Words for a Wednesday

Hello. Well, here is another post I did not intend on writing but when I got up this morning I knew I had to write a post. I feeeellllll good! today. When I get to feeling this good, look out world!

Weather Report

It is a sunny, tropical day here in Ohio.

Ummm…Michele….lying is a sin. Afterall I am sure everyone can smell the heat from the furnace.

Yes, that is right folks I said the “F” word – furnace. It is June and that means in Ohio we turn on the furnace to take the chill out of the morning air.

Instagram People You Should Follow

I am very selective about who I follow on Instagram. I have to know you or you have to be recommended by someone. If you are a man, I will NOT follow you.

These are the accounts whose words and pictures I find soothing and life-giving.

nikki.at.the.cottage. – Because there is no better way to start your day after turning off your 5 a.m. alarm than to look at the beautiful flower, garden or other nature post from a cottage in rural Suffolk. I know you are not supposed to turn on your social media as soon as you get up, but Nikki’s posts soothe the soul and are a beautiful way to start your day. Wonderful words accompany her pictures. I live the gardening life through her.

Maplehurst Gardens – I also live the gardening life through maplehurstgardens, the home of author Christie Purifoy and her family. Another gorgeous Instagram feed filled with flowers, trees, meadows and free-range chickens. It was her post this morning that changed how I feel about my backyard.

My backyard is overgrown due to being sidelined with multiple sinus issues, intestinal issues and strained lower back muscles the past two weeks. Christie said she and her family call overgrown grass and weeds a meadow.

There is power in words.

So now instead of a backyard, I have a meadow – Michele’s Meadow – which is half mowed.

Thank you, Christie, for changing my perspective.

kaitylyn_bouch (Kaitlyn Bouchillon). Author Kaitlyn Bouchillon’s posts usually speak to my heart and nourish my soul. However, she is currently visiting Israel and her first post from the Valley of Elah (where David slew Goliath) had a deep impact on me.

“We don’t need to cover up who we are with someone else’s armor. We can simply kneel down, live the story we’ve been given, trust His goodness, and believe He goes with us.

Let’s remember. And then let’s dare to run.”

Those are just her closing words. The rest of the post is just as wonderful. Well done Kaitlyn, well done.

Change in Devotional Routine

I am off today. So I decided to dig deep into Kelly Balarie’s new book Battle Ready instead of my devotional book on Proverbs. I will save that for tonight as I do not believe in screen time after 6 p.m. except on Tuesday and Wednesday nights since I am off on Wednesday and Thursdays. (I have a free copy of Kelly’s book on my Kindle.)

God is speaking to me through Kelly’s book as well also. This morning I finished Warrior Mind-Set 7 Bounce-Back Ability. (Warrior Mind-Set = Chapter)

These are some of the words I highlighted this morning:

Ten Secrets of Resiliency:

#8 – The truth is you’re moving from glory to glory.

Know this: you’ve come further than you give yourself credit for.

#9 Jesus suffered too, but that didn’t stop him.

A Foundational Truth that will put you back on Safe Ground:

The only thing Jesus proved is that He ultimately trusted the Father, even during hardship.

Resiliency is knowing whose you are so you don’t fall into the “proving” trap that only leaves you tired, weary, and all busted up.

Hopefully at least some of these words will speak to you as well. You can order Kelly’s book Battle Ready here.

Old Testament Verse of the Day

These verses also come from Warrior Mind-Set #7

“This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm 91:2 NLT)

New Testament Verse of the Day

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s off to run errands I go.

Well, that is all for today. I am off to the store and library and maybe after I get done with those errands, it will be warm enough to finish mowing Michele’s Meadow. (It is only supposed to be 66 today and is currently 54.) If not, it will wait until tomorrow, when it is supposed to be 79 degrees.

(Disclaimer: All links are non-affiliate.)

 

Bio: Michele Kearns is the founder and HUG© (Hope Unites Globally) Award-Winner of JoyReturns. She shares her widowhood adventures hoping to encourage widows to move through grief and rebuild their lives. A graduate of Kent State University with a Bachelor’s degree in communications, she’s used those skills while managing call center teams, facilitating a grief support group and helping small businesses with various writing and administrative assignments. Michele is a bookworm, lover of chocolate, red roses and golden retrievers and is an amateur photographer.