Author: bluebonnettexan

Observing Sabbath

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I had no idea what this would look like. I’m serious. I’m about 8 weeks into practicing this new habit and quite frankly I’ve been at a loss. It didn’t look right. It didn’t feel right. Every single week something went awry. I read books. They were good. Sounded great for those people. But, I couldn’t get into a routine. Each week it felt wonky. It’s like catching a unicorn. I’m pretty sure they’re real but they’re so darn elusive. If I could just get hold of one and put it into a nice box/cage then I could figure it out.

Here’s what I used to think Sabbath was – some kind of punishment – like an old movie where everyone sat around in uncomfortable church clothes in an airless room. Why on earth would someone want to do that? Answer: they wouldn’t. In the books I read I found a thread running through each that suggested turning from the busyness of life toward a special time of enjoyment in creation and a time of reflection. There is nothing mundane or boring in that! And guess what? It looks different every time and it looks different for everyone who seeks it. It’s a snowflake. Unique and totally amazing each and every one. I am so in.

Here’s what is working for me: Freedom to linger over coffee in the pre-dawn solitude of my patio listening to chirping frogs, owls softly hoo-hooing, a whippoorwill talking to another whippoorwill in a tree far away. The freedom to make easy meals. The freedom to NOT make the bed. The freedom to wander around a local greenhouse. The freedom to get my hands dirty as I lovingly add to my garden my little greenhouse find. The freedom to take a nap. To read a book. See the word? Freedom. It means I get up earlier. Put grocery shopping on hold. Straighten the bed as I rise instead of returning to make it just so. Do laundry on another day. I am finding that during the week I am working toward the enjoyment of this special, set apart time.

I allow myself the freedom to live differently for the better part of one day so that I refill myself with the beautiful treasures hidden and waiting just for me. They are my treasures. Meant for me. Placed lovingly by someone unseen but who loves me more than anyone in the universe, who gives me permission to enjoy creation and the created and a wonder-filled world.

I think I’m starting to get it.

Journey Together

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Life Groups. Community Groups. Grow Groups.  Lots of names but the same premise.  Here’s what I’ve figured out.  Keep looking until you find the fit.  Also, know that a fit today may not be a fit in 18 months.  Hold it loosely.  Give it a life expectancy.  (That in itself will keep a lot of feelings from being hurt.)

Live life together, pray for each other, eat together (break bread/Acts 2:46), study the Word.  We found a fit.  It’s our safe haven.

You should come away challenged, not feeling it’s a competition.

Serve more.  Love more.  Then, you will grow.

Haiku

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This week, in our homeschooling lessons, we’ve been studying poetry.  I had the pleasure of introducing my son to this simplistic style of Japanese verse.  My sister happened to call in mid-lesson.  Lots of giggles.  Seriously, 17 syllables and no rhyming?

To prove that I could still hold my own, some 40 years after penning my last, I created this for her.  I will now share with the class – “Road Whighwayarrior for Sue” …

The road stretches forth

Love is beckoning to me

Tiny hands, fierce hugs

 

 

She gets me.  I get her.

 

James 4:14

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“You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”  Boy, have I been feeling that the last couple of months!

I am  not discouraged.  My days are full of the stuff of life.

This year we will formally conclude the home education of our son.  (Isn’t there MORE he should know?)  I don’t think we’ll ever finish imparting wisdom and learning to our children.

I create menus, shop, and feed my family and others in need.  I work my home-based business and share the healing gift of nutrition.  I garden, growing food for my family through my Tower Garden and potted herbs, vegetables, and fruits.

I call my elderly mother.  My job, as I see it, is to lift her spirits.  I only do this once or twice a week now.  I used to call her daily.  Her short term memory is non-existent and the long term stuff is getting to be a problem.  Witty repartee is a thing of the past.  I sing old hymns and songs with her, recount crazy happenings around here, and think of things she might remember.  She feels bad that she can’t contribute to our conversations much but it’s wonderful to still hear her voice and make her laugh.

I manage our family finances, with my husband’s blessing.  Most months balancing all accounts to the penny.  (I’m to the age that if I’ve recalculated three times with any disparity, I take the bank’s word for it.  I sleep better.)

I care for our myriad of pets.  They live too long.  A testament to their excellent care! Finally, I love on everyone around me, that will let me.

There is probably more, but that’s a reasonable account.

It’s squeezing every moment from life while it is here.  It’s what I was created to do.

“Be careful, little eyes, what you see…”

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Remember singing this little song in Sunday school?  Sometimes we compartmentalize things like this and label them “For Children”.  We have a saying in our house, ‘If it’s not okay for the children, it’s not okay for the adults.”

We utilize review sites to help guide our choices.  Reviewers usually rate on three fronts:  language, mature content, and violence.  Looking at what has been noted allows us to discern for ourselves.  I want what ‘goes in’ to be worthy of our time and money.

Bottom line, what ‘goes in’, stays in.  What’s “popular” probably won’t describe what I prefer. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

http://www.imdb.com/ (below Storyline, look for Parents Guide. Suitable guidance for all ages.)

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

http://www.compassbookratings.com/

Bee Nice

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Just a little reminder … as Spring begins to arrive so do pesky insects, like aphids.  Ug! Those stinkers suck the life out of plants.  Last year, I was lucky enough to find ladybugs in the yard. (I was on my hands and knees pulling weeds, okay?)  I rounded up as many as I could find and released them on my suffering Quince bush.

Backyard rodeo not for you?  There are other less unusual methods of controlling pests.  Research your options.  Keep in mind, even organic pesticides, like Neem Oil, need to be applied in the evening and not directly to the flowers.  Our little pollinating friends, the bees, will thank you.  Gotta keep THEM alive if WE want to stay on the planet.

https://www.epa.gov/pollinator-protection/pollinator-risk-assessment-guidance

http://www.planetbee.org/natural-pest-control/flower-pollination

‘Glorious Intruder’

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Isn’t that a compelling title?  It’s the title to one of my morning devotions by Joni Eareckson Tada. God “broke in” this morning.

Today’s reading contained this Scripture from II Corinthians 5:14 (KJV), “For the love of Christ constraineth us …”  A pastor was likening ‘constrained’ to a river that had its banks reinforced which, in turn, caused the flow of water to be ‘constrained’ and pushed forward.  [Transparency.  I’ve climbed those banks. I’ve built bridges.  Internally, I’ve said, ‘I can’t go that way!’  ‘I don’t know what will happen.’ ‘I’m fine right here.’ ‘I’m unsure, so I just won’t move.’]

The pastor went on to say that ‘Sometimes God in His love brings about circumstances which seem to press in on every side — walled situations or high hedges where we feel closed in. [He’s been closing in the last couple of weeks.] Yet God allows these crushing pressures to ultimately push us forward and make us more effective, more productive.  Though we may not like it, the trials press us and push us in a better direction — a direction God wants us to head.”  [Oh, man. This gives me the feeling of standing in line for a ride at an amusement park.  Half terror and half elation.]

The reading concluded with, “Your circumstances — even the pushing, squeezing, distressing ones — are part of His plan.  It’s a plan to make your life more productive than you ever dreamed possible.  That’s divine engineering at its best.”

Frankly, I’m tired of constraining myself.  What, exactly, have I been holding myself back from? Or, more importantly, why?

God spoke the word ‘grow’ to me as my word for 2017.  [Knew there was more to that innocent little four letter word.]  I’ve decided to stop being afraid.  No more riding in the third row [scrutinize the photo below]. No more allowing distractions to side track me [see fourth row].  I want to throw off anything that is hindering what God has in mind for me (Hebrews 12:1).

So, that is going to be me, in the front row.  Fully engaged, no more holding back; having the time of my life. How’s God going to use me?  What doors is He preparing to open? That’s His business. I’ve purchased my ticket.  I’m getting on that ride.

ladies-on-roller-coaster

Priorities

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Every morning, while my son works on his schoolwork, I read my devotions.  I consider this time WELL spent.  My thoughts turn away from my own little bubble and focus on others.  So, I had this thought…I need to prioritize my devotions reflecting who takes precedence.  I realized that my relationship with the Lord should come in the first position.  No matter who else is in my life, at any stage of my life, it’s my relationship with the Lord that centers me; listening for and hearing that still small voice. 20170131_092930_burst01

Next, my husband.  God mysteriously brought this man into my life, to walk my days with, to raise a family with.  Finally, my ‘littles’.  These children are indeed a blessing from the Lord.  Just because they are such a blessing, does not mean that they can usurp the place of their father or THE Father.  We’ve all experienced times of illness or discontent where you can feel the scales tipping out of balance.  Make one little change. Keep your priorities in their proper order.  It’s amazing how much peace you will feel when you do.

Sweets for the Sweet

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branon_maple_syrup_leaf_bottle_1024x1024I have a new favorite sweetener. Pure maple syrup.  It’s such a healthy way to sweeten anything from coffee to baked goods to chili!  I was super hesitant to try it because I am NOT a fan of the flavor of maple.  When I realized that when you cook with it, the flavor leaves, the sweet stays, I was hooked.

Here are some links to check out:

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/maple-syrup.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/02/maple-recipes-syrup_n_2765410.html

If you are intrigued and want to try implementing this natural sweetener, check this out! This book will properly educate you on all things Maple.  Her Smoky and Sweet Turkey Chili is on my menu this week. (I have no affiliation with this author.)