A Three-Stranded Rope

"By yourself you're unprotected.
With a friend you can face the worst.
Can you round up a third?
A three-stranded rope isn't easily snapped."
Ec. 4:12 The Message

You have strengthened me in ways that matter deeply dear friends. It is moving week for us. I'll see you some time soon.

Joining Sandy and Deidra today.





Blessings,
Linda

Elegant in Pink

They make their fashionably late arrival - elegant in delicate pink. These Evening Primroses are my favorite. They are beautiful in their own right, but when they condescend to mingle with the Blue Bonnets they are lovelier still.

Blessings,
Linda

last picture courtesy of dreamstime

Baby Steps

I tend to want to run rather than walk - to experience the instant and not have to slog through the waiting. It often sets me up for failure followed quickly by discouragement and giving up altogether.

Our family has belly laughed our way through the movie "What About Bob" on numerous occasions. His baby stepping through life's difficulties seems so humorous until I turn the idea inward. After all, Bob eventually conquered his fears: "I'm sailing!"

I find there is a lesson to be learned from Bob. I actually put it into practice the other day. One small baby step in faith instead of a giant leap forward. I saw it work. Instead of the familiar downward spiral in a certain situation I changed the one small thing I knew He had been speaking to my heart. Instead of the usual heartache and misunderstanding there was a peace and joy I hadn't expected.

Are you like me - wanting to do it all perfectly and then feeling such shame and guilt when you fall back into familiar patterns? That shame and guilt is not coming from the Father who loves unconditionally and extends unfathomable grace. He is aware of our weakness and doesn't weigh us down with expectations beyond what we can manage at that moment. He patiently holds our hands as we take baby steps of faith and before too long we just may find that we are sailing!

Perhaps the words I read this morning will encourage your heart, as they did mine:

"Be content to go on quietly. When you discover somewhat in yourself which is earthly and imperfect, be patient while you strive to cast it out...
Leave all to God...be satisfied with the gradual progress He sets before you; and remember that He often works in ways unseen by us."
Jean Nicolas Grou

Just because one can never have too many Blue Bonnets.

Blessings,
Linda

For A Season

They grow silently as the days warm toward Spring, and we are unaware. Then one day while driving through the neighborhood we spy them, beautiful lavender blooms against a green backdrop. It seems they have appeared overnight.

Days pass in a slow stroll, and the branches hang heavy with flowers. The winds blow through, and the air is filled with their fragrance. It smells like grape. Imagine grape flavor in perfume form. It is beautifully subtle. I walk by and it fills my heart with an inexplicable joy...

Please continue reading at Laced With Grace today. You bless me more than I can ever say.

Blessings,
Linda

Sunday

"For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise."
Folliet S. Pierpoint

Joining with the beautiful hearts at Deidra's and Sandy's blogs:





Blessings,
Linda

The Blue Bonnets are glorious this spring!

Consider the Ducks

I love these little guys. Their numbers have multiplied since I first began this new walk near our apartment complex. I imagine them arriving here with a sigh of relief at finding a pretty place to rest where they are warmed by gentle breezes.

They are still very timid - rushing into the water when they see my approaching shadow - but they are amazing. Seeing them flying over the little man-made lake and coming in for a perfect landing on the water is a delight. I sometimes hold my breath, but they always manage a graceful entrance.

When they are feeling hungry they arch their backs and dive under water. I count the seconds searching for little heads. For what seems like a very long time the surface is unbroken and then....up they pop.

As the temperatures climb, I anticipate the day I will walk by the lake and find that they have packed their little bags and headed north. And I wonder how they will know.

They encourage me, these little dependent creatures. They don't worry and fret when the temperature drops and the wind comes fiercely out of the north. They don't complain or gather in little groups to discuss the possibility of moving further south where it will stay warmer. They don't scurry around looking for a surplus supply of food just in case the next day doesn't provide all they need. They simply rely on One they cannot see to take care of them.

They don't seem particularly worried about the trip north. They aren't bombarding heaven with questions about when and where and why aren't we going now. They wait. He has never failed to send them on their way at just the right time.

Help me, Lord, to rest in You. When the fierce winds blow and when it seems You haven't heard my prayer - help me to trust. If these little ones are of such importance to You, how much more am I?

"Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? And yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Luke 12: 6,7

Blessings,
Linda

Our Shelter In the Storm

For twenty years a small gray and white ball of fluff graced our lives. Well, perhaps "graced" isn't the perfect word to describe her.

She lived outdoors because the boys in our family were very allergic to cats. So, despite her diminutive size she was feisty. One never knew whether she was going to purr contentedly on one's lap or take a chunk out of the hand that fed her.

In spite of that cloak of bravado she wore, there was one thing that reduced her to a limp ball of fur - thunder storms.

Her favorite spot was the porch railing. I can remember sitting out there on a summer day as the clouds began to gather in the blue sky. Slowly, almost imperceptibly Zeke's eyes would close and her head sink into her chest, and we would know a storm was coming.

She often slept on the railing (a rather risky business), but this was something different. It was almost as though she willed herself into a "cat coma." She was simply shutting down and shutting out the approaching trouble. At those times she became very docile. I carried her, without fear of injury, into her little house in the backyard where she would be safe from the storm.

I used to smile at this fearless little warrior, but I know that very often I do the same thing. When the storm clouds begin to appear on the edges of my life, I tend to draw into myself. I want to shut it out - just make it all go away. I look for ways to hide from the coming disaster.

There is no avoiding the storms. They will come. But I don't have to try to deal with them on my own. There is a hiding place for me. A place where I will be safe and protected. A place of promised grace.

The Father unfolds His wings and I run into that shelter. He wraps me in love and whispers words of encouragement. He is my help in time of trouble.

"Be good to me, God—and now! I've run to you for dear life.
   I'm hiding out under your wings
      until the hurricane blows over.
   I call out to High God,
      the God who holds me together.
   He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
      he humiliates those who kick me around.
   God delivers generous love,
      he makes good on his word."
Psalm 57: 1-3

If you are going through a time of trouble, please know the Father is your place of safety. He waits with open arms to wrap you in His love and grace.

Blessings,
Linda

picture courtesy of photobucket (all of my pictures of Zeke are packed away for now).