Joy in the Seasons of Life

 I don’t know if there’s anything I enjoy doing in my leisure time more than watching animals in nature. I love to read, but even that takes effort sometimes. There’s something soothing that happens in my soul when I observe animals in their natural habitat. 

Last night we watched two different momma deer with their babies. Both fawns still had spots and stayed close to Mom. The protective relationship made me think back to my time as a young mother. Both moms were on high alert scanning the landscape for danger. They stopped to graze on tasty limbs hanging low, and yet any sound caused them to stop and check for a possible reason to flee. I’ve felt that way in my life. There were times I wanted to cover Andy and Bailey with my rules laced with wisdom. There came a time though that they left my protective covering and made their own way. That will come soon enough to the spotted babies. I wonder if their mom will grieve the loss of that closeness the way I do. Probably not since she will produce another spotted baby in her next season.

I’m sharing my testimony with a group of women at my church in a couple of weeks on joy in the seasons of life. My season of being a young mom is definitely one of the best seasons of my life–hard sometimes, yet filled with joy. The season I’m in now ranks right up there too. The season of being Gigi is sweet and filled with moments of unbridled joy. There’s something about seeing your children parent their own children that is deeply satisfying–a full circle moment. My husband and I are enjoying the season of retirement and the freedom to spend time with the grands.

There are things I’d do differently with my children, but second-guessing your parenting methods never leads to answers that bless those years. The same goes for the rest of the seasons of my life. I have to remember and believe that God ordained all the days of my life. Every single day had already been written for me before I took my first breath according to Psalm 139:13-16. I must choose to find joy in every season since God Himself sifted what came my way. 

My encouragement to you is to look for moments that will bring you joy in whatever season you are in. It may be found in serving someone else, sitting with pen in hand and recording the simple things, or watching deer through your window. Joy isn’t always found in the big adventures of life. I believe true joy is found in finding contentment in the little things that everyone else takes for granted. Call your parents, hug your children and tell them how much you love them, and don’t forget to thank God for the breath He gave you today. He is the truest path to lasting joy after all.

Join me at Concord Baptist Church on Saturday, July 18^th, from 9:00-11:30 a.m. I’ll be sharing my testimony and Becky Walker, Associate Campus Minister for Women’s Ministries at Anderson University, will be sharing about “Joy Through the Seasons of Life.” There will be a delicious brunch served with sweet fellowship around the table. I’d love to see you!

At Home in the Quiet

As a writer, I’m always paying attention to my surroundings. The books I read and places I go reward my inner world with a myriad of thought-provoking topics. I also keep a journal of quotes from authors who speak to my greatest need of the moment.

Wendell Berry is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read many of his books of prose and poetry. One of his most popular books is Hannah Coulter, a simple, yet profound, story of the life of a woman in rural Kentucky. I first listened to this book on Hoopla and loved it so much I ordered the paperback version. I want to share one of the quotes that gives insight to my writing life.

The quote comes on page 87. I’m including a good portion of the paragraph for context:

 

“…That is where I go to rest before I begin my slow climb back home again. I sit and let the quiet come to me. It doesn’t come right away. I have to quiet myself before I can hear the quiet of the place, and a car passing along the road up on the hillside or an airplane flying over makes it harder. But I listen and wait, and at last, it comes. It is an old quiet, only deepened by the sound of the creek, a bird singing, or a barking squirrel.”

 

This passage stirs something deep inside me. I love the quiet times when I sit before the Lord attentive to His voice. There is no way on earth to hear Him in the busy world we live in unless we get quiet, and I’m very much at home in the quiet, but sometimes I must seek it.  And just as Hannah says, “It (the quiet) doesn’t come right away…but at last, it comes.”

Do you run on empty, or fumes at best? If you’re like me, the noise of social media is overwhelming and at times suffocating. As the political season ramps up again, my phone notifications have increased many times over. As a dear friend says, “It’s too much!” Our world is too loud. I run to passages such as the one above to quiet my soul.

Being an introvert, the posture of sitting quietly is enough for me. It awakens my senses to all of creation around me. It slows my pulse to the beat of birdsong and squirrels rustling through leaves. It allows my mind to ponder the thoughts that swirl through my brain, and yet, it slows those very same thoughts and creates wonder and recognition of beauty. 

Sitting outside as a gentle, springtime breeze wafts across my face, sunlight peeking through branches, I'm reminded that light cannot be stopped. It has the power to slip through and cut the darkness like a knife. And one day, the Light of the world will descend on a cloud and pierce the darkness with His presence. I'd miss all this without the stillness.

The ebb and flow and rhythm of life speaks through a megaphone in the quiet corners of my soul and leaves me filled to overflowing with God’s goodness.

Only then am I able to give and serve in the way God created me. If you’re struggling with too much noise, find a quiet place where the sound of a rippling stream transports you to that place of rest and peace that only God can give. He will fill you and strengthen you to live out your calling in a world that needs to hear your voice. 

Quietly, of course.

 

 

Temptation 101

This morning, I read Matthew 4:1-11, the scripture that accompanied my devotional reading for today. You know the passage where Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. I’ve read this multiple times throughout my life. This time it hit me differently. No doubt Jesus and Satan knew each other well. They had been adversaries for Millenia since the fall of the angels from heaven’s glory. In this context, Jesus is God/man, and no longer in heaven’s realm. He is fasting and praying in the wilderness for forty days. His enemy is watching and waiting for his moment to strike. He approaches Jesus three times, and three times, Jesus quotes scripture to defend Himself. 

My role as Gigi gives me opportunity and
responsibility to protect, encourage, and teach

Satan recognizes His physical weaknesses and challenges Jesus to betray what He knows is right and follow him. But Jesus responds to this evil being with the power that comes from God Himself.

How much more should we, as humans, respond likewise? Our enemy will take advantage of the weakest place in our personality, physical makeup, family situation, emotional condition, and social standing. His one goal is to destroy you. The Bible says in 1Peter 5:8– “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” NIV

It also says in Job 1:7 – Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”NLT

Those are sobering words. In his arrogance, he spoke to the God of the universe with disrespect and contempt. We have a saying in our family, “don’t poke the bear.” Satan was not only poking the bear, he was challenging the only true God who created the very earth he claimed to be patrolling. 

If he will do that to the God of the universe, we mortals are mere toys for him to bat around, confuse, and destroy. He has all the tools he needs to succeed, except One.

The Bible tells us to put on the full armor of God so we may be able to defeat the evil one. 

 

Belt of Truth: Protects from lies and deceptions

Breastplate of Righteousness: Protects our heart

Shoes of Peace: Ready for battle, based on the gospel

Shield of Faith: Extinguishes the fiery darts of the enemy

Helmut of Salvation: Guards the mind with the assurance of faith

Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God – used offensively to combat spiritual attacks

Also with these two cuties

In a world where we will be tempted in every way possible just as Jesus was, we have the solution for battle. He will come at us when we’re weary, when we have family issues, when we’re hungry, when we’re lonely, when we’re scared, when we’re bored, when we think no one is looking, and when we think we’re on top of the world. The blessed peace in knowing all this is that I have a Savior who loves me and wants the best for me.

One of the most tender things about the passage in Matthew 4:1-11 comes in verse 11: 

And these two little loves

“Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.”

The angels ministered to Jesus at the conclusion of his temptations. That spoke volumes to me because I’ve been there—exhausted with fighting an unseen enemy, broken by family dysfunction, sorrowful because of loss (too many losses for one person), and one regret piled on top of the other. But God…. He knows my every need and broken place. He not only sent His angels—at times I felt like it was His very own hand comforting me when all looked hopeless.

That’s what He did for me, and that’s what He’ll do for you. We are targets for the enemy when we’re not protected. Your mind, heart, and body are too important to leave exposed. Guard them wisely. 

And as a closing reminder, if your children are too young to understand the schemes of the evil one, it’s your responsibility to protect them at all cost. The consequences may exact a high cost to you, but God is there to minister to your need, and He will never leave you or forsake you.

2025, You Were A Good Year

 Before we press into a new year, I love looking back at the previous year. I don’t want to miss an opportunity to reflect on God’s goodness before saying goodbye to the memories of 2025.

 

It was a good year for me overall. There were heartbreaking moments, but that’s just part of living in a fallen world with broken people. I’m thankful for good health, a loving family, friends that love and support me, and a church where I serve and grow in my relationship with Christ.

 

Cindy, Katy, Laura
- The Cove

I was able to attend the Asheville Christian Writer’s Conference again in February with my dear friends, Katy and Laura. That weekend in February is sacred time for me. It helps me reset and redefine my goals for writing and gives me time to actually write uninterrupted. This year, I met with Andrea Merrell, who agreed to edit my book. She was excellent to work with and also provided great resources to complete my book for publication.

 

We traveled to Breckenridge, Colorado in March with Andy and his family. We played in the snow, skied, visited a train museum, climbed to the top of Red Rocks Amphitheatre, ate yummy food, and spent quality time as a family. Leaving my luggage at the car rental place didn’t even put a damper on our vacation.

In Colorado

 

Earl and I traveled to Ohio to visit my Aunt Lorse, my mom’s younger sister. I hadn’t seen her in fourteen years. I also visited with her son, Bobby, who I hadn’t seen in nearly 50 years. We had a wonderful time of catching up and reminiscing on memories long forgotten. We left her home and traveled north to Lake Eerie where we spent a few days sitting by the water enjoying sunshine and cooler temps.

 

Life wouldn’t be normal without a few heartaches. In October, Andy’s thirteen-year-old dog, Beau, had to be put to sleep after a few months of failing health. Beau was a special dog – tenderhearted and sensitive. For the first few years of his life, he came to stay with me during the day while Andy worked. He comforted me during some of my darkest days, gently licking my tears as they fell down my cheeks. He’d sit beside me while I lay on the sofa and place a paw across my arm. Once, he even crawled on the sofa covering me with his body. I will never forget him for the way he knew when I needed him most. He will forever be missed when I pull into Andy and Morgan's driveway and silence greets me at the door.

Beau

 

2026 will probably be the year my sixteen-year-old cat, Livvy, meets the same fate as Beau. She's now blind and spends most days circling the house from room to room in a stupor. She allows me to hold her like a baby, which she never did before. I will cherish the time I have left with her remembering all her little quirks and the way she prefers me over anyone else.

 

 

The Broken Road, A Journey to Healing was published in October and is one of the greatest blessings of my life. I will never get over God’s goodness and faithfulness in guiding me in the process. The highlight of my year was the book signing/celebration Andy and Morgan hosted at my church in November. Everything was perfect from the food and flowers, to the tiniest detail in decorations and special touches. I felt loved and celebrated.

 

And to round out the ending of 2025, my husband sold our family business of thirty-seven years and officially retired. He’s already making plans though for the days he’ll go in and work for the new owner, Josh, who’s been an employee for twenty-two years. He also has big plans for fishing trips, woodworking projects, and time with me.

 

As I age, I see the circle of life unfold before me. I’m thankful for my precious grandchildren who bring so much joy, laughter, and love to our lives. God is good and faithful and whatever is ahead of us in 2026, we know He will already be there. His love is better than life and we’re secure in the future He’s planned for us.

 

Many blessing to you and your family in 2026! 

Thanksgiving 2025—Traditions New and Old

 The day before Thanksgiving—I’m reminiscing about long-ago holidays and celebrations with my children when they were still at home. It’s bittersweet, this remembering.

When I was a child, my parents picked us up from school on Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, and we headed north to my Aunt Lorse and Uncle Sherman’s house in Ohio. Many times the roads were packed with snow and ice as we traveled the four-hour drive with excitement and worry of getting there safely. Mom and her sister went to work in the kitchen preparing dressing and fruit salad for the next day. Everything was homemade and the aromas from the kitchen had my mouth watering. They laughed and talked and it became a treasured tradition through the years. I played with my cousins without a care in the world.

After my husband and I were married, we ate dinner with his family including aunts and uncles, grandparents and anyone else who needed a hot meal and warm fellowship. Our Thanksgiving tradition changed again after we moved to South Carolina in the mid 80’s. Our pastor and his family invited us to join them on more than one occasion. Andy took his first steps while in their home.

Bailey and Andy - 1991

The memories wash over me as I continue through time. We moved to Anderson, South Carolina in the summer of 1989. We bought a little brick house that sat under a canopy of massive oak trees. Thanksgiving Day became the perfect time for raking thousands of leaves. Earl made huge piles of leaves for Andy and Bailey to jump in while I cooked our Thanksgiving feast in the kitchen. The joy on their faces still brings a smile as I recall their rosy cheeks and clothes plastered with leaves and dirt. Those are treasured memories I ponder when life is hard.

By the time Andy and Bailey were in late elementary school, we built our dream home on Plum Lane. I prepared a festive table in our formal dining room, every chair filled with family and friends. We loved hosting those special holidays, the more the merrier. My dad usually came from West Virginia, and one year, Earl’s parents and sister joined us. There was always room for one more. After Andy graduated from college and began working in the corporate world, he invited his boss, fiancé, and her daughter. A neighbor across the street also sat at our table. The conversation was lively–filled with different voices and cultures.

We make a huge fuss over the food, but ultimately, Thanksgiving is about the people you love and the overflow of a grateful heart. The seats around our table have changed to include my precious grandchildren, the spouses of my children, and family not related by blood, yet just as important. The bond we share is grounded in our relationship with Christ and the love He gives us to set one more place at the table. 

I have much to thank Him for this year, as we all do. When you look around your table this Thanksgiving, don’t be shy in expressing how you feel about those seated around you. Don’t miss an opportunity to say, “I love you, and I’m thankful for you.”

Our tables change every year. Children grow up and begin their own traditions, and you will take a back seat, allowing them the gift of setting their own table. Thanksgiving of 2025 will only happen once, use it wisely and joyfully. One day it will be a memory someone else treasures in their heart.

Happy Thanksgiving to you from My Little Corner!