BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTS

 KINDNESS . LOVE . PEACE

Where do we get kindness from? Where do we get love from? Where do we get peace from? We could say they originate in us, but the answer is incomplete. We could say they just are, but the answer is incomplete.

We could say they originate in God, then we'd have the true answer.

Love, kindness, peace speak their truth wherever they may be found. Those whose lives are full of love, kindness, and peace show remarkable facility for caring, giving, and gentleness. I love how these individuals demonstrate in their beings (without saying it) their walk with God.

My grandma walked with God. Her very essence exuded love, kindness, and peace. In the midst of distress, sorrow and suffering Grandma's inner light still continued to glow. She had worries, yes, but the Source of peacefulness lived within her, the light of life, the Lord Jesus.

Grandma trusted God, and He took care of her.

What made my grandma into the faithful servant she became? I assume it was because she chose to trust in God. She also had a dear neighbor friend. They prayed together and supported each other, especially when the burdens were heaviest.

Grandma prayed and talked to God as she gardened. She told me it was while she was gardening that she felt closest to God. Her spiritual garden grew at the same time. In it she cultivated kindness, love, and peace. Her garden grew as it was nurtured by her Father God and her own careful tending. Over the years she harvested crop after crop of kindness, love, and peace. All who knew her were blessed when they were in her presence.

Like Grandma, we all can grow in kindness, love, and peace and harvest a bumper crop of blessings.

WHAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE

 

WHAT HAPPENED

I stepped away from teaching seven years ago. I stepped away from teaching children in church three years ago. I stepped away from leading women's ministry two years ago. In each case there were compelling reasons. None were done without a great deal of consideration and agony.

When you step away from something you love, it leaves a void, an emptiness. You can question whether anyone cares. Doubt has colored your self assessment. But this is a wrong way of thinking.

You eventually come to the realization that it doesn't really matter what people think. You did what seemed wise and best according to the circumstances. You sought God's help and leading and then pursued the next best thing.

WHAT'S NEXT

You know, it is not wrong to miss what used to be. You gave a lot of yourself, you sweat the hard stuff, you gave and gave, you cared and helped. Those were all good things, and they mattered. But now life is different. Nothing ever stays the same. You have to work at what is now your new normal. This is right thinking.

We all have a responsibility to fulfill our calling, whatever that may be. Situations that stretch us serve as a function to keep us on track. In our humanness it can seem like too much for us to handle. I look back and see how it has a domino effect; one thing leads to another. Each new hill to climb brings its own perspective, an expanding outlook, a greater understanding. We as people are ever-growing, ever-learning, ever-evolving. That is the way it should be.

Be at peace.

WHAT YOU'RE GOOD AT

 

WE KNOW A LOT

 

But Should We Use It?

 

On October 31, 2019 Tamela Hancock of the Steve Laube organization wrote an interesting blog post. She asked us what we could write about, what we are qualified to write about. It was a good question and my random thoughts quickly coalesced.  I've had a lot of varied experiences in my life. I have trained in many pursuits. Yes, I could write about many things though I am not an expert in any of them.

I wrote a response in the comments section. You see, it is kind of fun to play around with the ideas of what you know and how it could be helpful to someone else. I will share some of that with you here.

 

What books are in you? i.e. What books are in me?

Many writings float around in my subconscious and tickle my fancy every so often. I don't give them much heed, but it is invigorating to think about. Maybe I do have something to say that's worth saying in areas I've not yet promoted or presented. Here goes. . .

FARMING-I could write about farming as an analogy to spirituality from my years of farming and my country roots. I spent twenty years as a walnut farmer and that's no walk in the park.

TEACHING-I could write about the compassionate side to teaching, the many ways in which children are reached through novel methods and caring individuals from my years of teaching and as a reading specialist. Children respond to outward and inward stimuli; a thought worth exploring.

CAREGIVING-I might write about the caregiving role of adult children with their aging parents and the major earthquake it takes to make things happen when denial causes resistance. My observation skills and experiences say you persevere on through because you care and you must.

LEADING-I would truly enjoy writing about leading women in the deeper, freeing, spiritual walk, walking them though the areas of hurt and bondage to freedom and grace. This is heartfelt and from my years of experience both personally and in leadership.

MENTORING-I could write about my one-on-one experiences in mentoring grown women. There are ways to do this well, and cautions to avoid in doing it sloppily, that kill the effort. For me, this is one of the most rewarding ventures I have ever done. It is still unfolding and teaching me.

MISCELLANY-And there are several others because of my creative bent: Thematic Teaching, Artistry, Parenting, Visuals, Program Development, Creative Teaching and so on.

Expert knowledge versus experiential knowledge could be where the rub comes in. I think it is worth thinking about the many possibilities. Some day they just may be opportunities.

Maybe you're not an author. Maybe this doesn't interest you. That is not the point. What do you have in you that you could share with others? Think about that. You have learned and developed certain traits and skills and interests that might assist someone else. What do you have to offer?

THIS N THAT

MONTANA

PAUSE & CONSIDER no. 10

 

Random Thoughts on a Busy Week

 

BREAKDOWN
My son's pickup broke down in Ekalaka Montana. Population 400. Great people. Helped him out. Gave him a place to stay. Fixed the truck. Back on the road today. Small town America still has the home touch. Thank you.

YOUNG MARRIEDS
I met a group of singles and young parents last night. They're studying the bible together. I loved listening to their comments as the banter went back and forth. I appreciate their sincerity as they build together a spiritual foundation for living in a broken world. Beautiful connection.

LIES
The truth will set us free. We as a society must uproot the lies that sabotage what is right--like errant weeds in a vegetable patch--to lay claim to the truth that stands supreme above all else.

LIGHT
Come out of the darkness into the light. The light of the world is Jesus.

BEAUTY
Do you want beauty that lasts? Any woman can be beautiful her whole life. The inner self shines to the outer self. I Peter 3:3-4 says it well, "Your beauty . . . should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." The essence of beauty originates from within.