by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Blooming in my yard today.
The first two – Winter Daphne and Winter Honeysuckle –
fill the air with Spring-like fragrance.
Do you also hurry, half-dressed and barefoot, into the garden,
and softly,
and exclaiming of their dearness,
fill your arms with the white and pink flowers,
with their honeyed heaviness, their lush trembling,
their eagerness
to be wild and perfect for a moment, before they are
nothing, forever?
– excerpt from Peonies, Mary Oliver (a favorite poet of mine)
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
A favorite stocking stuffer this past Christmas was a gift certificate to this exceptional establishment. Being the creature of habit that I am, I see but one delectable item on their menu (although there are many): Dried Cranberries and Grilled Chicken Salad.
As you can see, the portion is enough for two salads. It’s chock full of grilled chicken, slivered almonds, dried cranberries, and shredded carrots. Their rosemary balsamic dressing is so yummy I always buy a carton (saves lots of money!) to use for similar salads at the house.
Healthy field greens + grilled protein + bright orange vege + a tossing of cranberries = My favorite meal, hands down.
What would be your Friday Fave meal?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Curious (kyo͝orēəs) adj. Eager to know or learn something.
Curiosity. A gift from God all too often overlooked for the “grander” ones. I didn’t realize how much so until Sweet P came along.
I remember the first time I saw her closely examining a single thread on her coat. She touched it ever so gently, observing every angle for what seemed to be minutes.
Yesterday, Brian and I took Piper to the Children’s Museum. It’s the seventh largest children’s museum in the nation and quite a treat to behold. A few areas were designated for toddlers, such as a grocery store with stocked shelves and mini-grocery carts. If yesterday is any indication, she’s not going to be a big shopper (like her Grammy!) She whizzed right past the grocery cart – went straight for the wax tomatoes – and ran out of the “store”. That’s my girl!
Afterwards, we headed to Chic-fil-A for lunch. As you can see from the picture above, her curiosity kicked up dust when I pulled off the strip of paper from the disposable place mat. Eyes grew round and a grin was quickly displayed across her sweet face. (I had a similar reaction but unfortunately mine was for the waffle fries.)
Our morning at the museum and Chic-fil-A proved to be one of the most enjoyable times ever for obvious reasons (thank you Zach & Sarah!) but it was also an enlightening one as I was reminded that whether we’re 5 or 50+, we should never stop wondering, observing, and asking questions or else we risk squelching the beautiful God-given gift of curiosity.
What are you eager to learn about today?
We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
One of my favorite Christmas gifts came in the form of 14 discs, penned by Flora Thompson between 1939 and 1943.
What makes Lark Rise to Candleford a fave:
- Breathtaking scenery. Late 19th century England countryside at its best.
- Characters. In every sense of the word. Some sweet, some sassy.
- Wholesome plots. How often can you say that these days?
- Minnie, the maid. She’s my favorite character of all. Quirky and a true delight.
Lark Rise to Candleford is shown on ETV Saturday and Sunday nights at 7:00. Check your local listing for more information.
Or, if you prefer to clear 34 episodes (and counting) off the DVR, pick up the complete collection here. You won’t be disappointed.
British Classics. It’s my one weakness.
If you’re a fan, who is your favorite character and why?
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Twenty-three years ago, I was directed to a newly formed “New Beginnings” Sunday School class. My wounds, still fresh from a punt kick to the heart, made me wonder if I’d ever fit into a Southern Baptist Church.
I dropped the boys off at their classrooms and nervously proceeded to a little brick house perfectly situated on the church campus. I couldn’t help but wonder what or who awaited me behind the six-paneled door. Could there really be other young divorcees in this church who might relate to my circumstances?
I inhaled as much courage two lungs would allow, turned the knob, and slowly opened the door.
A quick survey of the room left me both stunned and delighted as I noticed the majority of the group were older men and women who had been widowed.
Immediately, a woman who’d agreed to co-lead the new class stepped up, wrapped her arms around me, and welcomed me with a warm smile that could melt any barrier guarding the heart. Her name was Lavana.
Over the next few months, I attended a masquerade for our group at Lavana’s home and hopped on the church bus for a local fish fry, among other things. This group of men and women embraced me despite my sinful past. Unconditional love defined.
This past Sunday, I drove back to that church in my hometown to attend Lavana’s visitation services.
As I made my way home, I couldn’t help but wonder how things might be different today had she not stepped up to help lead a new class so many years ago. What if she’d been too busy or too timid to step out on faith?
Lavana loved well. Served well. Prioritized well.
And as a result, many will be forever grateful. Who will say the same about us?
His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have
been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the
joy of your master.’
Matthew 25:23 ESV
by Cathy Baker | Faith |
Somewhere along the line grumbling became all too easy for me.
Complaining a little here. A little there. It begins subtly but swiftly takes hold of the heart, choking thankfulness while liberating a murmur that may or may not be audible to others, but with all certainty, is discernible to our God.
Last year, God revealed how my grumbling – my lack of gratitude – not only displeased Him but also negatively affected my relationship with Him as well as my testimony to others.
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be
blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a
crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I
may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
Philippians 2:14-16 ESV
Grumbling dims God’s brilliance in our lives. Gratefulness amplifies it.
This is one reason why I’ve added Ann Voskamp’s devotional One Thousand Gifts to my spiritual arsenal. Nothing battles the ease of complaining than the power of gratitude. Each day contains scripture, a brief devotional, and “grateful spaces”, numbered lines for listing those things for which I am thankful — both great and small.
Replacing the habit of grumbling with gratefulness is a journey. I have not arrived. But as I pen each praise, each morsel of gratitude, I sense God gaining much ground in my heart, and for this I am very thankful.
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34
The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one
who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
Psalm 50:23
