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Smile

Do you have an item in your home that makes you smile when you see it? Or, maybe, it’s something out in nature that you pass by each time you go on a walk: a tree, plant or building that brings a smile to your face. Perhaps yet, it’s going to your favorite coffee shop with a friend. Whatever it is, you notice that you suddenly relax, take a deep breath and, if only for a moment, the stress and busyness fall to the wayside?
Smile. Something so simple and yet easily forgotten. Yesterday, I started the day off on the “wrong foot”, to use that old saying. Side note, how did that become a saying anyways? I overslept and my schedule was all out of whack. I made it through teaching homeschool, but afterwards I was mentally spent. I found myself focusing on the negative, and then fear started to swirl around my mind over situations outside of my control. The day was unraveling and it was only lunch time. I was in desperate need of turning the ship before hitting the figurative iceberg up ahead. Then the thought came to my mind, what if I noticed things around me that bring a smile to my face. What if I actually pay attention to my surroundings and notice?
I soon captured several pictures of things that brought a smile to my day. I will share a couple of them with you down below. My “iceberg” was avoided and the rest of my day went much smoother. By the time bedtime came around I was relaxed and ready for slumber.
Smile. Notice the little things around you that make you smile, take in a deep breath, take a break to rest and reset. I would love for you to share a picture of something that makes you smile!

Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

Montana Adventure

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Life in Montana can sure be an adventure at times. This morning started out like a “normal” day. I began making breakfast and got about ¾ of the way through before we lost power. Our first snowfall of the year had made landfall.

Since the temps were still mild, the snow came down wet and heavy. Not only did tree limbs snap, so did power lines! The latter left our little town without power for hours. It felt like chaos was ensuing with the local school having to cancel and have students picked up, events canceled and businesses closed. I’m so thankful on days like today that I can look to Jesus, because He is consistent and never changing.

Although the early part of the day was anything but normal, by this evening, the snow has stopped falling and much of it has melted. When the power came back on, many businesses were able to reopen. Today changed from being a busy day listed on the calendar to mostly uninhibited time at home, a blessing in the chaos.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

It’s only a hop, skip and a jump from here

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Have you ever heard the phrase, “a hop, skip and a jump”? Simply, it means that something is a short distance away. As a child though this phrase took on a whole new meaning. My mother, grandmother and I left for a day trip. Armed with a plan we set out to find a few family history spots (aka relatives’ gravesites) in the morning, with an all you can eat buffet and shopping planned for the afternoon.

Although we thought out our day ahead of time, our plan didn’t match what actually happened. Not long into the day we became lost and remained so for hours . Keep in mind this was before Google Maps, GPS or smart phones. By the end of the day we were simply happy to find our way back home. I honestly don’t remember if we got to eat that buffet meal or do any shopping. All I know is the phrase “hop, skip and a jump” was never the same with my family after that day trip.

Have you ever had your plans change, or perhaps the plans are the same but the time table has become much longer than expected? When things like this happen it can be easy to get discouraged or simply give up. In the end though, God know’s best and He will lead us in the plan He has for us. Jeremiah 29:11 reads “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

As you step out today to follow God’s plan may you hop with bravery, skip in obedience and jump forward in faith.