Baseboards by Susan L.

  The painting's done except for a couple of touch-ups because the light wasn't so great and I missed a couple of spots. It happens. Now on to the baseboards.
  I've been toying with the idea of making a built-in bookcase beneath the window. It'd give me a nice wide sill for plants and Pumpkin perching. I'd only need to figure out what to do with his cedar rail scratching post. There's two of them that support his seat by the window and he loves getting his claws into them. I suppose I could attach a couple smaller cedar pieces to the end of the bookcase. They'd be good and solid. Sounds good to me. Thanks for the solution!
  I'm going to cut this short. I had a good sleep in and am raring to go.
  Blessings on your day!
  "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation! Selah" Ps 68:19

Stewardship by Susan L.

  In a mad flurry of activity I accomplished a lot over the last two days. The first coat of paint is everywhere I put primer. The trim is installed around the front door and window and has been painted as well. How nice it is to get rid of the orange!
  It was a sore and tired body that fell into bed last night.
  Taking care of my home, the tiny harvest gold nugget which I call Eden's Gate, by tending the garden, by creating a comfortable environment and completing projects has brought the idea of stewardship into my heart. It's the next step of identifying our gifts. It's about taking care of them, nurturing them, and finding opportunities for them to shine. It's about practicing using them and sometimes requires sacrificing our own needs or agenda.
  Adam was the first steward. God placed him in the Garden of Eden to tend the plants and animals.
  God is the Great Steward. As much as I am sure He was angry and saddened by Adam and Eve eating the apple, He took the time to clothe them in tunics of animal skin before sending them on their way. They were still His creations after all and He had already planned the life of Christ so we can be reconciled to Him.
  Which I believe is one of the greatest gifts of all: Grace.
  "For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship." 1 Cor 9:16-17
 
 
 

Living Room by Susan L.

  Yesterday involved taking down the window blinds, plastering holes and places where the wall needed some touch-ups. There was wood left over from the shed so I was able to re-frame the window, prepping it for new trim. Once again the table saw came in handy. I started patching the stucco ceiling where it got water damaged. That's going to take some layers, it was a pretty big hole.
  I built a frame with castors for the doll house so it is much easier to wheel around and can be stored in the guest room until the grandbabies come for a visit. I was tempted to get rid of it but as long as they enjoy playing with it, it'll have a place in the house.
  I have an old 1950's Hoosier cupboard that doubles as a TV cabinet. It is a complete kitchen in a small space. It has the original enamel pull out work surface, the tin drawer for flour and a cutting board that tucks away nicely. The amber old-wood finish was looking rather tired so in a fit of indecision it got primed, ready to paint. It's part of my needing to get rid of the orange but there's a part of me that loves old wood. I think I'll paint it the same colour as the walls because it's too tall and wide for the size of the room. Painting it the wall colour will create a more open feeling.
  And the DVD cupboard I built will get painted. And the plant stand. Orange, look out!
  Then there's the two drawer, squat, little antique dresser the fish tank sits on. It's the honey-orange colour only age can give but as I've said, it's time for a change. It will probably be the last thing I do because it means emptying the tank twice. Once to put it on the floor so I can do some repairs to the dresser and paint. It'll need to be emptied to put it back on top. Fish don't do well without water! And in a stroke of genius: they could reside in a temporary home until the job's finished! Brilliant! Thanks for the suggestion.
  And the rocking chair which is more of the same amber/orange wood. It will be painted white to match the trim instead of the wall colour. 
  I've decided not to re-install the roll up bamboo blinds. If I am going to go to all the trouble to install colonial trim with the square decorative thingies, I don't want to hide it behind bamboo blinds. I've always liked white lace. That'll help keep the room bright and airy despite the fact it doesn't get much sun with an eastern facing window.
  So, there's a big to-do list for the next few days.
  Thank You Lord, I have a project! And thank You that I have organized my thoughts.
  "May the glory of the Lord endure forever!" Ps 104:31
 
 
 

Oh, How I Love a List by Susan L.

  Except for the to-do kind of list. They get me all frazzled.
  I'm talking about yesterday's list of gifts. As my friend H so aptly commented, "If it doesn't feel like work, if you get energized by doing something, then it's a gift!" I'd like to add that if we get energized by being something, it too is a gift!
  After I published my blog, many other ideas popped into my head so the list continues today:
  Animals large and small. Mathematics. Growing things. Languages. Technology. Invention. Finances. Empathy. Sensitivity. Hospitality. Poetry. Storytelling. Song. Optimism. Metalwork. Woodwork. Encouragement. Service. Healing. Patience. Design. Problem solving. Finding things. Strength in all its forms. Law. Gratitude...
  These are all positive. Don't get me wrong, that's wonderful, but so often we ignore the hidden gifts that lay within suffering, or want, or grief. There's buried treasure in loneliness and tears. Shame can lead to the precious gifts of repentance and renewal. Anger and bitterness can evolve into forgiveness and freedom. Without rejection we could not know love. Without knowing the dark side, we could never taste the Light.
  The Cup of Christ contains all of this. Every single aspect of human existence: the good, the bad and the ugly are ours when we drink deeply of this most precious vessel. In partaking of the Cup, we claim all of it as our divine inheritance. Jesus knew them all.
  This is the greatest gift. In accepting Jesus as our Saviour, we can talk to Him about our brokenness, our hurt, our losses and anger. He understands because He has been there too.
  They help us to connect with the work Jesus did on the cross.
  The choices of one man brought me literally to my knees. Thank You, Lord, I can only imagine a fraction of the weight of the sins of the world. Thank You, Lord, I will never have to bear such pain.
  "Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with me on the table." Lk 22:20-21
 
 

 

Value by Susan L.

  So often we measure ourselves by what we do. Often what we do belies a hidden talent or ability or something, a gift, that is an innate part of who we are. An anonymous reader commented on yesterdays blog, "Trial and Error", that their organizational skills had never been acknowledged as a gift. Oh, my goodness, is it ever!
  Organizers keep the trains, planes and automobiles running on time. Without them to keep us rather scatterbrained come-what-may humans organized, nothing would ever get done. Huge companies or small companies would disintegrate in a chaos of paper and bytes. Countless valuable records would be lost. The education system would collapse. Grocery stores would lay empty as would every other factory on the planet. Books would never get written or published. Music, the organization of notes, wouldn't exist. You get the idea.
  I think the hardest part of acknowledging our giftings is because most of the time it is something we do effortlessly, that is part of our identity's makeup. We don't see them as being special in our own eyes and run on the assumption that they are something everyone does. But in God's eyes, they are miracles of His creation who He blessed at birth with skills and abilities uniquely our own:
  Attitude, analysis and adapting.
  Baking, bearing and becoming.
  Conversation, calming and changing.
  Determination, dedicated and delightful.
  Encouraging, early and efficient.
  Fatherhood, faithful and fun.
  Generosity, genuine and grace full.
  Health, hockey and humour.
  Insight, idiosyncrasies and identity.
  Jokes, juggling and joy.
  Knitting, kindness, and knowledge.
  Laughing, leading and loving .
  Medicine, maternity and melody.
  Noodle making, noble and nursing.
  Organization. (For you my anonymous friend from one who struggles to keep her ducks in a row.)
  Politics, passion and persistence.
  Quiet, questioning and quirky.
  Restoration, receptive and resiliency.
  Smile, scientific, and sacrificing.
  Thoughtful, teaching and trusting.
  Understanding, unusual and upright.
  Visionary, volunteering and voice.
  Whimsy, warm and willing.
  Excitement. (Had to cheat.)
  Yielding, yearning and yodelling.
  Zest, zeal and...all I can think of is zebra, I'll leave you to work out how that is a gift!
  "Before I (God) formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." Jer 1:5
 
 
 
 

Trial and Error by Susan L.

  Someone who hasn't known me for very long asked me yesterday if there was anything I couldn't do. They had watched me do a small acrylic painting as a study for a larger piece. It's not the first time that question has been tossed my way. I smiled and said I draw the line at using a chain saw. (They terrify the pants off me!) It's comments like that which just might give me a swelled head.
  Not.
  Few people see the mistakes, the practice runs, the hours spent honing the gifts the Lord gave me in creative expression.
  Nobody sees the massive number of typos or the number of times I have to back space, or cut and copy, when doing my blog. Nobody sees the hand written draft pages with lines crossed out, words changed or the pile of scrunched up paper cast aside as the search for a story evolves.
  Nobody sees the hours and hours spent honing my artistic skills. There are many quiet moments spent simply looking at things so I can paint or draw imaginary landscapes better. Eraser crumb evidence piles up on the table and floor before a drawing is completed. There are some pretty awful paintings in my cupboard. I haven't the heart to throw them away. They represent an evolution in ability.
  I've had to tear up hours of knitting. Stitches have to be picked out and redone on the crazy quilts that are such a joy for me to make by hand. I can't sew a straight line using my sewing machine. (Could use some practice there.)
  Nobody hears the wrong notes on the piano as a new piece is mastered in the privacy of my own home. I've been practicing nearly all my life to be able to play both the organ and the piano. (Oh, how I hated doing scales!) Adding expression was nearly impossible for me until the Lord set me free from life long Dysthymia. It's a low grade, chronic form of depression that wraps emotions in a wool blanket. Now my heart sings the music and it is a joy for me to play just for Him.
  We are not to envy others' gifts and talents that come in a myriad of shapes and sizes. It could be faith, or mathematics, cooking, putting people at ease, remembering names and dates, or umpteen million other abilities that are uniquely our own. They should be celebrated because it takes determination, dedication and perseverance for them to bloom.
  "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31
 
 

Hurry Up and Wait by Susan L.

  I placed the order for the DNA test kit yesterday. Now there's nothing to do but wait: for it to arrive, for it to be returned with the cheek swab sample, for the results to come back. In the meantime, I've placed an inquiry with the local Children's Aid. They're going to get in touch with the information about who to contact if they can't help me.  
  I've not needed to know any of this stuff for fifty years although questions have arisen over the years only to be set aside. (It's always a shock when I write my age...When did that happen?) A couple of weeks is neither here nor there.
  Who am I kidding?  Hurry up already! Now the decision is made to pursue the long hidden mysteries of my birth and adoption, the answers can't come fast enough!
  Lord, I leave all of this in Your hands. Your timing is the best timing. I've done my part, help me to stand still and calm and patient. I know there is no one on this planet who knows me better than You, even better than I know myself. Thank You that You have helped me discover untold truths about my identity, the good stuff and the flaws. Thank You for Your grace and forgiveness that helps smooth the rough bits away.
  I thank You as well for my Mom and Dad who raised me from a ten day old infant, who opened their hearts and their home to a tiny scrap of a baby girl. I thank You that my own step children were welcomed as my own by their Gramma, that her love for all children surpasses the ties of blood. Thank You that I inherited from her the capacity to love two wonderful children who needed a mom in their lives.
  Lord, I thank You for the women who have brought life into this world. Bless them for the priceless gifts they give families who cannot. Bless them for their sacrifice. I am richer because of them: as a person and as a mom.
  All this I pray in Jesus Name.
  "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Sprit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Rom 8:15-17