this may sound contradictory, it is the absolute truth.

Think about it. Seasons change with the natural rhythm of the universe. Children grow and for us older individuals (ahem), our bodies can begin to decline.

Life on this earth is in constant change.

Those of us living in a climate where the seasons change somewhat drastically experience this daily. Last week temperatures were in the mid 90’s here in Wisconsin. In five short months we could be experiencing sub zero temps.

We go from wearing as little clothing as possible in summer to beat the heat, to wearing multiple layers of clothing to insulate ourselves from the cold of winter. If that’s not change, I don’t know what is!

Life is full of changes, not only the physical world, but on a personal level, too. Families change their dynamic over time, and we are in the midst of a whirlwind of change here in our household.

In less than a month we will be celebrating our first family wedding, as one of our sons joins his life with his bride in the eyes of God and man. Our family is growing! Such a joyous, happy time as we gather together to share in their hopes and dreams for their future.

In the midst of all this wedding planning, our youngest son heads off to college, with all of his hopes for the future pinned on several years of hard work as he pursues his studies.

So much change for this mama’s heart!

This summer has been a blessing for me. After spending the last twelve summers landscaping full time, I am trying something new. My oldest son is taking over my business, continuing the excellence of the reputation we’ve created in our work.

As for me, I spend my afternoons in my new office, enjoying the blessed relief of air conditioning! I love the challenge of learning something new, and bringing all that I have experienced to a new enterprise.

Change is good when we open our hearts to be ready for it.

Although change is good, it isn’t always easy. How do we navigate these changing waters in our journey of life? What buoy can we hold onto when the waves of change roll all around us?

In all this change, there is one constant. One factor of our existence that does not change, ever. And that is God.

It says in Hebrews, Chapter 13, verse 8, that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” Interestingly, this verse doesn’t change between the many translations I reviewed.

I remember a conversation with my pastor as we discussed the many changes my life was facing at that time, and he quoted this Scripture to me. With surety I knew this in my heart, and it brought me great comfort. Knowing this truth has become part of the fabric of my faith, the warp and the weft, as I weave the story of my life.

I cling to that Rock in the midst of my storms. But even more so, my thoughts go to this constant in my life as I traverse the ever-changing pathways of my life. Knowing that God is always there, never changing, brings me comfort whenever trials challenge my peace.

I know that I can count on the sun to rise each day, even if it is obscured by clouds. I know that the seasons will change, bringing relief from the heat of summer and changing my green, flowering world to one of bright autumn colors, and then to the drab of winter and the coating of white that winter adorns herself with.

And I have learned, without a doubt, that God is the same through all of this change. That no matter where my heart leads me, no matter what my path, God is with me and has gone before me. I draw strength from knowing that I am never alone in anything I must face.

Life is full of change, without and within. Seek the solace that comes from the certainty of knowing God’s constant presence in our lives. In all of the changes we face, it’s comforting to know God’s love for us never changes. Hold on to this solid truth, and hang on for a wild ride.

Blessings, my friends.

When You're Hurting and You Feel Alone

There are times when we feel lost and so alone. Moments when we wish we could reach out to a friend, but we can't find the courage to bare our soul. We feel that we are our only companion. Though we wish we could share our hurting heart with someone, we feel we have no one to tell our story to. 

At times like these, we have to stop the self-perpetuating thoughts that drag us down into the depths of self-pity and anguish. Distraction may help us to shift our thoughts. Redirecting the mind is a really good tool when feelings of loneliness or grief overwhelm us. 

Think of something that really absorbs your thoughts, a project that requires you to focus your mind and your energies onto specific details. Here are a few suggestions for when you're feeling consumed by your sadness and you feel all alone:

• Do something kind for yourself! Take a nice, hot bath or shower. Go for a walk in nature. Taking time to nurture your body is an amazing way to soothe your soul. 

• Eat. Good food does so much more for our mood than shoving sweets or salty chips into our system, even though that may be what we crave. The task of preparing healthy food is mind-consuming and the smell of sauteing, sizzling food awakens an appetite you thought was gone.
• Do something kind for someone who is hurting even more than you are. Shifting our focus away from our troubles and to the aid of another is the best way to get outside of our own thoughts.
• Sing. I know that sounds crazy, because singing is the last thing your heart wants to do. But somehow, even singing through your tears elevates your heart to a new level of understanding in your grief. Try it sometime. You might feel ridiculous at first, and certainly it won't be your best, but you're not performing. You're singing to your soul, giving it the gift of life. 

Most importantly, remember that we are never really alone. Our lifetime companion, the One who made us, is always with us. The God who loves us unconditionally and forever is the God of Love. Reach out your heart to Him, give Him your tears and your loneliness, and you will know that you are not alone. 

God is always with us, and wants to be near to our hearts. I can't describe how it works, but I know that when I reach out to God in my pain, I feel peace wash over me and I am comforted. 

Haven't talked to God in awhile? Now is a really good time to start. Just call upon His name, and tell Him your pain. You will know He is there to hear your hurt and calm you. And you won't have to bear your pain alone. 

Reach out, my friends. There may be sorrow in the night, but there is joy in the morning. Every day is new. A chance to begin again. Life is awakening all around us, and we can awaken to a new relationship with God and with ourselves. I promise it will be worth the effort it takes to get out of bed, and leave the darkness behind you. 

If you would like, you can leave a comment below so that I may pray for you. You may post anonymously, if you wish. God knows who you are. And I would be honored to pray on your behalf.

Casting Crowns has a song for these feelings of loneliness and sadness.When you're trying to hold on but feel like you can't hold on another minute. I've found it to be a great comfort and reminder that we are never truly alone, that God is always with us. He just a thought or prayer away. And He loves us. Unconditionally.

This song resonates in my heart, and I grab onto these promises and hold on for dear life in times when I can't see the forest for the trees. Mark Hall & Casting Crowns... Just Be Held

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