by Cathy Baker | Faith, Seasonal |
Never was Spring more welcomed than this past March.
Longer lit days, the promise that when one season closes, another will open.
I wonder if we’ll notice more this spring as we work, play, and do school from home. If the necessary pause in our society will heighten our awareness to God’s goodness in ways we all experience — salvation, biblical community, a baby’s birth, nature — as well as the way He personally ministers to us through His Word, prayer, and even our God-given senses.
My hope is that we don’t see the following only as a list to check off or something to look for, but also, opportunities to praise our Maker.
This is one way we slow our soul down to a holy pace.
What We See:
- Leaves unfolding from a long winter’s nap.
- Daffodils and other memory-making flowers. (It’s hard to pass a patch of these tiny trumpets without thinking of my grandmother. She loved old-timey varieties that held a touch of sweetness.)
- Song Birds gathering twigs, mud, and feathers for their nests.
- Kites catching spring winds and riding them across the sky.
What We Hear:
- Bird songs, especially early in the morning before their day begins. “In the trees nearby, the birds make their nests and sing.” Psalm 104:12 GNT
- Lawnmowers (and if you have four acres, you’ll hear it for hours).
- A personal concert created by wind chimes stirring to rhythmic winds.
- Collisions of unstable air, moisture, and lifting in the atmosphere, producing spring storms that hold the power to jolt us from our bed. And on those days you might enjoy “Engaging Your Five Senses on a Rainy Day.”
What We Smell:
- The sharp, distinct scent of a freshly mowed lawn.
- A musky mingling of soil and air when the shovel turns its first scoop onto the ground. It’s the fragrance of spring!
- The savory fragrance of meat on a grill.
- A clean home, but not perfectly so. A comfortable home creates a sweet fragrance that lingers long after any cleaning product is gone.
- Spring flowers, heavy with the scent of victory, for they survived the winter.
What We Touch:
- Tufts of green moss carpeting the woods nearby.
- Sandals instead of boots. Light sweaters, not heavy. Bye, bye bulky.
- Spring breezes that scoot through open windows.
- Pool water, because we want to believe it’s warm enough for a swim.
- Feathery fern fronds, lacy Japanese Maples, bristly pine needles, and smoothly textured leaves.
What We Taste:
- What have we not tasted during this quarantine? Sweet mercy!
- Strawberries (Subscribers, watch your inbox today for a simple, old-timey Strawberry Pound Cake recipe from my namesake, Catherine Edwards. Did I mention there’s icing involved?)
- Fresh produce. Now’s a great time to support our local farmers.
- Is it safe to say we could be tasting a bit of loneliness? Being apart from those we love, our church gatherings, and perhaps even from the loss of normalcy. It’s okay, you’re not alone. But distance doesn’t have to distance us where it matters.
- God’s goodness. Every moment, every day. Memorizing a Scripture verse is one of the most powerful ways to engage our season, both in spring and life. Click here to download spring-inspired verses.
“This is what the LORD says⏤he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, the poplar trees by flowing streams.” (Isaiah 44:1-4)
So tell me, what’s your favorite part of spring?
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll decide to stay awhile. If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well.
So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Ideas |
Do you hear her?
“Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?” (Proverbs 8:1 NIV)
Perhaps it’s because I followed unwise whispers for my first twenty-seven years (and saw the devastation of those choices) that now, I can’t lean in far enough to hear wisdom’s voice.
God says if we lack wisdom we can ask for it, and He will give it generously and without fault. (James 1:5) He is our one true source of wisdom.
“He who walks with the wise grows wise.”
Even though Proverbs 13:20 isn’t directed toward our relationship with God, it certainly rings true just the same.
So earlier this year, I added the practice of reading one Psalm a day, in order, and the Proverb that corresponds with that particular day to my morning routine.
It’s funny how one tiny but intentional tweak can breathe new life into a quiet time!
I can’t explain it, but knowing what I will read before I open my Bible helps me to stay focused. Without a specific direction, my brain skips around like a little girl who just downed a second box of Skittles. It’s painful to admit how often I’ve allowed that one silly snafu to trip me up over the years.
But on April 8th, I read this Proverb:
“Listen to wisdom’s instruction and be wise. Do not ignore it. Blessed is the man [and woman] who:
- listens to me
- watching daily at my doors
- waiting at my doorway
… for whoever finds me, finds life and receives favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 8:33-35
I grabbed my needle-thin pen and carefully drew a line beneath the words listens, watching, and waiting.
I couldn’t look away.
Although I’ve read the book of Proverbs many times over for the past thirty years, it’s the first time I noticed the number of active verbs on the way to wisdom. So I began praying:
What’s one way I could be more attentive to the beauty and value discovered in wisdom? Before the question had time to escape my brain (as so many things do), the idea to keep a master list of what I learn about wisdom took a seat and made itself right at home in my heart.
So what’s one way to answer when wisdom calls? Create a Topical List Journal.
Within minutes, I plowed through my pile of empty journals. When I spotted the luggage cover, it reminded me that we’re all sojourners, not stayers, so it was the lucky winner.
Now, in the mornings when I move my way through the book of Proverbs, I read through a chapter in its entirety first. Then, I circle back to list what I learned about wisdom, like:
- She is a tree of life to those who embrace her. (3:17)
- Wisdom = straight paths. (4:11)
- Nothing we desire compares with wisdom. (8:11)
- Wisdom loves those who love her and those who seek her find her. (8:17)
- The LORD brought wisdom forth as the first of his works, before his deeds of old. (8:22)
I sit speechless as I consider the benefits of listening to wisdom’s voice (and the woes if not). Seeing these truths in a list-form format helps me to digest them easier and reflect on them longer.
But you and I, we know it’s not about making a list or finding the “right” journal. And it’s not about becoming wise in our own eyes (Proverbs 3:7) but rather, lifting words from living pages (Hebrews 4:12), and allowing truth to pierce our good ideas, our take on things, and what we think others want to hear.
“Look for wisdom like silver. Search for it like hidden treasure. If you do this, you will understand what it means to respect the LORD, and you will come to know God. The LORD is the source of wisdom; knowledge and understanding come from his mouth.” Proverbs 2:4-6 ERV
Do you hear her calling?
Writing down what we learn about wisdom is a good place to start, but maybe the Holy Spirit is tugging on your ear about a different word or theme. The subjects are endless because the Word speaks to every area of our lives.
- Is there one area in your life you’re struggling with right now? That may be your first subject.
- If you don’t have a journal handy, no problem! Office supply nerds like me seem to always have a stash hidden away, but right now, we’re blessed to just have toilet paper and paper towels, so write it down where ever you please — notebook paper, your phone,
dinner napkins (oops, those are also hard to find!).
- Taking an extra second or two to jot down the scripture reference will save time in the long run. Trust me.
- Read the verses aloud as you write them down, and then ask God to show you how to apply the truths. We’re after a heart change, not head knowledge.
- See this as a treasure hunt! Because it’s exactly that, regardless of the subject.
The wise ones search for what is theirs in Christ, and when they search, they find it. And when they find it, their ears open to hear and obey as one who just discovered the greatest treasures this side of heaven.
Are you ready to join the hunt? Share the subject that popped in your mind while reading this post and you’ll automatically be entered into the Topical List Journal giveaway! (Subscribers, you get an extra vote!)
Searching for ways to think of others during the quarantine? Click here to read “30 Meaningful Things to Do if You’re Self-Quarantined.
I’d love for you to be a part of the Creative Pauses community! Simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> (You can unsubscribe at any time.) Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well. So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Ideas |
Photo by Arnel Hasanovic on Unsplash
Is there a better time to create with the purpose of inspiring?
The inspiration board is personal, but when we’re inspired we can’t help but inspire others.
The beauty of an online inspiration board is that it’s easy, fun, free, and well…downright inspiring. Since we’re all homebound for a while, it’s the perfect time to give it a try. Children will enjoy it too!
So, let’s get to it…
Pick a subject. There’s no right or wrong answer. Here are some to get your juices flowing:
- Goals for the next 30, 60, or 90 days. {Spiritually, physically, and emotionally}.
- Things I’d like to learn.
- Ways to use this season in life to serve others.
- What I want to create space for {Spiritually, physically, and emotionally}.
- Scripture verses I need to remember when anxiety clouds my mind.
- Ways I can use my home for God’s glory.
- New ministry ideas.
- The why behind a book you’re writing or a ministry you’re considering.
- Inspirational quotes.
- A vision or calling that could use a little clarifying.
- Why _____ is important to me {and specific reasons why they are for when we tend to forget.}
It’s the last suggestion that was the catalyst for my own board: Get and Stay Healthy. That, and my yearly physical. Although I’m healthy overall, my doctor made a couple of strong recommendations: cut down on sugar and exercise four times a week. I’ve known for a while I’ve needed to do both. But like a silly toddler, I stuck a finger in each ear and la-la-la’d all the way to the freezer to find comfort from the very thought of it.
I know what I need to do but I tend to forget the most important part: the why behind it.
So I made an Inspirational Board specifically aimed at my why for taking better care of my body.
I didn’t have cardboard lying around or any magazines I wanted to cut up, so I decided to go to Canva and create an online version. I might use it as my desktop screensaver or when society is up and running again, I may print it in color and slap it on my closet door. Or the freezer’s.
Just the simple act of creating a board helps to clarify what’s really important.
Here’s a quick overview on how to create your inspiration, mood, or vision board:
- Go to Canva. (There are other online tools but this is my go-to for most projects. It’s easy and free.)
- Click on “Create a Design” in the left sidebar and choose “Mood Boards Photo Collage”.
- In seconds, you’ll see beautiful templates on the left. Focus on the layout, not the pictures, because you’ll be replacing theirs with your own.
- Click on a template you like and depending on what type you choose, you can name your project and/or start loading images into your template by dragging them over. (Don’t worry about deleting the image to try a new one. Just move a new one over the existing one.) Click on the Elements or Photos in the left sidebar to use Canva’s images, or you can upload your own.
- Once you’re finished, download it as a pdf to print it or as a png (image) if you want to display it on your computer.
For a more detailed version, click here to go to Canva’s instruction page.
Here’s my Inspiration Board.
The blocks below represent some of the whys behind my decision to make wiser choices. It’s my personal board but I don’t mind sharing it because if this virus has taught us anything it’s that we’re all in this together.
This is how the Inspiration Board helps me:
- Temptation raises its ugly head more often while home 24/7. I read it to help keep me focused on the long-term goal when the short-term is begging for attention.
- With WW meetings postponed, the accountability factor isn’t the same and where I am in the process, it’s a must. This board quietly but powerfully acts as a visual accountability partner.
- The board inspires and encourages me of the possibilities ahead.
- Last but not least, it also acts as a praise board. How could I not praise the One from whom all good gifts flow?
I chose a template that gave me several places to write down my whys, as well as places for images to match. But there are many templates to choose from, so:
- Pick a subject.
- Choose a template that matches how many blocks you’ll need.
- Have fun!
- Stay alert to what the Holy Spirit may want to show you through this process.
- Need a little warm-up? I created a fun (and pretty) worksheet to help you get started.
Click here to download your FREE “My Inspiration Board” worksheet.
So, what’s at least one subject you’d consider creating an Inspiration Board for? (There’s no right or wrong answer!)
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3
Subscribers, check your inbox tonight for your Monthly Letter! It includes in-home Easter celebration links, NEW hope-filled coloring pages, a download, “Giving God Glory From Our Spacious Place”, and more.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll decide to stay awhile. If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well.
So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Ideas |
Well, those are words I never expected to type, but here we are.
I’m not in a panic over the Coronavirus, but it’s true that some, perhaps many of us, may end up self-quarantined or otherwise homebound. But here’s the thing:
Every opportunity holds the potential to become meaningful.
Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise — making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15,16
Below are thirty ideas to consider if staying inside for a while. I pray they’ll become the catalyst for spreading hope, encouragement, and truth, to others (germ-free!):
- Set aside fifteen minutes to scroll through Facebook to collect prayer requests. Jot them down and set aside time to pray specifically for each person. Well-meaning “likes” don’t always result in prayer, but they can today! If the Lord brings to mind a certain scripture verse while praying, share it with the person. Our extra minute can encourage them for days.
- Turn on praise music and sing to the Lord or better yet, sing acapella.
- Create your own music list. Fill it with songs of hope and peace.
- Start a new Bible study. If you don’t have one on hand, try an online study from Proverbs 31, LifeWay studies, and free studies from Jen Wilkin.
- Complete the last study you didn’t finish.
- Hibernate in prayer.
- Turn everything off. Listen to the birds. Watch them. Study them. Let these tiny creatures serve as a reminder of God’s intimate care for you. (Luke 12:24)
- Cook a vegetable meal. Before you pick up the fork, read Proverbs 15:17 aloud: “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred.” Invite conversation: How does this apply to our family? How can we “put feet” to this verse in helping others?
- Take a James 1:17 stroll. “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” As you walk outside, intentionally search for God’s good gifts surrounding you⏤an unfurling blossom, a flower’s scent, the sun breaking through clouds, etc. Embrace the goodness of God and let it carry you heavenward throughout the day.
- Take tea for two, you and God.
- Finish the current book you’re reading. Then, go the extra mile and leave a review on Amazon. Bonus points if you do the same on Goodreads, and don’t forget to add it to your reading list while you’re there.
- Start a new book. If you know the author, message her along the way sharing what encourages you or a phrase that stood out to you. If a quote stands out, consider posting it on Facebook and Instagram to encourage others (and the author).
- Call a different person each day. Many of us prefer to text but let’s delight someone by laying aside our preferences and call instead.
- Text two people each day with one purpose in mind: to encourage.
- Pray for your children/grandchildren. Jon Bloom’s 7 Things to Pray for Your Children is a favorite.
- Pray for your adult children.
- Pray for the lost. Tim Challies’ 18 Prayers to Pray for the Lost is a great place to start.
- Draw a line down the center of a page.
- Plan for the future. Sometimes our immobility is simply a rest area on the highway of life. It gives us unexpected time to pray, think, and mull over ideas.
- Create mini-love notes and place them in sock drawers, on mirrors, cereal boxes, or inside his/her Bible.
- Is it raining? Engage those God-given senses!
- If you’re up for it, work or play in your yard. Plant flowers, pull weeds, plunge seeds into the ground.
- Create simply for the joy of creating.
- Create a vision board. Go through magazines, clip inspiring quotes and pictures OR create an online version via Canva (free). (Watch for an upcoming post on this subject!)
- Write morning pages. Not sure how? Click here for one of the best breakdowns I’ve read (other than Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way.)
- Start a gratitude journal. Is there a better time to focus on our blessings?
- Do a prayer walk through your home.
- Set up a prayer journal.
- Read scripture verses on peace. Write them down. Memorize at least one and lean on God’s promises with the same warmth and confidence a child bends toward her mother.
- If you’re a Creative Pauses subscriber (you are awesome!), enjoy your free resources (Scripture-Based Coloring Pages, Praying Throughout Your Home, 10 Ways to Show Up for Others This Summer, etc.). If not, then pull up a chair and join in the fun! Simply type your email in the top right-hand sidebar >>>> and start enjoying your free resources immediately.
* Click here for a downloadable PDF print of the list above.
The Coronavirus situation gives us, the hopers and believers of the world, opportunities to share Christ in ways we’ve never had before. Becoming more intentional in how we care for others — emotionally, physically, and spiritually — during a time when many are focused on themselves, might just make an eternal difference.
Yes, we plan and use our resources wisely, but above all, we love selflessly.
Is there one particular idea above that stands out to you, or do you have one to add to the list?
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Gatherings |
Gathering each week to worship the One true God is life-giving.
Gathering with the One, quiet and alone, is a sacred delight.
This gathering requires no preparations. Simply come.
Sometimes, especially after a hard season in life, or in the middle of one, I find comfort in setting an intentional table for two. This tea time with God isn’t a weird “fluffy feel good” practice. It’s an intentional act that flies in the face of my enemy who never tires of reminding me of past sins or current failures.
But God’s nearness is the key that unlocks both my hope and joy. So I simply come.
Two teacups sit on my farm table. One cup holds a teabag. The other holds a place at the table, reminding me that my Heavenly Father’s presence is that near.
As the kettle whistles and the water pours, my cup blossoms into rich amber. Its rising fragrance reminds me of the incense that arose from the Holy of Holies, representing the prayers of God’s people.
Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence. Psalm 141:2
As I sip my tea — time slows to a sacred pace. I sit still and quiet.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
There’s nothing natural about stilling the heart and mind. (Lately, it seems the more unnatural/uncomfortable something feels, the more convinced I am it is of God.) He wants us to know Him. I can’t wrap my head around this truth but I fully embrace it with every drop of gratitude possible.
Let these truths settle deep in the soul: God never hides from us, ignores our pain, or fiddles with a phone when we speak. Nothing is too small, too big, too high, or too wide for His reach. He is ever-present.
May these truths never wear thin in the fabric of our everyday lives.
As I sip my tea, I read His Word aloud, pray, and talk with Him as I would with a friend sitting across from me. Words aren’t always necessary, just like any relationship. “Happy masks” are exchanged for the freedom that is mine through Jesus. In Him, I can be me — a repeat offender, quirky, and quite the mess, but it’s in this same freedom I recognize that “being me” doesn’t negate my sinfulness. In fact, it highlights it, and for my good. So I confess and close out our time by thanking God for who He is:
- Heavenly Father
- Holy
- Just
- Forgiving, full of grace
- Omniscient
- Omnipresent
- El Roi, the God who sees
The quiet power of our tea-for-two lingers long after the last sip, thanks be to Jesus.
Have you practiced something similar? Is there a particular name of God you’re leaning into these days? I’d love for you to share your thoughts with us in the comment section.
NEW Gift for Subscribers to the Creative Pauses Community
I hope you enjoy these five fun scripture-based coloring pages!
If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well. So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
by Cathy Baker | Faith, Ideas |
Goodness knows we’ve had enough of them this winter!
Over the past couple of weeks, our area has experienced devastating floods, a tornado, and snow. Gotta love the Carolinas!
With March just around the corner, more rain is sure to come. So let’s consider some fun and meaningful ways to engage our rainy day senses:
What Can We See?
- Read rain-related verses.
- Go through old photos – not for the purpose of organizing but simply to enjoy.
- Watch the rain⏤the way droplets weigh down the leaves on a branch. Or the places where it puddles. Reading the verses beforehand can’t help but add depth to our wonder.
- Hopefully a rainbow!
What Can We Hear?
- Listen⏤really listen⏤to the soft ticking of the rain on your window, umbrella, or rooftop. Rain is a symphony of nature created by God for our listening pleasure.
- Vinyl spinning on a nearby turntable.
- Perhaps a crackling fire if it’s cold outside?
- The sloshing sound from beneath our rain boots as we jump puddles with (or without) our children/grandchildren.
What Can We Smell?
- Step outside and catch the scent of rain. Depending on where it falls (the driveway, freshly plowed dirt, grass, or the pup), we’ll pick up on a variety of aromas. All a delight, except for the latter. 🙂
- Burn a candle as you read a favorite book. (Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson is a new fave of mine. This isn’t an affiliate link. I’m just a fan.)
- Soup cooking over a hot stove. Is there anything more soothing than soup on a rainy day? Besides warm chocolate chip cookies, of course.
What Can We Touch?
- Warm pj’s and flannel sheets. Need I say more?
- The hands of a loved one. A rainy night is the ideal setting to unplug and spend time with those God has placed in our lives.
- Birdfeeders. My country birdies are voracious eaters when it rains.
- A pen. Rainy days are perfect for re-engaging the art of a handwritten letter.
- Hearts and lives through prayer. Let’s pull out our prayer journal and lift up the lost and loved ones to the Lord.
What Can We Taste?
- Steamy mugs of tea. Lace it with honey and sip away.
- My go-to Weight Watchers meal from Skinnytaste, Crockpot Sante Fe Chicken. It’s a real meal everyone can enjoy.
- The rain! When’s the last time we put on our rain boots, ran outside, looked up to the heavens and stuck out our tongue? None of us are promised tomorrow, so let’s have some fun!
- The goodness of God. “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8) Rainy days offer a pause⏤physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Set aside time to journal or make a list of specific ways you’ve tasted (experienced firsthand) God’s goodness in recent days.
“You heavens above, rain down my righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness flourish with it; I, the LORD, have created it.” (Isaiah 45:8)
So, which of the five senses do you most enjoy on a rainy day?
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll decide to stay awhile. If you’d like to become a part of the community, simply type your e-address in the righthand sidebar. >>>> Bi-weekly posts offer a pause of goodness to your busy days, and once a month, you’ll also receive a newsletter chock-full of the latest happenings in the Tiny House on the Hill, along with ideas on ways we can draw near to God and love others well.
So, come on over and sit a spell. I’d love to get to know you!
