Sentimentality by Susan L.

  I hung the rose up to dry. It's the one that was given out at our graduation ceremony, a lovely deep yellow one with a hint of red along the edges of the petals. I am a bit of a sentimentalist and treasure these sorts of things. Roses don't come my way very often.
  I've a small box that holds many of the love tokens the Lord has left along my path. The box is chock full of childish delight in the gifts that come my way. They are simple things like an acorn I found at the beginning of my walk as a Christian. Now I'm not sure if that was meant to represent an  obvious metaphor for faith or if it was a prophetic omen that I was, in the near future, going to go "nuts"! The eraser God sent my way while I was in the hospital is tucked in along side. (That story is in one of my older posts.)
  There's an old, beautifully cast brass sleigh bell I found in my back yard when I first moved in. It was still attached to a rather crispy, crumbly piece of harness. How it got there, who left it behind are all questions that will never be answered in this life. I was utterly surprised by the find. That's part of the treasure too. Finding things when I'm not even looking.
  My collection of four leaf clovers is in there too. Those I have looked for and found. Thirty-one that are preserved in sealed, plastic business card protectors. There's a few more from this year to be added to that total. Right now they are being carefully pressed in my concordance, the thickest book I own. I am sad to say the numbers are dwindling. It's time to stop harvesting them so they will come back. That's a treasure too, knowing when to let go.
  For myself, these small objects are tangible evidence of God's care and meticulous planning regarding the tiniest of details in my life. They are gifts of assurance that He is well in control over every single aspect of my existence. Most of all, the little box contains an immeasurable amount of His love.
  How great is that!
  "And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9
 
 
 

Shingles by Susan L.

  No, not the chicken pox virus kind of shingles, but actual shingles. More shed talk.
  It's not that tall a building but I confess I am nervous about going on the roof. It's not that I am afraid of heights. Ladders don't bother me and I am quite comfortable working while standing on the second to top rung. The roof is only one step higher and far more stable than a step ladder. My tall extension ladder will make it easy to get up there, no gymnastics required just a simple step from rung to roof.
  I suppose being uncomfortable will mean I will be that much more cautious and therefore safer. I'll ask my neighbour to keep an ear out for me should a need for help arise. Once up, everything should be fine. It's taking that first step.
  Ha. Doesn't that apply to a lot of things in life.
  I never got comfortable around the farm equipment. The tractor's drive shaft was a pretty scary piece of powerful. A friend's wife got her shirt wrapped up in one. Thankfully it was an old work shirt that tore but she still ended up with broken ribs and a cracked collar bone as she got pulled in. It could have been much worse and sadly, worse has happened to those who got comfortable.
  The same with the power tools I've been using for the big build. I've seen too many missing fingers on those who let their attention wander. The watchwords are: take care and be safe. If I am too tired as well, it's time to put things away.
  All this concern is a bit premature. There's still work to be done before the shingles can go on. I need to lay my hands on a bit of roofing paper that will go on first, the aluminum drip edge needs to be installed and the particle board needs to be nailed down fully. That last task couldn't be completed until the shed walls were solid and secure.
  "I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge and discretion." Prov 8:12
 

Graduation by Susan L.

  There's a graduation ceremony tonight for the participants of PREFER (Peer Recovery Education for Employment and Resiliency) who have met all the criteria of the program. This means that all eight required courses are completed, at least ten monthly meetings were attended and one summit. It's a thoughtful gesture. Many who have gone through this amazing program have never graduated from anything. A certificate of achievement means a lot. 
  This isn't an accredited program but that is in the works as well. A group in Toronto is looking into ways to formalise peer support without the regimented testing required by other graduate programs. Peer support is all based on lived experience. How can that be tested?
  The PREFER program comprised of WRAP, Wellness Recovery Action Planning. A life changing approach originated by Mary Ellen Copeland that is now being adapted for first responders, police, and nurses to name a few. It develops self awareness and reveals personal coping skills and strengths for when things get tough. I think it is something everyone should take. It is so successful, it is now offered world wide.
  Like Minds was an eye opener for me. It uncovered a lot of my own deep rooted, but hidden prejudices surrounding not just around my own mental health challenges but about lifestyle choices and addictions. It dovetailed into Anti-Oppression training. Both of these are all about the rights we have to make decisions regarding our own lives.( A lot of it was about using recovery based language. Mental health challenges vs. mental illness.) GAM, Gaining Autonomy over Medications is also part of reclaiming control over what happens to us. So often the medical system systematically robs us of our basic human rights. Mental illness is often viewed as being mentally deficient. So not true!
  The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention training was, for me, the most challenging. This is precious human life we're talking about. Yet, when push comes to shove, my trust is that the Lord will lead me to do what is needed to help another. He's already done that.
  The part that stretched me the most was facilitator training for both WRAP and another recovery based program called Pathways to Recovery. It involved learning how to take on a leadership role without becoming a teacher. That's tough. But then, we are all our own best experts. A good facilitator gets the group learning and growing from itself.
  Lastly was an Employment Support Workshop. It helped deal with the practical side of job hunting: a resume and the like.
  I truly hope they find the funding necessary to continue the program. It was a three year pilot project, a successful one. Many of the peer supporters trained through PREFER have gone on to successful paid jobs. Many have been able to volunteer their skills. Others grew personally in leaps and bounds.
  I know without this, I would not be working at the Krasman Centre. My monthly column would not exist, neither would my blog. So for me, the biggest gift was gaining the confidence, the self esteem, the willingness to try and rise above and beyond my challenges, mental and otherwise.
  And that, my friends, is cause for celebration!
  Thank You Lord for this, for the safe travelling into the city, for the means needed and most of all thank You for the good company I had on this journey.
  "The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." Prov 16:1
 

Let Go, Let God by Susan L.

  A reader posted a question. It was recognised as spam and was sent to the junk folder but I am going to answer it anyways. I don't know how blogger decides what is spam and what isn't. Sometimes it's obvious, other times I wonder if it's a translation program operating. I am blessed to have international readers. It leaves me deeply honoured and somewhat awestruck that this ole gal from a small town in Ontario has people from as far away as Russia and Germany reading what I write.
  Which is a nice introduction to the question. The anonymous reader asked how I clear my thoughts and center myself. They explained they spend fifteen minutes trying to figure out how to start their own blog posts.
  Not to be flippant. It starts with a simple prayer. "Lord, let my words be Your words, in Jesus' name."
  Every morning starts with a sense of anticipation as I wonder what will happen in the writing. Sometimes I have a clear subject idea before even turning on my laptop. Other times, not so much. Sometimes it takes two or three starts before a sense of where the day's post is going develops. More often my own idea ends up becoming something entirely different as the words fill the screen. Sometimes I simply wait as long as I have to until an idea surfaces.
  This question is much bigger than a simple blog.
  The biggest part is surrendering control and inviting the Holy Spirit to enter in, to be our Guide. Not just in the writing, but in every aspect of life. He is a polite caretaker and will not intrude unless we ask Him to. It's not hard. As Jesus says, "Ask and it will be given you."
  But then it takes practice to listen and to hear that still, small Voice. It takes practice to learn how to be obedient to the Helper Jesus promised us. It takes practice to give up control of our own preconceived ideas, of our own itinerary.  It takes practice to open up our hearts and truly trust in God's ability to lead us where we need to go. Actions we humans don't do easily.
  And I am led to offer a prayer. If we have received Christ, we have the Spirit. The prayer simply helps us become consciously aware of His presence. It helps us to claim and acknowledge this huge piece of our Divine inheritance.
  "Lord, forgive me for taking things into my own hands. Forgive me for trying to live a life according to law when living with Jesus means those laws are now promises. Lord, I need a Helper. I can't do this alone. Holy Spirit, be with me. Guide me, teach me, encourage me, and correct me when I am wrong. Help me learn the skill of listening and hearing Your voice in all things. In Jesus' name I pray. Thank You, Lord, for this awesome gift. Amen."
  "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you." Jn 14:26-27
 
 
 
 
 
 

Milestones by Susan L.

  I wasn't going to post this morning but decided to take the time to enjoy my morning coffee. I need to work out some of the aches and pains left from a long day of physical labour. That, and this is my 600th post. I almost feel there should be some sort of celebration so, cheers, I raise my mug to the Lord who has been my Muse, my Inspiration, my Encourager.
  My son came over yesterday evening to help hang the door. I'm glad he was there to help problem solve. It was with great frustration and disbelief I realised that the space I'd left for it was too small by half an inch. (Forgive me, Lord, for the words I said.) I'd measured and measured again before drawing up my plans. In hindsight, I know where the error was made. I had only allowed space for half of the door frame. That measurement needs to be doubled. Somehow that was missed every single time I reviewed my plans. Thankfully it was only half an inch. More than that would have meant doing some demolition and rebuilding the wall where the door was.
  My son said a brief prayer before we took the skill saw to the door and reset the hinges. The Lord heard us. The door hangs perfectly true.
  I am really enjoying this project. It is a whole lot of fun, even the problem solving. It's all part of the learning curve for when or if ever I build another shed. Most of all, it is wonderful to know that God is with me every step of the way. It's even better to know that He is more than capable of fixing my mistakes.
  "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." 1 Cor 1:30-31
 
 
 

A Quick Note by Susan L.

  I've a full day ahead of me. There's some errands to run, a short stop at the hardware store, then onto the big build. My son is coming later to help hang the door, a job that needs two sets of hands. I hope the weather holds. We had a pretty fierce thunderstorm roll through yesterday with hail the size of large peas. They are calling for thunderstorms later today so I'd like to get going as soon as possible.
  I may or may not miss the next couple of days. Again, it all depends on the weather. I'd like to get the wood onto the shed before it starts to warp too badly.
  Blessings to all.
  "Blessed is the man You choose, and cause to approach You, that he may dwell in Your courts." Ps 65:4

More Simple Joys by Susan L.

  There's something inherently amusing in watching humming birds fight over a choice patch of flowers. The bee balm is a great draw for them. The spikey blossoms are just the right design for the long, narrow beak of the tiny birds. With furious little cheeps one will chase another away: so much bluster for such a small package. It makes me laugh.
  I bought a new kind of mosquito repellent. This is the first summer I've needed protection almost every day in the garden. Usually by mid-July the heat has killed most of them off. We haven't had that kind of heat this year. When I went to pay for the repellent, I noticed a small compass inset into the cap. It had me feeling like a kid again, like getting the toy inside a box of cereal. I don't think cereal companies do that any more. Too bad. It was a highlight of breakfast.
  While searching for camping gear, I had been tempted to purchase a compass. Not that I go hiking in places where I might get lost, but simply because they are fun to have. In the digital age, with GPS tracking on our cell phones, these magnetic guides are becoming a thing of the past. I appreciate this gift a lot. It means the Lord is well aware of my simplest desires. It was wonderful to share my delight with the cashier who was near my age. The two of us laughed over cereal box memories.
  My psychiatrist, during his relationship questioning, commented that part of the reason he asks was to see if I trusted myself to make the right choice of a partner. My answer was no. However, the big build has grown a deeper trust of myself: a trust in my skills, and the ability to make decisions. It also has further cemented my trust in the Lord: that in Him, all things are possible no matter how grand or how small, His hand is definitely behind it all.
  "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." Jn 14:12-13