Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Still Smoky


August is rapidly coming to a close. (Yay!) Fall is on the calendar. Which means I have almost made it through the hottest year on record. Depending on the weather man and statistics. For winter though, I do hope the Farmers Almanac is right rather than Mostly Accu Weather. There I go talking about the weather for a whole paragraph.

Ready for a sidewalk picture? Oh good. My life seems so boring right now. I have a story coming really soon in this post.

Sidewalk first.


 Its not clean or anything yet. As long as you can see--- one giant sidewalk with a curbs. I can't wait to go on a walk.


Sorry, but I had to insert a fall picture since fall is now 29 days away.

Now my story.

Just to break up the monotony.
When they started the road work they told us that at some point they would be pouring a driveway. When they did that we would not be able to get into our driveway for 4 days or so. We would have to park on the street. In the above picture, you have seen my front yard. Its a hike from the road to the house. Saturday night the man I call Mr. Red Truck, told Ron that they would pour our driveway on Tuesday morning.

That was fine. School started on Monday and I knew I could do my errands on Monday and not have to worry about anything. The first day of school started like they always have. Hectic. When we got up Monday morning though, the milk I had in the fridge was sour. I had just bought it on Friday. I really did try to drink my coffee with sour milk too. It didn't work.


I got Ron off to work. I ran from the garage to the shower, I got in my car at 7:09. I wanted the boys to have milk on the first day of school. Just so you know how my mind works. I ran again through the grocery store. Praying I didn't see anyone I knew. I got back in my car to go home at 7:24. Driving home I was going through my day in my mind. Doing my mental check list. I pulled into the driveway and there was a man walking away from the front door. I stopped my car, and asked, " Can I help you?" He said that they were going to be pouring the driveway and we needed all of the cars out on the street.

To make a long story short. Wires had got crossed and Monday was the day. We moved cars and it was no big deal. I got my groceries in the house. When I finally stopped, and thought about it I had to tell you my little insignificant miracle. At least for me. The spoiled milk that was a gift in disguise. If not for that milk, I might have not made it to the grocery store and back in time. As it was every thing worked out like clock work. So I ended up feeling so thankful for that turn of events.


I think I am badly telling this story. Earlier this summer I think I have written about this before. But a verse I have heard and known for years changed my life. Its this. " But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

All means All. Not sort of or maybe or when I get my act together. All! So this summer, every time something would come up that would cause my insides to quiver and panic set in, I would consciously bring my mind back to this verse. I would in my mind remember all my needs. I have lived for so long in a state of quiet desperation, waiting to live through the next crises or the next ax to fall, I am never calm and quiet. I feel stressed and anxious. I was so tired of it that when that verse came, I decided every single time when I feel that panic feeling beginning to creep in again. I would transform my mind by renewing it. I have known this for years and years, but somewhere along the road I forgot. 



Now back to my story. Now you see why that the sour milk was a sweet little blessing in disguise? All summer there's been these little things that in the past would have discombobulated me and caused me to be filled with fear and doubt. But just that little verse has helped me to remind me of things out of my control. (Which we know we are never in control.)  as gifts rather than hindrances.



 This week is a new week, a new kind of normal. Schedules changing and lots of juggling. I hope you have had a nice week so far. Its been a bit cooler and that is always welcome. 

I hope you have just a wonderful rest of the week. 

~Kim~


" Summer is almost over, but I prefer to think so in the midst of sunlight and the brimming garden, not in the night. Nobody should ever say good-bye to summer in the wakeful hours of the night. Better to take the blow while the zinnias make a flare of color and the cosmos are beautiful in the sun, promising that there will be another summer." ---The Book of Stillmeadow, August. Gladys Taber

 

19 comments:

Christine said...

Great post Kim! You know, I never thought about renewing my mind over every situation. I was thinking over that verse in Romans 13, 'Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh' and that's what I need to do.
So glad it all worked for good!

Kessie said...

I've been trying to do that, too, every time I get anxious. It really does help!

I'm ready for fall, too. It's supposed to hit 110 next week, and I just wanted to cry.

Alica said...

I need to remember this verse, Kim! I get so wound up, thinking about the fall work ahead, and losing most of our barn helpers. I have to remember to live day by day, and that God will provide each day what we need. And he does! (did you read my post the other week on facebook about losing my keys at Walmart? That was a clear reminder to me of how God watches out for us. Not just in the "big" things, but in the little things too, and sometimes in surprising, almost humorous ways!) I hope you have a good week,and enjoy the cooler weather. We are here, too! :) :)

Pom Pom said...

That is a gorgeous Gladys quote. So true! I always look SO forward to fall but now that I'm not teaching, summer isn't as highly prized as it once was.
I do love your sour milk story. Little orchestrations that the Spirit delivers. He's so good.

TexWisGirl said...

i love when we get 'pushes' to do what we need to do when we do it.

Joy said...

Hi Kim, looks like it's time to get out those skates! Your Morning Glory flowers are beautiful. I accidently planted white one, and they looked like Bindweed, so I pulled them up. I thought I had planted purple or blue ones. That is a wonderful verse, thank you for posting it. I need to remember that God will supply all my needs--I often worry about how I will fare in the future. Oh, and I have that book! The Book of Stillmeadow, I am reading it now.

camp and cottage living said...

I truly believe The Lord is interested in the little things in our lives as well as the big stuff. I enjoyed hearing your story today, Kim! Are you teaching the grands now?

Bonnie K said...

I am glad the verse gives you peace. Life is too short to be in anxiety. I love the sidewalk. So many places are trying to get rid of sidewalks. That is no place I would want to live. Hope you are happy with the driveway and that school gets off to a good start.

Debbie said...

oooooh Kim, I know all about shuffling through the food store praying you won't see anyone you know. Head down, no eye contact!!

Your images are extraordinary today, and the header, gorgeous sunflowers!!

Gumbo Lily said...

What a sweet story. So glad everything worked out and that you could see the blessing in it all.
I love the Gladys Tabor quote. I love summer so much and yet I do always look forward to fall.

GretchenJoanna said...

I love your story, and I also love that sidewalk - how many miles does it go? Looks very convenient for walking. When the weather cools a bit, that is :-)

Julia said...

Your sidewalk looks so nice and wide and it goes far. I think it would be a great place to go for a walk with the dog in the morning. I wish we could send you some rain to cool things off and put out those fires.
It's been such a humid summer here but I can't complain when I hear how hot it has been for you.

I hope the road workers are all gone so you can enjoy your yard again.
Have a great day.
Hugs,
Julia

Gail said...

Glad you only have the smoke. I pray for the fires to stop every day...not only for the people but for the mini and macro environments that are destroyed too.

Blessings.

Empty Nester said...

Ok, something weird is going on here. I can only see the first paragraph and then I get this HUGE picture that hides the rest of your post. When I click it, it takes me Gladsome Lights???? I'll stop back by later and see if it's gone. Weird. :)

Empty Nester said...

I'm so glad I got back over here. That is just the verse I needed! A million thanks for that! How quickly I let my worries take over. And yes, I see why that sour milk was a good thing. :)

Three Sheep Studio said...

What a wonderful story.
All means ALL ! A great reminder.
The sidewalks are grand ! ;)
Rose

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Great story and great reminder. God has been convicting me of renewing my mind also with His word. This summer my reading helped in the practical way to do just that. Sour milk...yes, a wonderful blessing. Happy School year for all of yours!!! College and elementary school here!

Summer said...

Wonderful stories and beautiful photos! Blessings ♥

summerdaisycottage.blogspot.com

Ida said...

Thanks for a much needed post on relying more on God and less on myself.