Reflection

Not too many years ago I went through a difficult season in my life when everything I thought I knew and understood about my life began to unravel.   Initially I scrambled to make sense of it and to hold on to what was familiar all the while assuring myself that I was okay with "everything".   Funny thing that human tendency to want to guard the status quo even at the expense of our core values, with a "devil you know" justification.  It was through this season of denial that I experienced a LOT of anger and fear.

Jump forward five years and I'm so grateful that I chose to release my grasp on the script I had written for my life, how it was "supposed to happen". With the wisdom of a trusted therapist, I chose instead to live according to my value of honesty over security, authenticity over appearances and the scary unknown over security... come what may.

And things did come, I got sick... really sick.  Alone in my hospital bed, too weak to walk, no appetite and sleeping endlessly I sensed God reminding me of a promise He gave me in 1997 when I first placed my faith in Jesus as my Saviour, He gave me a verse that I still cling too "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5).  If I'm honest, by that point I was too hurt, angry and sick to care about anyone's promises.  Thankfully many others were praying for me when I could not pray at all.  I was also surrounded by my AWESOME tribe (you all know who you are!).  Slowly and very gradually my health improved, the doctors had a diagnosis so we knew what we were dealing with. Yes, it is a chronic condition but my attending physician now says that I am his "miracle patient"!!!

I believe that most of my suffering years ago came as a result of holding so tenaciously to my version of  how things were "supposed" to turn out.  I'm so extremely thankful that I let go of the limited vision I had for my future and allowed God to show me His abundant plans for my life. 

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you have the courage to live your truth,

Sandra

Chalk on a Sidewalk

A couple of weeks ago my grandchildren were chalking on the sidewalk in front of our home.  They were leaving messages to encourage our neighbours to "wash your hands", "smile", they drew rainbows and hearts.  I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote out, "Be kind, Be patient, Be good to yourself and to others" on a section of sidewalk. 

Two mornings later I stepped out early to walk my dog and found a note in a plastic sleeve on my balcony (see below).  I was so completely moved by the note and the sentiment of how a few simple words, chalked on a sidewalk had impacted a mom and daughter. 

Later that day I saw a woman and young girl on my driveway who seemed to be peeking up at the balcony, I opened my window and said hello and it was indeed the woman who had left the note.  She explained again how the words had turned their day around and wanted to let us know.  Since my grandchildren are very close in age to her daughter we promised that when the quarantine is over we would get together.

What a lovely reminder of the impact that a few encouraging words can have on us and on our neighbours. 

Thank you for stopping by My Turquoise Kettle Life today.

May you have a wonderful day,

Sandra

Pondering

 It is the beginning of week three.  I'm not sure why I write or to whom but I need to express my gratitude, to say thank you to thousands of people I do not know and will never meet who are exhausted and frightened, either because they are exposed to risks daily in the essential services they provide or because they are isolated and uncertain.  Thank you for serving and meeting our needs for medical attention, food and transportation and thank you to you who respect the quarantine and remain isolated despite your uncertainty and loneliness. 

My granddaughter lost in thought

I wonder if we will be changed by our experiences and how.  Will this propel us to somehow seek better ways of being or will we slip back into old thought patterns?  I guess what will matter is how we think as individuals, our belief system, how we process our reality, and how deeply we are personally affected by the situation.  Lord only knows....

I pray for you my reader, thank you for your efforts, I pray that you might have a quiet mind and courage for today.

Thank you for stopping in at My Turquoise Kettle Life.

Wishing you well,

Sandra