The Changing Season

According to the calendar, we have entered the season of Autumn. According to the weather, we might as well call it summer because we are still having temperatures above 90 degrees. It's been a long, hot, dry summer. I didn't realize how bad it was until I cut grass last week and it felt as if I had just plowed a field. If I hadn't worn a mask, I would have inhaled a truckload of dirt. ;)  I even had part of a cactus die. Now that's dry!

I've heard that it is supposed to cool off in the next few days. Everyone seems ready. I have high hopes that we will have a mild fall. Wouldn't that be wonderful? Nights in the high 50s and days in the high 70s would be my choice.

We are also coming up on a presidential election season that has many choosing sides. Social media is covered with the pros and cons of each candidate. It's almost overwhelming until you think about Who is really in control.

Daniel 2:21 And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

As we enter these new seasons, I pray for God to grant wisdom and knowledge. He knows just what we need.

Competing with Me

I spent most of last week in Augusta at a conference. I was presenting a session, but I found there were very few other sessions that would help me at work. Fortunately I had looked at the agenda and planned ahead. I decided it would be a great opportunity to study. 

I'm one of those people who mostly leaves work at work, at least physically. I might ponder something while I'm away, but I don't spend time at home on tasks from work. Over the past year I've been putting in some extra effort to study and get credentials in a variety of financial aid topics. I had already completed five, but had three more waiting on me since May. I took the materials with me and when I had the chance, I would study. I was able to study for and pass two more of the exams. Yay!

I had more than one person ask why I was taking the exams. There are a few reasons: it looks good on my yearly list of accomplishments at work; it shows others in my office that I am willing to study and learn; and there is always that feeling of accomplishment when I pass one of these exams. But I do realize that it is fleeting. 

I Corinthians 9:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.

Thankfully because of grace we don't have to work for that imperishable crown, but strive to follow in Jesus' footsteps. 

Just Breathe

I took a break last weekend and spent it with some of my family in Pigeon Forge. I came back to no groceries, a messy house, a yard needing mowing and lots of laundry. My son helped me with the lawn mowing. I managed to pick up some items for my daughter's lunches and did some laundry, but Saturday came with a repeat of no groceries, a messy house a yard needing mowing, and lots of laundry. What do you think I did?

I took a bike ride and went to a Praise Festival. It was my first opportunity to ride my bike in 2 months. The weather was perfect on Saturday morning! That afternoon I drove to Blairsville to an annual Praise Festival to hear my nephew's worship band perform. It was awesome. So happy he's invested his talent in such an inspiring way. He sang my current favorite Christian song "Breathe" by  Jonny Diaz.

Psalm 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

I returned home and mowed enough of the lawn to get by for another week. I may not have accomplished much in the way of keeping house, but I got exercise, great scenery, fantastic music and a day I will long remember. I gave myself permission to stop and just breathe.