As I sit here looking out the large window of my dining room, I can't help but admire how beautifully the sun is shining this morning. Each of the shadows of the bare trees is casting itself on the snow.  Even my dog is loving this 'warmer' weather.  Yes, well . . . 40 degrees may seem cold to some, but after having sub-zero temperatures, I will take it.   Our dog is actually out rolling around in the snow and trying to get the cat to play. I do believe she was even getting a little depressed for a while from all the cold and dreary weather we've had.  She will be so excited when all this snow melts, and she can finally find her Frisbee, well . . . three Frisbees. 

Hanging on the wall next to me in the dining area is a framed painting.  You may have seen it before, or maybe you even have one yourself.  It is the older gentleman bowing his head at the dinner table giving grace to God.  In fact, the name of the painting is entitled "Grace".   When my husband's grandmother passed away, the grandchildren were allowed to have a few pieces of her belongings.  For some reason, this painting ended up coming home with us, and it now hangs in our dining room. It's a reminder not only of Grandma, but to always be grateful for how much or how little we have.

It is also a great reminder of how grateful others can be.  I received a text this morning informing me of how I uplifted someone else's spirits and how thankful she was for that, just by a simple act of expressing my opinion on a matter.  It's like a "paid forward" kind of thing if you think about it.  Because of the fact that I uplifted her, it has given me a new perspective on today and has enlightened my spirits as well.   "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."  Romans 8:28  

You are probably wondering how the 'Grace' photograph all came about.  It originally was a photo, but was later painted in oils.  During the war of 1918, a bearded old man who was a peddler selling foot-scrapers, called upon a photographer at his studio in the tiny mining town in Minnesota.  There was something about the old gentleman's face that immediately impressed the photographer.  He wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war, they still had much to be thankful for.   On a small table the photographer placed his large family Bible, and on it laid a pair of eye glasses. Beside the Bible he placed a bowl of gruel, a loaf of bread, and a knife. Then he asked the old man to place his folded hands to his brow in prayer before partaking of a meager meal.  He immediately noticed that the old man struck the pose very easily and naturally. To bow his head in prayer seemed to be one of the old man's characteristics.  As soon as the negative was developed, the photographer was sure he had something special. . . a picture that seemed to say, "This man doesn't have much of earthly goods, but he has more than most people because he has a thankful heart." 

The photographer was inspired by the old man, and I, along with many others are inspired by the painting.  Just like I unknowingly inspired someone else who in turn inspires me.  You see, it's just one big continuous circle of inspiration....we all have to remember that there is always something to be thankful and grateful for.  A warm home to live in, food on the table, a loving husband or wife, a tug at your heart from a grandchild, a church family, or a hug from a friend?  What are you grateful for today?  Do you have a thankful heart?  I know I do!  Go out and be an inspiration to someone today.  You may be doing it and not even know it, until it comes back around to you.

Have an awesome day!
Sandy

As I sat all wrapped up in an afghan last evening and feeling the warmth that it gave, I couldn't help but think about how awesome it's going to feel when I can soon experience the warmth this spring and summer 'without the blanket.'  I'm sure you have all heard (and probably have quoted yourself) how irritating this winter has been.  "I can't believe it's snowing again", "it is so cold", or "when will it ever stop?"   Come to think of it, I've said this a few times myself...ha!  Well, it is winter I guess!!!!   And to think it's still February.  (And I'm not trying to rush things.)  Why heck, I've seen snow on Easter before.  Sure hope we aren't hiding Easter eggs in the snow this year....although, the kids would have a much easier time of finding colorful eggs in the snow :)  "I hope I didn't just jinx myself"......  Actually, snow is a good thing!  That's a whole other story in itself.  But, did you know the Bible talks about snow? 

 

Isaiah 55:10-11

  As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
  and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
  so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
  So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty,
  but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
 

Doesn't that give you the chills?  (no pun intended)  Although we would like to be in control of the weather and a lot of other things, we need to stop and remember Who is.  We need to trust in the One and only.  As I reflect on trust, I remember giving my mom a pendant one year for Mother's Day.  I had it engraved with the words "Trust in Him"..... Psalm 62:8.  Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge.  If only we could always remember to go to Him, not only in times of trouble, but at all times, to glorify Him for all that He provides for us.

 

As we all think about Valentine's Day approaching this week, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Valentine's Day?  Myself, I think of a heart....MY heart....and I wouldn't be who I am, if it was not for God being in it.   (Whoa.... I didn't even plan that....I just had one of those moments, but as you can see, the pendant I gave my Mom is heart-shaped)........and it just so happens (truly), I was going through my wallet today, and came across a card that my daughter had given me years ago.  (you see, I've been trying for 4 or 5 days to find the right words to say in this post, and it all came together today).   The card is entitled:
 
"A Woman's Heart.....God's Home" along with this verse: 
Ephesians 3:17...That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.
 
  A special gift!  A work of art!
  God's dwelling in a Woman's heart.
  All those around know that he lives there
  Because she shows them Jesus' care.
 
....that (God) would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit....Ephesians 3:16
 

I don't think it's coincidence that I came across that card.   That was a God thing...He can speak to us in all kinds of ways.  I've been praying a lot this past few weeks for God to strengthen me in all things, but most importantly, my patience.  Don't you just love God for all He does in your life?  Sometimes it is so hard to imagine my life without Him.  Don't you just wonder what He has in store for you next?  That's where the "patience" thing comes into play for me.  I've gotten better, but alot farther to go, and if you ask my family about my patience....well, maybe you better not.....LOL.....  Sometimes I want things to happen right now, but I have to remember it doesn't always work that way.  Are you like that? 
 
"Lord, I want to thank you today for inspiring me and bringing me the words to write, so in return, I can help inspire someone else today, someone who is going through a circumstance that maybe they see no end to.  But Lord, with You, all things are possible, (Matthew 19:26) and with You, I put my trust.  (Psalm 56:3) Amen....."
 
Until my next post, please remember that when life gets to hard to stand, kneel.

 

 

 
From my heart to yours......wishing you an awesome week,
filled with God's love!!

~Sandy~

Good morning February and good morning to you all!!  January may have taken it’s toll on us, and I admit I did my share of complaining (like it did any good)...but I’ve decided that I am going to do all I can to stay on a positive note.  It seems the older I get, the more I dislike (I didn’t say hate) cold weather.  But..on that positive note, it does remind me of how much I truly, truly, truly LOVE and appreciate warm weather.  We are one more month closer to it, and I can almost taste it….since when can you taste summer??  LOL …  anyway ... 

I can hardly wait to get into my flower gardens...and add to them.  Yep, in my opinion, we can never have too many flowers.  I just love seeing one more sprout pop through the earth and wonder what it was I planted in that spot.  But, when it comes to flowers, I like surprises.  Some years I have things grow, and didn’t even remember planting it.  A lot of my flower gardens are starts from friends, family, flea markets, greenhouses, plant swaps...you name it!  I do believe that with all this snow, it will produce the most lovely of gardens we can ever imagine.  I can’t think of any other reason why we get so much snow in the first place, so I’m thinking it’s to our gardens’ benefit :)   

When new sprouts appear in the spring, it reminds me of our faith.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes we get settled in our ‘old ways’, and forget that there is always something new waiting to sprout up in our lives…. It may appear as though it is something bad (like a weed), but come to find out, it really will turn into an amazing beautiful flower if you just give it time, and believe that it will.  My husband says all flowers are weeds, (boooo)….little does he know that I even adore some of those ‘real weeds’ that produce beautiful flowers.  Last year, there was a “weed” growing in one my gardens, and he said, “you know that’ a weed don’t you”?  I said, “well, it has a flower on it, how can it be a weed”?  I left it grow, until it got so tall, it began to fall over...I enjoyed it’s beauty for a long while...yes, I saw the beauty even though ‘he’ thought it was a weed.

On this rainy February morning, I would just like to lend to you a little reminder, that even though I tend to forget sometimes myself, I believe occasionally seeing a ’weed’ is sometimes God’s way of telling us to look for the beauty in it, because it may just begin to produce the flower you were patiently waiting for afterall. 

Blessings to you, and hope your 'weeds' turn into blossoms. . .  . Sandy