A Lesson In The Ripples

A family member was going through something difficult recently. 

I asked him what he thought he was supposed to be learning. 

He had some lessons ruminating around his brain but he didn't have the exact lesson pinned down.

 I shared with him that his hard time wasn't just a learning experience for him. 

There were lessons to be learned for everyone connected to him.

Everyone in his circle had something that could to be learned, much like the concentric ripples after a pebble has been thrown into the water.

This seems to be true for Harvey. 

The people of the Gulf are the in the center of the circle. 

Everyone else falls into the outer ripples and there are lessons to be learned. 

I kept crying out to God to calm the storm. 

Much like Jesus did in Mark 4:35-41.  

I know that the Lord could have rebuked the storm as the words suggest in verse 39.

39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” 
Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He chose not to for some reason.

It occurred to me that He had a greater lesson in rescuing people in the midst of the storm. 

I am not at all suggesting that the victims have not had deep trials and suffering this week - they have! 

I'm praying that God is showing Himself to those affected and displaced and that He is near and dear to them in their time of distress.  

I think there will be powerful stories in the days to come from those "in the eye" of the storm.
I think there will be unbelievable stories from both the victims and the rescuers. 

We're already seeing ripple lessons playing out across the internet for those of us in the outer bands.
I challenge you to find the one that applies to you. 

I've written this post four times. 

This has been such a burden on my heart the last few weeks.  

The first three posts followed along the lines of some of the memes you might have seen floating around the internet contradicting the narrative that we are a racist country. 

I've known very few actual racists. Most of them are dead. 

 I've seen how their bigotry subtly translates into conversation and actions.
There are no white hoods but there is hateful discrimination.

I don't feel like a privileged, white person because I know my life story. 

My childhood was difficult. 

We've had hard times, pain and loss. 

However, if you look at me, I look prosperous and I look like I've had it easy. 

The thought occurred to me that if others knew my story, I wouldn't be judged based on how I look. 

I nearly fell to the floor.
I really have no idea what it is like to be judged based on my appearance. 

I can only imagine what it would be like to feel continual judgement because of 

race, religion, skin color, or sexuality. 

There has been a cacophony of voices screaming across the airwaves the last few weeks.
We've all seen the disturbing images, heard the stories, and read the opinions on all sides.
It was like God in His power yelled, "Be still" to the storms that were brewing before Harvey made landfall.

We need healing.
We need ears to hear.
I needed self examination and sorrow for the way others have been treated and continued to be treated.
That was my lesson in the ripple.

Praying for Texas, Louisiana and for our country on this day of prayer.
May He be close to the broken hearted.

Katie

Thoughts Of Texas

Texas is vast. 

Texas is diverse. 

Texas is unique. 

Texas is beautiful. 

Texas is resilient. 

Texas has roots. 

 Texas strong!
God Bless Texas. 

Katie

September 3, 2017 is a Day Of Prayer In Texas.
Join me in praying for all affected by this crisis.
Please join me in praying for those impacted in Louisiana as well.
I spent many summers there and it is equally special. 

Early Fall Decorating

I've started seeing the emergence of the pumpkin out on the internet. 

Nope!
It's way too early for pumpkins in my humble opinion.  

Orange is just not my favorite. Those rusts, corals, and other warm tones will have to wait.
Even then, I can only take those colors in small doses. 

You may remember that it was all about the lemon at our house this summer.

I just adored that bright and cheerful motif but all the lemons have been put away in my fruit tote. 

I almost typed "our" fruit tote but let's be clear, Bill doesn't care about fruit decor.

Usually, I'll pull out some of my apple collection but I wasn't in the mood for that this year. 

My retirement from teaching played a factor in that, I think.  

 

My daughter did some paintings of pears during high school so I decided to sprinkle the pear motif around the downstairs.

This didn't take a lot of thought or work. I simply picked up the lemons and replaced them with pears.

The "wooden" pear came from Hobby Lobby. It's actually resin.
Recycled glass bottles hold baby's breath. Faux greens rest in galvanized pails.

The draped pears on the mantel came from Hobby Lobby as well.

 

Some cute, tiny pears were found at Hobby Lobby several years ago.

A felt pear on a black, woolen ground was cut from a vintage skirt. It's a favorite element in the decor. 

Other faux pears were found at Tuesday Morning. They still have something similar - FYI.

The realistic looking wooden pear on the shelf was found at the thrift store.
Someone had just donated their complete fruit collection.
 I resisted the urge to augment my burgeoning stash and I only picked up what was in the baggie with this pear.

Vintage, printed images grace my favorite picture frames. 

A ceramic pear adorns the dish cabinet in the dining room.
I love finding discarded hobby ceramics at the thrift store.
I've had this little one for several years.

That is it for me.
It feels a little ridiculous to worry about fall decor with all that is going on with the flooding in Houston and in other parts of Texas and Louisiana.
Horrific.
 Considering the enormity of the situation, it's amazing that there hasn't been more loss of life.
I continue to pray for our neighbors to the south. I just cannot imagine.
Please consider how you might give to the relief effort.
Charity Navigator can help you make an informed decision.
Have a blessed day.
I hope you are well, warm, safe and dry.
Katie

Linking with these parties,
Essence of Home 

Prayers For Texas

Hi all, 

I'm just checking in. 

I want to let you know that we are fine. We are 400 miles from the Texas coast. 

The beautiful, Texas coast that is being hammered by Harvey. 

So we are sending our thoughts and prayers to those in the path of the hurricane. 

The rain from this event is supposed to be catastrophic.

Flooding is an acute danger once the winds die down. 

Be safe, Texans! 

Thanks for joining me in prayer.

Katie

Update: The storm has finally moved out of our area, away from the coast of Texas and Louisiana.
It is horrific.
Please consider how you might help.