Coasters and Basket. Proverb of the Day. Happy Song.

Coasters and Basket.

Aren’t these coasters so pretty?  I love the fabric!  Sometimes I take a break from quilt making to whip up (yea, right, it took me all day to make these!) a fun, fast project.  Admittedly, I’m a slow sewist, but I have so much fun at each step.  Thank God we have access to  such wonderful bloggers who write wonderful tutorials!

I’m not sure where I got the idea for the self-binding coasters, but there are tons of tutorials out there!  These were fun to make with vintage fabric from my local Bernina Quilt Shop!  

And I used this tutorial for what was supposed to be the coaster holder.  For some reason, mine came out too big, so I now have beautiful napkin holder!  So light and summery!

Proverb of the Day:  Proverbs 4:12.

Scripture:

Observation:

So, this is what I see as the context of the verse, or taking the verse in context: 

As I write out my thoughts, I find my clarity as well as the ability to communicate what is in my heart, in my spirit……

As I said before, I hadn’t been spending a lot of time in God’s Word, though I had been seeking Him through prayer and song.  Just the same, it felt as if I was running from Him. 

Therefore, verse 12b:  when you run, you will not stumble made an impact on me. 

As we

1:  accept what God has to say,

2:  listen to His instruction in the way of wisdom and

3:  follow His leading on straight paths,

we will not stumble when we run.

Application:

As stated once before, I’m clarifying my thoughts as I write.  This seems to be the way I can find meaning and healing in God’s Word.

As I read Proverbs 4:12, I immediately thought of the last few weeks of running from God, of not being physically, emotionally or spiritually able to spend time in His Word.  
I sensed God knew exactly what I needed and He provided it with comfort from a few dear friends, family, music - both secular and worship - and His presence.  I didn’t feel like my steps were hampered, or as if I had stumbled because He held me up with His right hand.  He knew I needed time to heal in a different way.  And He gave it to me.  Because that is how He works with His hurting children – with love, wisdom, and patience. 

http://thedaugthersofzion.blogspot.com/2012/02/god-will-heal-all-broken-hearted.html

And, just maybe,

I wasn’t running from Him at all, but

running to Him,

running to Him to hear what He had to say,

running to Him to listen to His instruction in the way of wisdom and 
running to Him to follow His leading on straight paths. 

Yup.  I was running to Him.  Yup.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for your never ending patience with me.  Thank you for Your healing touch.  

Thank you for helping me to trust that Your hand has been there all my life - even as I suffered at the hands of others.  

Thank you for helping me to see I wasn’t running from You, but to you.  

Help me to continue to lean on You.  

Bring healing to my heart, my emotions, my spirit.  Help my heart to comprehend the why of these painful experiences.  Though my head understands, my heart struggles.  As I’m sure Yours did as well.  Help my readers to heal and understand as well.  In Jesus’ precious name I ask.  Amen.

Happy Songs

These last weeks have been heavy – really heavy.  I needed to keep from despair, so I made a playlist of my happy songs and played them! Most are worship songs, but this one is from England from the disco era.  

While listening, I make of fool of myself in front of the dogs as I sing along and dance.  My voice is so “wonderful” they can’t help but howl!  I play them full blast in my car and sing my heart out.  I even danced with my grandbabies and taught them a few disco moves!  It’s easy to be joyful listening to this song.  I first heard in on a Netflix series called River. 

Go ahead….sing along…dance!

Dear Friend, this is my truth!

Memories. Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 3:1

Memories

The last few weeks have been challenging, to say the least.  On top of the pain in my feet, I’ve been facing some personal challenges from my past:  memories.

I love these lyrics from Barbara Streisand’s song, The Way We Were.

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/aa/3e/a9/aa3ea978b1119352c68d8baace05f1ea.jpg

What’s too painful to remember, we simply chose to forget………or we forget to survive………..

Funny thing about memories….they’re always there, just below the surface……..when they emerge, there can be

pain

denial

shock

confusion. 

I know. 

I’ve been there. 

And survived.

Maybe one day, by God’s grace, I can say I’ve thrived.

Maybe one day, you too will say you’ve thrived.

Or perhaps you already have. 

On this part of my journey,

I have spent much time talking with God…but minimal time in His Word. 

I have spent much time listening to Praise and Worship music, listening to Him speak to me.

The pain is deep. 

The healing is deeper.

I’m taking my time.

He knows my heart.

http://www.sharonkingdudley.com/articles/the-beautiful-thing-about-inner-wounds/

S.O.A.P.

Now I’m ready to spend time in His Word. 

I need a new start,

a new way to be with Him,

to reveal my raw, tender emotions

and receive His healing. 

I’m ready.

Enter S.O.A.P

This is a Bible study method to lather up and soak in God’s Word.  I’m going to try it – yup – you guessed it – for a month. 

As you can see, S.O.A.P., stand for Scripture, Oberservation, Application, and Prayer.  I agree with others - adding an “s” to make it S.O.A.P.S. – to share what I’m learning.  You can read more about it here.

 

I’m not sure if I’ll blog every day like I did with this challenge, but I do know my time with God will be changing, evolving.  He and I have some deep work to do. 

So, here goes!

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 3:1

Scripture:

Observation:

I am focusing on verse one.  Many times, I look at the verbs in verses.  When I do this, God’s message to me for that day really pops.

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in your heart

Wow!  

Application:

As I was reeling from the shock of painful, emerging memories, I knew that I would not forget God’s teaching that He was faithful, loving and kind.  He was there – right there.  I remembered His teachings, especially this one:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.  

Proverbs 3:5-6

And keeping his greatest commands in mind – to love him with all that we are and then to love our neighbor – even the one who hurt us. 

Boy, I am sure not there – yet.

Prayer:

Lord, teach me how to love my neighbor – even the one who hurt me.  Help me to live up to Your command and to remember Your teachings…..

Wow.

Powerful.

I have a lot to think about.

I have a lot of growing to do.

I’m not perfect.

I’m learning.

It’s tough…..

Thank God for this song…..

Proverb of the Day.

Proverb of the Day

You know, so many lessons can be learned from observation.  I remember, as a child, my Dad would tell me, “Consider the source.”  This was in reference to gossip and people saying hurtful things to me.  

As an educator, I remember when my third grade students were faced with similar cruelties, I would ask them, “Is it true?”  They would pause, consider my question and, much to their surprise, say, "No."  Then I would tell them, “Ignore it and consider the source.” 

https://www.johndenugent.com/english/english-enemies-joomiloom/

I’m not sure why this Proverb led me to these experiences, I’m really not.  But, I’ll continue writing and see where it takes me. 

When my baby sister (she’s now in her 30’s, but, in my eyes, still my baby sister!) wanted to be like the other teens in her high school, my dad would tell her to stay focused, set goals and pursue them. 

He warned her that the partying set would sadly suffer the consequences of their actions.  She, on the other hand, would be successful in life.

Thankfully, she ended up listening to Dad, for the most part, and is an extremely accomplished social worker who has literally saved lives via her confidence in advocating for her clients. 

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/2015/03/03/top-83-actions-take-stand-social-work/

And me?  I would like to think that I made an impact on my students’ lives, many of whom kept in touch with me well after they left my classroom. 

As for “considering the source”?  I appreciate my friends and I deeply value their friendship and love!  Their words of wisdom and support have been invaluable as I went through breast cancer and many other trials in life.  

My true Source of comfort, wisdom and hope is my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ!  My Father’s love letter to me, the Bible, definitely provides many instances where I can observe and learn lessons. 

I’m so glad I stuck with this strange, winding path of writing.  I, personally, am encouraged to cling more faithfully, to my Source, my LORD.  I hope you are encouraged as well.  

https://www.capturedmiracles.org/my-friend-can-i-ask-you/

Motives. Proverb of the Day.

Proverb of the Day. 

http://www.lizcurtishiggs.com/your-50-favorite-proverbs-29-hidden-motives/

Motives. 

For some reason, motives seem to be a theme in my Proverb of the Day, so I decided to take a look at it – and at my own heart.  I was pleasantly surprised and encouraged! 

I followed my usual habit and first sought a definition for “motive” from Merriam Webster.  The simple definition was: 

a reason for doing something.

The complete definition was: 

something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act. 

So, basically, motive is the reason, need or desire behind our actions.  

As I recall my actions of the past days, at least the ones that really stand out, I realized my motives were pure. 

1)     An uncomfortable discussion with a family member

a.            Motive:  protecting and defending another family member

2)     Designing and creating the landscaping in my backyard - which I now call my Healing Garden. (One day Ill show you the end results….) 

a.            Motive:  Create a healing, tranquil Heaven on Earth for myself, family and friends.

3)     Crocheting, sewing

a.            Motive:  A nice creative outlet, a way to make inexpensive, yet treasured gifts, and the joy of creating something beautiful.

4)     Keeping a fairly clean house, laundry, ironing, cooking

a.            Motive:  I love enjoying my home and taking care of my husband.

http://quoteaddicts.com/topic/accuse-quotes-and-sayings/

But, in all honesty, if I “weigh” my heart with regards to my Healing Garden, my crocheting and sewing and my home, there is some pride in there as well.  

And I felt bad about that, until, again, I went to Merriam Webster. 

Let’s remember, words have more than one meaning, as is the case here: 

: a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people

: a feeling that you are more important or better than other people

: a feeling of happiness that you get when you or someone you know does something good, difficult, etc.

I relate my sense of pride to the last definition – a feeling of happiness.  I love to share my gardens, crafts and home with friends and family!  I love having them over to relax over a meal or simply a cup of coffee.  I love the look of delight on their faces when they open a handmade gift.   It gives me great pleasure and joy. 

https://winterlyrics.wordpress.com/2012/07/17/dont-be-too-hard-on-yourself-love-yourself-and-be-proud-of-everything-you-do-even-mistakes-mean-youre-trying/

However, I’m sure not all my motives are pure, which is why this Psalm is so important to remember:

http://dailyverses.net/psalms/51/10

This month I have been looking at the motives behind my actions.  

https://learningthewayofwisdom.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/prayer-whats-your-motive/

At the same time, however, I am also modifying my actions as I look at my motives.

I’m learning to be quiet instead of continuing an argument.

I’m learning to be still and know He is God.Psalm 46:10

I’m learning to begin facing extremely hurtful and difficult situations gently leaning on His everlasting arms.

I’m learning.

Dear Friend, this is my truth.

Proverb of the Day. Pain. Fatigue - again.....Encouraging Songs.

Proverb of the Day

Proverb of the Day

Lately, I do feel like I’m going through the fire, not necessarily, the fire of refinement, but a fire.  The pain and fatigue have made me sad, not depressed, just really sad.  Especially during the evenings, when I'm wanting  a cup I find myself wondering if what I want is worth the walk to obtain it…..is it worth the pain?  This song continues to minister to me.

How does God test the heart?  My little bit of research shows that He uses pain, afflictions…well…fire to test our heart.  During chemo, when I could still walk, the LORD asked me to listen to the book of Job, which I am did – three times.  Now, I’m going to try to read through it.  They are definitly two different processes in which we are able to glean very different lessons.  At one point, He asked me to simply focus on Job’s words….he was

discouraged,

confused,

questioning God,

BUT

he never cursed God.

I’m looking forward to physically reading this book.  I believe God will give me 
encouragement,

insights,

courage.

After all, in spite of my fiery trial,

I still love God.

I still have faith in Him.

I still trust Him.

Would you join me in doing the same?  Would you please pray for me as I try to learn to grasp His hand even more on this journey of a breast cancer survivor?  I'm really needing prayer right now.

http://www.karipatterson.com/category/prayer/

Dear Friend, this is my truth.