Read this in a devotional, the author unknown and in light of my recent thoughts knew it's timing was no mistake. I would like to share it with you, may it bring you comfort and direction in your life.
"Dear Child,
Before you were even born, I knew what every single one of your days was going to be like. (Psalm 139:16) Whatever circumstances you face in your life are not going to surprise Me. I have everything you will need, and I will walk you through every step of the way.
When you feel helpless and worried, let that be a sign to you that you need to turn to Me. I am your refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble. (Psalm46:1)
When you worry, dear one, know that it robs you of the present. Worry also robs you of satisfaction. When you are worried, it's so difficult to be thankful and realize how I have taken care of you. Worry displaces thanksgiving in your heart.
Come to Me. You don't have to strive and strain to make things happen. My plans for your life is a good one. All I've asked you to do is to trust Me. I'll walk with you step by step. There's nothing that we can't tackle together.
I don't promise that life will be easy, but in the hard times, turn to Me ~ you will find Me there ready to hold you while your world shakes. I will protect you. I will carry you if you need carrying. I will hold your hand and walk you through it all.
Don't worry about the possible hard times that may or may not come. When they do come, you and I will face them together. (Isaiah 43:12) I will give you everything you need. Though you may stumble, you will not fall because I will uphold you with My hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
It makes Me sad when you stress and strain and worry about things I have promised I will provide. I have your life covered ~ down to the tiniest detail.
I love you. Please trust Me."
Your Father
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Don't Forget to Balance
With all of the ideas and plans I have mounded up in my mind there is little room for much else. Which is not a good thing, for we need balance in every aspect of life, in order to really live. Looking over my notes of organization that I made up yesterday reminded me of the simplicity of balance a schedule of sorts creates. Each area of concern gets addressed with nothing being forgotten or slighted. It is also comforting to me to work within the boundaries created. I believe if we can come to an agreement about how to handle some of the issues we are faced with daily. Then the daily workings of this farm will be easier challenges to face. I have been guilty of being too focused at times. Pushing myself beyond endurance and frustrating others in the process. A no win situation for sure.
My thoughts are and history has proved it before, that if everything is set into working order. It will in turn relieve the stress we feel and open the doors to easier living. The problem is that we often don't see the living right under our noses. It is like putting off gratification to a day that may never come. If this is true, then we have missed out on the pleasure it had to offer us in the first place. Each day only comes by once, it's delights vanish with the passing of it. Life truly is short and most often not appreciated by the majority of people. There needs to be a change in my life, as I am sure there is in yours. All work can make you dull if not sick. There needs to be a balance found that enables us to play through our days too. Looking for the joy in the moment, regardless of the task before us. The unknown in our days can often causes us to fret, when the One who holds it, already knows all about it.
Resting ~ in HIS hands,
Deborah
My thoughts are and history has proved it before, that if everything is set into working order. It will in turn relieve the stress we feel and open the doors to easier living. The problem is that we often don't see the living right under our noses. It is like putting off gratification to a day that may never come. If this is true, then we have missed out on the pleasure it had to offer us in the first place. Each day only comes by once, it's delights vanish with the passing of it. Life truly is short and most often not appreciated by the majority of people. There needs to be a change in my life, as I am sure there is in yours. All work can make you dull if not sick. There needs to be a balance found that enables us to play through our days too. Looking for the joy in the moment, regardless of the task before us. The unknown in our days can often causes us to fret, when the One who holds it, already knows all about it.
Resting ~ in HIS hands,
Deborah
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Getting My House in Order
16*F was the temperature when I got up this morning. It is suppose to warm up now after last night's Arctic blast. Though the down side is the warming trend is bringing in more rain with it. So any pressing outside chores need to be done today, as they are calling for rain to continue the next two days. Despite the frigid temperature I enjoyed being out with the animals this morning. Sleeping better last night has helped the way I feel today. Amazing what a good night's rest can do for a body. Almost energetic and there is a lift in my spirit besides. I've set for a spell this morning over a warm cup of coffee and made a list of to-do chores for my day.
I've had a beautiful cardinal greet me at the kitchen window as I made coffee in the mornings for several days now. He might have been begging a little and I finally got the hint to help him and his friends out. So I set up a barrel near the well house, scattering some birdseed on top of it. "Mr Red" isn't the only one that has been seen about these parts of the woods. I so miss the activity at my feeders back home. Watching the birds up close has been a favorite hobby of mine for many, many years. I even have a friend who will call me with all of her bird questions, knowing I have spent many hours with my nose pressed up to the glass. Birdwatching is just one of the many hobbies I follow, but one I enjoy where ever I find myself. It is one that needs little equipment and is portable, just needing two eyes to study our feathered friends of the trees. Setting up the feeder in front of the dinning room french doors should give us the chance to watch them munch on seeds and kitchen scraps. As we happily dine on our meals in front of them. Somewhere in all my yet to be unpacked boxes is the collection of "bird recipes" that I have collected and used to keep them coming back for more home cooking.
I feel the need for getting a home schedule in place, to get better organized in several areas of our home. Those cluttered areas are frustrating for me and a waste of energy brooding over them. Time to get with the program! Just getting an area or two settled has helped my mental disposition tremendously already. The starting of a new year, the first day of Spring or the beginning of a calendar month are times of the year when we all tend to want to "get our house in order." I think we were created with a need for order built right into our beings. After all we were created in the image of God, who holds everything in order, all the time. Our difficulty comes in maintaining order in a world of chaos around us. There are plenty of "things" to vie for our attention on any given day. Plenty of reasons to let things slide a little, which isn't all bad as long as it doesn't slide into a total mess. Which it will do when we are not looking. So the key is to see our days, our homes, our lives with open eyes, ready to catch that oil spill that will cause us to slide out of control. To take little steps towards a future free from distractions and disorder. After all it is hard to play on a sunny Spring day, when the messes of Winter are still under foot.
Working my way towards playing,
Deborah
I've had a beautiful cardinal greet me at the kitchen window as I made coffee in the mornings for several days now. He might have been begging a little and I finally got the hint to help him and his friends out. So I set up a barrel near the well house, scattering some birdseed on top of it. "Mr Red" isn't the only one that has been seen about these parts of the woods. I so miss the activity at my feeders back home. Watching the birds up close has been a favorite hobby of mine for many, many years. I even have a friend who will call me with all of her bird questions, knowing I have spent many hours with my nose pressed up to the glass. Birdwatching is just one of the many hobbies I follow, but one I enjoy where ever I find myself. It is one that needs little equipment and is portable, just needing two eyes to study our feathered friends of the trees. Setting up the feeder in front of the dinning room french doors should give us the chance to watch them munch on seeds and kitchen scraps. As we happily dine on our meals in front of them. Somewhere in all my yet to be unpacked boxes is the collection of "bird recipes" that I have collected and used to keep them coming back for more home cooking.
I feel the need for getting a home schedule in place, to get better organized in several areas of our home. Those cluttered areas are frustrating for me and a waste of energy brooding over them. Time to get with the program! Just getting an area or two settled has helped my mental disposition tremendously already. The starting of a new year, the first day of Spring or the beginning of a calendar month are times of the year when we all tend to want to "get our house in order." I think we were created with a need for order built right into our beings. After all we were created in the image of God, who holds everything in order, all the time. Our difficulty comes in maintaining order in a world of chaos around us. There are plenty of "things" to vie for our attention on any given day. Plenty of reasons to let things slide a little, which isn't all bad as long as it doesn't slide into a total mess. Which it will do when we are not looking. So the key is to see our days, our homes, our lives with open eyes, ready to catch that oil spill that will cause us to slide out of control. To take little steps towards a future free from distractions and disorder. After all it is hard to play on a sunny Spring day, when the messes of Winter are still under foot.
Working my way towards playing,
Deborah
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Our First Snow ~
They had been calling for snow for several days. Announcing that accumulations could be great in several areas, ours included. Stating that we could get 3-4 inches. I waited, having everything ready and all livestock seen about. Filled water barrels & feed buckets, had extra wood stacked within easy reach, oil lamps trimmed and extra cover on the bed. Waited all day for the storm to come as promised. Went to bed waiting and this is what I found the next morning~
Looking out our driveway towards the road
View across the front yard towards the barn.
Sassie was wondering what had happened to her pasture.
Sassie, check out her thick winter coat. Good for a day like this!
Some of the ladies leaving little starred foot prints in the snow ~
Could you walk in the snow, barefoot?
Didn't slow them down at breakfast.
Looking out our driveway towards the road View across the front yard towards the barn. Sassie, check out her thick winter coat. Good for a day like this! Some of the ladies leaving little starred foot prints in the snow ~Could you walk in the snow, barefoot?I know it isn't much compared to the snow in other parts of the U.S., but it was exciting and beautiful all the same for me. Gave me a new challenge in taking care of livestock. Hopefully we will be blessed with a nice snow before winter is over. Shhh! Don't tell me husband, he hates having to work out in this frozen stuff.
Enjoying the new landscape,
Deborah
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