Pity Party..Table for One

Since that ORDINARY DAY it seems like many un- oridinary things have transpired. The Bible calls them 'trials and tribulations'. They are to be expected and anticipated in life. But during this time it felt like things kept happening in succession, like waves crashing on the shore and I was in the waves feeling like just when I'd get to my feet and begin to recover, another wave would hit me, slamming me down again. Anxiety began to build in me..leading me on to panic attacks. I felt like I was 'failing' somehow, like I wasn't a good Christian because I was succumbing to the anxiety. I retreated and isolated and dove head first into my Pity Pool. The funny thing about a Pity Pool is it is really comfortable when you first enter it..soothing, almost. It's warm with a jelly like consistency that makes you buoyant so you can just float there for hours. But then time came when I became just sick of myself, sick of feeling sorry for myself and I wanted out of my Pity Pool...only it takes a lot of effort to work yourself from the middle of the pool to the side steps. God was there,("I will never leave you or forsake you.") guiding me and helping me to the steps. And when I finally reached the steps and walked out of the pool, some pity still clung to me. Blessedly God provided Showers of Mercy and Grace to wash the residue of pity off of me.                                                                                                Some of the trials have not ended, but God has given me perspective and it is a day to day walk of trusting God.  During this time I was able to visit my dear friend, Judy, who always has words of wisdom and encouragement for me. She explained that anxiety can  be a normal reaction to life and the world we live in...that it doesn't make me a lesser Christian. To really bring it home for me, God used another friend last night, who was telling me on the phone of her physical ailments that have occurred in her body, that were stress related, causing her to be bed-ridden. She's an  awesome Christian and highly respected and it never entered my mind that I would think she were a lesser Christian because of her ailments. God showed me that my reaction to stress with anxiety and her reaction to stress with physical problems are the same. I guess the test comes with what we DO with it all. In my friend's case she said "I think the Lord wants me to slow down and rest." In my case, I think the Lord is building my faith and increasing my compassion for people who fight the battle of anxiety every day. I am thankful that God finally bestowed on me the peace that passes understanding and that it rules in my heart (Phil. 4:7)

Psalm 18:16-19 (The Message)

 But me He caught—reached all the way

from sky to sea; He pulled me out

Of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos,

... the void in which I was drowning.

They hit me when I was down,

but GOD stuck by me.

He stood me up on a wide-open field;

I stood there saved—surprised to be loved!

Ordinary Day

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. 

Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."   {Mary Jean Iron}   

        

Last Monday Steve and I took a drive in the country and lunched at one of our favorite wineries.

On the way up we marveled at the weather...how the mist and the fog made everything look so mysterious and magical. We loved it. I lamented that I'd forgotten my camera and thought as a last resort to use my phone camera, because I SO wanted to capture the beauty of the trees in the mist.

While noshing we noted how people were complaining about the weather...how dreary and awful it was.

It's all about perspective, I guess!

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us.....be glad in it. Ps. 118:24

Corner of Our Family Room

As I mentioned in my previous post, I redecorated our family room. I've been so attracted to all the 'Winter Whites' that I've seen in Blogland that I was inspired to do play out white, cream, sepia, and silver.

So on this table I made a vignette of an old vintage typewriter, cloche display, and crystal light that I moved from the dining room. It's rare that I buy anything anymore..I just 'shop' from my house..moving things from one room to another. I like how it gives a fresh look to an old item. The pictures are of Steve's parents (it says 'lovers' on the back, written by his mom..don't you LOVE that?) :-)  Also a pic of our youngest son, Caleb in a 'tin-type' photo, and my mom on her wedding day.

That wall display I've had as is for awhile now. I just love how it looks and  still don't want to change it. I made the altered platter, and the pictures are adopted ancestors (meaning I bought 'em at thrift store!)

I am linking up with the lovely Debra over at Common Ground for her Vintage Inspiration Friday.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament. Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower, and thank God for it as a cup of blessing."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

Tea With a Friend

. Yesterday was spent redecorating our family room after Steve and Courtney got a wild hair and rearranged the furniture while I was laid up sick..I was THRILLED! (Thank you for all the well-wishes, by the way. After a round of anti-biotics I feel much better!!)

I had a new friend over for tea today. It gave me the chance to use these darling tea cups that Amy (my sweet daughter-in-love) gave me for Christmas.

Aren't they darling? The print reminds me of a cable-knit sweater..

And look what it says on the bottom of the tea cup! I loved that sweet little surprise...you just don't expect that on the bottom of a tea cup.

The teapot was a gift from my friend, Anita, years ago. I love how it goes with the cups.

And tea with my new friend, Kim, was just lovely. She's a fellow artist and we found to have  much in common. After our visit I remembered a quote by C.S. Lewis that described exactly how I felt:

"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? I thought I was the only one."

I'm linking up with Marty at A Stroll Thru Life and Kathleen at Faded Charm..

More Giveaway Love...

The wonderful and talented Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade are hosting a fabulous 'Christmas in January' Giveaway!! This amazing burlap bag!! Pop over and enter!!

Layin' Low

Per orders from Steve I went to the Doctor yesterday and she confirmed what I've been saying all along....I'm sick. :-p

Actually I have an upper respiratory infection for which she prescribed antibiotics.

So I'm resting and getting plenty of fluids.

Taking nice warm bubble baths.

Dwelling on what is good.

Kickin' back in my jammies and cute slippers.

My daughter, Courtney made these for me..aren't they adorable? And so warm and comfortable!!

And I'm trusting my Good Shepherd to heal me in His time!

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Thank you for all your sweet and poignant comments about my previous post..you guys made me smile and cry...I was so moved by your stories!

"What do we live for if not to make

the world less difficult for each other?"

{ George Eliot }



The House That Built Me

In the middle of the afternoon yesterday there was a knock on my door, and upon opening it, I recognized the young girl to be one of the children who used to live in this house. She is the youngest of 5 and had lived in this house since birth and was 10 when we took ownership of it. I remember seeing her a lot with her father, who had been a custom home builder and had built this home for his family. He was building a bigger. better home for his family and that was why he sold this one. Tragically, he died suddenly only a month after we moved in. Fast forward 5 years and a beautiful 15 year old and her guy friend are on my porch. She shyly told me she used to live here..and before she said another word I said "Would you like to come in and look around?" Her face lit up and she and her friend stepped into her former home. "Oh! I love your decor and your antiques!" she said, and I proceeded to give her a tour..apologizing for the disarray it was in since I've been sick since Christmas. But I knew she didn't care...she just wanted to see 'her home'. She started telling her friend stories about the house..experiences she'd had there...so many memories...

She told me that her father had remarked about us. That we were really nice folk and he was glad we got the house. I can only imagine, a house that you have built would take on even more meaning to who you would want to own it.

A house is more than where one dwells, it's an environment that shapes you..makes you who you are. It's where memories are made.

After the tour, she thanked me profusely...said I was really nice.A big compliment coming from a 15 year old! I gave her my phone number and I told her I understood the need of visiting your childhood home and she and her siblings were welcome to come by whenever they had the need. I know that feeling oh so well.

I kept thinking about the lyrics to this song by Miranda Lambert :

THE HOUSE THAT BUILT ME

TOM DOUGLAS / ALLEN SHAMBLIN

I know they say you can’t go home again

I just had to come back one last time

Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam

But these hand prints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom

Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar

I bet you didn’t know under that live oak

My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it’s like I’m someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave

Won’t take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for you

From Better Homes and Gardens magazine

Plans were drawn and concrete poured

Nail by nail and board by board

Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it

This brokenness inside me might start healing

Out here it’s like I’m someone else

I thought that maybe I could find myself

If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave

Won’t take nothing but a memory

From the house that built me