What If?

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 3 comments

This question quietly tip-toed through my mind yesterday as our waitress hurried about taking orders and filling coffee cups.

You see, our writer’s group has come to know this waitress well over the past several months. She’s very lonely, lives alone (two different things), a non-believer, and she struggles with serious health issues.

Because of the connection, our group has been able to share God-glorifying $ tips (thanks to Debbie’s advice), prayers, and little gifts that hopefully demonstrate to her how much we care.

“Lord, what if Your goal for my being in this writer’s group is more about my ministering to those You put in my ink-splattered path rather than putting my name beneath a published article?”

With that prayer, I smiled as the waitress filled my cup—knowing something much more important had been filled: my true sense of purpose.

Do You Like Change?

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 3 comments

Me either.

If you do a Wiki search for “creature of habit” you’re liable to find not only my M.O. but my picture as well.

So when I set in to motion one of the biggest changes of my life yesterday it was truly a God-thing. Although I’ll have to wait a couple weeks to share the details, know that I would’ve never imagined myself at this crossroad a year ago—but God created the “perfect storm” in my life to bring about this change.

I wrestled in prayer for months over this “new thing” as I never want to be led by my desires—only God’s. Period. So how can one tell the difference? I can’t say for sure, but I believe it comes down to being at peace with not having to make it happen. God begins stirring the heart, circumstances seemingly fall into place without effort, peace floods, and the desires of one’s heart seem to forget the definition of “creature of habit” (a God-thing in and of itself!)

So, while I’m not a fan of change, I am a huge fan of following where my heavenly Father’s footsteps lead. One step at a time.

“In my experience, the will of God is difficult to discern because it often involves making a decision that seems irresponsible… But pursuing a God-ordained passion, no matter how crazy it seems, is the most responsible thing you can do.” -Mark Batterson

And the Cupcake Says…

by Cathy Baker | Faith | 5 comments

It’s a GIRL!

Earlier in the week, Sarah and Zach had gathered the parents together for a special “reveal” by creating their own crossword/scramble puzzle consisting of answers only the family would know. What we didn’t know was that once unscrambled, the puzzle would reveal the name “Marion”, which we knew to be our granddaughter’s name if it was a girl—Marion Piper.

Immediately, tea cups began dancing in my head to the melody of joy playing in my heart. We would’ve been delighted either way, but I’m not ashamed to say that I look forward to using the children’s tea set purchased many years ago for a future granddaughter(s).

The role of “grandmother” is one I’ve looked forward to for many years as I had two grandmothers of my own who showered me with much love, attention, and affection until their last breath.

Piper’s toys and hand puppets (okay, those are Brian’s) are stacking up in the corner of “our” room. Move over books, shabby furniture, and rubber stamps…here she comes!

And we couldn’t be more delighted or more thankful.