I love all your photos of autumn. I can feel it in the air just scrolling through this post. Makes me want to go outside and look for fall in my neighborhood! I hope you have a beautiful week ahead. Thank you for the thoughtful questions. It is so easy to rush into the next thing. The next week. The next season. But I need to pause and reflect on this past one as well. Blessings to you -
Rushing into the next thing. I know, right?! It's so easy to do ... and why are we always in a rush before gleaning what God has already given us to consider, to savor, to praise Him for. Let's hear it for stopping to smell the roses. Or admire the fading leaves ...
I loved every bit of this post, but my favorite part was the questions at the end. I found that I answered them readily without any hesitation as the answers were very obvious to me. I love and appreciate you, sweet friend, and would deeply appreciate your continued prayers. May God richly bless you today.🙏❤😊
Thank you for the sweet invitation, friend. I don't feel comfortable going into detail, but I will certainly share what I can.
1. What turn of events surprised me most? The sudden turn of someone I trusted. The behavior and change has been completely shocking and without explanation. I am angry at myself for letting down my guard and allowing someone to occupy a space I nearly always reserve for only those who have earned my trust. I almost never, ever do this, and why I decided to do it now vexes me beyond words. The turn of events has just about knocked me off my feet, and I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I pray and beg God to flush it out of me. To make me stop thinking about it. To help me rise above it. But, within a little while, I am back to square one, so perplexed, so puzzled, and feeling so vexed at myself for ever allowing it to happen in the first place. The worst part is that it not only affects me, it also involves the ones I love more than anything on earth (other than Jesus), which mulitplies the pain.
2. How did I handle the disappointments? Not well at all. I honestly don't know what to do with it. I lay it at Jesus' feet over and over again, but it rises back up, almost instantly, and I am once again filled with such confusion. I know God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, and I so want Him to take control of it all.
3. Where did I see God hard at work? THIS answer is glorious! GOD did an awesome work in a heart that I have prayed for so hard, so long, so earnestly, and it blesses me beyond measure to see at least a partial answer to those many prayers.
4. What joyful memory will linger longest? The trip to the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum, and the Cain concert I was able to enjoy to the full with my precious husband and son. It was beyond amazing and filled my soul in immeasurable ways. I will never forget it and praise God with all my soul for the experience.
Oh dear Cheryl, I am sorry that you are dealing with this. Broken trust is more than disappointing, it can be searing, and you're so right, it not only impacts us but those around us and the details keep playing on repeat in our heads which makes it so much more difficult to move on from.
May I suggest something that might help? It often is very therapeutic to sit and write a letter that's never mailed. In it you spell out how this impacted you and how you feel about it. Pour out your heart. Be honest since the only person who will see this letter is the Lord. It ends up being an offering to Him. You release this person to Him, you wish them well at the end (which is a form of forgiveness), and you read it out loud to God as a prayer. And then you shred it.
And when the scenario comes to call again, you'll be better equipped to quickly release this person and the whole mess back up to God. He's the One who knows your heart, He's the One who judges justly. He will take care of it. He will comfort you.
As I know you already make a practice of doing, fill your mind with things that are good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy. Don't waste time kicking yourself. That person has no hold on you. Only Jesus does.
I SO appreciate your sound wisdom and advice. I will absolutely do what you said. I know it will bring closure and the healing I so desperately seek and need. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, sweet friend.
I have only one question: I had a summer? Okay maybe two: was there a summer? i seem to remember Memorial Day weekend (barely) and here it is Fall. My disappointment was finally realizing i could not put off my knee replacement any longer and set it for 11/11. my greatest joy was watching my grandson play baseball, meeting his "girl friend," taking Tami to watch her Braves play the Cardinals for her birthday and then anticipating the church's 20th anniversary in October. Fill that with a summer schedule that was relentless and it is now in the rearview mirror.
Oh I'm with you, Bill. It was a summer that disappeared in a glorious flash. I tried to get it to last longer but the cooler temps kept pulling me back to reality.
Thanks for sharing your highlights. And you have so much to look forward to - the 20th anniversary and then getting that knee fixed once and for all.
Your pictures of lovely! They show-off the beauty that a summer to fall transition can bring. And I am sitting with the questions you posed. There were surprises this month! Making space for grace tends to brings on surprises. I think you have helped me come up with a writing idea.... :)
I really like these questions and will take them into my journal tomorrow. The one I like the best and the one that really called to me was number 4. A joy that lingers with me. I liked that taste in my mouth and memory. Brings up things I am grateful for and want to keep longer in my heart. Thanks for such great questions, Linda!
I love that you've used the word linger, Jean. That's one of the beauties of journaling ... we get to sit quietly and reflect and let the Spirit lead us to what's worth pondering and keeping close. Joy is always at the top of the list, isn't it ...
Your work, your writing continues to prompt me toward this deeper reflective walk with Jesus. Thank you for serving as a spiritual mentor from afar I am grateful for the ways you speak into my life.
Summer is lingering here with temps topping 90 for several days, predicted to finally drop in the low-to-mid 80s next week. Looking forward to spending more time outdoors then, although the heat/humidity hasn't been bad in the mornings, so I can enjoy quiet time on our deck--in God's living room. / I hadn't seen the video of Princess Kate. What an elegant, gracious, and strong woman. Delightful to see the genuine love they share as a family.
90? Oh yikes. It's been raining hard here for days. I feel like the earth has been fully replenished and refreshed for now. Enjoy your deck in this beautiful season ... may the humidity wane quickly, friend.
As always, Linda I so enjoy your porch thoughts. I love the images that you shared. I saw the video when it first was posted, I thought it was so beautiful and that it showed them like any normal family. No one is immune to heartaches, sickness, grief, and death.
Sadly, you're right, Pam. None of us is immune to heartaches, sickness, grief, and death. I find they sneak right up and hit us sideways, usually when we're not looking. I'm grateful He already knows the end from the beginning. Therein is our comfort and peace.
Love seeing those Chinese lanterns, Linda! I miss them from our gardens in Vermont. Wonderful memories of Fall. Enjoy your transition...
It was fun spying them on an early morning walk, growing up and around an old mailbox ...
I love all your photos of autumn. I can feel it in the air just scrolling through this post. Makes me want to go outside and look for fall in my neighborhood! I hope you have a beautiful week ahead. Thank you for the thoughtful questions. It is so easy to rush into the next thing. The next week. The next season. But I need to pause and reflect on this past one as well. Blessings to you -
Rushing into the next thing. I know, right?! It's so easy to do ... and why are we always in a rush before gleaning what God has already given us to consider, to savor, to praise Him for. Let's hear it for stopping to smell the roses. Or admire the fading leaves ...
I loved every bit of this post, but my favorite part was the questions at the end. I found that I answered them readily without any hesitation as the answers were very obvious to me. I love and appreciate you, sweet friend, and would deeply appreciate your continued prayers. May God richly bless you today.🙏❤😊
Any of those answers you'd be comfortable in sharing with us, friend?
Thank you for the sweet invitation, friend. I don't feel comfortable going into detail, but I will certainly share what I can.
1. What turn of events surprised me most? The sudden turn of someone I trusted. The behavior and change has been completely shocking and without explanation. I am angry at myself for letting down my guard and allowing someone to occupy a space I nearly always reserve for only those who have earned my trust. I almost never, ever do this, and why I decided to do it now vexes me beyond words. The turn of events has just about knocked me off my feet, and I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I pray and beg God to flush it out of me. To make me stop thinking about it. To help me rise above it. But, within a little while, I am back to square one, so perplexed, so puzzled, and feeling so vexed at myself for ever allowing it to happen in the first place. The worst part is that it not only affects me, it also involves the ones I love more than anything on earth (other than Jesus), which mulitplies the pain.
2. How did I handle the disappointments? Not well at all. I honestly don't know what to do with it. I lay it at Jesus' feet over and over again, but it rises back up, almost instantly, and I am once again filled with such confusion. I know God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, and I so want Him to take control of it all.
3. Where did I see God hard at work? THIS answer is glorious! GOD did an awesome work in a heart that I have prayed for so hard, so long, so earnestly, and it blesses me beyond measure to see at least a partial answer to those many prayers.
4. What joyful memory will linger longest? The trip to the Ark Encounter, the Creation Museum, and the Cain concert I was able to enjoy to the full with my precious husband and son. It was beyond amazing and filled my soul in immeasurable ways. I will never forget it and praise God with all my soul for the experience.
Oh dear Cheryl, I am sorry that you are dealing with this. Broken trust is more than disappointing, it can be searing, and you're so right, it not only impacts us but those around us and the details keep playing on repeat in our heads which makes it so much more difficult to move on from.
May I suggest something that might help? It often is very therapeutic to sit and write a letter that's never mailed. In it you spell out how this impacted you and how you feel about it. Pour out your heart. Be honest since the only person who will see this letter is the Lord. It ends up being an offering to Him. You release this person to Him, you wish them well at the end (which is a form of forgiveness), and you read it out loud to God as a prayer. And then you shred it.
And when the scenario comes to call again, you'll be better equipped to quickly release this person and the whole mess back up to God. He's the One who knows your heart, He's the One who judges justly. He will take care of it. He will comfort you.
As I know you already make a practice of doing, fill your mind with things that are good and lovely, excellent and praiseworthy. Don't waste time kicking yourself. That person has no hold on you. Only Jesus does.
He is the Healer of our wounded hearts.
I SO appreciate your sound wisdom and advice. I will absolutely do what you said. I know it will bring closure and the healing I so desperately seek and need. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, sweet friend.
I have only one question: I had a summer? Okay maybe two: was there a summer? i seem to remember Memorial Day weekend (barely) and here it is Fall. My disappointment was finally realizing i could not put off my knee replacement any longer and set it for 11/11. my greatest joy was watching my grandson play baseball, meeting his "girl friend," taking Tami to watch her Braves play the Cardinals for her birthday and then anticipating the church's 20th anniversary in October. Fill that with a summer schedule that was relentless and it is now in the rearview mirror.
Oh I'm with you, Bill. It was a summer that disappeared in a glorious flash. I tried to get it to last longer but the cooler temps kept pulling me back to reality.
Thanks for sharing your highlights. And you have so much to look forward to - the 20th anniversary and then getting that knee fixed once and for all.
Your photos!! So lovely 😊
My therapy.
Beautiful photos, and these are good questions to consider!
Oh I am so glad to see you!
Your pictures of lovely! They show-off the beauty that a summer to fall transition can bring. And I am sitting with the questions you posed. There were surprises this month! Making space for grace tends to brings on surprises. I think you have helped me come up with a writing idea.... :)
And your happiest surprise was ....?
I really like these questions and will take them into my journal tomorrow. The one I like the best and the one that really called to me was number 4. A joy that lingers with me. I liked that taste in my mouth and memory. Brings up things I am grateful for and want to keep longer in my heart. Thanks for such great questions, Linda!
I love that you've used the word linger, Jean. That's one of the beauties of journaling ... we get to sit quietly and reflect and let the Spirit lead us to what's worth pondering and keeping close. Joy is always at the top of the list, isn't it ...
Your work, your writing continues to prompt me toward this deeper reflective walk with Jesus. Thank you for serving as a spiritual mentor from afar I am grateful for the ways you speak into my life.
Summer is lingering here with temps topping 90 for several days, predicted to finally drop in the low-to-mid 80s next week. Looking forward to spending more time outdoors then, although the heat/humidity hasn't been bad in the mornings, so I can enjoy quiet time on our deck--in God's living room. / I hadn't seen the video of Princess Kate. What an elegant, gracious, and strong woman. Delightful to see the genuine love they share as a family.
90? Oh yikes. It's been raining hard here for days. I feel like the earth has been fully replenished and refreshed for now. Enjoy your deck in this beautiful season ... may the humidity wane quickly, friend.
We need rain here desperately. Tomorrow is our best chance, but mostly just scattered thunderstorms. I do enjoy our deck as much as possible!
Yeah, we'll miss those outdoor spaces when we finally head inside ...
Love this and love seeing you on here 💛💛
Marisa, how sweet to reconnect yet again. You will love Substack, I promise. Moving here was one of the best decisions I made last year.
Gorgeous fall photos. Love the Chinese lanterns. I use to grow those.
Oh is that what they're called! All I did was admire them ... thanks for the info, Amy.
Today it sorta felt like fall
but the leaves still strive
to give a summer's last recall
and try to stay alive.
The morning went quite crisp and cool,
and morning light has changed,
but lizards still will play the fool
with antics so deranged
that even Peanut can't give chase,
and when he tries to pounce,
the reptile's in another place
and thus do Great Danes bounce
across the green and still-warm sage
before the seasons turn a page.
My husband found a garter snake lounging in the basement last night. Does that count?
Yep.
As always, Linda I so enjoy your porch thoughts. I love the images that you shared. I saw the video when it first was posted, I thought it was so beautiful and that it showed them like any normal family. No one is immune to heartaches, sickness, grief, and death.
Happy Weekend, my friend!
Sadly, you're right, Pam. None of us is immune to heartaches, sickness, grief, and death. I find they sneak right up and hit us sideways, usually when we're not looking. I'm grateful He already knows the end from the beginning. Therein is our comfort and peace.
Amen!
Thank you LINDA!
I'm glad there's something here to encourage you, 'ol friend. God's keeping you on my heart day in and day out.
ox
Such sweet photos and words. Thank you for sharing the video too! Blessings on your fall season, Linda!
You, too, Joanne. Hope this weekend's a good one.
Such lovely photos! I've been soaking up every last feeling of summer that I can; though today really does feel like fall.
Yep, I'm with you Joanne and kept thinking summer 'til the temps started to drop. Sigh. The thermometer doesn't lie.