One Part Inspiration...

"Morning by morning, new mercies I see....." What does this line mean?  I have been pondering this for months.   Some days, seeing mercies takes effort.  Life has a way of beating you up.     Those are the times when a deliberate choice has to be made  to see the mercies and appreciate them.   Any time that I feel sorry for myself, I only have to look around a little bit and see  that I have many measures of mercies.  There is also merit in looking at mercies you have been served in times past.  A favourite trip.  A quiet sunny afternoon sipping lemonade in the playground. Sitting on a swing, talking about everything under the sun. Mercies of nature are never far away.  Even in the colder seasons, there is beauty.   Sometimes it is the unexpected  message of mercy that makes me stop in my tracks.  Like the day I saw this leaf hanging from a spider's web.  One th...

I have been looking forward to the first of May for several weeks now.  There's something cheery about being able to say it is May 1st.  Not only that it was sunny today and nice enough to head outdoors after work to throw a few plants in the ground, which had been passed onto me by a dear friend.  I got thinking while I was out there of all the changes that have happened here at The Pokeaway in the last year.  A year ago, we had no radiators, no flooring, and no sink except for the laundry sink.  I had no bathtub, and no cute little dishwasher to put my every day dishes in as soon as supper is finished.  The garden was started but not as established.  We had a line of blacberries at the end of our property, where now is just an un-obstructed view of our neighbour's field.  We had no patio, and our BBQ had called it quits. What a difference a year has made.  I am blessed.   

This is a project I did with one of my groups.  We made a photo collage with their thoughts written down of things they were thankful for.  I can't show you their faces, but I can show you their signs.  Counting our blessings isn't that hard, once we start - and when it boils down to it, it's the simple things (that aren't so simple) that we name when we are asked.

The Thanksgiving hymns I chose this year for the Special Services, were particularly meaningful to me.  In the programs, there wasn't time to go into why I chose them, but this is the venue right here.     This is My Father's World v.3 This is my Father's world Oh, let me ne'er forget That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the Ruler yet. This is my Father's world, The battle is not done.  Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied And earth and heav'n be one. Oftentimes, I get discouraged with the here and now.  There are so many sad things that happen - both in world events and in the lives of people whom I love.  I find it so encouraging to know that "the battle is not done".  The story isn't finished.  God is still on the throne.  There will come a day!!!! Children of the Heavenly Father v.3 and 4 Neither life nor death shall ever From the Lord His children sever; Unto them His grace He sho...

I am feeling very blessed today. This was a week I had not really looked forward to. It is the first week in our marriage that my husband has gone away without me for an extended period of time. This was no overnight-er or weekend-er. It was a full 10 days. Usually, it is me who flies the coop and leaves him with all the extra responsibilities. Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time, may be aware that I am always trying to find ways to distract myself from worry. I felt the tentacles of worry creeping up on me as I faced the separation. They were threatening my well-being. So I adopted the mantra: " Don't borrow trouble " for these days when I am on my own. It has turned out to be a week of blessing. The first blessing came in the form of my daughter. It has been great to be roommates this week. We've shared meals, movies and grocery responsibilities. It was nice to come home, and know that there was someone who would be waiting for me, or...

As we were coming in the driveway last night, after a full day of regular work, meetings with the bank, and moving, the song "Goodbye Yellowbrick Road" was playing. Somehow, it seemed appropriate to listen, and feel a little nostalgic for the years we have spent enjoying the view (figuratively and literally) here at the farm. I am excited for the plans we have. It feels right to be moving. Still, the years we have spent here have given us a richness of family life that I will treasure.

Day Seven: I must say that the thought of thanksgiving often fills me with guilt. I know thanksgiving and guilt shouldn't be used together in the same sentence. But often times I don't FEE L thankful and that makes me FEEL guilty. Today I was doing a bit of reading in the New Testament on the topic - and found something interesting. Feeling thankful is not mentioned in the verses I read. Thankfulness is a verb. We are told to ' be thankful '. (For all you English majors out there...does this make thankfulness a linking verb?) Not only that but thankfulness is mentioned with other verbs such as singing , as in Colossians 3: 16-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do , whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thank s to God the Father through him. and in praying ...