by Cathy Baker | Faith |
(Part 1)
Recently, I discovered two tools that not only help to raise my awareness to the nuances of life, but also bump up the fun factor by quite a bit.
First, “The Writer’s Notebook”, by Ralph Fletcher. Although his target audience is school-aged children, the practical ideas collected in this book can be utilized by all writers, regardless of age or experience. One particular excerpt sums it up best:
“Use your writer’s notebook as a specimen box to collect ideas–even strange, surprising, far-fetched ideas.”
So, imagine my delight when Ralph unknowingly sent this office supply geek in search of the perfect writer’s notebook–the second tool–which was quickly discovered at Writer’s Bloc, one of my absolute favorite Web sites.
These canvas-clad notebooks are small enough to carry in my purse–and clever enough to make them well worth my while when it comes to searching for them in my mega purse.
And finally, just for fun, this notebook…
If you journal, you already have a clear understanding as to the inherent value found in writing down what is stirring about in your heart and mind, whether it is a prayer to the Lord, or a divine pausing of our day which causes us to raise our awareness of Him.
Both are glorifying to the Lord and well worth our effort. Wouldn’t you agree?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
That is not the question.
Visiting Carl Sandburg’s home last October was the highlight of our trip, so it came as no surprise to Brian when we began making plans for this month’s getaway to the mountains, I went in search of another author’s home to tour.
Enter Thomas Wolfe. I’d read bits and pieces about him over the past few years, but nothing more. However, I was hooked by one visit to his site this week.
I’ve set out to read his largely autobiographical novel, “Look Homeward, Angel,” to become better acquainted with his work and the history surrounding his home place in Asheville.
After reading the following paragraph found on page 84, there wasn’t a smidgen of doubt that completing the remaining 424 pages would not only be possible before our upcoming tour but a pure delight:
“And they would go across the Square to the cool depth of the drugstore, stand before the onyx splendor of the fountain, under the revolving wooden fans, and drink chill gaseous beverages, limeade so cold it made the head ache, or foaming ice-cream soda, which returned in sharp delicious belches down his tender nostrils.”
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
It doesn’t feel like the season for:
Roasted marshmallows
Apple cider
Kaleidoscope leaves (and the raking that follows)
Cool breezes
Pecans
An abundance of candy in fun-size packs
Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin
Colorful mums
Pumpkins
Indian corn
Mountain trips
Fresh apples (especially Honey Crisp!)
Long sleeves and weathered jeans
Warm fuzzy sweaters
But it is that season, according to the trusted calendar, even though we are experiencing temperatures in the low 90’s.
It does not feel like fall, but the calendar says it is. Which am I to believe?
The same question is sometimes asked, although rarely audible or even consciously, when we are faced with believing how we feel versus what the Word of God says.
While God created emotions to complete the whole person, it’s easy to get swept away by them—only to be swept up in the deception that can sometimes follow.
Just as the calendar has the final say as to when we are truly embarking on the fall season, so God’s Word is our final say as to what is true…regardless of how we feel.
- I may not always feel His presence, but God says He will never leave nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5)
- I may not always sense His working in my life or those around me, but God says that nothing can thwart His plans (Job 42:2)
- I don’t always trust Him as I should, but God says that even when I am unfaithful, He is faithful. (2 Tim. 2:13)
- I can feel defeated, useless to the Kingdom, beaten up by all my weaknesses, but God says that in Him, there is in no condemnation, regardless of what the enemy says. (Romans 8:1)
Emotions can be a beautiful expression of our worship to the Lord. In fact, if we are rarely moved by the words we read or sing, or if we can watch a resplendent sun rising from the east without a pause of praise welling up from within, we may be in need of an emotion intervention. It’s all about balance.
So, while it may not feel like my favorite season of the year, I rejoice in the fact that it is indeed fall, and that summer has been left in the dust of 2010 (and my grass along with it). I may have to break out my long-sleeved shirts and fuzzy sweaters in celebration of this truth!
Care to join me?
by Cathy Baker | Home & Family |
We celebrated Alberta Scott, my paternal grandmother’s, life yesterday morning at her church, Fairforest Baptist. Years ago, she had chosen her music and Scripture verses. It was simple, yet very meaningful. I couldn’t have agreed with the pastor more when, at the end of the service, he said with every confidence that the first words she heard were “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Many lives were blessed as a result of hers.
I purposefully had not shared the funeral information with my different email groups because I didn’t want anyone to feel that I was expecting them to make the trip to Spartanburg for her funeral. So, imagine my surprise when I looked up and saw my friend Lesa, aka “Fruity” Frady, coming through the doors with another friend, Shay, from First Baptist. Shay had worked with my dad years ago and now she and Lesa (friend of almost 20 years!) are neighbors.
I had just recovered from that surprise when another friend, Sandra, walked through the doors. Sandra was in the Ladies’ Class at Temple Baptist and now she’s in our class at First Baptist. She’s a single woman who works for a not-so-nice law firm in Greenville. Because I was aware of her delicate work situation, I kept asking her how she had managed to take time off to drive over for the visitation/funeral. She finally shared, with a smile on her face, that she had worked overtime the night before, would work overtime that night, and again tonight, to make up for the time lost. I was overwhelmed by her sacrifice… and still am.
It was nice gathering with the entire family for lunch after the graveside service, but I left wondering why in the world families rarely gather like that anymore unless there’s a funeral. I’m hoping that will change.
Life truly does fly by but a life well-lived resonates throughout generations.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
So, what’s one way an eight-year old “only” can keep themselves entertained?
Writing out exercise plans, of course!
This particular plan was rescued from a stack of things my mom found while cleaning out my late grandmother’s home. If you’ve read past postings, you may remember that she kept every letter I’d ever written her (w/the date recorded on the back of the envelope) and just about every piece of paper I had ever scribbled on (and that’s a lot ‘o paper!).
And oh yea, my exercise plans, of course…
What I enjoyed most about this find was seeing that I was not content to exercise alone. I added both grandparents to “The Exercise Team” and wrote out a sheet, just like mine, for each of them (although I don’t remember them signing up!)
I’m not sure what prompted such a plan at that age, but I’m proud to say that I am still keeping my teeth healthy almost 40 years later (hey, one out of eight isn’t so bad! ha!)
