Once in a Blue Moon

My husband and I had a misunderstanding.  Requesting that he set the potted mums that were no longer blooming over on the side of our house where they wouldn’t be seen (pots and all), he dumped them out of the pots in the woods that is to the side of our house, instead.

Ha!  Well, I suppose he is entitled to an occasional Amelia Bedelia moment, considering what he has put up with in me all of these years!  

That happened last winter. 

Imagine my surprise when we stumbled upon those mums at the edge of our woods, thriving and blooming, as if they had been planted!  Not that they make for a great picture in the middle of August in the deep south, but I want to show you anyway!

Perhaps the rare, mild summer, along with ample rain all contributed to their wellbeing!

I don’t mind that the end of summer is drawing near, but I will miss some of the blooms.  Not so much the perennials, knowing that they will return, but it is hard to let the annuals go! 

As for my coleus, there is a simple solution.  I will just break off a few pieces and root them in water.  Once rooted, they will continue to thrive through the winter after being potted and kept indoors beside a sunny window.  My grandmother always had coleus, although a different variety than these, and I’m fond of them as a result. 

I learned something today.  My husband’s SUV started running rough, and his engine light came on.  We held our breath…  But, it turns out, the only thing wrong is that the gas cap is cracked.  Not putting it on tightly can cause the same issues!  Huh! That was good to know!  Plus, I’m glad to breathe again!

I found this wonderful print at a rummage sale that I want to show you.  It was love at first sight, but then there was another layer to my delight…

After finding a name on the back, I discovered it belonged to my fourth grade art teacher!  I am so glad to have something to remember her by!

Well, if there is something that you have wanted to do “once in a blue moon,” tonight is the time to do it!  There will be a blue moon tonight, and it won’t happen again until 2015! 

Savoring the remaining remnants of summer, I wanted to take a little time to say hi to you.  But for now though, a good book and a good little friend, with a not so good, silly even, haircut awaits me.  That would be the fault of “yours truly,” I am afraid.  I wish you could have seen how embarrassed she was when the other dogs saw her after I finished.  Poor baby!  I’ve had a few haircuts myself that left me feeling that way too!  How about you? 

When Life Makes You Say…

“But I just don’t know what on earth to do in this situation!”  God is your Counselor.
(Ps. 119:24; Is. 48:17)

“But I am afraid!”  God is your Protector. (Joshua 1:9; Ps. 91:1; John 14:27)

“But I’m so lonely!” God is your Unfailing Friend; your All-time Companion that has your back 24/7. (Deut. 31:6; Is. 49: 15-16)

“But I feel so weary and weak.”  God is your Strength, and His Power is more evident in times of weakness. (Is. 40:31; 2 Cor. 12:9-10)

“But my life is overwhelming.”  He is your Firm Foundation.  Allow Him to keep you steady, by walking closely to Him. (Ps. 40:2; Ps. 46:1; Rom. 8:37)

“But my life is full of chaos and confusion.”  The Holy Spirit’s continuous presence is with you to guide you. (Is. 54:10; Ps. 32:8; Prov. 3:5-6)

“But my world is upside down and I feel uneasy and fearful of the present and future!”  God is your Hope. (Deut. 31:6; Ps. 31:24; Ps. 43:5)

“But I need…” God is your Provider. (2 Cor. 9:8; Phil. 4:19)

“But I’m just not content with the way my life is.”  Contentment and joy come from our relationship with Jesus, not our circumstances. (Is. 26:3-4; Ps. 107:9; Phil. 4:11-12) 

“But I am physically sick, and emotionally drained.”  God is your Great Physician, your Healer, and although we may not always understand His ways, we can trust Him, because He always has our best interest at heart. (2 Cor. 12:9; Ps. 103:3)

“But I feel so sad and rejected.”  Rest in His arms.  He is your Comforter.  He will never reject you. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4; Gal 6:17)

“But I feel shattered and broken hearted.”  Allow the Lord to use this, my friend.  He will heal your broken heart. (Ps. 34:17; Ps. 147:3; Is. 61:3)

“But my life seems hopeless!”  Hopelessness, to a person that is saved by grace, may be a matter of not understanding.  Peril can cloud our thinking.  If we only knew what He has in store for us, though! Look beyond the raging storms in your life and allow God to enlighten you.  He will provide you with much reason to hope and rejoice! (Eph. 1:18-20; Jer. 29:11)  

“But I feel so unloved.”  Jesus loves you so much that He died for you so that He can be with you forever. (Rom. 8:38-39; John 15:9; Eph. 3:17-19) 

“But I am facing a terrible battle!”  God is your Victorious Warrior and He is committed to winning the battle for you if you will follow Him. (Deut. 33:27; Ps. 34:7; 2 Thess. 3:3)

“But I’ve messed up.”  God is full of forgiveness, and mercy, and grace if you have trusted Jesus as your Savior. (Ps. 86:5; Rom. 10:9) (If you would like to know more about trusting Jesus as your Savior, click here.)

“But you don’t know how terrible my circumstances are!”  That is true, but God does.  He will be with you.  Seek Him wholeheartedly. (Jer. 29:13) Allow Him to guide and instruct you.  Don’t focus on your troubles, my friend, focus on Jesus.  Be consumed by His call; trust and understand that “all things work together for good.” (Rom. 8:28)  When you do that, life will take on a new significance and meaning, and you will discover and experience joy, regardless of the challenges that you face. (Ps.32:8; 1 Peter 4:12-13; Phil. 1:6)

Graphic designed by my friend Abby @ http://littlebirdieblessings.blogspot.com/