REFLECTIONS FROM A HYACINTH

In many cultures hyacinths are seen as harbingers of spring and rebirth.

At my house, not so much. The fragrance gives hubby a headache. Their limited life at my hands showed that I was not a horticulturist. Yet, as beautiful as they were the first day I received the gift, it wasn't long before they seemed to droop, lose their color and reflect my sinking spirit....tho trying not to grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3)

Ever seen a dropping plant that seems to represent your day?

Words from Hebrews 12:12 described me well---I need to strengthen my drooping (ESV) limp (Berean) listless (NET) feeble (NIV) tired (NLT) weak (NASB) hands and shaking (CEV) trembling (GNT) knees. 

The New Living Translation reminds me to "get a grip"... for tired hands and strength for weak knees. I need firmness in my resolve. Not from self but from Him!

The drooping hyacinth seemed to reflect these physical and emotional maladies. May the Lord level the path of my feet as I desire to walk in the path He has for me whether I understand it or not.....so that I might not be disabled for ministry but able to glorify Him as I pursue peace with all people that many may see the Lord rather than me and my complaints.(Hebrews 12-13 -14)

 

Look closely at the hyacinth. Do you see it? On the right side. 

Rebirth springing forth. 

May that be reflected in my life today....as I seek to walk in a manner worth of the gospel, regardless of my circumstances! (Colossians 1:10)

SUNFLOWERS FOR SOLIDARITY!

Across Eastern Europe and the United States, sunflowers are front and center as the countries unite to support Ukraine.

A show of solidarity! We will plant them as soon as we can. My horticulturist neighbor suggests waiting until late spring when soil is 70-85º--so I wait.
Until then I send these соняшники pix along with many prayers for my Ukrainian friends.

Sonyashnyky of peace.....peace in the midst of chaos! (1 Peter 5:6-7)

"GOSPEL-ICIOUS" --WORD PLAY AT ITS BEST

3 yr. old grandson Jack has a language of his own. We call it "Jackanese." When he's out-grown it, we'll probably still remember it. A current word---Chok-it 'uhlicious! No verb needed!

For me, God's word is 'uhlicious!

"Thy Words were found and I ate them and they became for me the joy and delight of my heart! "(Jeremiah 15:16)

"Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8)

His words are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.....(Proverbs 16:24) when we consume them. 

In one word delicious!

What part of speech is delicious?

noun

adjective

adverb

All of the aove.

A descriptive adjective. Deliciously as an adverb. Deliciousness---a noun that says it all.

What about gospelicious?

 For God so love the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 gives meaning to that one word!

GOSPELICIOUS! (Cole Huffman, according to my marginalia)

SUPPORT UKRAINE!

Our "M" Bridge reflects my heart!

I hear the "amens" up and down my street and across our town in homes and churches!

O God Our Help in Ages Past, hear our prayers for Ukraine! Be a light during this difficult/dark time!

AMEN!

ASHLEY BRYAN: A WALK THRU 1152

     From 3 Hadlock Street, Isleford Maine a hamlet on Little Cranberry Island to 1152 in my neck of the woods.....my home is filled with memories of AshleyBryan, 1923-2022.

It's been 3 weeks since Ashley passed away. In my book he is "dearly departed" though the euphemism doesn't make the sadness any less. I miss him so! 

It helps that upstairs or down or almost around every corner, I have Ashley reminders.

From his treasured words designating me as as dancing granny....

.....to the signed prints in the kitchen.....

.....and on around the corner to the entry hall....

.....up to the top of the stairs, where the grandkids have access......

 .....and into the computer room.....and downstairs again.....

....to my cherished  "Stand of Dahlias" oil painting, which Ashley said, "Rang out to him of Dotsy.' 

Ashley painted those dahlias outside his home in Isleford as he did many floral pictures. I know because I have stood and watched him at work there. 

My house glows at every angle with his work. Works which I love because he is so dear to my heart.

Tears well up as I type.....what a friend! So easy to love. A man with a big heart! 

"The heart of a man reflects the man."(Proverbs 27:19)

Just like my patio heart rocks he shared & some we gathered from the shore of little Cranberry when Molly and I visited him. 

Words that describe him best come straight from scripture---He was a man who personified love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Ashley not only knew that verse, he truly lived it. 

Ashley Bryan, a man who had my heart!

TWOS-DAY: WORD PLAY

I KNOW 2/2/22 was yesterday. But.... I saved the word-play for Wordsmith Wednesday because it served me well. 

Recently, started by me, at our home Tuesdays became "Tidy-Up Tuesdays"---a one woman reminder. 

2/22/22 jogged my mind that it would be a great shared adventure for a twosome!

Hubby went along to "share my joy". Double the work was accomplished! 

I loved it! 

Plus, it's biblical. (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Tidying up is a way of accomplishing order as a TWOS-DAY Twosome!

ESCAPE ROOM OF THE MIND: LOCKED IN

Escape Rooms are prevalent in our area. I've been to two different ones. Each time I could not wait to get out. 

Escape Rooms tend to have a cloud of "C" words. Competition! Claustrophobia! Two nouns not favored by me.

Much in the Escape Room is recognizable---books, puzzles, desk, chair, even color of fabrics or area rugs. But not the clue needed to unlock the door.

My mind has been similar to those experiences lately. Much familiar resides there but NAMES seemed to be locked up tight! 

Recently driving by a street off Poplar, I knew it led to a another street, whose name I knew, a 2-story house I would recognize, the occupations of the UM professors I once knew who lived there & their son's face came to mind. But......nary a name of any of the three.

Why are names so difficult to recall these days? Is it on an "age-related disease" list? 

Forgetfulness? Dementia?

Even hubby had an episode recently---unable to recall daughter's name or any of his grandkids. His diagnosis was Transient Global Amnesia and is a temporary ailment.

The good news is that the One who created us knows not only our name, but says "Fear not....(and) summons us by name saying, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1) He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out." (John 10:3) He also calls the stars by name. (Psalm 148:3)

Our Lord has access to all things and and shares with us according to His will and good purpose. We (I) need to trust Him as my memory is sometimes locked in! 

FRI-YAY

FRI-YAY---a trending word....or wordplay horribly overused these days. 

All our days should be "joy-filled" yay days! But....that's not always the way it is.

If not yay words, there are words to help the seniors keep focused, especially when days have a way of running together---unfocused. 

Yesterday's Thankful Thursday, for me, was one filled with pain. Lots of pain. Physical and emotional. I would have been dismayed had I not seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13) My attitude of gratitude was challenged to the nth degree. But God....in His love and mercy, once again used friends in the faith, who knew nothing of my forlornness, to intervene.

First, high school chum, Doola's "long" text, in response to my "long" text with thx for her "winter 💖" card. Doola can lift my spirit with her art and words in an Illinois' second! *

Next a card from "northern" friend, Pat sent some smiles my way.

Then came a call from my 93  yr. old vibrant friend, Janice. Chats with her are always a treat! Her wisdom keeps me grounded.

Today began as  "Frantic Friday until I was intentionally still! (Psalm 46:10).

Then it became Fri-Yay as I took a "hike" with 3 yr. old Jack, dug in the dirt with sticks, and I sang "Jesus Loves Jack" to him.

BTW, the poinsettia, a gift from "Master Gardener" neighbor Lynda, has graced my mornings at my kitchen window since December! 

SWEET WORDS ON MEDITATION MONDAY

What a way to begin Valentine's Day!

Sweet words from scripture served up alongside a "cuppa" with a tad of honey and a splash of milk, yummy heart-shaped cookies (thx Wynellen) and an open Bible.

The Bible has a lot to say about "Sweet" words. Today let's start as we "Taste and See" that the Lord is good (Psalm 34:8) as His words encourage us.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and heart to the body. (Proverbs 16:24, ESV) NIV describes those gracious words as sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 

Other versions use different adjectives: Good words, (Brenton Septuagint); Kind words, (NLT);  Pleasant words, (Berean); speech of the wise, Aramaic; Well ordered words Douay-Rheims. Pleasant/Pleasantness used in 19 versions & kind used in 3.   

Regardless of the translation it's easy to get the idea. 

Today my focus is own "kind" words---spoken from the heart. Heart-shaped.

Like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your health. (Good News Translation)

May the Lord use my words to others as sweet to the spirit & body. 

Words of love on Valentine's Day and every day.

WORDLE

Even Wordle has my Number. 

(Notice I waited a day to publish it so as not to spoil the surprise.)

When one has not had a "calm brain" in an entire week, God has to really step in to get your attention.

He can even use a  game. I had been "keeping on-keeping on" as well as I could........but my mind kept moving with my circumstances. Yes, I started my day praying for my "daily" people, keeping up somewhat with zoom prayer groups, taking hubby to ER & helped him with virtual doc visit, attending Bible study, taking food to a suffering friend, etc. Busyness is a way I cope....it's always been that way for me. At this time in life it seems worse. I know because I can't keep up. I even have a "come apart" when I put my compression socks on the wrong feet. I mix up my meds or forget  to take them. My hand shakes as I type or lift spoon to mouth with my granola. I can feel shakes even when I don't see them.  As brother Buddy said, "Feet moving. Going nowhere."

What's a gal to do? Take time for the "pause that refreshes"---More time alone with Him!

To pause is difficult. It requires being still---even in my mind!