Quiet gratitude

My start to Lent didn’t involve ashes or worship at church, but it did include quiet gratitude for hot water late Wednesday after two days without. The heat & air guys got quite a workout bringing things up to code as they replaced our 42-year-old (!!!) water heater! #focusonGod #faithinGod #lent #startwhereiam #daybyday #gratitude #ThankYouGod

(And I was able to participate in Ash Wednesday worship (without the ashes) via the Whaley United Methodist Church livestream! Thank you!)

The party

I’m still in need of that spiritual reset. I didn’t celebrate Fat Tuesday or Marci Gras, unless my usual lack of discipline counts! 

I was thinking I’m not ready for Lent. On second thought, how I am may be precisely ready, at least in the sense of being in need!

In a year that has started with the sports teams I follow starting strong — & then tumbling mightily — maybe it’s fitting the Aggies are beating #1 Auburn on Fat Tuesday. It’s the first time Aggie men’s basketball has beaten the top-ranked team, & this win ends a four-game losing streak for the Ags.

I think there’s a spiritual message for me, I’m just not sure what it is. 

Maybe the party’s over?

Bring on Lent!

Time for a reset

My sports teams are all letting me down.

I think there’s a message for me: let it go. 

Turn my eyes upon Jesus. 

Just in time for Ash Wednesday & the start of Lent & preparation for Easter. 

Florida in February

It’s finally sunny & warm. I love it.

So much drama!

I don’t even know what to pray or say.

Praise God in all circumstances. Worship & adore Him. seek Him & obey Him.

I pray to know God’s will for me; to act in faith; to trust Him with results; & to give Him all glory, honor, thanks & praise.

He knows the concerns of my heart & mind. I lift them up to Him, in faith & with thanksgiving. I thank Him for His promise of peace that surpasses my ability to understand, to guard my heart & life in Christ Jesus.

Thy will be done  In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

TBTB

Maybe that’s it: Too busy to blog! 

That’s my story!

Slacker!

 I’ve not blogged at all in February. Hmmm. 

12 years

 A dozen years without a kitty. I cried when pictures of sweet Bridget came up again on my Facebook memories. It’s OK. Sweet memories. I miss her sweet face & quirky ways. And I miss having a kitty. I’m grateful for the memories & the time we had together. 

Finally! Firsts of the year

Caught my first bass of 2025 on Thursday.

Sang a solo at church for the first time this year. Seems forever since I’d done it. It was good to be back. 

Keeping on

Update to New Year’s Day post:

I did visit the friend — & others — the next day. And I’m on Day 6 of the Bible reading plan.

So, yes, I keep on keeping on.

Thank God for each step of faith & progress.

Pray to keep my focus on & faith in Him; to act in faith; to trust God with results; & to give God all glory, honor, thanks & praise.

New year, same me!

Oh my! 2025 is starting for me like 2024 ended. I can’t even describe it. Back in the day, I thought a time would come when I’d have goals & plans & take disciplined actions to achieve them. When that day never seemed to arrive, I was frustrated & disappointed with myself. I never quit trying … & thinking I’d failed. 

FINALLY — I’m more at peace with however I am today. I’m more confident that God loves & accepts me just as I am (although I’m less certain this is how He designed me to be). And I’m grateful Gene keeps loving & accepting & supporting me (likely despite how I am). I’m sure it’s not easy. God is so good to both of us. 

As for New Year’s Day 2025, it’s a continuation of whatever it all is. So much good … & day by day, I need to accept & focus on that, even when it seems selfish. Pray & trust that God is leading & equipping me & is placing me where He wants me, even when it doesn’t make sense to me. 

I didn’t get pictures of today’s great start, including blueberry sourdough French toast & bacon for breakfast. I did get a picture of us at the gym. I put my black-eyed peas in the stew Gene started in the morning & was ready for dinner. I tried to not run out to take a picture of the sunset before we ate, but how could I resist?!?!? Yet, I did resist an invitation to visit a friend. Maybe tomorrow? Oh yes, I also missed a Zoom gathering I looked forward to, after I got distracted by breaking news.

Perhaps most representative of my day & life was my high hope for starting a new daily reading plan to go through the whole Bible again this year. “The Bible Recap With Tara-Leigh Cobble” came highly recommended. After I listened to & read everything for getting started & Day 1, I’m ready to give up. But I won’t. Not this soon. (Maybe tomorrow? Ha!)

Instead, again, I’ll thank God for each step of faith & progress. I pray to keep my focus on & faith in Him; to act in faith; to trust God with results; & to give God all glory, honor, thanks & praise. #newyearsameasoldyear

Early reflection ….

Off to a great start! Sleeping late. Quality time with my babe. Start a new Bible study. French toast for breakfast. Watch last hour of Tournament of Roses parade.

To end the year, I came upon the Lone Star NYE airing from Dallas & watched 10 minutes of fireworks shooting from & around Reunion Tower. Kinda cool. I could hear fireworks across the street behind our yard & saw a few! In bed 12:45. PJ’s all night, although I pulled on a blouse for an hour while I was on a Zoom call with friends. Good enough for me!