Beginia Painting in Process

 

My Light and My Salvation

I normally prefer natural light for my photography, but this early morning when I am awake with symptoms, I am enjoying the beauty of this decor in golden lamplight from my post on a heating pad. Besides, a light bulb is all the light there is at this time of day.

Speaking of light, there is a Light that illumines the darkest of my nights. Symptoms mixed with brain fog and deep fatigue often lead to terrible anxiety. In those times I often speak these fighting words to remind my heart of the One who fights for me and is victorious:

"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid... Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident."

- Psalm 27:1, 3 -

How grateful I am to have tucked these words into my memory fifteen years ago. God knew I would need them today.

Not Greatly Shaken

Few of us have experienced an earthquake, but those who have testify to a disorienting, fearful experience. A friend of mine was overseas in an area hit by an earthquake several years back. While she was not at the devastated epicenter, the quake caused all in her area to panic and go into a mode of fear for the next weeks. While we may not have lived through a physical earthquake, many of us have lived or are living through a disorienting experience and know the resulting deep fear.

Earlier I wrote about Negative Truth versus Greater Truth. Negative Truths are those that bind us in fear and despair as we look down and in. Greater Truth leads to peace and joy as we look up at Truth Himself. One negative truth is that we are shaken by our trials. The greater Truth is that "I will not be greatly shaken" (Psalm 62:1). Shaken, yes, but not greatly. God won't let us be shaken out of our salvation in Him. He has the strength to get us through every hard thing and bring us out stronger in Him on the other side.

Photo: color play from April 2020

Fragrant Cloud

This rose is aptly named. I will let your imagination fill in the heady essence that should accompany this photo.

Beautiful Queen Elizabeth

The last roses of summer (autumn, really) are unique from summer blossoms in their shape and color. I am no botanist, but my assumption is that cooler days and less sun play a role in this blossom change. What a beauty each individual garden rose is, no matter the season.

First Snow

Walk in the Woods: Flowers and Ferns

Walk in the Woods: Trees

Autumn Drive

 

Greater Truth

The last months I have experienced challenging health set backs that have brought me close to the door of despair. The refrain in my mind has been, "This is too much for me. I can't take this anymore." Any health expert would say that these negative thoughts are a sure way of staying sick or even getting sicker. But what do you do when your negative thoughts are true? Cover them up with a band aid of a smile? (Yes, you will see me smiling these days, but keep reading to find out why I can.) Say the opposite of what is true and hope that somehow things will magically change? How about something better - replace those Negative Truths with Greater Truth.

I have been seeing a lot of empty words thrown out to those going through hard times. Statements like, "You've got this, " or "You are enough," abound. A few months ago a friend pointed out to me another common phrase that is lacking in truth. "God won't give you more than YOU can handle." While this is partly true (see I Cor. 10:13 and how it pertains to temptation), the phrase lacks all that makes it true. The Negative Truth is WE can't handle this life in our human strength. The Greater Truth is that GOD'S sufficient strength is ours for the having (I Cor. 12:9).

Negative Truths are those that come from looking down and looking in. Greater Truth comes from looking up at our Father.

The same friend who showed me the self focused lie in this phrase created a counter-phrase, a Greater Truth, to say in those times of white-knuckle need. Here I have slightly altered her words to make a tidy little rhyme: "When life is more than you can bear, remember God is always there."

"...a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

- II Corinthians 10:12-13 -

Family History

A bit of family history resurfaced this summer as Mom sorted her fabric closet - Grandma R's disassembled maternity hospital stay housecoat. This thrifty housewife planned to remake the fabric into some other usable item, no doubt. Now my cousin has been given that challenge and our closet is a little emptier.

July 28: Sand and Water Baby

Sunday Projects: Sketching Succulents and Crocheting Lace

 

Sunday Project: Pillow Lace

A few favorite things:

Creating and making my bed with knit and crocheted lace. 

Destashing our basement of craft supplies.

Sharing the creative fruit of these years of illness with friends.

Remembering God's promises and sharing them with others.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30 -

Sunday Project: Little Knit Hats

I believe I've written about Sunday projects in the past: handwork that is purely for the joy of creating to enjoy my Creator on the day He set aside for rest every week. Here is one such project that I began in January and carried on into this spring until part of my yarn stash was depleted. These hats will soon be packed into Operation Christmas Child gift boxes by Maren and Jason to be sent to little girls in developing countries. With them will be offered the greatest Gift that came that first Christmas.

Note: This was not only Sunday knitting, but also my sole project on our February trip to Florida. 

Pre-Frost Bouquets

 

Color Play

 

More Begonias

 

Praire Drive

While Dad and Mom were vacationing in the Black Hills of South Dakota recently, Hannah and I were holding down the fort, catching up on some neglected to-do lists, and enjoying lots of audio book listening. To get a break from our tasks, we took a prairie drive one afternoon. Here are views a few miles from home.

Waterfowl production area

Straw bales with sprouting wheat

Ancient and highly attractive combine