Planting Seeds in Late Fall

My friend, Dianne, posted this picture on Facebook the other day and it really moved me. Being a Colorado mountain girl, I'm used to growing season being long over by October. Dianne explained they planted the seeds in mid-August and had loads of blooms right now. This photo was taken Oct. 15. I love gardening and I've had some beautiful gardens, but I've never even thought about planting seeds in August. Now that I live in Texas, I need to enlarge my thinking.

So, I just planted a few sunflower seeds I had left over from Spring. Could I even hope they might bloom in mid-December?

My life is like that, in a way. I think I can't possibly start or learn something new (plant seeds) at this late season of life. It's too late to find success. Too late to be better. Too late to get more healthy and fit. But if this brave sunflower can bloom in October, I can too. I can dream new dreams; make 3 year and 30 year goals for my life; and feel free and as beautiful as this butterfly - also in its final season.

So can you, my friend.

Here's an interesting article about butterflies, as well as my favorite Bible verse right now. Photo credits to Dianne Fowler

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/how-long-do-monarch-butterflies-live/

Psalms 92:14 - They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green. (NIV)

Read my book! https://www.amazon.com/Tapestry-Divine-Design-Your-Life/dp/1547154209/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Tapestry%2C+the+divine+design+for+your+life&qid=1613870272&sr=8-1

Flower Power

In spite of the extreme heat in Texas, my garden has chosen to live, be happy, and to bloom as long as I water it every day and feed it once in awhile. In a world where there's lots to worry about, I love to take time to learn from my flowers.

They make me think about life's goodness.

They make me want to bloom and to have a happy heart.

They make me want to believe the best about my life and my world.

They give me hope.

1 Thessalonians 5:16 - Let joy be your continual feast.

When God Says "Rest"

Has God ever asked you to begin a season of rest? I felt Him nudging me that way this past Spring. I had been busy with editing, coaching, and ministry for several months without much time for me; or Him. 

That rest time opened up in June and has not ended yet. I find myself sometimes feeling lazy, as if that's wrong. Several times I returned to my old habit of filling up space with busy work; or planning to teach classes; or planning a new book.

Each time, God sent me clear messages through the Bible, through my husband, through friends, and dreams. He was saying "What are you doing? Do you not trust me to provide? Do you not trust me to give you your next assignment? It shook me up a bit every time that happened. He has my attention.

The season ahead seems to be brand new. A blank slate. I'm resting up for what I have said "yes" to, though I don't know what that is.

I do know I can trust it's going to be in line with the passions of my heart. He's so good!

That picture above is my Daisy girl. She models rest very well. 

Psalm 127:2 - God can provide for his lovers even while they sleep! (TPT)

Get Out and Find Your Victoria

Me, Victoria, and PJ

Right now I'm at Starbucks in Brownwood, Texas, sipping a latté and eating a rice krispy bar in memory of Victoria. She was such an unusual friend. Older and wiser; very British; and full of youthful life at 80 years old. She considered me her mentor. But it was really the other way around. We so loved our meetings full of encouragement, strategizing, and idea generating. We were both writers and businesswomen, and always talked of new dreams. We helped each other set and meet goals. Together we were like a happy explosion of inspiration. I was going to help her write her story and she was helping me learn how to shoot and edit videos for my You Tube channel.

When Rick and I moved to Texas from Denver, Victoria and I continued to meet by Zoom along with another friend; PJ. We all laughed as we navigated this new technology, and continued to encourage one another in even more new dreams.

One day, Victoria just didn't show up.

I miss my friend so much. She truly loved me and deposited something so special in me. We hear a lot about finding coaches and mentors to help us along in our life. I'm thankful I found Victoria, and I just want to tell you there is someone like her out there for you, too, if you look, stay aware, and say "yes" to opportunities. I pray I am that kind of friend to someone.

To Victoria, thank you. I'm now smack dab in the middle of living all that we had planned and dreamed together. 

Paul Young - Author of "The Shack" - on The Beauty of Writing.

Poem #31 by Christine Tracy - Silence of a Mommy's Love

The divine silence

Of a baby sleeping

Of a quiet cuddle

Of a moment in prayer

For the little one

Who by it’s very life

And first cry

First finger squeeze

And first smile

Multiplies your love

Grounds your being

And changes a mother’s life

Forever.

A Precious Gift of Reminding

I received a call from my friend, Debbie, on my 70th birthday. We have been friends for 65 years. She was my friend who lived across the street. The one I loved to play with. We were best friends and you could say we literally grew up together. We’ve laughed many laughs and cried many tears together. We don’t talk much these days. We live far apart. But we easily always pick up where we left off.

She told me she had planned to write this to me, but felt compelled to call instead. She started by saying “When Liz and Ceci (other best friends) and I get together and you come up in conversation, we mimic you.” I thought – this is not going to go well. I couldn’t imagine why they would mimic me. But then she went on – in a high-pitched fun voice: “Let’s go do this; let’s go do that; what if we went there; what if we tried this?” She went on to remind me of who I was in high school; a friend who was brave; who tried new things; who believed anything was possible; and who they all loved because of those things. She said they agreed I’m still that person.

I don’t remember myself that way. What I remember is being shy and awkward; not very popular; one who didn’t really know where she belonged but tried everything; one who loved sports but was clumsy; one who was sick a lot.
 
I loved what Debbie told me. What a birthday gift.
We all need to be reminded of who we are, don’t we?