Hope

     On my daily commute home from work this afternoon, I noticed the sun was shining through these massive grey clouds. Today is the first day the sun has shown its face in about a week. It was really beautiful! The scene reminded me of hope. Hope shines through when there are grey clouds in the way and you can't see past them. 

I did not intend for the exit sign to be in the picture, but I like it. Exit here, at hope! :)

~ But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I cannot count it. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you O God? You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. Psalm 71:14-17, 19-21

Effie and Her Rabbit

Meet Effie's rabbit:

This is her absolute favorite toy!

She LOVES it.

But sometimes she rips it up and gets the stuffing out. 

Then, it has to be sewn back together.

The other day, my mom was doing just that.

Effie saw her with the rabbit.

And then that is all she wanted.

SHE WANTED HER RABBIT.

She started circling the table over and over.

She kept looking at my mom, whimpering pitifully.

Then, she started climbing in the chair beside her.

Watching.

Watching.

Watching. 

Then, she climbed onto the table!

Of course after I took a picture, I made her get down.

Then, she just lay down and waited.

I watched this entire scene unfold and thought it was so funny.

Then, I realized something. 

My mom wanted to give the rabbit to her, but she wasn't finished with it yet. 

                                                            The rabbit wasn't quite ready.

I couldn't help but think it is the same for me.

I act just like Effie.

I see evidence of God working in my life. 

But sometimes I get anxious and do everything in my power to get whatever He is working on.

But, my power alone can do nothing.

He has to do it.

He's the only one capable of doing it.

I know He wants to give me my heart's desires. 

He's just not ready yet.

He is completing it. 

When He gets it just right, He will give it to me.

His timing is perfect.

I just have to wait.

Black-Eyed Peas, Cornbread, Cabbage, and New Year's Resolutions

What would New Year's Day be without black-eyed peas, cornbread, and cabbage? This is a Southern tradition. The peas are for good luck and the cabbage is for money in the new year. I must confess though, I did not eat any cabbage. I still have a little time left so I may sneak in the kitchen and eat some leftovers! I probably need to considering we have fallen off the fiscal cliff and taxes are going up, up, up!

 

     On to my 2013 resolutions. I, like most people, make these every year and utterly fail year after year. But, I think it is good to try to improve and challenge yourself. This year, I only have a few. They are completely reachable. Here they are:

1. Reach my total weight loss goal.
2. Run 1 mile. (and potentially more)
3. Finish my quilt. (I am such a procrastinator!)
4. Read the entire Bible through.