God's Timing is Always Perfect

I seem to be talking about best laid plans a lot lately.

Remember the trip to Tennessee that didn't happen last month?

That was kind of like the tip of the iceberg.

Yes, there was sickness on both sides and it was God's perfect timing...
 ...because He already knew all about it.

God's timing is always perfect.

Anyone who reads my blog knows of the plans we have for our retirement.

They included selling our home here in NC this spring or summer,

moving to Tennessee and live in our RV for a while
while we build our farmhouse in Adam's meadow in Haywood Hollow.

Now I am not one to share a lot of health information about myself...

mostly because I have always been quite healthy and rarely had many issues. 

You know how at church when they ask for prayer requests?

Well, I really struggle when it comes to asking for prayer for myself.

I am really struggling just writing this post.
But I think of you as my friends and thought I'd share with you what's going on.

So back to best laid plans...

Without getting into all of the gory details (you certainly would not want me to share them),

just let me just say that a health issue from a decade ago has decided to revisit me.
Back between 2007-08, I had a very sick gallbladder that resulted in a biliary stricture.
That meant that bile was backing up in my liver and making me jaundiced and very sick.
Several stents in the bile duct and removing the gallbladder and I was all good...

...for ten whole years!

Fast forward to August 2017, right before my brother passed away.

I started getting sick and was all too familiar with the symptoms.
Another stricture had indeed formed, another stent was placed,
and then removed this past November.
So about a month ago when we all got sick, what I thought was a nasty stomach bug wasn't.
I knew I needed another stent so last Monday it was put in place...
...a different kind this time that can stay in longer.
(This is done by an endoscopic procedure, just so you don't think I was cut on all those times.)

I get to keep this one for at least 6 months, maybe longer...
BUT...and that's a big but...I have to stick around a while, as it would seem.
You just can't up and leave your trusted doctor who has been there from the beginning...
and your insurance when you need it most!
Nope, can't do that!

I will know more after I see my doctor in six months.

Until then, we will continue on with the plan...
just knowing that the timetable is a bit off from what we had hoped for.

Here's the good news...it gives us more time to get it all done. {{smile}}

God's timing is ALWAYS perfect.

Peace

Another week, another senseless act of terror.
Will true peace ever come to this world so full of hate?
If you believe the Bible, the answer is no.
As Christians, we find our peace in Jesus, not in the world, itself.
Ah yes, but peace can be found if you know where to look.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. 
See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.
Matthew 24:6
~
Peace.

I need it like oxygen.
I thirst for it as if it were water.
I crave it like food when I am hungry.
I long for it in my day to day life.
~
I made a decision a while back to live in it.
That doesn't mean that I live my life burden-free...is that even possible?
If you know anything about me, you know that's not the case.
Peace is a choice we make and we need to seek it, wherever we can find it.
~
There are many things that speak peace to me.
Most recently, there was a precious dove lying motionless in the grass...

...and when I knelt down to investigate, off it flew towards the safety of the trees.
That sweet bird was safe and sound, and peace swept over me.



Then there was such peace after a storm that left the skies gloriously rich in texture.



There's a sense of tranquility coming from that quiet drive in the country on a sunny morning...



...and those cows haven't a care in the world.
Peace.



Just soaking in the beauty that God has created speaks peace to my soul...

...and those tiny beads of water that hang on for dear life after a soothing summer rain...

...remind me of how God hangs on to me through times of trials, 
bringing such beautiful, unspeakable peace.

Just the other evening I walked into the kitchen and something immediately caught my eye.

The last golden rays of the setting sun peered through the Mason jars in the window,

creating the most calming glow, leaving me with such a peaceful feeling.

~

So as I'm typing this post, an old hymn is echoing in my brain.

I haven't heard it sung for a long time.

WONDERFUL PEACE

Warren D. Cornell, William G. Cooper - 1889

(click to listen)

I don't know how you can listen to that song and not sense God's peace and presence.
~
And I'll close with this poem I found.
  I think it speaks right to the events that we are witnessing in the world today.

GOD'S PEACE
~M.S. Lowndes

God's tender love and peace

Is what we all long for
In a world so hopelessly chaotic,
So unstable and unsure

It brings stability to our minds
And calmness to our souls,
For that is what we desperately need
As this world can be so cold

We need to have God's peace
When turmoil's in our lives,
For God's peace doesn't depend
On the daily pressures of life

When we have those stressful days,
God's peace can often soothe
And bring us such a quiet hope
That chases away the blues

So when you feel the pressure on,
Remember, Jesus Christ,
Receive from Him the peace He gives
As His daily dose for life!
~
And now, my favorite scripture about peace:

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

I pray you enjoy a peaceful week, my friends!


Sharing at:

Spiritual Sundays

Porch Rules

Even though summer hasn't officially arrived according to the calendar,
it feels as though it's in full swing here in my neck of the woods.
We have really been enjoying our outdoor space recently.
Of course, it doesn't just have to be summertime to be able to enjoy the front porch.
Fact is, the cooler seasons are quite enjoyable as well.

I still have to pinch myself when I walk out of my front door and on to the porch.
It only took over twenty years for my dream to become a reality!
These photos will remind you of the recent transformation.

But if you want to come visit with me on the porch at my house,
there are several rules that you are expected to follow.

Yes, I'm afraid so...and here they are.
You must...

...sit a spell...

...and feel free to kick off your shoes (as I have) if you like...



...sip a cool drink (or have a cuppa something)...

...I prefer iced tea in the summer...

...relax & unwind...

...reminisce about the good old days...

...make some lasting memories...

...maybe read a book...

...(of course, this is optional)...

...feel the breezes...

...and believe me, you relish any breeze you can get in NC in the summertime...

...listen to (and watch) the birds...

...enjoy the views of today...

...and of each passing season...

...and if you're really feelin' it, maybe even take a little nap...

...the glider is actually quite comfy...



...and dream...

in color...

...or do you dream in black and white?
~

So to review, here they are again...the porch rules.

Of course...if you'd rather not obey them, it's your choice...

...but why wouldn't you want to?

No rule breakers here!

:)

Thanks for stopping by and come back any time!

Enjoy your week my friends.

Sharing at:

Amaze Me Monday

Among the Trees

Alone with myself, the trees bend to caress me.
The shade hugs my heart.
~Candy Polgar

~

I took a little time for a personal retreat on Friday at this newly discovered nature preserve

not too far from my home...beautifully quiet and peaceful.

I really liked the quote I found (above) but the only thing I would change is the part that says

alone with myself...I wasn't alone...not alone at all.

~

I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

 "And the LORD God made all kinds of tree grow out of the ground—
trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food." 
Genesis 2:9

"TREE"

~Justin Rizzo

Unmovable, unshakable; 
let my roots go down deep
Unmovable, unshakable 
In You
~
I want to be like a tree
Planted by the streams
Of living water
This will be my song God
This will be my prayer

Until the end, until the end.



A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

"He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. 
It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. 
It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Jeremiah 17:8



 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. 
Psalm 42:1



"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."
Psalm 62:1-2 



May you have a restful Lord's Day and a wonderful week ahead!
Blessings,

I'm sharing with...

Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays
Inspire Me Monday
Cindy at Amaze Me Monday
Joan at Beauty in His Grip