Making Healthy Choices

I've been making my own Body Balm for years now and just finished making a new batch this morning.  As I placed it on my bathroom counter I thought about all the benefits that come with making healthy choices.

It's so important that we do everything that we can to decrease the toxic burden that is being placed daily upon our bodies.  I can be grateful now, (didn't think so at the time) that I was diagnosed with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) over 20 years ago.  It meant that in a very short period of time, our home was cleared of potential toxins, which of course benefited me, but also my husband and children as well.

It has been estimated that by the time most people have finished their morning ritual 600 toxins have been added to their bodies... and that's before we even open our mouths to eat our breakfast, put on our clothes (drier sheets are known carcinogens) or stepped outside for the onslaught that comes our way through air borne pollutants.

I don't normally expound on this topic too much, unless I am asked, because frankly, most people really don't want to think about it!  So, I promise I won't go into detail here, however, it is important to acknowledge that the world has changed immensely since our grandparents day and that the toxic burden being placed upon our bodies has enormous and far reaching, negative effects upon our state of health and well-being.  Have you been reading the labels on your packaged foods lately?

Whichever way toxins creep into our bodies, whether they come in through the skin or lungs or stomach, at some point in time they all have to pass through the liver before they are sent on their way to our kidneys and colon to be eliminated.  The problem is... our bodies are so overloaded that this natural process is now being strained to the point where toxins are now becoming stored in our fat cells, getting locked in our livers and other organs, tissues and muscles!

I understand that it may seem overwhelming to begin making changes, but the secret is in being mindful and to make small changes wherever you can.  Begin with your personal body care and then extend out into your home.  Propylene Glycol for instance is widely used in shampoos, toothpaste, deodorants, body lotions and cosmetics to keep the products moist and the consistency smooth.  This product is primarily used in manufacturing as anti-freeze, brake fluid, coolant, de-icer and solvent and is a known toxin which has been linked to cancer, respiratory problems, allergic reactions, arrhythmia, and hypotension.  Some will adhere to the "Low Dose" theory that a little won't do you any harm, however,  I tend to lean towards the "No Dose" theory in which I recognize that if I can avoid these elements... I will!

Now you understand why I enjoy my Homemade Body Balm so much!  It does my body good!

love,

A Heart That is Full...

I've never really been big on the whole Valentine's Day thing.

When I was a young girl at school, we would make Valentine's for our classmates,

those that we had a special affection for.  

I liked the creative part of selecting the coloured paper and stretchy tissue, 

of cutting and pasting and thinking of who it would be going to.  

I also remember that we were to make a construction paper envelope, 

in the shape of a heart, 

and attach a string for a handle,

this would then be tacked to the wooden chalkboard rail,  

with our name emblazoned on the front.  

This was so that, through the week, others could fill these envelopes with their Valentines for you.

We all seemed to hold our collective breath as each day passed,
glancing at our hearts.

I don't remember ever not having a Valentines placed in mine, 

but inevitably there were those envelope hearts that were just bulging with Valentine's, 

and those that were conspicuously left vacant...

aside from the one that came from our teacher. 

Quantity always seemed to be the big prize that was valued,

as we emptied our hearts out upon our desks on the 14th of February.

As I grew older though,
I found that it was the boy that gave me one solitary red rose,

 quietly, with no other eyes watching, 

that won my heart, not the boy that produced the two dozen, 

brought to the table by the maitre de!

The boy that won my heart and I have grown up together through the years,

 our lives having beautifully intertwined into one. 

 He just has to look at me and I know I'm loved.

I just have to think of him... and I know that I am loved!

I don't need some lavish display, vacation or expensive gift,

when he takes my hand in his... 

well, my heart is full.

And there you have it, at this time in my life, through the hard and easy times,

I know the ones that truly love me... 

they show it in a thousand different ways, every day of the year. 

I don't have to hang out a construction paper heart and hope that it will be filled,

I already have a heart that is filled to the brim with the love that is given to me. 

And at this time in my life, I also know The One Who loves me... 

He shows it in a thousand different ways, every day of the year.

"... I have loved you with an everlasting love...:
Jeremiah 31:3

Yes, I am a woman who is well and truly loved...

a woman who knows that her cup, her heart, indeed "runneth over".

By the way,
Happy Valentine's Day!

The Art of Aging Gracefully...

Growing old gracefully... it's an art!
There are so many facets to it and it is never static, but always revealing new aspects of itself... challenging the artistry of gracefulness in the midst of it all.

There is a distinct beauty that belongs to youthfulness alone; this kind of beauty is so fleeting... any attempt to try and hold onto that which is destined to depart is not only futile but desperately sad and pathetic as well.

I admire those who have and are aging gracefully.  Vitality of spirit is an inward aspect of youthfulness that need never depart, it is immensely attractive and sparkles with Life and Purpose.  The most amazing thing about vitality of spirit is that although it is an inward work, it is too powerful to be so contained and it works its way outward, giving a radiance to the countenance and a vibrancy to our whole demeanour.  I know that for this to be true of me, this vitality of spirit must come from God, as His Life's Purpose fills and sustains me, and as I look to Him and am radiant.

This January I celebrated, yet another, 50something birthday... however, it was the day before that I really felt the impact of this.  I've never yet had an age that I didn't welcome eagerly... only this time the number just seemed, daunting.  There is no such thing as going back or holding fast at this point - from here on out it's "hold your head up high and walk on!"

I have such a sense of "laying aside every encumbrance".  Of casting off those things that hinder and entangle, that no longer serve nor reflect the woman that I am today.  Of embracing more and more the good work God has begun in me and will be faithful to complete.  Well over 50 years ago, it pleased God to hear me take my first physical breath and utter my first physical cry.  Twenty-nine years later it pleased God to reveal His Son in me and to hear me take my first spiritual breath of Life and utter my first spiritual cry of "my Lord and my God!"  These magnificent colours and hues have been painted onto the canvas of my life, and all the days and moments that reflect the dark and the Light have also been placed there by the same Hand.  While the canvas of my life may not yet reveal the fulness of the completed work, the Artist is purposeful in all the colours that He places and allows to make up the whole.  Some of the darker shadows and hues I myself would have never chosen, yet The  Promise of The Artist stands... 

 "... God causes ALL THINGS to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

Romans 8:28

It saddens me that we all too often stop here and forget to go on and find out what The Purpose of God is, because it is in the following verse that we find purpose in even the harsher strokes of The Artist upon the canvas of our lives...

"For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son..."

Romans 8:29

The colours painted onto the canvas of our lives all contribute to one and only one purpose... that the completed work will be us, perfectly conformed into the image of The Artist Himself!

Indeed, growing old gracefully is an art!  Full of Colour and Beauty, Vibrancy and Vitality - every part of it, including age itself, comes from the heart and hand of God.  He Who has begun a good work in me will be faithful to complete it, and in the process, continually reveal to me new aspects of His Grace.

Growing old Gracefully... this is my destiny in Christ.

I sought the LORD, and He answered me,

And delivered me from all my fears,

(I) looked to Him and (was) radiant...

                                            Psalm 34: 4-5

It's Time...

A Cord of Three Strands...

As one, we take our first steps into this New Year.

As always, together, side by side...

   Two strands, 

brought together and interwoven in strength, 

by a Third.

"...and the two shall become one..."

                                   Mark 10:8

"A cord of three strands 

is not quickly torn apart."

                                             Ecclesiastes 3:12

Let Every Heart...

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King!

Let every heart, prepare Him room,

and Heaven and nature sing,

and Heaven and nature sing,

and Heaven and Heaven and nature sing!

It's Just the Queerest Thing...

Huge double take on my part...

Gives a whole new meaning to the term "sheep dog"!

I always seem to come across these kinds of things in my day. 

I'm sure some people think that I am trying to pull the wool over their eyes (pun intended) but honestly, I just happen to stumble over the queerest things!

Anyway, this sheep sighting was thought provoking to me.

Some of my initial thoughts were...

I wonder if 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' is their favourite nursery rhyme?

How many sweaters can you get out of a sheep anyway?

When they piled into the car that morning did they say, "Ewe first"?

Anyway, the thought that stayed with me the longest was the thought of how queer it looked to see a sheep being driven... which led to the deeper thought of...

The Good Shepherd never drives His sheep,

He always leads them.

"...He leads me beside quiet waters..."

Psalm 23

In Genesis we see God leading Adam and Eve in the garden by His Presence and His Word, it was only when they stepped out from under the protection of His Word and hid from His Presence that they found themselves being driven from the garden.  Sin will cause us to be a driven people.

Yet, we do not always have to be driven.  In Exodus 13:21 we see the people being led of God.  He went before them, leading them on their way in a pillar of fire by night and in a pillar of cloud by day.  Of course, in order to be led, you must be willing to follow.  Let God go before you, set Him continually before you, let Him lead you by His Presence and His Word, knowing that as He is at your right hand you will not be shaken!  Or driven! 

Throughout Scripture we see that those that are driven, are those that have not fully entered into the sheepfold of the Good Shepherd... those that are driven are never at rest. 

Being led of God is such a peaceable thing.

As He leads us, the Voice of the Good Shepherd is calming and reassuring,

the sheep know His Voice and trust in His leading.

By His leading we are not in want,

by His leading we find rest and restoration.

In His leading there is no fear,

in His leading there is comfort and goodness and lovingkindness.

And His leading always leads us ... Home.

I still think it is the queerest thing,
to see a sheep being driven...

love,

The Giving of Thanks

At this time of the year, probably much like yourselves, I am thinking a little deeper regarding thanksgiving.  In The Gathering Place, along with some of you, I posted my scripture memory verse, and so this particular verse from the Psalm's is much upon my heart and mind, running parallel with my thoughts of thanksgiving, and because of this I have been looking at the giving of thanks from a different perspective.

Throughout God's Word there are many, many scriptural references to thanksgiving... and not a turkey among them I might add...gobble, gobble! Having said that, I just finished making the stuffing that will be a compliment to the turkey that my son and daughter-in-law will be cooking for us this weekend and I made the buns yesterday.  The aroma in the house smells delicious!

If you were to look up the word 'aroma' in a Bible concordance you would find that the references are almost all pointing towards God and speak of a 'soothing aroma' to Him.  Just as we enjoy the wonderful aroma of turkey and stuffing in our homes... (let's face it, we just plain like the house filled with the smells of a good meal being prepared!)... there is also an aroma that is soothing to God and the common theme seems to be that it is the aroma of a sacrifice that is being offered to Him.

At this time of year the giving of thanks for our blessings of family, good health, a roof over our heads, food on the table, friends, whatever we deem to be good and pleasurable, seems to be the thing to do - and yet, there is another form of thanksgiving that pleases God.

"In everything give thanks;

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus."

                                       1 Thessalonians 5:18

Just like many of you, our family as a whole and each one of us individually have taken a couple of hits this past year... it's just the common theme of living here on planet earth.  Yet how often do we stop and think of giving a sacrifice of thanks in these circumstances?  Not for the circumstances themselves, but giving thanks in the circumstance, giving thanks and praise to God, of what you know to be true of God in that circumstance.  A sacrifice will always cost us something... and most of the time it is our own ideas of how we determine things or circumstances should be.

The scripture verse that I have committed to memory this past week has made me think upon these things...

This is my comfort in my affliction,

that Your Word has revived me.

It is good for me that I was afflicted,

that I may learn your statutes.

                                Psalm 119: 50,71

There are many kinds of affliction, you have yours and I have mine.  Yet we have comfort while in the midst of them... God's Word can and will revive us.  Then we will be able to say that 'it is good that I was afflicted'... because instead of the affliction devastating me or taking me out, I learned the Word of God which revives me and brings me comfort... not just in what I went through but for today and for that which still lies ahead.

This Thanksgiving, I'll be thanking God for all the blessings that I can possibly think of to thank Him for ... and I'll also be thanking Him for those afflictions, those hard places that have brought me even closer to Him, The One Who has given me Comfort and Healing.  

My prayer is that you will, truly, have a blessed Thanksgiving...

with love,

Ever The Same...

Writing, in some form or other, has always been a part of my life.  I enjoy the unfolding of thoughts and the gentle rhythm of my hand as it guides my pencil across the paper.  My journal is full of drawings, especially in the summer as most of my journaling is done outside.  I've drawn flowers and birds, leaves, ladybugs and bees, wooden chairs and scenery.  

My journal is also full of little things that have meaning to me... little flowers that my granddaughter gave me while we were spending time together in the garden... a bracelet that I made for her from the twigs that fell from the Honey Locust Tree, with a flower tucked into it's strands.

Many of the simple things of Life that bring me pleasure have also found their way, through words, onto the pages of my journal, pain and heartache have also found their expression many times through words written on its pages. Recently, something was said to me that was particularly hurtful, it doesn't really matter what it was, what is important is that I had a choice as to whether I was going to allow the words to find a place to settle within me or not.  After spending time in God's Word... I chose not. 

In Psalm 51:6 God tells us that he desires TRUTH in the innermost being and that in those hidden places within us he will make us know wisdom.  What had been bitterly spoken to me had been a lie and it was to find no resting place within me... and God gave me the wisdom to see it.  Afterwards I wrote...

"I know who I am, but much more importantly I know Who God is.   

God never changes.  This is a glorious truth and an aspect of Who He is.  He is always the same.  The circumstances of our lives and the ebb and flow of the ages change Him not; yet daily, I am in constant need of remembering who I am, and more importantly, who I am in Christ.  My moods change, my circumstances change - those that I have been placed in the midst of... their moods change, their circumstances change, which have the potential of changing my mood and circumstances too... and it seems to increase in frequency as I get older!  Who I am cannot be accurately determined when I am alone and unencumbered.  Who I am is better understood in the midst of the complexities in all that it means to live out daily life here on planet earth... not isolated from, but right smack dab in the community of humanity... in the midst of the pressures and pleasures, restrictions and freedoms, sorrows and joys, doubts and insecurities, fears and comforts of living this thing out.

By knowing my God I realize my Anchor... The One Who holds me fast in the up and down waves of life.  He never changes, He is always the same... my Healer, my Protector, Comforter, Counsellor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace.  He is my Light and my Salvation, He is my Daily Bread and Living Water; He is unchanging, yet continues to change me... Lord, I am a grateful child."

I know who I am, but much more importantly I know Who God is.

with love,

The Best Laid Plans....

The Scottish poet Robert Burns is often quoted as saying, "The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley."  This quote is taken from his poem 'To A Mouse" and even though, with my rich Scottish heritage I don't often go around quoting this famous Scots son, I have to say that anyone that pens a poem in praise of a mouse can't be all that bad.  Although, having said that, he also wrote a poem about a louse (one is a louse... two is lice!) that he saw on a lady's bonnet at church... I think Robert Burns was a bit of a rascal... but I digress.

The other day, while in the middle of yet another "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?" moment, I began to giggle when this quote of Robert Burns popped into my mind.  I was giggling because Robert Burns is fondly known among his brethren as 'Rabbi Burns' which, although spelled the same does not sound at all like the Hebrew title of rabbi.  Jesus was called 'rabbi', which means teacher, and because Jesus is God, what better teacher could we possibly have?

God tells us in His Word that,

 "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." 

                                                                      Proverbs 16:9

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand."

                                                                       Proverbs 19:21

We live in the midst of a culture today that for the most part determines what it does, based on how it feels. Even those who have professed to following Jesus have at times determined that because something has now become difficult, uncomfortable, or inconvenient, it must not be God's will or direction after all.  I do not find that mirrored anywhere in Scripture.

And so, as small as the glitch was that I found myself in the middle of the other day, it was actually quite big because I believed with all my heart that this is what God had laid before me to do... it's just that in the 'doing' it seemed that I had come to a screeching halt and "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?" was almost a query on my part that perhaps I had misunderstood and now that it looked impossible, and now that it was hard, perhaps I was to just lay it down and walk away.  Nope.

You see, Robert Burns was right, the best laid schemes of mice and men do often go awry, because they are simply mice, because we are simply men... and women.  And yet, as men and women, God has given us the wonderful gift of being able to plan, of being able to dream, and wonder of wonders, He has given us, through Christ, the ability to lay those plans and dreams down before Him so that He alone can direct our steps and give us the counsel that will stand and not "gang aft agley".

God's direction for our lives may not always be without difficulty, as a matter of fact, He has told us to expect difficulties and hardships.  God's direction in our lives may not always be agreeable to those around us, or understandable. However, because the counsel of the Lord will stand, long after man's opinions and preferences have passed away... I choose to continue to cry out, "Oh, Lord, what do I do now?"

And in answer to my prayer I believe that God  whispered to my heart... "you're doing it child, you're doing it...."

Try to Remember...

... turn and become like children...

                                                       ~Jesus~
... and He called a child to Himself...

                                                                 Matthew 18:1

For You Today

The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.

                                              Psalm 52:1

love,