The old masters

I have just started reading a book on writing by Maeve Binchy and I have started laughing just into the first chapter. That is the thing I find amazing about some of the writers I admire. They are so good at their craft that as soon as you sink into one of their books, a familiar smile finds its way onto your face.

I am also reading a book by Dick Francis, another author I admire and once again I am amazed at his skill. You get so drawn into the life of his chracters that you can almost feel their pain.

What a joy to be able to read and also to be able to learn from those who have gone on ahead.

Thank You, Father for the gift of writing.

Faith without works

I took a class yesterday at Sunday school and two girls on the cusp of teenage years just sat there not taking part in the lesson. One literally looked sullen while the other was miles away and I do not doubt at all that they thought the lesson was boring. I was thinking about them in the afternoon and gleaned a lesson from my observations.

To benefit from any program, one cannot sit and just stare; one has to get involved somehow to make the most of it. Sitting on the fence and complaining is a sure way to get bored.

It is all well and good to say one has faith but the Bible says faith without works is dead. Very true. Act and your enjoyment levels go up most of the time. In the matter of faith, works always bring the desired results if you are acting on what God has said.

Write daily even if it is a word; act on your desires, Nana.

Thank You, Father,in Jesus' Name, Amen.

The Focus Factor

I am doing my best to keep my focus despite the distractions from within my own four walls. It is not pleasant for immediate family when you are transitioning to another level but if done with love and compassion, your family members will reap the benefits of the new you.

Nana, keep your focus.

A bit of an update

It has been a good week for me and one that I should use as a template really. I have been better organized in the household tasks and I have also done things for myself that nurture me. I am baffled as to why a lot of us start good things and then fall off the waggon so I am taking note of distractions in my life that rob me of making time for myself.

As I have filled up the well and done things to nurture me as an individual, I have been more patient with the kids, calmer when dealing with them and also feel much more content that I have been in a long while. Conditions that are always conducive to creativity.

And I believe I am going to step into a different season as a friend of mine is going to be fully commissioned to be a minister of the gospel. There are exciting times ahead, Nana.

God is so good to me, Amen.

From the mundane to the sublime

I am back to my writing best, by faith, I mean. Well, that is an exaggeration but I am back to writing down lists and names of things I come across. Why? Simple reason. Writing things down somehow seems to give them flight . It is also one way to use the pens that I have so that they do not dry out; and in a way, I am hoping that the mundane will lead to the creative juices running over and then to the sublime.

I always tell people to live in hope and I am taking that advice myself. Once there is life, there is always hope for change in the positive direction.

So step by step I am getting to my wealthy place.

Thank You, Father.

The Artist's Way

I am doing my best to get a bit more organized so that I can let more buds spring up. I have gone back to pick a book that has blessed me very much in times past. It is The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron and I cannot recommend it enough.

Sometimes when we fall off the saddle, all we need to help us get back on is something familiar and comforting. I am looking forward to going through this book again so that the creative juices can flow once more.

God bless Julia for her great work of art.

The buds do spring

I have been grateful for the past few days because I have started writing again and it feels so good. Just little bits here and there but I am beginning to feel the excitement within me once again and this time I have prayed and continue to pray for staying power. The start-stop, start-stop business must end somewhere; I feel like I am nearing that age when I must honestly and seriously take myself much more seriously ( forgive the repetition).

This week I read an article about keeping integrity with yourself and it really resonated with me. Be accountable to yourself and do the things you keep saying you will do.

The wisdom of baby steps beckons again. What can I say? It is a truism that is vital to keep one focused. Baby step, baby step, here I come with my baby steps.

Thank You, Father that the buds do spring. Amen.

Stepping out of the boat

I did something out of the ordinary today and got back home very sated; I went to Windsor with the kids and it was lovely. I didn't feel pressured, harassed or bothered and the weather must have had something to do with it.
During the week I was thinking about abstract nouns and how they can grow: as in confidence, love, joy, peace, kindness and like words.
Well, today's trip has added to my confidence levels and revealed that I can indeed do all things through Christ if I step out of the boat. I have a book by John Ortberg thus titled that I have begun and should finish.
Faith is an abstract noun too but very much one that can keep on growing and growing and growing. Thank You, Father for today.