Category: Photography

Halfway There?

Ambitious goals set at the beginning of the year languish somewhere between well executed and “did I say that?” I suspect the well-executed are in the vast minority.

Some of us who made resolutions or set priorities are looking at this midyear point and assessing our progress. There are things I have not come anywhere close to accomplishing. However, there are others—thanks to the grace of God—that I’m ahead of schedule.

Per the adage, If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, I have probably evoked more than a chuckle or two. The issue with setting goals is that when we don’t accomplish them in the amount of time we consider reasonable, we can become filled with regret and defeat.

Yet, God’s timing isn’t our timing. “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night,” Psalm 90:4 NKJV

Our perception of time is unlike our Father’s. Consequently, I’ve slowly learned patience through the years. I also learned that we are often closer to reaching our goals than we perceive. We tend to focus on our faults, but our Father is pleased by our faith when we press toward those things He set in our hearts. Our limited vision often falls far short of the larger picture that is God’s viewpoint.

I challenge you not to regret what you have yet to accomplish but instead be grateful for whatever progress you have made. Gratitude is often a catalyst for change. In those seasons when we struggle to stay sane and keep it together, survival is also worthy of celebration.

Don’t grow weary, stay the course. Whatever we need, God will provide.

In His time.

Spring Forward

“Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert,” Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV

Some things should move with us. Memories. Love. Lessons learned. Others are meant to be forgotten and buried such as regret, disappointment, and fear.

Spring as a verb means to move in a forward direction; it also suggests momentum and height. Some of us have lost our momentum. We may not be stretching ourselves to attain the heights God wants us to achieve.

It takes effort to let go of pain and hurt. Remaining somber and disgusted doesn’t allow painful memories and emotions to fade. It takes determination to forgive, forget, and reset.

Now is the time to renew our minds and embrace new opportunities. As fresh buds bloom and we transition to a new season, consider the new thing God may be asking of you.

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

New Hope

My garden isn’t looking so green these days. The dead of winter has left it a mere remnant of its former self. The frigid temperatures experienced here last month, the lowest in twenty years, didn’t help either. Even my typically hardy pansies succumbed to the frigid temperatures.

Just when I thought I needed to dump out one of my pots to plant anew, I saw the tiniest buds of life. I didn’t think much of it a week ago. Today those new buds are now larger and offer a bit of hope for the future. Apparently the weather wasn’t enough to kill this plant after all. The funny thing is, I don’t even know what is growing. I’ll simply have to wait and see. Most people would count it a minor victory considering all that was lost, but I appreciate these random surprises.

That’s one of the joys of the garden as it is in life. There is always something new budding if we take time to be still and take notice. God readily uses what is existing and from it brings forth something new. New ideas often stem from previous failures. The wisdom gained from what doesn’t work is often a springboard toward something that will.

The New Year provides opportunities for new things. The dead zone that is currently my garden offers hope for new blooms not based on what I see but rather what I have learned through the years. The garden is faithful–its perennial blooms will emerge once more. I know the potential is there. I only have to nurture what already exists and wait patiently.

Though far too early to plant right now, it is never too early to dream about what can be. I’m ever searching the garden for signs of new life. Yet, unlike the garden, God’s potential in us and through us is limitless.

What signs of hope do you see for the New Year?

Devotional Prompt: Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 NKJV

Great Pumpkins?

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed (James 1:14 NKJV).

When I was a kid and cartoons were scarce, I would watch the Charlie Brown televised specials. They were broadcast like clockwork, an indicator that the holidays were upon us.

The Halloween episode didn’t resonate with me as much as Thanksgiving and Christmas. I could relate a little too readily to Charlie Brown’s misplaced trust in Lucy, his failed attempt at a costume, and his receipt of rocks instead of candy. Still, the dominant theme around Linus’ obsession with the Great Pumpkin is even more significant now that I am decades older.

Linus placed all his hopes and dreams into one idea to the detriment of time spent with family and friends. I suspect we all have great pumpkins in our lives that steal more time and attention than they ever deserved.

Our pumpkins disguise themselves as the very things we desire. They tend to come packaged with a fear of missing out—erroneously magnified in our minds. In hindsight, I recognize situations in my life where I wasted time and worried when I should have trusted God. The fear of losing something—like a job or an opportunity—can loom so large in our lives, we fail to view things in their proper perspective.

The Great Pumpkin Linus sought didn’t exist. He dismissed correction from his harsh but well-intentioned sister, Lucy. Suggestions and questions directed at us when we are desperate aren’t usually well received either. That’s why it’s vital to keep our focus on what is true and everlasting.

In a world of continual news and notifications, it can be hard to hear God. But it is possible. God corrects us with prompts and whispers—it’s up to us to hear and obey. When we take the focus off of our pumpkins and center it on God, we can then discern that our pumpkins and their promises are far smaller than we imagined.

Is your faith in God or in an illusion?

Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning
(James 1:16-17 NKJV).

This Is Only a Test…

When I was a kid, one of the most annoying frustrations was to be sitting in front of the television watching Saturday cartoons only to have the EBS break up my bliss and declare, “This is a test of the Emergency Broadcast System. This is only a test. In the event of a true emergency…”

That was probably one of the first tests of patience I had to overcome as a kid. Now that I’m an adult, the stakes are much higher. I have since learned there are always times of testing. Testing strengthens us for the trials ahead. Or, it can prepare us for promotion and greater responsibilities.

In this season of Lent, we observe the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness and His season of testing. If Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to be tested, we should not become as alarmed as we do when we are tested as well.

The most rigorous tests I’ve endured have allowed me to put other things in perspective. What I once would have viewed as major disruptions, I can dismiss as minor annoyances.

We can be tempted to acquire the things we want out of God’s timing. Satan tempted Jesus, but our Savior refuted him with Scripture.

People test us. The people we love usually test our patience, endurance, faithfulness, and commitment. Yet, these are the same traits we wrestle with in our relationship with God.

Testing is most trying when God is silent. Though He may be silent, God is always present. He supports us through our trials in ways we may never recognize, and He always provides a way out of temptation. It is up to us to recognize it.

As many of us observe Lent and may soon struggle to keep the commitments we have made, be encouraged.

It is only a test.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Job 23: 10-11 NIV

Mother’s Day…

When I was a child, I thought Mother’s Day was the simplest of holidays. Get gifts for mom, eat good food, and enjoy.

Decades later, I realized that Mother’s Day is more complicated than that. For some, it is a day of celebration. For others like myself, it is a day of remembrance. And then there are those who face this holiday scarred by the loss of a child and faced with a range of emotions I can’t even imagine. The second Sunday in May can be a poignant reminder of both the good and the bad.

Still, many of us can readily recognize women who played a pivotal role in helping us grow through the years. I am very grateful to have women in my life—many lifelong friends of my mother—who continue to love me though she is gone. A host of godmothers, aunties, neighbors, play aunts, coworkers, and even customers have mothered me at times when I needed it most.

The best Mother’s Day gift I ever received was my second born son, delivered just two days prior. One of my favorite memories is a rare brunch with my mother when she came to visit nearly a decade ago. The worst was Mother’s Day 2017—two months after losing her.

Thankfully, I was blessed by friends and family who assured me that I was not alone. I felt alone, but I really wasn’t. God blessed me through loving people even as I was still angry with Him.

God understood my anger and He certainly understands the emotions this day may bring to you. Whatever your situation, I pray it is a good day—as good as it can possibly be.

In memory of Kay Frances Shinholster Finley, here are three pieces of advice my mother gave me:

Always treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Good manners and a good attitude can take you farther than skills and experience. If you are likeable enough, someone will teach you what you need to know.

Give from the heart. The reaction to your gift isn’t nearly as important as the intention and sincerity with which you give it.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Hidden Potential…

As posted on Green Garden Therapy.com where you can find Lilka in the garden.


For the twenty years I’ve lived in my home, I assumed the trees in my backyard are some variety of maple based on the shape of the leaves and their brilliant fall color. Only recently did I realize that they are instead American sweetgum. This is rather amusing considering my yard is scattered with their brown spiny seedpods.

I noticed birds picking at the seedpods a few days ago. Apparently, they provide quite the buffet. That’s when I realized the seedpods were hanging from my maple imposters. All these years, I thought those brown balls were just wandering over from my neighbor’s yard.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I did a bit of research. First, I was perplexed when I found that you can purchase these same seedpods online. Pinterest has several uses for them. There is quite a demand for something I consider yard trash.

More importantly, I learned that the seeds found in these pods contain shikimic acid—one ingredient in the prescription antiviral Tamilfu. As a pharmacist, I find that fascinating. What I consider a nuisance is loaded with healing potential. The sap from this same tree is thought to have antiseptic and antifungal properties as well.

My newfound discovery makes me wonder what other things in life are right in front of me that I’ve underestimated and underappreciated. As creatures with our own prejudices, I think we often fail to see the hidden potential in things (and people) unless we are forced to. Some people readily see the positive in everything. Still, for most of us, it takes a bit of work.

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Gardening has taught me that there is usually far more to everything than I can physically see. In these challenging times, let us seek to find the hidden potential in all of us.

Devotional prompt:  The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; The Lord raises those who are bowed down; The Lord loves the righteous. Psalms 146:8 NKJV

God is Calling…

Go up to Gilead and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt; In vain you will use many medicines; You shall not be cured. The nations have heard of your shame, And your cry has filled the land; For the mighty man has stumbled against the mighty; They both have fallen together.
Jeremiah 46:11-12 NKJV

Pandemics.
Protests.
God is calling…

Workers are worried, concerned about dying
Big money don’t care, the stock market is climbing

Liberty stands there with tears in her eyes
Acknowledging Justice has never been blind

This land that once welcomed has shuttered her door
Tariffs leave farmers desperate for more

Big Brother is watching us up from the Cloud
Systemic injustice, dead man on the ground

Stuck at crossroads, a wasted way station
In need of a Healer, our weak wounded nation

 

“…one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

 

God is calling us to Him.

God is calling us to Pray.

God is calling us to love one another.

    Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21 NKJV