A Gentle Reminder

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. Psalm 116: 7

Life has been busy here in my mountain nest over the past week or two, allowing me little time to meander through the woods as I had been doing throughout much of the fall. The home office makeover, an extra workload for my at-home MT job, and colder than usual weather all played a part in keeping me indoors, away from the beauty of nature. It's strange how one can become so caught up in doing "stuff" that the days run into nights and weeks pass by without one finding the time to pause and look at the beauty that surrounds them.

This afternoon, while still caught up in the "stuff" of daily living, I was busy typing medical reports when a Tufted Titmouse began to peck at my office window, almost as if to say, "Hey, we haven't seen you in the woods lately!" I've had birds peck near the window before, but this little bird just sat there for the longest time looking right at me, furiously pecking at the window every few seconds. It was quite entertaining, and one of those moments when I wished I had my camera nearby. I stopped working and just sat there enjoying this rare show when I noticed the Dark-eyed Juncos flitting about in the yard; their arrival announcing that winter certainly is upon us.

Fascinated by the bird activity going on outside, I put my work aside and decided to go for a quick stroll. I didn't have a lot of time to spare, but that brief walk was such a delightful adventure for me since the temperatures were rather mild today. It was a welcome diversion in my work day. I lingered a bit longer than I should have, but being outside surrounded by nature and the arrival of the Juncos made me realize how much I've missed spending time in the woods. It was also a reminder of how quickly I can get busy doing "stuff" and neglect to take time to "stop and smell the roses."

I was amazed at how much the woods had changed in just a week! Many of the leaves have fallen providing an open and spacious view of the mountains, which also makes it easier to see various birds flying about from tree to tree. The reflection of the sky upon the pond made the water appear azure blue in color, creating a soothing and serene picture of beauty. A Junco that perched nearby me on a stump reminded me once again that the harsh winter weather is rapidly approaching. I inhaled a little deeper, tarried just a little while longer, soaking in fall's beauty, knowing it's time is short.

Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder to pause and be still for just a bit. I'm so thankful for the visit of the Tufted Titmouse at my office window today. Had the tiny bird not pecked on my window, I probably would have continued to work, caught up in the busyness of daily life, forgetting the beauty that lies just beyond my front door.

Anxiety Prescription

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 19

Working as a Medical Transcriptionist, I type a lot of medical reports each day, and it seems the majority of patients are taking something for anxiety-related issues. Based on my own calculations, roughly seven out of every ten reports includes prescriptions for anxiety drugs. I see this trend on a daily basis. I believe these drugs do serve a purpose, and when used properly can provide helpful treatment for patients who truly need them, but not all anxiety needs to be treated with medication. God often uses our anxiety to draw us near to Him. If we are quick to medicate our anxiety, we may never learn what it means to depend on God to meet our needs.

Lately, I've been reminded of the need to seek God during anxious times. I've been experiencing extreme anxiety over the past months that often keeps me awake into the wee hours of the morning. This has been happening more frequently as I enter the "change of life" season. I've been talking with older woman who have gone down that path, and they assure me that anxiety and nervousness escalates due to changes in hormone levels during this season of life. I've always been prone to worry about things, but that was mild compared to this new anxiety I've been feeling.

As I struggled to relax enough to sleep again last night, I opened my Bible to the Psalms and began to read. It was no accident that the first passage my eyes fell upon was Psalm 94: 19. "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul." I was once again amazed at how God's word is never outdated and how it always provides direction for us through each circumstance we face. Right there in scripture is our anxiety prescription! The Psalms contains some of the most beautiful passages of scripture ever penned, many written from the pens of anxious, depressed, distraught, and fearful psalmists. I wonder if the Psalms would have been written if the Psalmists would have chosen to medicate their anxiety.

When we focus on God's promises and His amazing love for us rather than our fears and insecurities, we find consolation in His truth and we will be filled with peace and joy. That doesn't mean our worries are going to vanish or that we will never experience them again. It simply means that we experience inner joy by accepting our circumstances and trusting God with the outcome. True joy doesn't necessarily mean feeling happy, because happiness is based on happenstance; we are happy only when things around us are going well. Joy is a inner attitude of peace, comfort, and trusting God regardless of what is happening around us.

We live in stressful times and each day we face financial struggles, health issues, difficult job situations, concern over children or grandchildren, fear and uncertainty about the future, etc. These fears and anxieties are real and unpleasant, but there is a prescription that works. When we surrender all of our anxieties to God and trust Him for the outcome, His consolation will bring true joy to our souls.

"Not So Extreme" Home Office Makeover

For those who have asked to see them, here are the pictures of the finished home office project!

Last week I decided to do a mini, not-so-extreme makeover on my home office, better known as my "Writing Nest." I kept it simple, using left-over paint from last falls kitchen remodeling project. I put new sage green curtains up and moved a few wall hangings around, nothing major. I love the color yellow, because it always makes a room look sunny and bright, and it's a nice change from the cold-looking white walls. It was a lot of work to move everything around and paint while working for my at-home job in between, but I am very pleased with the outcome and it was worth the effort.

The small offset corner in the room has always been my favorite part of my home office. It's nothing fancy, but I wouldn't trade it for the most expensive office in the world. While I'm busy working during the day, the small offset provides a visual reminder to take some time to be still and know my Heavenly Father. It's my place of rest; the place where I start each morning; the place where I can sip a cup of steaming tea, listen to music, read, and pray. I feel so very blessed to have a room complete with a "quiet time" corner to call my own.

A Special Thank You

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3


Today is a special anniversary for me. Seven years ago, October 24, 2001, I became involved with a wonderful online ministry: First Place/Outlook. It has changed my life, and I am so grateful and thankful for the wonderful people I have met by belonging to this group.

I have grown so much in my faith through the online Bible studies we completed as a group (22 altogether, soon to be 23). I have made friends from all over the world, and many of these friends are like family to me. They are the first ones I call upon when I need prayer, and they are the ones who have truly been there for me more times than I can count. They have inspired me in so many ways, and always have time to listen and share encouraging words.

Since today is my First Place anniversary, I wanted to say a special thank you to each one of my First Place sisters in Christ for all you have done to inspire me to never give up and to keep going, no matter what. I won't mention specific names for fear I would forget someone. You know who you are! The encouragement and support you have given me regarding my writing has been a blessing, and I have appreciated every email, card, and letter that you have taken the time to send my way, always overflowing with your kind words and inspiration. What an incredible blessing you have been and continue to be in my life! Where would I ever be without each one of you?

When I started this blog, I was so afraid to step out of my comfort zone and share my writing, but as usual, as has happened many times in the past, it was you ladies who have become my biggest supporters and my cheering section. I probably would have given up by now if not for your thoughtful words. Thanks again to each of you! I'm so thankful for the blessing of your friendship. I look forward to continuing our First Place journey together!

The Woodstove

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5: 19-20

It’s that time of the year again; the time when chilly days give way to cold nights, temperatures start to flirt with the low 30s, and we awake to frost blanketing the land. The eerie chill over the house means that the inevitable is about to happen….the lighting of the wood stove. It’s a yearly tradition I’ve come to dread, and one I’m praying desperately to feel more thankful about.

Wood is our main source of heat for the winter months, and anyone who has experienced the role of being the one to keep the home fires burning will understand the trials of heating solely with wood. It is not a job for the faint of heart or for those who enjoy uninterrupted nights of sleep.

I don’t feel very thankful for my wood stove most of the time. Actually, I have a love/hate (mostly hate) relationship with the old black stove. It’s an older well-seasoned model, rather ugly in appearance (unlike the cuter potbelly models) and the handle doesn’t open easily; I often have to whack it with a chunk of wood to get it to budge. I’ve jokingly compared the old black stove to a newborn baby, because of having to “feed” it so frequently and often having to get up at night to check on it.

I have several justifiable reasons for hating the old stove. Keeping enough firewood cut, split, and stacked to last the entire winter is a full time job in itself. Getting the stove to light can be a challenge at times also, as it can be rather stubborn to get started. At times, especially on windy days that cause a downdraft in the chimney, it gets a contrary fit and smolders, filling the house with a hazy wood smoke stench. Burnt fingers and wood splinters don't help to instill feelings of fondness either.

The stove becomes my obsession during the winter months. It’s the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, “Is the stove out?” It’s the last thing on my mind at night before I go to bed, “I better bank the stove up for the night.” When I go away I worry about it, “I wonder if the stove is out…I hope it s not smoking…I hope the house doesn’t burn down.” It’s the first thing I run to when I arrive home after being out, “Better check the stove!” Each morning I run down the steps praying to open the door and see at least a few smoldering coals, often being greeted instead with gray ashes glaring at me, meaning once again I have to re-light the stove. This same scenario is repeated if for some reason I have to leave the house for more than a few hours during the day.

I’ve tried to develop an attitude of thankfulness about my old stove. To its credit, it does provide a wonderful warm heat unlike any other kind of heat. Since I work from home, I’m able to look after the stove during the day. Wood heat is an extremely warm and consistent heat, and I’m thankful that I have a home to heat. Like a home cooked meal simmering on the stove, heat makes a home cozy and inviting on blustery days. It’s also inexpensive and saves hundreds of dollars each year that would be spent on purchasing oil or paying higher winter electric bills. It provides a good exercise workout. I get upper body strengthening each time I have to whack open the door. Since the stove is down on the basement level of our home, I do a lot of stair-stepping in the cold months. In a sense I have my own home fitness circuit complete with strength training and aerobic workouts, all for free!

God’s word says we are to be thankful and give thanks for all things, and I guess that includes my ugly old wood stove. As with anything in life, we can either choose to look at the positive side or to dwell on the negative. We truly do have so much to be thankful for each day and many reasons to praise God for the abundance of blessings we enjoy, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us. My mom used to say, “Don’t ever complain, because someone somewhere always has it much worse.” I’ve found that to be true over the years. Many of the things we complain about are rather silly and foolish, just like my complaining attitude about the wood stove.

As the cold nights and chilly days become a reality once again, I pray that I’ll keep a thankful attitude and a grateful heart for the blessing of a warm home, and for the old black wood stove, as I once again, with hesitation, resume my seasonal role as the one who keeps the home fires burning.

Sunday Drive...Reflections of Fall

How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47: 2

Aubundant Blessings

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. Psalm 65: 9

A soft rain was falling this morning as I headed off on my morning walk; the cool mist feeling rather invigorating as it brushed my face, restoring freshness to my mind after a restless nights sleep. A gentle breeze was swaying throughout the trees causing a shower of leaves to fall over me in a kaleidoscope of colors, reminding me once again of the blessing and wonder of God’s creation. The fall foliage is at its peak now, and the mountains are overflowing with abundant beauty.

I never tire of the woods. Being surrounded by nature brings peace and relaxation while at the same time bringing excitement and adventure, and a walk through the woods always seems to be a good prescription for whatever ails me. Cares seem to drift away in tune with the snapping, cracking, and crunching of twigs and leaves under my feet. The sweet, musky scent of the woods relieves anxiety as I inhale deeply savoring nature’s perfume. Depression is lifted as I wander through the woods, because it’s impossible to be surrounded by God’s beautiful creation and not fill overwhelmed by a sense of thankfulness and gratefulness for all that He has given me.

Just as God enriches the woods with abundance and beauty, He also enriches us abundantly with His love and grace. Often we neglect to look to Him to meet our needs and instead turn to other people or other things that only leave us feeling empty. God is truly all we need. His provision is far more abundant, far above and beyond what anyone else or anything else can provide for us. When we seek Him, and allow Him to drench our souls with His amazing love and grace, like the woods in fall, we will come alive with newness of life and experience the abundant blessings that only come from walking with him.

Legacy Of Poetry

I was delighted when I came across my mothers book of poems 17 years ago on my birthday. She had passed away the year before, and we were sorting through some of her things when I found an old notebook containing the poems she had written. Her legacy of poetry was the best birthday gift I ever received, along with the handwritten journals and diaries she kept most of her married life as a farm wife and mother. None of her writing or poetry was ever published, and she never intended it to be. She wrote simply because she enjoyed writing.

I was looking back over her poems recently and was especially touched by one she wrote about the children growing up. I'm also dreading facing that empty room one day, but feeling blessed by my mothers legacy of poetry that is such an encouragement to me 30 years after it was written, as my three oldest children have grown up and left home and the reality of the empty nest looms ever so near.

The Children's Room

As I tuck my little boy in his bed each night,
and pull the blankets up around him tight,
"Goodnight, Mommy and Daddy love you," I always say,
then kiss him, and so ends another day.

This little ritual started many years ago,
how many times I'll never know,
with my first little boy, who was such a joy,
he's married now with his own little boy.

There was also a little girl, she was oh so dear,
and I went in that room for many a year.
they were my life, they were my world,
she's married too, with her own little girl.

Now this last child is growing taller each day,
and I know before long he'll go his own way.
Oh, time please slow down, and don't pass too soon,
for I sure hate to face that empty room.

Written by Janet L. Leasure (1979)

Misty Mountain Mornings

I have swept away your sins like the morning mists. I have scattered your offenses like the clouds. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44: 22

A thick mist often descends upon the mountains in the early morning, making it difficult to see beyond the smokey haze. When outside it can make one feel a little disoriented at times, almost causing you to feel imprisoned and unable to escape its suffocating effect. I'm always relieved to see the mist fade away and to be able to see the beautiful scenery again.

Sin is like a thick hazy mist. When trapped by sinful habits that hold us in bondage, we can feel suffocated, unable to see beyond where we are. Thankfully, we have a Heavenly Father who sets us free. It's comforting to know He sweeps our sins away like the morning mist! No sin is too big for God to sweep away. All we need to do is call upon Him and seek forgiveness.

Its fascinating how the everyday things in nature, that we often take for granted, allow us to see scripture so clearly and provide us with a visual reminder of God's promises. I'm thankful for the blessing of misty mountain mornings, and the reminder that just as that mist dissipates giving way to the beautiful scenery, God likewise sweeps away our sins and sets us free.

Little Mission Field In The Big Woods

The older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things...that they may admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God not be blasphemed. Titus 2: 3-5


"No other success can compensate for failure in the home" was the saying that adorned a sampler I stitched years ago with the picture of a cozy, cottage-like house on it with smoke curling out of the chimney. It resembled the quaint little house my grandmother used to live in. The framed sampler hung above my kitchen table as a much-needed reminder of the value of my work as a stay-at-home mother. There is a lot of truth in that simple little saying.

Unfortunately, success in the home seems to be the last thing on the minds of many women today. It seems they would rather be anywhere other than at home. They run from one place to the next, always finding somewhere else to go, always looking for fulfillment outside the home. In doing so, the most important mission field of all, the home, is pushed aside, neglected and forgotten.

God often brings unsaved people to our home mission fields, through family members, friends, or friends of our children, which gives us a unique opportunity to touch the lives of each person who passes through our doorway. We have a wonderful opportunity to share the gospel with others as they see our faith lived out in our homes. If we are always focused on things away from home, vital ministry opportunities will be lost.

Though caring for things in the home often has little importance in the lives of women today, God's word affirms the importance of a woman's role in the home. God entrusted us with the care of our homes and loved ones. Being wives, mothers, and homemakers should be seen as blessings, not burdens. In Titus 2: 4-5 the older women are instructed to teach the younger women several things, and one of those things is to be homemakers, "so that the word of God may not be blasphemed." God's word is blasphemed when we profess to be Christians, but fail to walk in obedience to what His word tells us to do. Many unbelievers want nothing to do with the church and the Christian faith because of the hypocrisy of those who profess to be believers, but fail to live out their faith. Through scripture we learn that caring for the home is one way for a woman to live out her faith.

The Proverbs 31 woman was a skilled home manager and looked well to the ways of her household. It is interesting to see how she cared for the things inside her home before pursuing other things. This certainly does not mean women should only do things inside the home or not have jobs outside the home, but it does bring to light the importance and priority of women caring for their homes and loved ones before being involved with things outside the home.

This is not a popular topic today. From elementary school through high school, young girls are encouraged to focus on career and education. This is so embedded in our culture today that the young girl who would desire to be a wife, mother, and homemaker without a career would be looked down upon. We don't teach our daughters that it is okay to pursue homemaking, and instead we push them down the career path exclusively. There is nothing wrong with girls pursuing careers, but we also must teach them the importance of homemaking and the value of the home as an important mission field. Many young girls today lack homemaking skills and have no idea how to manage a home. Sadly, many have never seen it modeled in their mothers, and what they have seen modeled is discontentment with being at home and a focus on things outside the home. The older women are so busy and caught up in their own lives that they don't have time to teach the younger women anything, and tragically the things some older women would teach the younger women would be far from biblical truth.

I wonder how often have we bought into the world's way of thinking rather than listening to what God's word says about our roles as women? How often do we live selfishly in pursuit of what we desire rather than what God desires for us? Are we content in our homes, seeing them as our primary area of ministry? What are we teaching our young daughters regarding how to manage a home?

We must prayerfully seek God's wisdom daily, taking seriously our roles as wives, mothers, and homemakers, and remember the importance of the home as our greatest mission field. We can have great success outside the home in many areas, but if we fail at home, we have failed. No other success will ever compensate for failure in the home.

Quiet Waters

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his names sake. Psalm 23: 1-3

My soul was truly restored as I sat by our pond this morning, mesmerized by the thousands of diamonds sparkling on the surface of the water, basking in the beauty of nature. In a world filled with stress, I'm so thankful for the Shepherd who leads me to places of refreshment, away from the chaos of everyday life.

How I wish I would have learned the importance of being still long ago! I'm slowly learning to make time for rest and renewal in a world that seems to be in constant motion. As I look back on the past, I recall years passing by where I barely noticed the changing of the seasons; years of being so busy that I rarely stopped to look at the beauty surrounding me. I just kept going, rushing from one thing to the next, always doing something, never taking time to be still. Like many women, I had fallen prey to the "superwoman syndrome." Deceived by the world's standards of success, I listened to the lies, believed I could do it all, and believed that success meant adding one more thing to an already full plate of activities.

God's way is always the opposite of the world's way. He never intended for us to be superwomen, just women who walk by faith and in obedience to His word; women who trust in Him. In 1 Peter 3: 3-4 we learn that a woman with a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight, and that women in the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful by the gentle and quiet spirits they possessed. It's nearly impossible to have this inner beauty when we are stressed out and always rushing about. In order to cultivate gentle and quiet spirits, we must learn to be still before God.

I often wonder how many diseases and psychological disorders today are the result of unrelenting stress. It seems the "superwoman syndrome" only creates sickness, and leaves us feeling empty, exhausted, and irritable, suffocating any glimmer of quietness and gentleness within us. It renders us ineffective and weary, with no energy left over to do the things God has placed us here on this earth to do. We are a generation of women who have forgotten how to be still.

Only when we still ourselves from the busyness of life will we be able to cultivate gentle and quiet spirits. Our Shepherd is waiting to restore our souls and give us rest. We simply need to call upon Him. True rest will not be found elsewhere; it is found only in the One who leads us beside the quiet waters.