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 | 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!)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
What is it with rainy days and Mondays?
I actually love the rain, however, one downfall is that Brian and I won’t be able to get our walk in tonight – something we’ve started doing together on most evenings. The physical benefits are good, but so are the relational! It’s a nice time to catch up on things without interruption – no computer, no T.V., no music (a true rarity), no nothing — except the sound of hungry mosquitoes whizzing past our ears. Who could pass that up?
I’m looking forward to our mountain walks when we head up to Saluda for anniversary getaway. It’s coming up soon!
Not soon enough. 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Pause: To cease or suspend an action temporarily; to linger; tarry; to hesitate
Over the past 24 hours, pausing has added value to my life in these ways:
1. I paused at an intersection. It saved the right side of my CRV — and maybe more.
2. While walking through the yard, the sweet fragrance of our tea olive beckoned me to pause, and I did. I took it in for all it was worth and thanked the Lord for surrounding me with such wonderful treats.
3. While having coffee with a friend, my pausing before speaking saved me from saying something I’m glad I didn’t say. 🙂 Now, I wish I could say THAT more often!
4. Pausing allowed me to consider the calories I was about to intake — and I made a wiser choice as a result.
5. Pausing, in general, this week has been much like a breath of fresh air. I’m reminded of our study last Sunday on Psalm 23 where the Shepherd leads the sheep to a place of rest and refreshment. I was in desperate need of both and He provided… as always. 🙂
Needless to say, I need to pause more often.
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
We came home Sunday afternoon to find our Lhasa, Rupert, not acting like himself at all. If you’ve visited us before, you may be thinking it’s a GOOD thing that he’s not acting like himself — but it wasn’t. It was downright scary.
We knew he was emergency clinic bound when: (1) We offered to “go for a ride” (one of his fav things to do). His face screamed “Whippee!” but his body plopped to the floor. (2) Sarah came through the door and instead him jumping up and down (his normal joyful response when he sees the kids), all he could do was lie at her feet.
The vet was unsure of the exact problem other than the pain was located in his back. It could be a slipped disk or it could be a one-time inflammation of some type. Either way, she put him on three meds – two of which has to be taken 3 times a day.
Do you have any idea what’s it like to try and trick an obstinate dog in to eating anything with a pill tucked inside? The last pill I gave him was hidden in so many food groups (unsuccessfully) that it could have been mistaken for a V-8.
If there’s a dog lover reading this, we’re open for suggestions! Actually, we’re desperate for suggestions. 🙂
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Not a lot of rain today, but it is Monday, I’m a Carpenters fan, and Rupert is pretty in pink, so the title seemed to fit. 🙂
I’ve had this soft-as-it-comes vintage pink blanket since Rup was a tiny pup. Today, I need only say “pink blanket” and he comes running from any hiding place he’s discovered in the house.
