Today

      Today is beautiful. I woke up this morning to grey skies and rain. And then, the sun began to make an appearance. I'm sitting outside on my steps next to my lovely garden. Which in my case is 5 pots of green plants, flowers and pinwheels that make me smile.  The sun is shining overhead and the warm sunshine is dancing with the sweet coolness of the morning morning breeze. The lovely splish, splash of left over rain running down the eves mingles with the music I have playing. Oh and the birds just decided to add to the song. Happy Tuesday.

"Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul." ~Luther Burbank

The Wheel

     Have you ever dealt with fear? It can be like a giant wad of knotted string that, try as you might, you can never seem to find the end of. Fear has a way of getting in your face and consuming all that is good. It occurred to me the other day that fear is like being on a hamster wheel. You run and run, trying to figure the fear out or at least get away from it. Yet, no matter how fast you run, it is a never ending circle that takes you no where and wears you out. 
     Sometimes when you are running on this wheel, your heart might catch a glimmer of truth. It's a gentle whisper urging you to simply step off the wheel and you will be free. And this sounds to good to be true but before you know it, fear chimes in and says that if you step off, all will be lost. It tells you that staying on the wheel is the only way. And sadly, we all to often buy into that lie. For as unpleasant as running the wheel is, the thought of all being lost is even scarier. And so, we keep running. Trying to out run the fear or at least come to a place that makes sense. We wear ourselves down, going on nothing but fear and feeling empty and hopeless lacking all peace and joy. And every once in a while, truth gently whispers, "Just step off, it will be okay." Your heart longs to do just that, but fear raises its head and you feel helpless to everything. You feel you must keep running.
      But my friend, Hope is there. Joy and peace are waiting. The beautiful world you see blurring by you as you run is waiting for you. The terrible gut wrenching fear that you are doomed unless you keep running, that is the lie. And, if you get the courage to step off the wheel, you will find that the fear that was driving you so hard is nothing more than a tiny wheel in a cage.
     We all struggle with fear at different times, but the One who gave us life doesn't want that for us. I know that for myself I have to make a choice every single day. I have to choose whether or not I'm going to trust in Him or step on that wheel. Sadly, I often make the wrong choice. But there is always hope and the promise of a new day. So today, step off the wheel. Enjoy your life. The One who loves you more than you will ever know is waiting. Trust Him. Have a great day.

Isaiah 41:10
"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

College

     It finally happened. The last day of school came and I sit here now, having turned everything in and said good by to my student teaching class. It is so crazy to think about the fact that I am actually done with school. That my days of being a college student are over. I can remember my first day of college. I was technically still a senior in high school taking a couple post secondary classes, but it was a big day. I was 17 and so excited.  I got my student ID picture taken and shyly watched all the goings on. I met some awesome people that day, people who are still a part of my life today. Now today,  7 years later(1 year of PSEO, 5 years of full time classes and one year off), I come to the end of this adventure. As I fold up my college years and put them away, I know that they hold memories that I will always be fond of. I will always think about choir and smile and the times spent in the student center doing everything but my homework. The small bookstore where so many stories and moments were shared. Times spent in the dorm hallway laughing over coffee and being silly.
     So as I pack up this adventure I want to say thank you to all the people who helped me through it.  To my Mom who proof read so many papers and my Dad who put up with my tears as I tried to figure out loans and paper work. To the friends who let me pour out my woes and who in turn made it all fun. And to my husband who encouraged me constantly and patiently got me through countless homework meltdowns.
      So, I say my goodbyes to college life and hello to whatever tomorrow holds.

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”~Elenore Roosevelt