Hello dear friends! How are you? Life is sure different since we were last here together. In fact, it’s different today than it was even just a few days ago! I wanted to touch base and see how you are all managing with this new way of life and to bring you just a little dash of joy.
Last week (that feels like a lifetime ago!), I stopped by Trader Joe’s and picked up a sweet, little maidenhair fern. The green was so bright and it just seemed to pop off the shelves and into my cart. I took it home and put it on my dining room table with a few little extras to make a really simple Spring centerpiece.
Later that afternoon, my kids came home from school and, as usual, immediately went to the kitchen for snacks. As my son walked through the dining room he noticed the new centerpiece and said, “I really like that green plant, Mom! It looks good there.”
Now, first of all, I couldn’t help it that my immediate thought was about his future wife and how grateful she will be to be married to a guy who notices and appreciates how the house is decorated.
Secondly, his noticing of that fern was a reminder of just how much it uplifts our spirits to see and admire something beautiful.
So, I wanted to show you that fern and my little Spring centerpiece today for your viewing pleasure. I hope that as you are scrolling through emails and social media posts that are filled with charts, graphs, statistics, alarm and yes, even panic, that this will be the dash of joy that your soul needs.
Let’s all take a deep breath, slowly let it out and remember that the sun is still in the sky, God is still on His throne and even something as simple as a fern can bring a little bit of comfort and calm in the midst of the craziness.
Now, what are some of the ways that you are bringing a dash of joy into your life and the lives of those with whom you are hunkering down? Leave a comment and let’s all encourage each other to get creative in how we uplift and support our family, friends and community during this tumultuous season.
Much love to you all,
What a calming post. Thank you
Thank you Nancy!
Made chicken salad, making peach cobbler to share and rice meatballs.
One daughter had neck surgery and stYed with for a week. Taking food to her and visit a bt.
Another daught scheduled for a C-section. Saturday (tomorrow) so will share food w them to. Keeping busy quilting. Love to all
During this difficult time it’s even more important that we appreciate the little things in life. We find joy in every day. There’s always something beautiful — a sunrise, a sunset, beautiful clouds, etc. We pray that when this is all over that our world will be a kinder, gentler place and that people will be good to each other. Blessings to you and your family.
You are so right Betsy! And I pray that this changes many hearts and we become stronger as a country and remember what community really looks like. Blessings to you and yours as well!
Yes, God will always be on His Throne and we, His children, need to always look up to Him every minute of every day!! He created this earth and we are to take care of all He has created! That beautiful fern makes my heart smile, so thank you for posting this!His Will be done🙌🙌🙌🙌
I’m so glad it made you smile Anita! I think we all need as much of this kind of thing as possible right now, don’t you? And yes, what a mighty God we serve! This is the perfect opportunity for us to show our trust in Him. Much love to you!
Here at the mouth of the Amazon River, we are experiencing constant downpours of rain which make the streets into rivers. Now with the virus, we are starting to experience shortages…masks, hand sanitizer,
liquid and gel alcohol, medicines. Now schools are closing as are gathering places and events. The law is requiring it. So now we must become inventive and decide how and where to conduct “church” in small groups Our church family do not live close to each other and transportation can be a problem. Traffic in this large city is many times a real problem.
So we remind our people where on their cell phones they can get christian music, devotions, scripture reading.
I just bought a 7-month supply of my high blood pressure medicine. One of our new converts had open heart surgery a few months ago and we know that the medication he needs for his heart is not cheap and would be difficult for him to buy an advanced supply on his minimum wage salary. So we will be helping him get the medicine. I have various types if tropical flowers growing in our front yard so use any little excuse to share a bouquet with ladies in my life.
Gayle you all amaze me to no end! Thank you for this good dose of perspective and a peek at life where you are. What a mighty God we serve and bless you for ministering to those in your community!
Vanessa, I really enjoyed your picture of your vignette! It’s so pretty! Also enjoyed the thoughts you have on these times of so much uncertainty. I am so thankful that we know the Lord and He knows exactly what is happening in these troubled times and He is there for us — only a prayer away. How people need the Lord!
Yes, the sun and the moon still rise and set and make us realize that “there is a God” and He is still on the throne!
Bless you and your family!
I don’t often comment but I felt that I needed to thank you for your posts which are always full of your care and concern and your love for the Lord — which always shines through. You are truly a ray of sunshine, Vanessa!
Mary-Ann I always LOVE when you comment! You bring me such encouragement and bless me more than you know. This is a time for those of us who believe that the Lord is sovereign over all to bring hope and be a testimony of His goodness and mercy. Blessings to you and yours! xoxo
As we face this world health crisis I can’t help but wonder if this is a part of His plan. We need to come together as a GLOBAL COMMUNITY to share what we have learned to fight the virus. We need each other’s support. Also a lesson in making do with what we have and gratitude for those people and things. Every night I thank the Lord for His mercy and grace in blessing me.
God bless you Vanessa for your beautiful thoughts and sharing.
Susan
Thank you for caring. Thank you for lifting a lot of spirits. Bless you and your family.
We all need each other even more right now don’t we Marsha? I’m happy to provide even a little bit of a bright spot!
My beauty today was weeding my flower beds in the sunshine. I had to belly crawl under my short lace leaf maple. As I rolled over, I saw my tree from a whole new perspective. The bare branches took on a new appearance as I looked up through the bottom side. I just had be open to new possibilities.
Oh I love that Kim!! When we still had a trampoline we would all lie down on it and look up at our cherry tree and I always loved getting that perspective. I’m so glad you got outside in our beautiful sunshine today and thank you so much for commenting! 🙂
Very pretty and cheerful indeed. If we weren’t confined, I’d rush right out to Trader Joe’s and buy one. They have the best plants/flowers for the best prices.
They really do Cindy! I’m always tempted to buy up everything!
A humble reminder that God is with us
Amen!
Thank you for the cheerful picture! I must say, with this virus spreading through has gotten me down every now and then. I do trust in the Lord but I really never thought I’d live during such uncertainty like this. But I did find a post, several actually, of Pluto the dog on Facebook! I laughed so much I had tears on my cheeks! If you get a chance to find her Facebook page you won’t be disappointed! I’ve shared them too and then others share them to spread the cheer! I’m thankful for the small (break) from ALL the news about the virus.
What THEY said – lol. You inspired me and so this afternoon I will plant seeds in containers
to get ready for spring. Every year I buy packets and never get the time to plant . I am also
encouraging my precocious eleven year old granddaughter to write down her feelings during
this time at home and to then use them to write a children’s book. Blessings to all of you.
What a great idea for your granddaughter Joan! I think we will be amazed at the amount of creativity that will come out of this crazy season. And I think planting seeds is a great idea too! 😉
Just what I needed today. Thank you, Vanessa. And go hug that son of yours from me. You have taught him well. Stay healthy and safe. Big hugs.
Sometimes he does actually let me hug him!! LOL! He actually just helped me plant spring flowers in the pots on my front porch and it was all I could do to not rush over and squeeze him because it just made my mama heart so happy to have him doing something like that with me. Maybe he’s just bored enough to have that sound like fun but I don’t care I’ll take whatever I get! 😉 Hope you and yours are doing well Michele and thanks for stopping by!