Begin again

Dearest reader,
I hope the first weeks of this shiny new year hasn't ill treated you.
I hope your resolutions have not been dashed upon the crags of doubt. and shattered into listless feelings of self doubt, and hopeless despondency.
My own first few weeks of this year have been crazy;
Its funny how little a word seems, and yet can be massive in its meanings with many deep levels and surface faces, to every eye and mind that sees and imagines.
In truth these first weeks has been fraught with trouble, persistent and buggarly. Layer upon layer of gross hardship, enough to cast a shadow of despondency over any living soul.
Enough to throw a hopeful fresh attitude into the far reaches of a cold desolate world, where hope and faith cannot tread. A place icy cold and crystal'd with dark shadows.
 Have you ever been depressed ? Then you might have an idea of what I'm trying to describe.  hopelessness is a huge part of that slippery slope into depression.
Perhaps your new year hasn't treated you all that well either. Perhaps your fighting hopelessness, right out of the gates.

If after the bells have signaled: the gun fired heralding the start of a new race, straight out of the gates you tripped and fell, or were facing so many bigger stronger adversaries that you just gave up. I want to encourage you anew. We don't need a new year, a january 1 to begin again, every day is a new day, cleche I know but its true none the less. The past is gone even if it was yesterday, or even recently, its gone forever. and the new beginning to focus on is now. We all stumble and we all need a hand.
Jesus said I make all things new, he has sealed forever new beginnings for us. In Him is newness of life.
Living in the past is another factor of that slope of defeat. if you live where you were, how can you see where you are going ? All around you will be ghostly shadows of sadness and grief. Because lets face it when your living in the past your constant companions are the bad choices or wrong doings either what you have done or has been done to you; not the happy smiles and blessings.
Somehow when we live in the dark past we begin to feel it in who we are, we almost become as shadowy and lustrous as those dead memories. And we draw into ourselves because we feel that the world has done us some injustice or soon will as "karma" for the wrongs we have committed to others.
Apart from the fact that I do not believe in karma, I want you to realize right now that no matter what it looks like. There are beautiful things around the corner because we are loved with an everlasting Love. And when we yield to that Love we find ourselves overwhelmed with gratefulness for blessings we couldn't have dreamt of. One of those blessings is the newness of life that we receive in christ, when we rely on his scarifies to make all things new in our mortal lives, then we are inviting the power of the ages to do a work in everything we are facing or struggling with. New beginnings are as easy as every day receiving His love for us, He has already forgiven our mistakes and short comings, we forgive ourselves and thank Him for his forgiveness and move on with the path we are on.
 How do we know he loved us ?
He said in his word in this we know what love is, in that He laid down his life for us.
He also said no greater love has a man then to lay down his life for his friends.
Friends God gave his only son the son that He loved for you and I, so we could be blessed and live lives of unimaginable grander for him and in him.
Make every day a new day and free yourselves from the shackles of self doubt and frustration, by seeing yourself new in him.

 Photo via pinterest

The heart of Thanksgiving

It feels as thought winter has indeed stopped to make a home here in my part of the world.
December had come, goodness me how that has happened, but I say that about all months that arrive so quickly, and lately it seems they all do.  Autumn is no more by the arrival of white, even if only a dusting serves as a reminder; every time I look out the window.
The colours of autumn have fallen long ago, another season nearly laid to rest.
At this time of year we celebrate thanksgiving, and indeed we have passed it by more than a week.

I had intended to write something, but....

With thanksgiving not so far behind. I wanted to write something that spoke of the holiday,
but more than that I wanted to write about the heart of thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is more than just a day to share with those we love, that is indeed wonderful, but thankfulness is a heart condition, not just a holiday.

Thanksgiving
 is one of the most beautiful forms of praise, that I can think of, its not just I love you because you did this for me, or oh thanks for the favour. No gratefulness in much deeper than all that surface stuff, this gratefulness is a one way overcoming (I hardly know how to put it into words its so not a thing) That wells up inside your spirit and spills over into any words that suffice, and sometimes don't suffice, praising a Father who gives everything so fully for our redemption, and enjoyment.
Its that thing that brings tears to your eyes when your heart is so fill, so wondrously jammed with beautiful blessings, that you can hardly stand to keep it in. That's why tears flow when your family's gathered in one room together and the chatter is noisy and jolly and frivolous but that moment is so perfect so joyful that your heart sees a blessing and gratefulness like a tree grows larger and larger.

Its hard to practise Thankfulness when we are restricted in our hearts by the doubts, and crushed down by terrible circumstances. We can easily become hard when we focus of the don't haves rather than the magnificent beauties we do have in our lives.

Thankfulness
is a funny thing if practised consistently, it conditions your heart for growth, and removes the above mentioned states. When your heart is conditioned your in a position to walk in the path designed for you before the foundation of the world. Set by God for your enjoyment.
I believe that Thankfulness stem's more from having something you wanted, granted to you. That is just one tiny facet of gratefulness.
True Thankfulness is an acknowledgement of someone greater than you who has endued you with an ocean of love and mercies and unmitigated grace. To make your life so marvellous, so breathtaking. And Thankfulness is the way to get there to that place;
because your focus is on His HUGE Love that surrounds you and drops pleasures into your life without warning or being asked. (have you ever thought that God just likes to see you smile ?)

Its every moment of every day recognising how magnificent this life is, laden with blessings so colossal so glorious that we haven't even imagined it. Recognising that and expecting so fully to see them in faith, that we give an offering of thanks to our loving Father in the heavenly because he satisfies the longing heart.
   For He satisfies the longing soul,
 and fills the hungry soul with goodness.
    ( Psalm 107:9)
An attitude of Gratitude holds such power, and frees your mind. I feel that it puts you in a place that is cushioned with His love. Because you made yourself aware of his love every day that you live in a place that's unrealistically peaceful.
Gratefulness gets you so caught up in His Love that you fly over the bumps on the journey because you have let Him hide you in the cleft of the Rock, you have taken up your residence in His courts and found refuge under His pavilions.
The Word tells is to forget not all His benefits, I believe this is why.
In a way its a pare of rose coloured glasses from the Creator of the universe, see through a heart full of Gratitude for the undeserving displays of His love for you in your life.
Its a beautiful mindset.
With it you'll enjoy life in so many ways unrestricted.

Perhaps if I may, in the up coming year designate a book, with blank pages for the breathings of gratatude. Make a choice to look for them and recognise the blessings and where they come from. imagine a whole year spent like that. Its a three hundred and sixtyfive day treasure hunt. Indeed I do believe that I shall add this to my new year. How about you ?

Winter photography, and thankful heart

I opened my eyes on the morn to white flakes falling from the sky. My first reaction, as always is to admire the beauty.

Than my second is a desire to either capture that beauty in photographs, or to paint it into immortalized beauty. 

Unfortunately, the painting is out of the question, but I was able to snap a few photos. 

The creation our Heavenly father blessed us with never ceases to amaze me.

I am forever enthralled by he natural wonders that are there each and every season. 

If only we would open our busy eyes, and see them our days would be lighter, because out hearts would be thankful in a simple childlike way. 

I forgot to post a list of things I am thankful for. 

So I suppose theres nothing like the present, to do so. 

I am thankful for sweet family moments, the kind that seem hectic, and loud. 

For journals to scribble my tossed and sometimes turbulent 

Beauty that is unseen, unless one looks deeper than the outside

Snow I'm never going to be someone who dislikes snow

Writing time that seems to be opening more for me lately

The imagination that I am blessed with, it is a blessing even if sometimes it feels a curse

The word's of my Father 

My family of course, they make like un-boring 

Moments where he heart is just too full for words.

Theres so much more, but I will stop there. 

I hope your having a spectacular day dearest reader. 

Did you have snow today ? I would love to know. Also side note, are you a lover of snow or do you lament the white stuff. 

One Year Blog Birthday !!!

Life can get away from us sometimes (By us I mean me) things, ideas, thoughts, all seem to run when life comes-a-calling, my ever moving mind seems to not like having things to remember, things all cramped into my head and tucked away for some day of the less busy verity. I seem to have gotten away from the blog world for a few days, and what I have missed ! I always feel I'm missing something when I don't read all your lovely posts every day you all inspire me so.

It was this month one year ago that I started this little blog, I was so nervous to start writing being a bit shy, I worried about the first words I would write, I worried if anyone would even care to read my thoughts, how wrong I was for you have graciously let me know otherwise.
 I was pleasantly surprised by all your kindness dear friends, and I have been inspired and have learned so much from all of you, I truly have enjoyed hearing your thoughts ones that often made me think in a deeper way. This blogging experience has been quite exciting and I look forward to visiting your little worlds every day its like reading sweet letters from a friend, I want you all to know that you have blessed my life in ways I cant begin to describe. I wish I could thank you all personally so I say Thank you.

I started this blog to express my thoughts and have a creative outlet, oftentimes I have been at a loss for words and yours have inspired me to dig a little deeper and let the words flow, I have found kindred hearts that seem to speak to me in ways that are inspiringly open. So I am looking forward to another year of inspiration and I have a hidden flickering dream that perhaps I too may inspire someone else because of you and so on.
So dear friends celebrate with me, I have made it through one year when I never saw past one month, and every day I am learning to speak from the heart and hope to continue to learn from you, if that is alright.
much love you you all.

The dry spell

I have been as of late in a dry spell creatively speaking, I have to say at the start that this is very rare for me the girl with constant stories floating around her head and being driven to utter madness due to the lack of time in a day. So lately I seem to be unlike my self, the river of creativity seems to have been dammed up somewhere, but where I ask my self, my self does not answer. I sit down to write and every word seems forced every thought I scorn as unusable every dialogue is dry even the dialogue in my head has no deeper thought, this cant be writers block because even drawing and sketching seems dull and I listlessly throw every project aside, this will go away right ? again my self does not answer. Its been so long sense I have picked up a pen and wrote something I actually liked or wrote for that matter.
I can't seem to set sail on creativity have I lost it all ? Surely not, but still did I miss the boat to a creative shore ? perhaps

  Lately in these dry spells I have been picking up my bible, what a treasure trove of ideas I have found there even for imaginative stimulation, yes my imagination is even having issues, I am so surprised by the many interesting details that I find my self asking why have I never seen this before, it must just be me because I shared the particular verse in genesis that was making me dream of eden and ancient bible days and seeing how strange the earth must have been, and my brother didn't say anything thats right I there I sat going on and on like a crazed girl and he just looked at me like I was crazy. I am always amazed by the beauty of Gods word and the power it holds against any dry spell even creative one's. I also find that reading helps, what do you my dear readers do to beat the dry      spells ? I'll just be here looking at the sky waiting for a sign of a cloud and maybe rain,

So I can be soaked with creativity.                                               

One Small Child

                         One small child in the land of a thousand
                      One small dream of a savior tonight
               One small hand reaching out to the star light
           One small savior of life.
                                                                One small child, song written by David Meece. 


That tiny life that came, willingly given by His Father to a lost and dying world.In human flesh he came that concealed his wondrous glory, A tiny child. He came into this world as any other child does, but came for a purpose no other could understand, he had a destiny no other has had, and fulfilled that destiny no matter the pain for you, and me.

The hands that would be pierced, tiny and soft held by his mother, did she know the importance of this
 life she was entrusted with ? The face she kissed, as she held her child close did she know the pain He would endure ?

His purpose ? To bring life, everlasting life to you and me, that is what we celebrate at christmas.
Its not just the birthday of a child, but the birth of grace, pure love in the flesh that looked across the echoes of time and all the world all that ever was or would ever be, and came to a humble people in a humble form to be our propitiation for all sins ever committed for all time.
 Unmitigated love, that is what we celebrate at christmas, the pure love of a Father and the pure love and willingness of a Son.
So as we celebrate christmas this year, as we get caught up in the fun this season brings, remember the true and only gift that has ever really has mattered, Jesus the love that came down at christmas and the gift he has given to you and me.

For unto us a child is born,
 unto us a son is given
and his name will be called 
Wonderful Councilor, 
Mighty God , 
Everlasting Father, 
Prince of Peace. 
ISAIAH 9:6 

Happy christmas to all my blogging friends, may this christmas be the most wondrous one for you and your families, as we remember the wonderful gift we gave been given through His coming, His death, and HIs rising to life again.

Thankful Musings

I'm feeling extra sentimental today, perhaps its because I'm far away from the rest of my family, perhaps its because the thought of special  holidays bring lots of special memories to mind. Yesterday was Thanksgiving and I was unable to express all that I'm thankful for here in a post, so today this post is going to get a bit erratic, brace your selfs.
 Firstly my mind has been a playground for my favorite memories they have been flooding my mind all morning and yesterday, as I said being away from half of my family never gets easy as its only happened a few times, I have been thinking about my family how I miss you all, who ever said ''They who go Feel not the pain of parting; it is they Who stay behind that suffer'' was wrong I am missing you all very much, thinking about you all helps.
  Dear thanksgiving you came much too soon this year and while I'm happy you are here I wish you would not have rushed in to my surprise unannounced.
speaking of thanksgiving, while on pintrest I saw a picture that reminded me of our thanksgivings from my childhood, when I was little my mother made my older sister, myself and younger brother a special hat this picture reminded me of those, we fancied ourselves little pilgrims with our little white bonnets fashioned in the style worn by the first settlers, and our younger brother had a cute little blue cap that reminded me of a sailors winter hat. I loved those hats, but  haven't thought about them in a very long time.

I know my family and I will have our own special celebration for giving thanks when we are all together again, but for now heres a few things I'm very thankful for.

Firstly my family you are my candle of inspiration in this life you make my life so colorful in your own special ways and I cannot imagine my life without you.

 God has surely blessed us this year with an over abundance of his grace and love, His blessings have profusely multiplied in every way. 

 Gods unmitigated love to this world that takes my breath away each and every moment, it is truly beautiful to behold. 

each breath I take on this wonderful earth that He created,  the wonder all around me and the eyes he gave me to see it. 

 Good friends near and far, Good music, and Happy moments that seem to etch themselves into my memory. 

A creative heart that I hope to never lose, and use for Gods glory. 

Colors life would be so dull with out them, 

  and a place to call home. 

and how could I forget all you wonderful friends i now have via blogs you are all wonderful and bring me happiness, especial now that you have so graciously allowed me to be so arbitrary and understand. 

Until its time to go home I'll have to be happy with thinking about home, and fill my mind with all the things  have to be thankful for in this season.  How about you, what are you thankful for I would love to hear.  

Sending you love 

The Simple Things

As I slipped under my soft bed covers last night, and closed my eyes an overwhelming feeling of thankfulness washed over me, I am warm, safe and cozy in my bed, I drew up the soft quilts around me a happy contented feeling started deep within my heart and spread all over me. I uttered a soft prayer to thank my father for all His BLESSINGS in my life,  my mind flew to all the people out in the world cold, alone, hopeless, my prayer changed and I uttered a prayer for all those who have so much less than I have.
I was half way on my journey to the land of dreams, but my mind was still lit aflame with the torch of thankfulness I looked at my life, and I realized I'm truly rich. My life it full of beauty I'm surrounded by the most wonderful family any one could ask for, a family who teaches me many wonderful things just be being them selfs, things like inner strength, love that sees beyond the eyes, and the beauty of self sacrifice. I'm loved deeply by the Creator of the universe, He has blessed me with an imagination and a dreaming heart that keep me very busy even when I'm not dong anything at all. Its the little things in this life that we sometimes over look, things like,
                                         a warm bed, soft sheets

 a favorite nightie

 a sunny smile, blustery wind,

         happy banter between siblings and memories that capture these and make them last forever.
   How wonderful this life truly is, sometimes its not big things that make a life rich, but the small things that give our life that golden glow, when we look back on our life they are the blessings that gave us the most happiness. I am thinking about all the small things that aren't really small at all, they may be small to the eye but are really bigger on the inside.
                            Thank you Father for all the "small'' blessings happy sigh. 
   Remember its the small blessings that bring the most pleasure, look around your life and you will see your life is beautiful too.