Hello. Happy (almost) Spring!

I’m sitting by the kitchen window looking out at the back porch of my son and daughter-in-law’s new home. How wonderful to share in their joy. 

I just returned from walking on this beautiful winding and rustic road with dips. I certainly got the much needed exercise today! There’s nothing like taking that first warm weather walk and I’m so grateful that this year I was able to do it here in Michael and Monika’s new neighborhood.  

I began looking around and sensing the amazing countryside “vibe” (as my children say). How perfectly they both fit here.  Even Max, our “grand pup” Corgi, is blessed with a spacious playground (and bathroom). The backyard is perfectly fit for all three of them! Lol

This particular photo of the table and chairs in their screened porch reminds me of my relationship with Jesus.  I always see myself sitting face to face having a nice conversation with Him and listening to His loving and wise advice. He has never steered me wrong.  It’s funny, I remember how our mother used to say this to me, “I’ll never steer ya wrong.”  She would frequently tell us girls and my brother to “do what’s right.” She didn’t go to the church, but she sure did have wisdom in this area!  

Mike and Monica’s new home is absolutely beautiful and warm. There is a sign in one of the bathrooms that I really liked. It reads, Always trust Love.  

“…And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

John 4:16 NIV

Yes, it’s so true that we must always trust God. His love will never fail us, even if all of a sudden the winding road takes a big dip and everything changes in a moment. When disappointments show up, it feels like chaos suddenly takes over and steals all of our joy.  Even so, we must trust God’s heart toward us. His love is greater than any dip in the road!   

“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.””

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭66:13‬ ‭NIV

‬‬Life is filled with joys and sadness, accomplishments and failures. There will always be upward and downward spirals in life. We may want only upward paths (accomplishments and joys), but we need the downward (struggles and sorrows) also. Just as the caterpillar must go through struggle (metamorphosis) in order to become beautiful, we too must grow and change through difficult times.

Because God created us to be beautiful, we too must change and keep changing for God’s peace to be made perfect within us. 

Here is a quote I read recently and fully agree with.

“You will stay the same until the pain of staying the same exceeds the pain of change.”

The wonderful news is that we don’t have to do the hard and frightening things in life (change) on our own.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭ESV‬‬

During my hike, three different people at different places on the road smiled and waved at me. They even took a moment to talk and wish me a nice day.  How incredibly refreshing it is when people value each other enough to stop for a moment and greet.  It’s really all that matters.  My heart and my soul are so refreshed when I make eye-to-eye contact and exchange warm smiles and kind wishes with others. 

 I wish you all a beautiful spring filled with joys, accomplishments, productivity, successes, and rewards!

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans‬ ‭12:12‬ ‭NIV‬