It has been a rough summer.
Filled with struggle. Filled with sickness. Filled with disappointment. Filled with stories that are not mine to tell, and yet they are stories that intertwine with our hearts and lives.
As I have continued to paddle with one oar, I have prayed. I have pondered. I have wondered. I have asked for answers. I have felt a little sorry for myself. (Yes, I admit it. I am not prone to pity parties, but I've had a few this summer.) I started to "gather the moments" of July but I didn't have many photos and I didn't like many of the ones I had and I wasn't even sure what I would say, so I stopped.
And then I read these words*:
"Is our 'I' in the dust?"
And I had to answer honestly. No.
A pity party is all about "I." And while I will continue to pray and ponder and ask for answers, I am determined to put "I" aside and walk forward in trust.
* from Edges of His Ways: Daily Devotional Notes by Amy Carmichael
And as always, there are so many blessings . . . so many moments of beauty if only we're willing to see . . .
There were ordinary moments. A Sunday afternoon drive along the river. A kitty on an old quilt. A Sunday morning mocha.
We were blessed to be able to gather to celebrate the July birthdays. (With all of the other things that have been postponed or cancelled this summer, I am glad that this was not one of them.)
Milestone birthdays for both of our July girls!
Eve turned ten, which means it was her year for ten presents and a special box made by Papa.
Around the house,
July was the month for sprucing up the sun porch . . .
. . . and for filling in a space that was made when we "shopped the house" for the library. (More on that in another post.)
♪ ♫ Take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise. ♪ ♫
i so appreciate your transparent heart, cheryl.
ReplyDeletein the midst of challenge you continue to have a
view to the precious things in life; this being
an encouraging reminder for myself as well. ♥
If this is an encouragement, then I am grateful. Training my eyes to see His goodness is a daily exercise.
DeleteI agree this has been a July of struggles and sadness! I've had a few pity parties myself and then hear testimonies of families dealing with the Big "C", addiction and sudden loss and I must praise God for my little struggles! God bless you! We've got to get together before schooling gets into full swing!
ReplyDeletePerspective is a good teacher, isn't it? Yes, let's make a date!
DeleteThankful too, for your eyes to see God's goodness in the midst of hard things. Thanking God for fresh mercies. Love you friend!
ReplyDeleteLove you too!
DeletePart of faith means NOT seeing, I think....
ReplyDeleteSo keep on keeping on. His Word says you'll reap a harvest in His time if you faint not ♥ Praying for His grace and mercy to follow you (and for an extra oar or two)!
I agree! "NOT seeing" is when we prove that we trust Him. Thank you for your prayers!
DeleteI find a lot of comfort in just plain, ordinary moments too, Cheryl. Thank you for sharing yours with us. God is good ALL the time.:)
ReplyDeleteYes, He is!
DeleteThank you so much Cheryl for you honesty!! Life is so so hard sometimes. God is at work, and you are not alone. Lord bless you. ~tammy ps. prayin for ya'll.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Tammy, for your encouraging words and for your prayers!
DeleteYou have been given eyes to see beauty even in difficult days if that wonderful collage is any indication. What is it about this summer that has been so just.plain.awful. for so many of us. I think it's a lot about TRUST for me. Today, with God's help, I was able to accomplish more than I could ever have imagined even a day ago. I've been too like pharaoh of old who was disgusted by the onslaught of frogs, but was willing to wait one more day to be delivered.
ReplyDeleteHere's to an August so amazing that it redeems June and July...
Glad that you were able to make some progress! I agree . . . for all of His children, it's all about trust! I love the words of the old hymn, "They who trust Him wholly, find Him wholly true."
DeleteOh I must agree with Vee here!!! Keeping you and yours in my prayers too that all may be well and recovered. This has been quite the summer so far but I am determined to enjoy the rest no matter what! Your space looks amazing and I could feel right at home there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Rosella! And I continue to pray for you that you are restored to good health!
DeleteI'd love to have you come and feel at home in my space. I think we'd find lots to chat about. :)
Love your pictures and the sharing of your heart. Sometimes "this, too, shall pass" is the only help as we're learning to trust. Thankful that He never changes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, GrammaGrits! Oh yes, SO thankful that He never changes!
DeleteIt's amazing how God can show us His love and care and beauty in big and especially in small ways if we keep our eyes open and look. A wonderful post, and hope the fall brings a fresh and gentle breeze of better days.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dotsie! Even in the hard things, we are so blessed!
DeleteP.S. Love that vista of your living room. I would feel so at home there!
DeleteI would SO love for you to come and share some time here!
DeleteSorry for the roughness of this summer but encouraged by your outlook and introspection. Walking forward in trust, one step at a time. Praying for you and yours. Love your porch and living room!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen, for your kind words and your prayers!
DeleteCheryl, I discovered that I CAN load your page on my phone!! I am sorry for your struggles. We too have concerns that take an emotional toll on us. We don't have to be cheery about it, but I think that it's during our times of struggle that our faith is proved, and that we hang onto God's word and pray - which I know you are doing. May you sense God's presence during this season of struggle. I will be praying for you.
DeleteJudy, that is so true. We don't have to be cheery, but we do have to trust Him and the work that He is doing. Thank you for your prayers . . . and I will pray for you too!
DeleteCheryl, I'm so sorry to learn you're having a rough summer. Mine has held a few challenges as well and so I haven't visited my favorite blogs as regularly as usual. We're going to have troubles, and those of us who live in gratitude and always try to put on a happy face probably need to just go ahead and let ourselves feel down at times. Loved your sweet story of the oar!
ReplyDeleteJean, by nature I am cheerful, but I also believe in being real. Without whining, I like to share my heart with my readers/friends, so that includes some honest talk from time to time.
DeleteI am sorry that your summer has also brought challenges and I will pray for you!
He walks us thru periods such as this for His purposes, nothing so great that He cannot handle. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteAmen. And thank you for your prayers!
DeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Regine! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI've been by your blog a couple of times and each time I start to comment something calls me away from my laptop.
ReplyDeleteYour home is beautiful, Cheryl, and it looks so comfortable, too.
I'm sorry you've had difficulties this summer and I'll pray that the remainder of summer will see happier, better days for you. Blessings to you and your sweet family!
Cheryl, no apologies! Happens to me all the time . . . either I am short of time . . . or distracted . . .
DeleteThank you for your kind words and for your prayers. They are so appreciated!
Cheryl, You've turned your 'one oar' season on its ear by choosing to seek those lovely good moments in your life. Loved the photos ... that kitty pic is one that sets my heart happy.
ReplyDeleteI hope and pray for better days ahead, and much grace for the journey today and the rest of the month.
Brenda xox
Brenda, I just found your comment today. It was somewhere in the mystery that is my blogger dashboard. Sorry for the delay . . .
ReplyDeleteI do thank you for your gracious words. And you are a fellow kitty lover, a kindred spirit. :)