ThinMint

Beautiful post from Shannon. Timely, too with what was just posted above 👇🏻

-4- I think sometimes God gives us a pass when we’re impolite. He knows we get tired, hungry, angry, fearful, weepy, in pain, out of sorts… He made us to feel so He knows how we imperfectly present ourselves on the outside. He sees the vulnerability, tenderness and sincerity of our heart. Authenticity. This is what matters to Him. We tend to be pretty hard on ourselves when we stumble, fumble and grumble. When we forget, snap and ignore. His forgiveness is for the asking. And His grace covers us when we haven’t yet come to our senses -going beyond what we don’t see. Call out to Him. Even in desperation, in frustration, in fear. The point is, be authentic. He knows the timbre of your voice. He hears the hurt flittering in the tone. Don’t wait for the pain to pass. Don’t wait for the perfect prayerful position. Don’t wait. Call out to Him. He is orchestrating the pieces and pitches of your life and He is making a masterpiece of you. Just call out to Him.

-3- Felix looked up stuff while I tried to find a more comfortable position. Evidently, I am more comfortable pacing through the house while saying cranky stuff to people, furniture and walls as I pass by. Who knew?! Thankfully there is more to me than loving cookies and talking smack because I had the forethought to take some apple cider vinegar (with the mother in it!) when the dull ache started. I curled up with a heating pad and did my best to… well, I did my best. Abruptly, I yelled out, “God!!” Within seconds the gall bladder quit hacking me with the machete. I was stunned. After all, I think I may have been just a little bit, teeny-tiny whiny and frustrated when I called out to Him. Just like that, as sudden as the pain started, it stopped. (Gall bladders are affectionately known for their pranks.) So why am I sharing all this you?! Aside from needing others to laugh along with me, and hopefully score some empathy points, I want to point out that…

-2- This conversation actually took place: Me: *feet planted on the floor, upper body sprawled on the bed, eyes scrunched closed* Me: *clutching my upper right digestive quadrant* What is this? Felix: On the bed? Me: AAAARRRRUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!! The thingy. Located here *clutches upper right digestive quadrant with extra dramatic flair* Felix: Your shirt? Me: *panting heavily* This! Right here!! What is this??? Felix: Me: You gotta look it up! Is it my appendix? Or is that lower? Spleen? Do we even have spleens anymore? Gall bladder? Why can’t I think of human anatomy right now?! Felix: I think your body is just trying to digest. I’m not trying to brag, but I could write a handy brochure about what you shouldn’t say to your spouse when you’re in pain.

-1- The days have been filled with all kinds of high school-y stuff: Shakespearean idioms, cost of living projects, a science research paper, mid-term exams and grades…Oh! And a formal dance (more on this later). Monday night I finally caught a break and think to myself, “Self. You finally caught a break. Now you can sit at the keyboard to write, catch-up with your Telegram Friends™ and waste time watching videos of a giraffe playing the kazoo!” However, my body had a different sort of Big Fun™ all planned out for me. It started as a dull ache, a slight cramp. Then within minutes it escalated to excruciating* pain. Apparently your gall bladder can attack your insides with a machete while you’re minding your own business. And when you’ve never had one before. Who knew?! I am not speaking in hyperbole when I say that getting a colonoscopy, having your wisdom teeth pulled and listening to Kamala Harris at the same time would have been a more pleasant experience. *autocorrect gave me excoriating, and I think this could’ve been a funner* way to describe the pain. *it ought to be real word.

This song has been plucking the chords of my heart since yesterday...

Crazy. Unexpectedly craziness. What happened to preparing my life, our lives, for Less Is More?! There’s always something, ain’t there? Determined. Unaccustomedly determinedness. With God’s help, I will move, we will move, towards Less Is More. Learn how to know which somethings to leave behind. Y’all will be proud of me. Over the last three weeks, I took a huge step towards Less Is More, but since I have to wrap up some loose ends concerning this goal, I cannot share just yet. I have been praying for you. I pray you God’s peace. Follow it. Prioritize it. Live it. His peace. It’s a precious gift to be unwrapped daily. Wake up each morning, first thoughts on Him, tell Him good morning (!) then unwrap the gift He gives us: peace. Bathe in it, clothe yourself in it, relish in it, delight in it. And share it. With your household, your friends, with strangers. His peace…

In lieu of a Trump Rally™ here is a recent phone interview (fast forward to the 2:30 mark): https://rumble.com/v23n6ri-the-revolver-news-trump-interview.html

I was reading the book of Hosea this evening, where we see God liken Himself as a groom who has been betrayed by His bride. Then Isaiah 62:5: “As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.” And this portion from Jeremiah 2:2: “I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved Me.” Over and over we see His tenderheartedness for us. He pursues us. He lavishes us with mercy and grace. He chose us first while He knit us together in our mother’s womb. It got me thinking: He chose me and I declared He is my God. So let me not put asunder what He has joined together (Him and me). Holy Spirit, help me remove the rue that grieves You. Stir my love for Him once more, preparing my heart to receive Him so that I may present His unfailing love to others.

Do you remember when I posted this (January 10, 2022): There are verses we know by heart. These are embroidered on pillows, painted over scenes, recited at weddings, appear in cards written in beautiful calligraphy. But every once in awhile when it’s just you and God enjoying one another’s presence, these verses take on a meaning you never contemplated before. As often happens when I’m praying, my thoughts will meander down all kinds of nifty paths. In the wee hours of Monday as I soaked in quiet time before God, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 drifted across my mind. My first inclination was to smile, sigh and say, “yes, those are indeed stirring sentiments.” In the next moment, however I literally gasped at the realization that I have never applied those verses to my relationship with God. All these years those particular verses seemed applicable to my earthly relationships. As I read them over I would sometimes feel the poke of guilt knowing there were some areas I needed to work on with others. But, never ever had it occurred to me that these precious verses should be actionable counsel for loving God. I’m humbled by and grateful for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

-3- I will write when I can. He’s been giving me so many gems lately that I am on just this side of not being able to sort it out for more manageable chunks. I’m praying for energy and focus! Don’t be too surprised if you see some past commentary being re-posted. I hope revisiting past writings will be a good lift-me-up here and there. And thank YOU for your patience as I winnow all the thoughts blazing through my noggin. Let me know what’s on your mind! Te quiero, amigos* (*Sadly, there’s no Spanish word for y’all)

-2- Seems like God is taking me up on my recent proposal that I work on following His will for my life. You know how couples attend a retreat or take a course in an effort to strengthen their marriage, improve communications, yadda, yadda, yadda? Sometimes these sessions bring to light things about yourself you didn’t know. Or knew, and hoped no one else noticed. Apparently us Believers can go through something similar with our Heavenly Father. I told Him I want to deepen my faith, lean on Him more, have Him smooth my rough edges, and I want to go to Him for… well, everything. He’s bringing into sharp focus the areas I need to work on (Ouch, that hurts, God!)… He’s showing me things that are a little awkward (God, You weren’t supposed to see that!)… He’s speaking to me without mincing words (Can’t You sugarcoat it a teeny-tiny bit, Lord?)… He’s pointing out the stumbling blocks to a better me (Have patience with me, God!)… These revelations would definitely sting coming from those on earth who know me so well. However, coming from the Heavenly realm with the promise that He will be with me every step of the way is the boost of confidence I need.

-1- I hope January finds you starting off with something great and worthy!! It feels like an avalanche of ‘to do’ stuff buried me the last few days. I am now peeking out and around to see if I can spot my shadow. Wait. Wrong month. And wrong species. Even so, I see my shadow. There are metaphorical mountains I will need to climb in the coming months. The good news is I started the journey, and even though I’m pretty sure I don’t have all the necessities to face some of these daunting challenges, I’m counting on Him to be my Provisioner. Also, a few steps towards Less Is More™ has commenced! I should probably have some cookies to celebrate.

Happy New Year, precious friends!

Share your book memes, friends, 'cause you know I gotta post the funny stuff.

Some of us are wanting to go deeper in our faith. Please share your recommendations for devotionals & books that will help us do this 🤍