Quiet, Doing or Not Doing

                                                      

I had the day off today, after some busy days.  I had felt tired, had nothing that HAD to be done, so I thought I would just do probably nothing.

And so I did.  I did have a quiet time.  And then just kind of took the day off.  Til I began to feel....dissatisfied.  I hadn't exercised.  I hadn't done housework, unless you count a load of laundry.  I resolved then and there to do something.  To come up with an errand, or get out and accomplish.  It wasn't a good feeling.

And then it happened.  Peace.  Contentment.  I don't have to be a super accomplisher every day.  I can take an actual day to be.  Be still.  Rest.  And so I am doing just that.

I'll have dinner ready for Mister when he gets home.  The house will be warm and inviting.  But I'm letting go of a lot of the rest today.

Joining in, counting more of the endless One Thousand Gifts, taking The Joy Dare to Fully Live.....
79.  morning sunshine and birdsong
80.  recipes and tweaking them
81.  cats sitting with foldy paws and friendly feet

82.  romance

83.  her straight A's
84.  Jesus
85.  Jesus
86.  Jesus
87.  John's beautiful smile
88.  John's love for Chickie
89.  John's I love you
 

Be blessed!

Help with Decorating: A Kitchen Vignette

I love the way this kitchen corner turned out. The balance and proportion are perfect.

My favorite vintage kitchen scale.

My favorite chippy cabinet.

One of my life's credos written in the background.

Summed up with a bold gray cat sitting on a folder.

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Carol

A New Word

I was visiting Rhoda, which in turn led me to visiting Layla, who is hosting This Little Word of Mine.

                                            

I've known about people having a Word for the new year, but have never had a word impressed upon me for the year.  Til this year.
                                                    

My word is Praise.  As a mom of a Chickie in her 2nd year of college, God has been working transformation in me these last 2 years.  Being an empty nester was a big change, and actually a delight.  I had a lot of free time that I wasn't used to having.  But......

This year Chickie is back home and attending college nearby.  She enjoys my company and my time.  My in-laws are growing increasingly dependent and I am their source of transportation.  I've sold my business ownership and become an employee again.

More responsibilities and time constraints and a new perception of my workplace.  Lots of big changes.  But through these last two years, He has given me what I would not have imagined to ask Him for.

His absolute Omnipresence.  The Joy of His Omnipresence.  It is the absolute most precious blessing that I can imagine.

I see myself being transformed by it.  Character traits I have admired in my mother for years are becoming mine, and I am in awe.  She is compassionate and wise and has passed an amazing spiritual legacy on to her family.

For these blessings, for these transformations in process, I will Praise Him.  And since He inhabits our praises, I will be drawn to even closer intimacy with Him.

Exodus 15:2 NIV

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Hallelujah!
Be blessed this week!
Carol