by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
Four Friday’s into the month of February and I’m still LOVING tiny houses.
At first glance, I’m a bit underwhelmed by today’s selection.
I
don’t know if it’s the weathered look or the slightly cluttered feel of
the setting, but the only thing here that visually appeals to me is the
fact that it’s a tiny house on a wooded lot.
|
| Pic 2 |
Then, the door opens
to this {2nd pic.} A light, airy space never suspected from the
outside looking in. White boards, shiny floors, and my oh my, the
books.
|
| Pic 3 |
As you move through the room, one can’t help but notice the turn-table and leaning vinyl {3rd pic.} Sold!
And finally, {4th pic} the warm woody feel of the attic lends itself to the perfect music room (or reading nook?)
Would you have ever guessed this bright clean space was hiding behind the weathered exterior? Me either.
All
too often, houses aren’t the only things I judge at first glance. I’ve
driven past restaurants because of their appearance, determined a person
can’t sing in a TV contest because they don’t “look like the type that
could sing.” Whaaat?
What’s worse, I’m sometimes quick to judge
people based on their outward appearance, a particular facial gesture,
or the way they ride my bumper.
So with this final shout out to Tiny Houses I’m reminded that many of us can relate with the first impressions and how they can lead us astray.
What do you think? What most surprised you about behind the doors of this particular tiny home?
As we wrap up our February series on all things LOVE, I want to thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend time with me here @ Fragrant Ink. I especially appreciate all the participation. What a blessing!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
One of my favorite accounts in the Bible is found in 1 Kings 19.
A discouraged Elijah flees to the wilderness despite the fact God had just used him to silence the lies of Baal in a magnificent display of Yahweh’s power. One would think after such a victory he’d be dancing like David before the LORD but instead he flees under threat to the wilderness, overcome by discouragement.
Along the way, God cares for him in seemingly small ways but through each one, especially the last one, he restores Elijah in a beautiful way.
Let’s see.
- He prayed for God to kill him but he was one of the few men who never actually died.
- God provided for His physical needs, and then his emotional ones.
- God provided a broom tree for Elijah to rest under.
- God allowed Elijah to fully voice his frustrations.
- Then, God graciously reveals Himself to Elijah. As he stood at the cleft of a cliff, He sent wind, an earthquake and fire, but it was in a still small voice (a gentle whisper, if you will) that Elijah sensed God’s presence and was awe-struck.
Initially, the theme for March’s series was going to be wind. After all, it goes hand-in-hand with the month. But then, 1 Kings 19:1-21 reminded me how often it’s the scent of subtle, quiet “whispers” that take place in our lives that produce our most powerful moments in life.
So, I hope you’ll make plans to join me on this journey. I plan to post twice a week, beginning Monday, March 2, for this series and would love for you to share your own “whispers” along the way. And did I mention a very sweet giveaway at the end of the month? Oh yes.
And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 1 Kings 19:12 ESV
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
“Tell her the child is with Me and that she will see him again one day.” -Steve
When I heard Steve’s words spoken to me thirty years ago, I knew of Christ, but I didn’t know Him personally as my Lord and Savior. (An eternal difference!)
I wasn’t overly surprised by his assurance that I would one day see the miscarried child because, after all, I was a “good person.” Of course I’d be in heaven! My concern was for the baby.
And then I came to know—really know—Jesus Christ in a tiny duplex on the outskirts of Spartanburg. Now, as I reflect back on Steve’s words spoken to me that day in the hospital, I stand in awe of God’s sovereignty, mercy, and grace.
God knew I would be with him in heaven one day…
but on that day in the hospital,
I was far, far away from him.
I realize the above post will be more fully understood after you’ve read my entire story but for today, I simply praise God for His sovereignty — for knowing all things from beginning to end. And that love is, and always has been, His motivation.
“Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”
Psalm 115:3
Care to join in the praise? How have you seen the sovereignty of God in your life?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE anything with the hint of pencil shavings except, of course, jelly beans. (Yes, this exists.)
The office supply section at Target has a gravitational force that sucks in nerdy lovers of all things paper with little resistance. And when that paper item just happens to be paired with anything tea related? Bye bye necessities!
Today, I’d like to share last week’s Target find with you. Literally. But first, the specifics. I love the size. It fits in a pocket or purse. The kraft paper is the perfect backdrop for the steaming cups of tea. Pages are lined and ready for pen in hand!
Here’s the fun part:
If you (or your wife) would like the opportunity to receive this find (along with a cup of tea!) in your mailbox this week, simply leave a comment letting me know how you might use it — journaling, jotting down noticed quirks for your next novel, poetic ideas, grocery list, etc.
I’d love to share this with you! Enjoy!
“If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered.”
Edgar Allen Poe
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE poetry, Mary Oliver, and yes, owls.
So imagine my delight when all three loves were realized in one particular poem.
Whether you’re a lover of poetry or not, I encourage you to read Mary Oliver’s poem slowly. Simply find one line that you enjoy, one description that makes you smile.
Little Owl Who Lives in the Orchards
by Mary Oliver
His beak could open a bottle,
and his eyes—when he lifts their soft lids—
go on reading something
just beyond your shoulder—
Blake, maybe,
or the Book of Revelation.
Never mind that he eats only
the black-smocked crickets,
and dragonflies if they happen
to be out late over the ponds, and of course
the occasional festal mouse.
Never mind that he is only a memo
from the offices of fear—
it’s not size but surge that tells us
when we’re in touch with something real,
and when I hear him in the orchard
fluttering
down the little aluminum
ladder of his scream—
when I see his wings open, like two black ferns,
a flurry of palpitations
as cold as sleet
rackets across the marshlands
of my heart,
like a wild spring day.
Somewhere in the universe,
in the gallery of important things,
the babyish owl, ruffled and rakish,
sits on its pedestal.
Dear, dark dapple of plush!
A message, reads the label,
from the mysterious conglomerate:
Oblivion and Co.
The hooked head stares
from its blouse of dark, feathery lace.
It could be a valentine.
In tomorrow’s post, I’m sharing an opportunity to win a little something that might help you in making your own notes of observation for poetry, prose, and life.
But for now, I’d love to know the word or line that resonated with you most today!
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
by Cathy Baker
I LOVE structure.
In fact, it’s a necessary component to my day. And apparently I’m not alone.
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, Cynthia Owens is currently helping me structure my time wisely. One book she mentioned early on was Mason Currey’s Daily Rituals…How Artists Work.
In it, you’ll find rituals from over two hundred artists including writers, composers, filmmakers, scientists, poets, philosophers, sculptors, choreographers, etc. I couldn’t put it down!
Although the rituals of Jane Austin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mark Twain, and Stephen King are all fascinating, today I’m shining the spotlight on Jonathan Edwards, the eighteenth-century preacher and theologian.
He spent thirteen hours a day in his study, beginning at 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning. (He noted in his diary, “I think Christ has recommended rising early in the morning, by his rising from the grave very early.”) To break up these long hours he would do some type of physical activity but my favorite tidbit? For horseback rides, he employed a mnemonic device as described by his biographer George W. Marsden: “For each insight he wished to remember, he would pin a small piece of paper on a particular part of his clothes, which he would associate with the thought. When he returned home he would unpin these and write down each idea. At the ends of trips of several days, his clothes might be covered by quite a few of these slips of paper.”
Now, I’m not a fan of the word ritual but I admit the tapping sound from my shoes on our century old steps signal my brain it’s time to write. By the time I climb the stairs to my writing nook, I’m ready for my fingertips to do the tapping instead of my shoes. (A subject covered in Rebecca Livermore’s, Blogger’s Quick Guide to Writing Rituals and Routines.)
Do you thrive with structure or do you prefer a looser approach to your day? I love how God uses us all. Can you imagine how boring it would be if we all enjoyed hearing the tapping of our shoes on wooden steps?
Most of life is routine — dull and grubby, but routine is the momentum that keeps a man going. If you wait for inspiration you’ll be standing on the corner after the parade is a mile down the street. – Ben Nicholas
by Cathy Baker
