After decades I've given up my coffee habit (really dark, strong coffee -- probably a pot a day). Not saying I won't drink coffee anymore, but primarily it will be decaf. My kidneys just couldn't take it anymore. I gotta listen to this body God made me steward over. Lupus is kind of the one guiding our conversation right now. She puts limits on me, and if I fight her in a rebellious way this body pays the price.
If you are still reading (and if you are, thank you. I hope it is worth your time) let me tell you about the summer we had. We started the Lantry Farmer's Market Saturday mornings. I wouldn't say it was a huge success according to world standards, but God used it for his purposes. I made more pies than I have ever made in my life. I met some neighbors I hadn't talked with before. Got reacquainted with others. Took part in and saw some good conversation, good community moments happening. That is what it was about. Never got to sell any produce except a few radishes. Due to the drought (I guess) most all of my plants (and they are many and beautiful) blossomed but never produced fruit. It sure didn't go according to my plan at all. Yet, in gardening (and in life) when we learn from what we experienced we gain much. Two things that went really well: propagating geraniums and keeping my bird bath full. Also, my rooster Ernie quit seeing me as the enemy and sees me now as a friend (this was really good because he had attacked me twice and drew blood both times -- I had to carry a stick every time I fed the chickens or checked for eggs).
You have noticed the title of this post: Flowers in a Blue Pot. Here is the picture of that painting:
Okay, I am harping, but you really need a creative outlet -- some activity you can lose yourself in and just enjoy the moment. I can't tell you what your outlet should be, but there is at least one out there for you. Anything that takes creative thinking. It needs to be something you enjoy. It needs to be something you get lost in. These "get lost in" moments are like living in eternity. I think they are the closest thing to living outside of time we can get to on this earth.
God made you in his image, and the first thing we learn about God in the Bible
And if you are still reading (thank you!! I do love to write) I urge you to read Revelation. It is full of incredible imagery and prophecy and poetry. It is definitely not boring. And you don't have to understand it to read it. You need to let it soak into your soul though. You need to know it so when things happen you will say, "That is what God meant!" If anyone says they know what Revelation means for sure, they are wrong. When you read scripture and don't understand you can ask God and he will help you see what he wants you to see. James 1:5 says, "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God -- who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly -- and it will be given to him." That is a promise.
The Word works in us from the inside out. It works in the hidden unseen realm which as it works will develop fruit in your life. What is the fruit it will produce in you? According to Galatians 5:22 the fruit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Who doesn't want more of all that?
Please pick up a Bible and read it. Really. This will help you in these days of craziness. And it is just going to get crazier. I want to share one more passage of scripture with you. If you read it and read it again, you might see that it describes our world today. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, "But know this: Hard times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, demeaning, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people."
I'd love to hear from you. If you want to talk about creative stuff or Jesus or the Bible or mental health or whatever, just click on the link I shared above or post a comment. I'lll see it and respond. I can also recommend a whole lot of good books if you need a book to read. God bless you and guard what God has entrusted to you. Be a good steward. Amen! Signing off. Jane