My Love of Words and the New Year

It's no secret I love words, both spoken and written, but especially written. I love writing words and reading words. My favorite genre is biographies/memoirs. People fascinate me.

A recent Oswald Chambers' devotion was on the topic of words. He quoted Jesus, from John 6:63,

"The words I speak to you are spirit and they are life."

Oswald goes on to say, "God speaks to us, not by visions and dreams, but by words."

In the Bible, the book of John begins with Jesus being introduced as "The Word." He was with God in the beginning, the Word was God.

We have a responsibility to share our words, to communicate with people about, "The Word."

Words are powerful, they can heal and forgive. Words can teach and cause a heart to turn toward home. Words can hurt as well, and I've spoken my share. 

I've been looking back on the past year, but also looking ahead to the new year. I still don't have my "one word" for 2015. I'm a little slow. I do know I want to use this space to communicate my love for the One who spoke the stars into the sky, the One who prayed for me and all who would believe in Him in John 17, and the One who spoke words of salvation to a thief hanging next to Him as they both died on crosses. His words have the power to heal, save, forgive, and transform. My words can only point you to Him.

I hope though, I can encourage you in some way as I share a small part of my life, the good, and the not-so-good. And I hope my words have ministered to you this past year.

As always, thank you for reading. You bless me with your words.

Blessings in 2015,
Cindy

Giving Thanks...To An Unseen Guest

Thanksgiving. A time of giving thanks...of humbling ourselves before Almighty God and acknowledging His provision in our lives.

I have wonderful childhood memories of packing up the family car, making our way north, through snow and ice to my aunt's house in Ohio. It was tradition. My mom was big on tradition, and for several years we gathered around the table with cousins, aunts, uncles and delicious food. There wasn't a lot of talk about God's provision, but in my family, it was an unspoken truth.

We began our own traditions and they have changed some through the years as our family has changed. We've had to let some things go as family members have passed on into eternity. Whenever we celebrate in our home, one practice remains–each person seated around the table must share something for which they're thankful. Not a bite of turkey can be eaten until each voice is heard. It causes us to stop and focus our attention on our provider, the giver of all good gifts.

Sometimes I forget though and stumble through life. I struggle and lose my way. My heart becomes heavy and I ask, "Lord, where are you?"

As He always does, He leads me beside quiet waters to words.

Since I was a young girl, words have been my solace, my balm, my healing salve.

This morning I was reading "Jesus Calling," preparing this post, this is part of what I read:

"A life of praise and thankfulness becomes a life filled with miracles. Instead of trying to be in control, you focus on Me and what I am doing. This is the power of praise: centering your entire being in Me. This is how I created you to live, for I made you in My own image. Enjoy abundant life by overflowing with praise and thankfulness."

Words. Powerful, life-giving words that tell us how to live with joy.

Are you looking for a miracle? Maybe you're just looking for an abundant life. The answer lies in a life of praise and thankfulness to the One who made you; the One who created you in His own image.

I'm reminding myself of these truths as much, or even more than anyone else. Give thanks, not only today, but every day for his bounty.

Look around you to see what He is doing and you'll find Him. He will be the unseen guest at your table tomorrow. You'll see Him in the faces of your loved ones as you gather. You'll lift His name as you recall the many ways He has carried your family this past year. As you name your blessings one by one, your spirit will be lifted and your burden will be lightened.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

and His courts with praise:

give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever:

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:4-5 NIV

As I gather with my family tomorrow, I'll be thankful for many things this year; one of them, the blessing of writing My Little Corner. I truly appreciate those of you who read each week and comment whether it's on the blog or on Facebook. You lift my spirit with encouragement and for that I'm thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Cindy

Things My Mother Taught Me

There are times in your life when you take stock of yourself...where you've been and where you're going. This is one of those times for me. I've been on a long journey. It's taken me 38 years to get to this point and I'm finally getting to a peaceful place. The road before me hasn't straightened yet but then, I'm not sure I want it to be straightened completely.



Me, Mom, my little brother, Dougie
Circa 1966

I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia and the curves are a little more exciting than straight, boring roads of interstate all the time.

I was blessed with only fifteen years with my mother but she taught me some valuable things. I would like to share some of them with you. Maybe you'll see some things of your own experience with your mother.

1. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

2. She taught me how to make a proper bed, and then we practiced...every day. ;)

3. She taught me how to keep going when you don't feel like it.

4. She taught me how to iron. I learned on my dad's handkerchiefs and pillowcases.

5. She gave me a love for music...she sang alto, just like me.

6. She instilled in me a love for family.

7. She taught me how to properly fold towels and sheets.

8. She and I "Spring Cleaned" together.

9. When life is darkest...plant flowers.

10. She showed me, by example, how to be faithful to God and His Church.

11. She taught me how to journal the important things, like my children's sayings and their birth records.

12. She taught me how to respect my husband even when I don't agree with him.

13. She taught me how to love your children sacrificially.

14. She taught me that painting your toenails makes you feel better, even if it's just for a little while.

15. She taught me how to die with dignity, with prayer on your lips and praise for your Savior.

Her words are still teaching me today. I found something she wrote in my baby book that I hadn't read in years. She reminded me that God's love is unfailing. Those words are never truer to me than they are at this point in my life. I wrote a post recently about the power of words and how they can heal. Little did I know God would use my mother's words in my own healing.

My mother taught me many things, not only how to take care of myself, my home and my family, but the most important thing...how to love God with all my heart. If your mother has taught you anything, and I know she has, never miss an opportunity to let her know you appreciate her. It's the little things in life that mean the most.

For the Lord is good and His love endures forever;

His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Psalm 100:5 NIV

Blessings from My Little Corner,
Cindy

Sticks and Stones...Words That Heal My Bones

Words have such power over us. They can calm a crying baby, incite a crowd to anger, bring peace to a troubled nation or pierce the heart of the broken. What we say and how we say it can turn the whole conversation into healing or hurting.

God has a way of reminding us, with words spoken directly from His heart, how much He loves us. He gave us a complete volume with 66 books filled with His love story to us. But, I also believe He uses modern technology to speak to us through His people and His Spirit.

She had no idea of the issues I'm going through right now but sent a text speaking peace over me. Her words were used by God at precisely the moment I needed them most...perfect...on time...precisely. And then we question, is there a God Who cares? I certainly don't have to think twice on that one!

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, 

and those who love it will eat its fruit. NIV

Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. NIV

What we say does matter. Our words can hurt or heal, they can encourage or tear down. Build someone up and chances are you'll find yourself feeling better too. Solomon knew a thing or two that still works today. My friend's words brought healing to my soul and showed me God knew my need. How will you choose your words today?

Have a great Palm Sunday weekend!

Blessings,
Cindy