So this morning my introvert buddy, Kim, sent me the above Facebook photo and asked which book last did that to me.
Did I answer, Gone With The Wind? To Kill a Mockingbird? The Purpose-Driven Life?
Uh, no.
I told her it was Thoughts of Home, which is a compilation of essays from House Beautiful Magazine, describing peoples' long ago memories of their homes.
Yeah, really. Kinda odd, huh?
See, I've always been different, especially since age 14 when I told God I wanted to be me, not anyone else, even if that meant being alone.
And you know? That's made some people in my life, well, bonkers. They can't stand it--or me. Yes, some of them--because they can't control me, because I would not take their advice--have waited for years for me to, well, fall apart. Crash and burn. After all, a person can't really prosper while living on one income, right? Or be content with just one child or no grandchildren? Or rarely use a cell phone, save thousands with coupons, avoid family (hereditary) diseases, stay positive, live joyfully in New York or hear from God?
Can they?
Sigh. What to do if you have people in your life waiting for you to fall down? Keep standing beside Jesus. He will defend you, lift you up and protect you from negative words spoken against you.
Why? Because He is love and nothing is stronger. Don't give-in to the naysayers--don't wilt, don't change your mind just because they have, don't morph into somebody else. No, just walk in love, beside Love, doing and being what God created you to do and be.
And then you'll be left standing when the world comes crashing down. You and Jesus... and what better company is there?
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2 Chronicles 20:17
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.' "
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." ... Joshua 24:14
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Tom and I finished watching the two seasons at Netflix of Flying Wild Alaska and I can't even describe how much we loved that series. Happy, happy sigh.
Now we're watching Awake and oh! Another fun show. (When people whine that there's nothing good on tv anymore, I always think, "Obviously, you just haven't searched hard enough.") :) Tom and I keep finding tons of the most interesting (and morally decent) programs we've ever seen!
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It's a brand new month and there are new coupons out there everywhere! Check your favorite local bloggers and coupon sites for the latest deals.
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And if you'd like, I'd love to hear your answer to, 'Which book last gave you a book hangover?' in my comment box.
And if you'd like, I'd love to hear your answer to, 'Which book last gave you a book hangover?' in my comment box.
8 comments:
Oh, I SOOO agree with you Debra!
The last book I clearly remember being disappointed that it ended that I started it again right away was "Cold Mountain".
I do not keep books as a rule, but I own this one and have read it about six times.
It is so beautifully and lyrically written; so descriptive I could smell the dust when Ada was hiding under a bush from the mean rooster.
My last book hangover was yesterday, when I finished reading Cross Creek by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.
I am appalled at the idea of anyone wanting anyone to fall, but I remember a weight watchers leader who ran every day saying that the people in her town were watching her, to see if she gained weight. So I guess it happens. Terrible.
There have been several books I have hated to end. The Avenue by R.F. Delderfield and recently How Green Was My Valley...which I have not finished the last pages of ...only cause I don't want it to end. :( :) Now I am reading Mrs Miniver by Jan Struther. Reading it ..again. My old copy is falling apart. As you turn each page a piece of the browned paper usually falls off! :) I find a used book that sounds interesting. I think I will read it and quickly pass it on. Then I realize just how good the story is. So many have the descriptions of life as I grew up...the stores and such that are no more. Good inspirational stores. People write and you feel you are there...really there. Since reading the stories you showed us about Heaven I have some new good thoughts to think about too!!!! :-) I have not read Cross Creek...always ment to and should. Oh I just finished Mitch Albom's book Have a Little Faith and it was very good! Sarah.... Thoughts of Home sounds delicious! Thanks for reminding me of it again...
You describe well how some kin feel about us too...and we know of others in that same boat. Oh well...we did not pick them!! Tis good to be just where GOD wants us to be, regardless of whether anyone else understands or agrees...and watch how HE provides for us!!
We are now in Seattle area!! helping to tend grandbabies...and beyond tired...these old mares just ain't what they used to be!!
Elizabeth who once was in NC and then VA...but now in WA!!
Nelia Gardner White "The Thorn Trees". I haven't even been able to get really into another book for a couple weeks yet, lol.
It just leaves me baffled that people who consider themselves Christian (I presume these do) can be so judgmental about others. Well, I know that's personality type, but I'm puzzled. Perhaps they've gotten over it, Debra, and are no longer waiting for dire things to happen to you. I hope so. Each person's pilgrimage through this life is unique. No two alike. That's as God planned it. You know what you have to do and it looks to me as though that's just what you are doing.
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