For Today, March 11, 2019
I am joining in with Peggy Hostetler of The Simple Woman’s Daybook, who has provided the template for this glimpse into our days. Her link is live throughout the month for anyone who wants to participate. Come along with me as I journey through my moments, looking for traces of Jesus along the way.
Looking out my window:
Well, it feels like the great melting has finally begun! After months of snow-covered ground, and cold temps, the rain began falling this weekend. The piles of snow are beginning to shrink, and there is hope for spring again!
I am thinking:
God is reminding me that He has never left me. Even on those days when the pain seems too hard for me to bear, He has left me such beautiful words to bring comfort and help:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20 NIV
I am thankful:
What a blessing to know that we will be able to see our “travelin’ family” missionary son and daughter-in-law and their girls soon! They have a few weeks of time to visit with us before they travel on to the next place where God has called them. You might remember them from these posts last year, here and here. This week they are staying with my older son’s family, next week with our daughter’s family, and then on to our house for the next week.
One of my favorite things:
I wait each winter for the early spring bird song. Already I have heard the cardinals and chick-a-dees begin their warm-ups. On a cold, below-zero day last week, the cardinal was singing his heart out, declaring to all who would hear that he has claimed this little plot of ground as his territory. What a precious thought, to think of our Heavenly Father singing over us, declaring to all who would listen that we belong to HIM.
I am creating:
This small springtime vignette in my home is bringing a brightness to me. While I may not be able to fully decorate in the ways I used to, I can still bring little touches of the season here and there when I find just a tiny burst of energy. Jesus stirs my heart to watch for His growth of those small seedlings in my heart also. **And a quote from Anne Shirley always brings a smile!
I am wearing:
I am lingering in my comfy, fluffy robe this morning. The pressure has been lifted off of me, as Jesus has called me to step away from the old rules that demanded rushing mornings. In this physical season of weakness, He has purpose in the slow for me, just as He had purpose in the busy for me in different seasons.
I am reading:
This month I am joining Bonnie Gray’s “Whispers of Rest” group, and re-reading her book, for the Lenten study on her website. You can subscribe to join in anytime this season, by clicking here, and find ways to allow the soul care of Jesus to meet you as we ponder together the last moments of Jesus on this earth.
I am hoping:
Yes, I am still hoping for the proper Rheumatoid Arthritis medication. This month it looks like the final possible therapy available for me, a several hour infusion, has been approved by my insurance. Praise God for His protection while I have been waiting for it!
I am learning:
Oh, how deeply the Lord brings His own Presence into my heart as I allow Him to bring His Living Water to me. I love the way that He does not ever minimize the pain or the trial, but meets me right there to carry me to the relief and help that He has been waiting to bring.
In my kitchen:
Avocados! For now they are my treat foods, and still very healthy options! 🙂
In my garden:
Indoor gardening is the name of the game here in Zone 5a Wisconsin for a little longer. I am not sure if any of these amaryllis bulbs will bloom or not. Even if all they send up are their strappy green leaves this year, it will still be worth it to have taken care of them. To watch a plant die back to it’s shriveled bulb state, and then to see it spring forth from something that looks like it could never grow, is such a mystery enacted in front of my eyes. I so long to see those places in my heart that feel shriveled and dead spring forth with the life of Jesus glowing green and fresh again.
Postscript:
Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13 (Message Translation)
Shared Quote:
“You have told Him that you want Him only. Are you ready to ratify the words when His emptying begins to come? Is God enough? Is it still “My God” that you cry, even as Jesus cried when nothing else was left Him?”
I. Lilias Trotter. Parables of the Cross (Kindle Locations 183-185).
A Moment from my day:
This song expresses so well the cry of my heart to look and listen for Jesus in my moments:
Closing Notes:
It was almost two years ago that my daughter called to tell me of a dream from which she had just awoken. Across the night sky she had seen a Scripture verse blazing, as if lit by neon lights. When I asked her what the verse said, I was inspired to sketch it out. My hands don’t have that ability this year, so I am thankful for these words that remind me to trust Him with my life, with my whole being. He is forever faithful, and He knows how to take care of each one of us. My prayer is that we would see how trustworthy He shows Himself through every moment!
Are there moments in your days where Jesus is showing you glimpses of Himself? I would love to hear your comments below!
I am linking with:
BettieGsRAseasons 
I love your posts. Have a wonderful week! 🙂
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I am so glad that God let our paths cross Melissa! Your posts always bring such a lift to my heart! Blessings to you this week too!
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What a delight-full peek into your heart, dear Bettie. Love your Spring display..it is time for ms to get rid of the foam snowflakes. Winter does not need any encouragement 🙂 and the verse your daughter saw in the sky, such a pronounced message from heaven, may we all heed this call. Praying for the perfect match of medicine, sister. Love, Julie
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Dear Julie,
I am so very thankful for all of your prayers! And yes, time to take down the snowman tablecloth here too! But it’s one small step at a time. 🙂 Wasn’t God so good to bring that verse into such a sharp vision for her dream? Amen to heeding His call. Blessings and love to you Dear Sister!
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Dear Bettie, I agree with Julie. So much delight here, esp. delighting in the Lord and sharing His love in your words and photos. I have often thought of planting bulbs inside to try to have some early blossoms. My mother had a beautiful red amaryllis that she got from my aunt. It’s planted near the edge of the woods in her last house. I’ve been thinking about asking the owner if she would mind if I dug up a couple of bulbs so I could keep them going in our family. And I love your little vignette! That gives me an idea. There may be a lot of clutter in my house but surely I could make one small area pretty and springlike. 🙂 What a blessing for Becky to have that dream and then to have you illustrate it! Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing a day in your life. Blessings to you with much love! xoxo
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Dear Gayl,
Oh that would be so special if you are able to get some of those bulbs that had been your Mother’s! I love “Pass-along” plants. Yes, even a little bit of spring-time goes a long way to bring cheeriness on gray days. I am so thankful that God gave Becky that dream. The verse has come up often as we have shared together lately. God truly knows how to encourage us to keep walking His pathway! I hope you are able to join in for a Daybook post sometime soon also. It really is a blessing to look over the moments and see the touch of Jesus in the day! Blessings, love, and hugs to you Dear Friend! xoxo
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Very beautiful post. Your faith and trust in God is so amazing, and I hope the new infusion will be a winner.
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Thank you so much for your sweet thoughts and prayers Regina. God is truly the strength of my heart, and I don’t know where I would be without Him! And I can see that same faith in all of your beautiful writing too! Blessings to you!
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I love reading your daybooks, Bettie. They give me a glimpse into more parts of your life and heart. I especially love the witness you give us of God’s love and faithfulness through the strength He gives you. That song really touched me. I can so identify with that cry of the heart. I thank God that the insurance will pay for that infusion and I pray God will bless it to ease the pain in your body. I’m happy for you that your son and his family are visiting while I’m at the same time praying that God will give you the strength to enjoy your visits with them. I love your spring display and your illustration of your daughter’s dream. 🙂 Love and blessings of personal whispers from our Savior to you!
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Dear Trudy,
Thank you for all of your sweet words and encouragement! Isn’t that song just so good? I am so thankful that God led me to it, on my youtube feed one day. He really does lead us and take care of us. I appreciate your prayers for strength during all of our family visits this month! I know the Lord knows how to carry my weaknesses, and help me to enjoy all of the blessings with them all! What a blessing that He brings us surprises of beauty in our moments. Your “blessings of personal whispers from our Savior” is such a sweet gift! Blessings and beauty for you this week Dear Friend! xoxo
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Thank you for this window into your day! I’m also doing Bonnie’s Whisper of Rest study again. I so enjoy her live videos too. I look forward to seeing her California sunshine! Exciting that your son and hi family will soon be with you. And your space of spring in your home brings spring to my heart, even though there is still a foot of snow covered ground out my window! Have a blessed week Bettie!
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Dear Lynn,
I am so glad to know that you are joining in Bonnie’s Whisper of Rest study too! Yes, her California sunshine and nature spots are so refreshing! We still have huge piles of snow left here also, but the rain and the melting have begun, along with the first robin today. It will be headed your way before too long also! Thank you for the joy and blessing you bring with your sweet comments. I pray blessing for you today also, dear friend!
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Avocados are great for homemade guacamole too! The Day book is fun to read. It’s a sweet peek into your day!
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Thank you Tara! And oh yes, do I love guacamole! Blessings to you this week!
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I hope and pray you get the biggest, most beautiful blooms you’ve ever seen on those Amaryllis plants!
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Oh, wouldn’t that be wonderful!! Thank you Dear Susan! xoxo
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Bettie, I love these little glimpses into your holy ordinary days and what they reveal of your surrendered heart. As I read each section there were more delights to discover. It felt like a golden thread of grace, praise, joy and faith was woven through your words. They signify just how much God is speaking to you and how receptively you listen to Him too. It’s so encouraging to hear about the new infusion to come and the longed for visit from your “travelin’ family” that will add extra cheer to your heart. May God strengthen you to be able to fully enjoy the time with them. I also picked up inspiration from your spring vignettes corner. Such a lovely idea to have hope and faith stirring thoughts visibly at hand in the place where you spend your days! And to have some amaryllis plants to nurture and observe, because they are gorgeous when they bloom, and teach us to be patient while we wait for the flowers to shoot. I pray that Susan’s prayer will be abundantly answered! May the beautiful Message version of Romans 15:13 come true for you too. Sending love, hugs and blessings of rest, peace and renewed energy to you, dear friend! xoxo
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Dear Joy, I am so glad that you were able to feel that you were part of my days here. I would so love it if we could actually be together someday. But then we know that we will be able to spend lovely days together in Heaven. And in the meantime He has brought us these ways to share simple moments together. You always brighten my homeplace here with every visit! Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement for these upcoming days of the unknown with the new infusion. And I rejoice over your prayers for extra strength to enjoy my family. It’s something I so long for! His hope is such a solid gift for us, that fresh green hope just like the spring time and those new leaves on my indoor garden plants. May you be blessed with special gifts of springtime growth also, my Dear Friend! Much love, hugs, and blessings for you also! xoxo
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Oh, how wonderful that you will soon get to see and spend time with your dear children and grand-children!! Your sketch is just beautiful! I am going to pin it, and I hope that is okay. I, too, hope the right medicine will be presented to you, dear friend. SO sorry you have to suffer so much and trusting Jesus to send relief to you. Much love and many hugs are being sent to you today!
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Dear Cheryl,
Yes, we are so looking forward to seeing our son and his family, along with all of our other family too! Those little children bring such cheer with them. And, by all means, go ahead and share the sketch wherever you would like. 🙂 It brings me hope and comfort when I remember the way that God was so encouraging to my daughter (and me too!) Thank you for all of your encouragement too, my friend. Your prayers mean so much to me, especially this week with the new treatment. May my heart stay fixed on the hope of Jesus through it all! Much love and many hugs to you too!
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Dear Bettie, this was a wonderful peek into your day and your heart! I love how you walked us through your sights, sounds, clothes, books, hopes and reflections. How the Lord shines through your thoughts and words! I, too, have heard the birds singing and seen the bulbs pushing up and what joy it does for the soul! The thought of time with your children and grandchildren is such a gift! And your springtime display is as pretty as the sun shining through the window! Beautiful, life-giving message! Bless you, dear Bettie!
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Dear Melissa,
I am so happy that you were blessed visiting here today. Won’t Heaven be so wonderful, when we can visit with all of our long distance friends, and worship our Jesus together! Spring is my favorite season, with all of the fresh growth popping up everywhere. I am glad that our Lord is the best garden designer there is, aren’t you? Thank you for all of your encouragement and support, dear friend! May you be blessed this week too!
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I love your spring vignette. It is so bright & cheery. What wonderful news to have approval from your insurance. Have a wonderful week!
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Thank you for your kind words, and for stopping by today! May you be blessed this spring-time week!
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thank you so very much Bettie for sharing your day with us. it has been several days of increased pain that has made me question, what is all of this for. you blog gives me hope. God bless you!
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Dear Wendi,
Oh, I am so sorry for your increased pain! I know those feelings of discouragement that settle in, so well! I am just so grateful that Jesus understands too, and He is right here with us to bring us His gentle help. You will be in my prayers tonight, Dear Friend. May He wrap you in His arms, and bring you His love. Blessings and gentle hugs to you!
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The thought of you praying for me Bettie brings tears to my eyes. Thank you so very much friend!
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Oh, I am so thankful that Jesus weaves our lives together and allows us to pray for each other. He sees our every need. Blessings and love to you, dear friend!
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Thank you for strengthening my faith! You have a gift.
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