Monday’s Morsels of Gratitude

by | Faith | 2 comments

I am grateful for…

  • The Spirit’s living and active power in the lives of His people. He moved specifically in group time yesterday and a faithful servant followed through in obedience
  • Friends who aren’t afraid of idiosyncrasies (mine in particular)
  • Friends who tuck meaningful surprises in yellow bags (you know who you are)
  • A hubby who goes far above and beyond what I deserve
  • Two sons and daughter-in-laws who I like as much as I love
  • Blog posts that make me giggle — and panic at the same time (thanks Lynn!)
  • The creativity that oozes forth from my “Four Corners” writing group. Thanks to them, I have a sensational cover for my writer’s notebook.

Visit Ann Voskamp’s blog today for a FREE downloadable gratitude journal for May (thanks for the heads up, Cathy)

Litter Where Life Once Stood

by | Faith | 1 comment



First blooms from my grandmother’s (and great-grandmother’s) roses
blush when bid “say cheese!”

Roses from Maine sip life from an aqua vessel.

On the day following historic tornadic activity in the South,
seeing litter where life once stood,
I find solace in quiet, still, and simplistic beauty.

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11








A First Timer Preparing for Blue Ridge

by | Faith | 3 comments

“Dwell in possibility.”
Emily Dickenson

Emily’s quote, featured on my favorite mini-notebook pad, reminds me that the abundant life Christ spoke of in John 10:10 is one of exploration, challenges, and a whirlwind of possibilities — which is exactly what I expect as I head to the Blue Ridge Writer’s Conference in a couple of weeks as a first-time conferee.

While the trip is out of my comfort zone on oh-so-many levels, preparation is the key, right?

Mentally:

  • Most conferees prepare an elevator pitch. I’m personally hoping for a stairwell pitch (or better yet, a coffee cup pitch!) I don’t befriend elevators.
  • I’m attempting to curb my excitement over the face-to-face meetings with all my cyber-writer friends from the Blue Ridge yahoo group and the Light Brigade. Lori, Dee Dee, Julie, Cynthia, and the list goes on. Is that heaven I taste?
  • Resting the unknown in the Known.

Physically:

  • I’ve been forewarned! Exercising has increased in preparation for lots of walking at Ridgecrest.
  • Supplies have been purchased and will soon resemble what’s fondly known as “Edie’s notebook”. She’s amazing!
  • Business cards are printed and poised for the exchanges to come.
  • Have Purple pens (my fave) and plenty of paper. Ready to travel.

Spiritually:

Praying to…

  • Remain focused on WHY I am attending BRMCWC: to learn. Not to impress or to compete, but to hone my skills. (Before my feet hit the floor this morning the words “Just because it’s a calling doesn’t mean it’s easy” crossed my mind and collided with my heart.)
  • Remain focused and joyful as I consider WHO has made – and will make – all the possibilities possible.
  • Seek out opportunities to serve and bless others at the conference, as Vonda suggested in our last meeting.

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.”

-Matthew 6:33, The Message

A Son’s Love

by | Faith | 0 comments

A favorite post of mine (March 2008) in honor of Good Friday:

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Dear woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple,’Here is your mother.’ John 19:25-27

Today, as I read through these verses, I was struck by the love Jesus showed for his mother by referring to her as “woman” instead of “mother”. This wasn’t the first time. Remember John 2:4? Mary informs Jesus the wedding party was out of wine. “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” At first glance, the term seems a bit harsh, but if you were to dig a little deeper, you would find this to be a polite term used in their culture. Polite, yes, but it’s obvious that Jesus is distancing himself from his mother. He is gently breaking the news to her that He is no longer her responsibility.

Let’s linger in John 19:26 a little longer. Moms will find this pause especially uncomfortable. We have an innate knowledge of the power our children’s words hold over us, whether they are 3 or 33. Jesus knew it too.

The word “woman” must have brought immediate comfort to Mary’s heart or else Jesus would have remained silent. As a loving Son, Jesus wanted His mother to remember who He truly belonged to. As her Savior, Jesus wanted her to remember His only purpose in life. His time had now come.

The lesson for us as parents? Remember that our kids are not our own. It was God who wove them together in the depths of the earth. It was His eyes that saw his/her unformed body. It was His omnipotent power that ordained their days before one of them came to be. (Psalm 139: 15, 16) Jesus’ words to Mary over 2,000 years ago holds incredible freedom for parents today who are willing to grasp these truths and live accordingly.

As a mother, I’ll admit there are times when I become fearful over my sons’ futures. I want them to be safe and secure (and okay, close to home.) But as their co-heir in Christ, I desire only God’s plans and purposes for their lives. Whether or not I can see or understand those plans makes no difference. That’s not my calling as a parent.

While gasping for every word, Jesus reminded Mary, and us today, that while parents play a vital role in the lives of their children, it is God alone who gives them a purpose for it. We must decrease that He might increase.

Thank You, Jesus.

A Storyboard for Inspiration!

by | Ideas | 4 comments

In addition to being part of my local Word Weavers group, I’m extremely blessed to be one of the “4 Corners” in a small writer’s accountability/critique group.

Carolyn, one of the three amazing “corners”, challenged us to create our own storyboards (or purpose boards) as a visible tool for inspiration.

My storyboard actually begins at the bottom, to illustrate foundational truths for my writing. First, an image of the woman at Jesus’ feet, to always remind me where my journey began. It’s also foundational for me to keep my “spiritual tank” full. How can I share it from an empty one?

The picture of the waiting room reminds me that there is a purpose in the waiting. And, I must be patient and willing to wait for God’s timing.

Mid-way up the poster, I have pictures of pure inspiration that include places we’ve visited (Lake Lure, Carl Sandburg’s home, Thomas Wolfe’s home, etc), pictures of flowers from our garden, my grandmother’s house, and a picture of a sower sowing seed smack dab in the center of the poster to remind me that everything is written to be done so with the mindset of sowing God’s seed and bringing Him alone glory.

At the top, you’ll find pictures of what I pray the result of my writing to be, beginning with an act of worship. Also, that my writing will have a divine ripple effect much like a pebble being tossed into the water. One quote completes the board: “Write so that heaven is different.” – Lee Roddy. Thankfully, the results are all in God’s hands and out of mine.

I feel incredibly blessed to share my little corner of the world with such amazing women like Carolyn, Cynthia, and Beth. Thank you, friends!

So, how could you use a storyboard to get those creative juices flowing?

 

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