Sunday, August 30, 2009
August Almanac
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sisters
Sisters, Sisters, there were never such devoted Sisters....
When my sister and I get together we can't stop ourselves from pretending that we are the Haynes Sisters. We have fun singing in great cornball -style many of our favorite show tunes and various commercial jingles, but "Sisters" is our perpetual theme song.
We haven't always been devoted sisters. Times were hard and not always fun for us. I'm the oldest. Little sister is six years my junior. Really it wasn't until we both had lived some that we began to see our need for each other. It wasn't until God began to work in both of us that our devotion bloomed.
We live pretty far apart now, but we manage to see each other about twice a year. In the summer my nephew comes to play with his cousins and at thanksgiving we take turns going to each others homes. It is great fun because we scout out great antiquing spots to visit on our annual "Friday-after-thanksgiving-antiquing-jaunt".
I really love my sister. There have been some truly deep wounds to my heart that she has helped to heal. She is loyal to me. We are different and our lives run in different patterns. God made us two definite individuals. I can see so clearly that He has used the likenesses and differences we have so that we can understand each other the way few others every could.
I love you sis. Had a great time while you were here. See you thanksgiving.
Thank you Lord for the comfort of a sister who loves you.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
No Condemnation!!
"Sara, I thought this blog was supposed to be comforting?" Well, yes it is. Let me explain.
Sometimes I think I smell. Yes, smell. Stink to high, high heaven, as we like to say here in the south. Sometimes, there are other people who tell me I stink. Stink bad. Stink to high, high heaven. As you can well imagine this makes me feel pretty ashamed. You know, like you want to really look good to someone; make and impression; and you forgot your deodorant.
It is pretty hard when I smell my own stink. I know it is there and it tears me up inside. Thinking about my sin and the sin I've carried around in the past. But, I tell you it can really tear me up when someone else tells me they can smell my stink from a mile away. Whether it is true or not, whether I've had my bath or not. They smell me and let me know it. It is even worse when they leave the impression that they have no stink and they won't let me wash mine off.
But, my dear friends, here's the "Comforting" part. God has given me my bath. I don't stink to Him anymore!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! I'm washed in the blood of His own precious Son, His own blood. He DID that for me. Can you believe it?? I hope you can, because if you can, you won't stink either. Glory! Guess what? You really, really, won't smell and you NEVER, NEVER, will again. So anyone who says they can smell your stink is wrong and untrustworthy. Oh, we may need to check in with the Father for a little spit bath of repentance now and again. But never putrid, never filthy.
I wish I could convey to you how this cleanliness feels.
Here are some life-giving verses for you. I would encourage you to memorize them so that when you smell the stink you can remember:
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Sunday at Comfort Cottage
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Comfort Cottage Almanac
I would like to start the Comfort Cottage Almanac this month. I love almanacs. I realized just recently that I have put together quite a collection of different types of almanacs without really trying. Over the years my eyes would always light on these types of books at antique stores, yard sales, thrift shops, ect. I have always loved home. To me, part of home is tradition and custom. I figured out early on in my marriage that I wanted those things, knowing somehow that it would draw my young (and small) family together. I soon understood that, like good art, family traditions don't just happen. They take work and commitment on someone's part. You have to be aware of time and the rhythm and passage of it. You have to stay on top of what's coming next month. You have to be willing to clean, cook, sew, shop, invite, decorate, love; whatever it takes to make the tradition happen.
It is all about Love and the comfort of Love. God created the times and seasons. He initiated traditions and celebrations for His people. He knew how these things would draw us and bind us together with Him. We can see God in our traditions. So, can you make your cottage a 'comfort cottage'? Can you think of one tradition that can draw your family together that you could plan for next month? I'll start my almanac in this month of July. I will try to update my almanac at the start of each month to let you see some of our comforting customs around here.
Let's get started:
July
- I put up Mr. Wonderful's sweet corn.
- I try to work on decorating projects and furniture refinishing that I can't do during the school year.
- curriculum sale this month (YEAH!)
- My absolute favorite sister often visits me in this month.:)
- The boys love to fish, swim in the creek, play in their treehouse.
- Enjoy the air conditioning.
- I start canning any thing and everything it seems.
- Peaches come in this month.
- Blackberries are ripe right around the fourth.
- We have a lovely blueberry patch close by. It is up on a mountain. We go as a family in the evening and have a great time.
- I try to get in 'school' sewing. (Kindof hard to do, tho.)
Last, but certainly NOT least is our annual fourth of July picnic.
This year was our fifth annual.
First, the FUN. The annual baseball game. Everyone is welcome to play.
Almanacs
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Breakfast in Bed
Monday, June 22, 2009
What does Comfort mean to me?
gives these definitions:
3870. parakaleo; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation, or consolation): beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire. (give) exhort (-tation), entreat, pray.
3874. paraklesis; from 3870; imploration, hortation, solace; comfort, consolation, exhortation, entreaty.
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says this about 'comfort':
Paramuthia, primarily a speaking closely to anyone (para-near, muthos-speech), hence denotes consolation, comfort, with a greater degree of tenderness than paraklesis ( calling to one's side for exhortation, consolation, or comfort)
Oh, wow. I really like the word comfort. Doesn't everyone? Who doesn't want to be comforted? We think of hot chocolate, or hot tea when we are sick. A hug when we are sad comes to mind also. A pat on the back, a listening ear, a bandage on an owie, a cool cloth when our fever is high. All these things just ring true as 'comfort'.
But have you ever thought of a word of exhortation as comforting? The bible says it is. What about the prayer of a loved one for your soul or for guidance if you've stepped out of the way? How about when someone entreats you to listen to wisdom or good advice to help you stay in the way? Are these things comforting to you? God says He does all these things for us and He is the God of all comfort. He also says we are to do these for each other also. These are the ways in which we show love.
Certainly, comfort is cozy. "Comfy cozy", mom says as she tucks little one in. Comfort is warm and fuzzy like my twenty year old cotton socks that came from my aunt's sock mill in Alabama. Strong and sturdy, warm and fuzzy, comfy and cozy. Comfort is wonderful and fills our heart to overflowing at times. Sometimes comfort comes when our heart is breaking.
I would love it if you come to Comfort Cottage for solace and tenderness. I hope there will be plenty of that. This world is hard and dark. It grows more so by the day. Everyone needs a place of quiet contemplation. However, I hope that your heart will be comforted by the occasional prayer, exhortation, and entreaty. Count these as comfort too.