Last Sunday, my little middle Georgia town was surprised with a light blanket of snow. It had been forecasted, when I went to bed the night before, but it was still really iffy about who would get snow and who wouldn’t. While the snow derailed my plans to attend church, I was filled with childlike delight as the big puffy flakes fell and I held a private worship service of my own.

We don’t get much snow in this part of the world and when we do, it’s always special. I sat in my pajamas clutching my coffee cup and gave thanks. The holidays were tough this year and I had taken the past few weeks to rest and reflect and that little snow event was like a postcard from Heaven reminding me that God is still a God of wonder who loves to create simply because it delights Him.

As I sat there enjoying those snowflakes, I was reminded that last year the holidays had been even darker for me, and He had blessed us with another quick snow event almost a year to the day of this one. It was the first time I had seen snow in many years and I got out and walked and played in it with my son and my pups. It was the first sense of wonder and delight I had felt in months and I remember being so thankful for the reminder that God is still in the business of creating beauty where chaos seems to reign.

We rarely have to look very far in creation to see God’s wonder. From the brilliantly colored cardinals to the early bright blooms of the camellia bush, nature is full of beautiful contrasts to the long gray days of winter. A walk in nature, even in the dead of winter, is always an invitation to remember that God is always working and His plan is always beautiful even when we can’t see it.

Our little snow event lasted for a couple of hours and began melting away almost as soon as it was finished, but it left me feeling refreshed and renewed and it reminded me that God has plans for us this brand new year, no matter how weary we may feel, and as long as we seek Him, the beauty is never far away even in what appears to be absolute chaos. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

There is a church in my town that serves a free lunch to the community on Tuesdays. I like to volunteer there when I can. Working with other Christians to serve those in need, fills my soul in the same way it fills the bellies of those who come to eat. I always feel the presence of Jesus there and I have earnestly searched for His presence over the past year.

A few weeks ago, we were asked to bring in any warm items we might have, to donate, especially blankets and coats.

I went home and searched my closets. Many years ago, someone gave me a wearable blanket as a Christmas gift. I never really used it and I packed it away with my other winter items, like gloves and hats. It rarely gets very cold for long here in the deep south, so my winter items typically stay packed away in a plastic box for most of the year. I forgot about the wearable blanket and when we downsized and moved, I ended up putting it at the bottom of a cedar chest.

I have no idea why I kept it, when I donated so many other things, but I dug it out and washed it. It was in great condition because it had  rarely been used. I took it in to add to the pile of other donations.

This week was the week that the donations were to be given out. When one of the leaders asked if I would be willing to help hand them out, I hesitated. The need was great and we were only allowed to let each person take one item. I’m a bit of a softie by nature; I didn’t really think I was the best person for the task, but he was insistent, so I reluctantly agreed.

After helping sort the items in the back with another volunteer, we headed out with our stack of donations.  A third volunteer joined us. There were a lot of items, but they went fast. Everyone was orderly and so very thankful.

There was an elderly lady towards the end of the line and she chose a child’s blanket to wrap around her shoulders. She said she got chilly at her house. I knew that the item I donated was still in the back and I asked her if she would wait a moment. I went and got it and put it on her. Her face lit up with delight as she hugged me tightly. Her joy was contagious and I found myself fighting back tears.

Such a tiny gift on my part had meant so much.

As I reflected later on that day, I was in awe as always, at God’s hands in the tiniest of details of my life, from the fact that I kept the wearable blanket for no good reason to the moment that I was asked to help distribute donations which was totally out of my comfort zone, He had a plan to bless me.

A donated blanket and the joyous smile of a stranger reminded me that God is always working even in the tiniest of details. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

I will happily admit that I love a Hallmark Christmas movie and I must not be alone, because every streaming service now has their own version of them. While I am fully aware that they are all fairly predictable. They typically take place in a small town that looks like a  Christmas snow globe. Neighbors are kind to one another. Families love each other and if their is some kind of rift, it all gets solved before the end of the movie. They always live happily ever after.

Sigh. What’s not to love?

Last Sunday at church, we lit the first candle of Advent, the Candle of Hope. There are a lot of hopes this time of year. Children hope for gifts from Santa. Parents hope to create perfect Christmas memories. Many families hope for some kind of peace and reconciliation among their people.

Humanity itself, hopes for a happily ever after and we tend to run after it in all the wrong places; that’s where the promise of Advent shines.

When Jesus entered our world, true hope was born, not the kind that we can hold temporarily in our hands, but hope for the eternal.  One night in Bethlehem, happily ever after was truly born. The eternal happily ever after is never marred by sickness, death, betrayal or any of the brokenness that lives on this side of eternity.

If the thought of Christmas feels dark to you this year, let me remind you that as Christians, we are travelers here. We may not get our happily ever after this year or even next year, but we will get a happily after and it will be beyond our wildest imagination. That baby in the manger guarantees it.

So, if you long for the perfection of a Christmas snow globe, but your reality looks more like a dumpster fire, be encouraged, you are loved beyond measure and brighter days are coming. The Candle of Hope reminded me that a Hallmark Christmas movie doesn’t even come close to the true happily ever after that belongs to those who place their hope in Jesus. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

At the end of August, I planted zinnia seeds in several of my raised beds because it doesn’t really get cool in the Peach State until November and I thought it would be great to have some fresh fall colors. At first, it seemed like none of the seeds took root, which was surprising and a little frustrating  because I felt like I planted a lot of them.

Then, to my delight, I found that one in a deep wine color, had sprouted. I was a little disappointed that there was only one. What happened to all of those other seeds? I had become accustomed to having too many blossoms to count out in my garden and endless vases with a kaleidoscope of color all summer. I didn’t even have to put much effort into growing them.

As I examined it closely, I debated whether or not to cut it and bring it inside. In the end, a little nudge told me that I should and sensing there would be a lesson, I complied. I found a simple bottle to put it in and placed it on the counter.

Needless to say, that one single flower was stunning. Like much of Creation, it was a piece of art all on its own, one of those many daily gifts from God, that we rush by and miss in our daily busyness.

As I continued to marvel at it, I felt a reminder that when nothing is blooming in the world around us, one single bloom has the ability to brighten a dark space.

As someone, who has walked through the dark valley of grief this past year, I can attest to that truth. Each single act of kindness was a precious gift, from the meals that were organized, to the cards and phone calls, to every single text that let me know that someone was thinking about me and praying for me. I had a friend that sent me a journal because she knew I write to process things. I had a cousin who brought me a flat of pansies because growing things can soothe the soul. I had a friend who invited me to a Bible study about Heaven. One time, the sweet daughter of one of my lifelong friends, reached over and held my hand as tears were streaming down my face during a praise song at church.

These are just a few examples. There were so many more.

Losing someone we love is hard. Death is hard and messy and the pain that accompanies it makes us uncomfortable . We often don’t know what to say or do, so we choose to say or do nothing. I get it. I too, have been guilty of looking away when I didn’t have the words to say to someone who was suffering great loss. I didn’t think anything I could possibly do or say could make a difference.

I have learned this past year, that I was wrong. Every single simple act of kindness brought comfort to my aching heart and I am so very grateful for each and every one of them.  A single zinnia bloom reminded me that we all have the ability to be a blessing to someone who is suffering.  Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

I have had the joy of working with some elementary student field trips at our local arboretum over the past couple of weeks. I love how children remind us to be in awe of the parts of life that have become mundane to us.

Children tend to be naturally curious and so they ask lots of questions, especially in new environments. I was standing with a class while they were waiting in line to use the restroom, when a little boy picked up a small red seed to ask me what it was. I explained to him that it was a magnolia seed an that the huge tree he was standing under, came from a small seed just like the one he was holding in his hand. He seemed very surprised.

When I found a picture of a magnolia flower on my phone to show him, he was even more surprised. I went on to explain to him that not only are magnolias beautiful, they also smell great.

I’ll have to admit, after reflecting on our conversation later that day, that I too, found myself in awe of how a giant magnolia tree with huge perfumed blossoms can come from one tiny red seed. The finished product looks nothing like its humble beginnings. Furthermore, after doing a little research, I learned that the hard wax coating on the red seed is broken down after it is eaten by an animal and after that process, the seed can grow into a mighty tree.

That’s a lot of moving parts, to create a tree. Yet, we have magnolia trees all over the South. As I looked at a magnolia tree in my own yard, I felt a reminder deep in my soul that if God goes to that much effort and detail for a tree, He certainly puts a lot more planning and effort in humanity

Psalm 139: 13-14 says, “For you created my inmost being;  you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well.”

Sometimes I think it’s easy to forget how precious we are to God, but thankfully we have scripture to remind us. Children can also serve as good reminders. Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂