As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Thursday, October 1, 2015

Gathering the Moments of September












September provided opportunities to worry.
Yikes! My baby young adult daughter is driving a major city beltway! ~cringe~
Yikes! Our old stray cat is not feeling well. Will I be able to crate him to take him to the vet? Will we be able to treat him? 
Yikes! My husband is having surgery. Will he be in pain? How will we accommodate his needs in this old farmhouse (bedrooms upstairs, bathroom downstairs)? How long will he be out of work? Will I need to drive him to work when he returns? For how long? And then we'll get to do this all over again.
Yikes! I can't make any plans. (And I am a planner.) There is so much up in the air. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow, let alone next week or the week after that or next month.
Yikes! My oldest daughter's routine sonogram left some uncertainties. Is this baby okay? How can we wait until the Level II sonogram to find out? Nine days is a long wait. 

Yes, we had plenty of opportunities to consider these words of Corrie ten Boom and put them to the test. Times to "Be still and know that I am God." 



Worrying is carrying tomorrow's load with today's strength - carrying two days at once. 
It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time.

 Worrying doesn't empty tomorrow of its sorrow,
it empties today of its strength.

~ Corrie ten Boom ~




Worry doesn't accomplish anything. And it is the opposite of trust. So we moved on, trying to carry just that one day, doing our best to depend on Him for the strength to meet each day's needs. Sometimes it is hard not to "carry tomorrow's load" for it looms there in front of us and begs for attention. But He is faithful to provide...as we trust Him for one day at a time. 
  


In September, we celebrated the fifth birthday of a little girl who will soon be a big sister. We bought a new living room rug after nearly a year of looking. We had our good-bye-to-summer ice cream party. And we watched the sun rise over the ocean.

Ron and Kati spent a weekend away, attending a Michael Card conference with Ryan and then visiting with their family. Kati did all of the driving and successfully navigated the beltway. Meanwhile, Bekah and I held down the fort and had a delightful "just us girls" weekend.

We bought some mums and pumpkins, took some walks, went on a field trip, and waited for the weather to cool. 

We learned that the new baby will be a granddaughter...and that she is healthy! Praise the Lord! 

Bekah is getting into the groove as a high schooler. 

We still can't make a lot of plans, but we're trying to be patient and live out the day that is before us. 


Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. 
Matthew 6:34


18 comments:

  1. I love your photos and the way you always bring us to look to the Lord.

    You had a lot on your plate this month, but you handled it with grace.

    Deanna

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  2. Cheryl, your gathering the moments is a favorite of mine. This month is no exception. Life is certainly full of uncertainties. This month has sent many challenges your way. Thank you for sharing this verse from Matthew. It is a verse that I certainly needed to hear today. ♥

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  3. What a month! So glad that you have been carried safely through for that was a minefield of potential sorrows. God is good and He does promise not one thing more than we can bear. Saying a prayer for Ron to heal well and for your furry friend to feel better, too. Loved all the photos, but the group photo was especially nice. Then, too, I like the one of Kati and Bekah walking arm in arm. Alaine is an adorable five-year-old!

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  4. Cheryl, I can't remember how long it's been since I stumbled across your blog now -- perhaps a year or more. I come here after reading headlines like today's (the mass shootings in Oregon) because I know I will find something to soothe me. This evening I felt worry creeping up on me... and lo and behold your post today was on worry. I thank God for using you in such a powerful way. Your blog is a comfort.

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  5. This post is so encouraging to me just now, Cheryl. We are entering a time of great uncertainty in our family and it is not easy to simply trust and not worry. We know that God's presence will be very near and have hope in his provision. Thank you for the encouragement of looking at it from the other side.

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  6. I find it so easy to become anxious about health and upcoming things or what I hear in the news. This post was a very good reminder for me today, too. Thank you for sharing Carrie ten Boom's quote and the scripture. I, too, find your blog a peaceful place to visit. God bless all of you.
    Dianne L

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  7. Well I certainly agree with all the others. How I love visiting your blog. There is always wisdom here, and comfort, and grace, and lots of smiles. I love your pictures as always. Praise God on the good news of your coming grand daughter. Praying Ron heals quickly. If only we could ALWAYS remember those scriptures even in the hardest of times. Think of what we'd save ourselves. Fear and worry are NEVER from Him so we know what we need to do with them. But so much easier said then done sometimes. I love that He loves us and cares for us and is there for us in spite of all our weaknesses. Blessings to you and your family!

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  8. I think this post was written for me. :) Thank you for sharing these thoughts. Praying your new little granddaughter comes into the world thriving and ultimately coming to know her creator! God bless your October!

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  9. What a lovely post, filled with wonderful family memories and focusing on Jesus to carry our burdens.

    May Ron have a speedy, full recovery and may your little granddaughter be healthy and happy.

    Have a wonderful fall ~ FlowerLady

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  10. A beautiful post, Cheryl. I pray that Ron heals swiftly and that you and your precious family have a wonderful October!

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  11. I love how you intertwine the fun photos of the month with not only a verbal account, but telling the behind the scenes story and pointing all to our heavenly Father and His grace there for each of the good and the more difficult moments! As you see by the other commenters, you have greatly (been used by God) encouraged others through your writing today.

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  12. A beautiful post filled to the brim with real life!!!
    I love this saying: "God has a way of working thinsg out!"
    I repeat this just about every day and God has been faithful in working out every situation in my life - including the IMPOSSIBLE ones! You already know this......

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  13. Lovely series of photos and you have showcased them brilliantly.

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  14. My mind went to the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" (a favorite!), particularly the line "Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside." Praising God, not only for the things that easily stir our thankfulness, but also for the opportunities to trust Him more! (And that isn't easy for a worrier like me!)

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  15. So true, God is faithful. The Lord of the universe loves his children and sent his spirit to comfort us. There is so much uncertainty in life, but a wonderful awesome God who has it all under control. There's not a molecule in the universe that is without his watch care. Many blessings on you and your family this week.

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  16. Well, I am just now getting caught up some of my blog reading (as you can see) and this post and your quote from Corrie Ten Boom spoke to my heart specifically this morning. I've been having a lot of those "YIKES" moments lately, even as recently as this morning. Thank you for this perfect reminder that we are not....I AM NOT...in control. Great photos of your September, "yikes" moments included. Prayers for healing and perfect test results...Romans 8:28... :)

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  17. Cheryl, loved this post! I'm a planner (and a bit of a worrier), too, so I feel for you. Hope all goes well. (You'll want to see the Giveaway Winner Announcement in the final comment on the Lemon Tart post!)

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