Tag: seasons

Sit

The Header for this page says this: “Sometimes life cries out for a nice break from the daily routine …… a pie break, so to speak. A time to sit, to listen, to reflect. To taste the sweetness of life.”

Every now and then I read those words and reflect.

You see, part of my personality is such that I just love to have the appearance of moving forward. I cannot stand the same-old, same-old. It’s like sitting still, in a broader sense of the term. I like movement. I like progress.

This is one of the reasons I like to move furniture around in the rooms of my home.  I use to do it often but now I’ve learned to slow it down a bit and enjoy the moments.

I said above, “the appearance” of moving forward. Sometimes life looks like we are getting no where fast. Life seems to have paused and is waiting for the finger from the sky to hit that play button so we can move on. Waiting. That is one the the hardest things for me to do. Wait.

But in the waiting so much can happen. In that pause mode the universe is still going forward. Life round us keeps moving, time keeps ticking by. The seasons keep on changing and we are still here waiting.

So as I reflect here, with my proverbial slice of pie and a cup of coffee and a keyboard, I realize how good the waiting is. I can use this waiting time to see how far I have come and to turn and see where I want to go. It is a time to build strength for the journey of life that lies ahead.

I can also use this time to sort out my ever changing “to do list” of life. That list in my head of all I want to accomplish, which can be overwhelming since most of those things are things I think I should do, not what I really want to do. Sifting. Sifting and sorting is good.

But the waiting still sucks. There, I said it. It can really suck when you’re like me, not good at it. So, to those of you like me, I can tell you to take the time to breathe and reflect, to sort and sift, look behind and definitely look forward. There is strength in the waiting. There is hope in the things to come.

“But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, They run and don’t get tired, they walk and don’t lag behind.” Isaiah 40:31

Enjoy!

Cate B

Seasons of My Heart

Today I was sitting in my friends business having a wonderful time catching up and sipping coffee. They have a Quilt Shop. They sell all the supplies you need to make your own quilts from material and threads to the machines that assist you. There is an atmosphere of peace there.

I love businesses that bring out the creativity in people. I always get inspired without anyone saying anything to me. Even home improvement stores do that to me. But I am one to not always succumb to the long arms of creativity that reach out and taunt you until you say yes to their biddings. Then, before you know it, the tentacles grab you and lure you to buy all the supplies you need to make the perfect item you see displayed in all its finished glory before you.

I’m being funny here. I have learned my limitations of talents and abilities in the crafts department. And that is why I can say no to the taunts. I still get tempted but manage to pull away just in time. Quilting is beautiful and I love to cuddle under a lovely quilt……that someone else made. I lack patience in such a project. Maybe some day.

When my husband and I left the store we decided to take the country route home. It’s pretty brown here and gray in the winter months. But I noticed this barn with a “quilt” painted on the front:

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My mind wandered from that point on. While with our friends we talked about seasons. How cold the mid-west winters are and how we long to be on a beach in a tropical paradise during those days.

We talked how the seasons in nature are similar to the seasons of our lives. I’ll tell you what I mean.

There is a purpose for winter. A time to die and lay hidden to bring forth life when the time to right. Sometimes those hidden things can never come forth or come forth stunted if they do not pass through the cold winter season.

Spring. New life. New colors. New blossoms. Multiplied beauty from the last year. Fresh and warm and welcomed.

Summer. Fun! Enjoyment of the fruits of a long cold winter. The fruits of spring rains and melting snow.

Autumn. The beauty of life slowing and changing into glorious colors once more before the frosty winds take over and put the seeds to sleep for another season of dying only to bring forth life once again.

As far as my life goes, my heart issues, I thought long and hard on this and still am. How often I, Cate B, reflect on the warmth of summer. How often I want the winter of my life to be finished and brought into spring way faster than it feels like it’s happening. I want it now. But, why do I want that so much? What is my hurry?

Sometimes winter is painful. Sometimes I can feel frostbitten on the inside and want so much to be blossoming like a field of wild flowers. But the more I listened to my friend talk with us from his heart the more I felt that I need to not rush this winter season of my life. Or any season of the heart. I really do want all of what God has for me in this life on this earth. So if going through the “winter of my heart” is what will bring me out blooming beautiful then so be it. After all, several times I have told my Lord that I just want all He has for me. I gave Him permission to make me into the person I’m to be.

So I will keep layering my clothes to stay warm against the elements. I will prepare myself for the coming seasons so I can listen and receive all the dying and blooming on the inside that needs to be done. And I will gladly grab those warm surprise days that pop up now and then or the trip to the warmer climate for a week to help get me through. It is worth it. Being alive and aware and becoming me is so worth it.

Enjoy!

Cate B

Thankful

This coming Thursday, in the USA, is Thanksgiving Day.  It represents the beginning of the Christmas season and a day to be thankful.

Most seem to celebrate by gathering with loved ones and feasting on a wonderful roasted (or fried or tofu-ed) turkey with stuffing and sweet potatoes and mashed potatoes and gravy and cranberry sauce and pies and rolls and………. whatever food you love.

Others celebrate by shopping for Christmas.  I did the major day after sale thing (aka Black Friday) only once.  I. Will. Never. Do. That. Again.

I’m not a great shopper.  That means that the task is not pleasant to me.  Online shopping is wonderful.

Back to Thanksgiving.  It is a time to be thankful. Well, it’s always time to be thankful. But this is the season that more people give thanks than normal.

Today I am thankful for my relationship with Jesus.  He is my best Friend and always good.

I am thankful for my Family, and that includes the Friends that have become my family also.  I have the best sons and daughters and grandkids a person could possibly ask for.  I am thankful for my husband – even though he broke my favorite mug – he is the best for me.

I am thankful for my health and for my future.  I am expecting mighty things to come to pass.

I am thankful for the one daughter I gave birth to and lost too early in life.  BUT – I truly am thankful to have been her mom and known her.  The memories I have are amazing.

Giving thanks, in general, brings smiles and peace to your heart.  It’s a good practice and I believe opens the windows and doors to a better life no matter what your circumstances.

May your mouths and hearts be full of thankfulness this season and always.  Give it a go!  You may be surprised how your perspective changes over time.

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Enjoy!

Cate B

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful

Hello All.  I’ve been busy with the grand-girls so I haven’t been posting very much.

It has been cold this last week here, in The Burg.  Highs in he twenties and lows are well, lower.  But later this week we should be back to normal.  High will get up into the forties.  Yay!

We were expecting our first snow yesterday but only got flurries.  Today a bit fell, so I took the opportunity to go to my lily pond.

I’m entering winter a little slowly with heels planted in the ground.  I had such a wonderful summer this year that I felt it shouldn’t be over.  But all good things……. well, I don’t really believe that all good things must come to an end.  But winter is upon us and it is needed.

Enjoy your seasons, wherever you live.  There is a purpose to them.

contrast – holding on
my lily pond – beginning of winter
Downtown, The Burg

Enjoy!

cate b

Seasons Go Round and Round

Here I am again trying to blog.  This has been a hard season for me.  Seems like my husband and are are in a transitional period of our life.  That simply means that we are waiting for some things to fall into place so we can move on into the next season of our life.  I hate waiting.  I really do.  I’m the type of person who likes to see motion.  I like to see progression.  There are times that I do wait and it is nice to me but during those “nice” times I can also see progress.  This particular time I am having a hard time seeing progress.  Therefore it is hard for me to wait.

Part of faith is not seeing what is behind the scenes and going forward anyway.  I am trying my best to wait because I know that the season will change and I will see what we have been waiting for.  And it will be good.  That I know.  How do I know?  I’ve been through this many times in my sixty-two years of life and it does change.  I also have faith in a God and His promises, and His promises speak of things changing and coming to an end.  But I also know that the waiting sucks.  I am not good at waiting.  I get antsy and I get down right mean if I let myself.  And I do let myself.  It’s those times of mean-ness that I literally have to stop what I am doing and take a really deep breath and slowly let it out.  I express my feelings to the only one I know who can handle my mean-ness.  That is God himself.  He has really big shoulders.

We do have a really good thing in our lives recently and that is the birth of another grandchild last week!  That is a very good thing – life in the midst of what feels like darkness!  Can’t do any better than that.

So in these times of waiting, whatever you are waiting for, take the time to examine what is your hope is anchored in.  If you anchor your hope into the change then you may be in for a rough wait.  It has to be deeper.  There is nothing wrong with desiring the things of this life unless you put your hope in them.  They can’t hold an anchor.  Has to go deeper.  Mine is Jesus and His friendship to me;  The Father God who holds and loves me no matter how mean I am; Holy Spirit who comes and teaches me and guides me through the waiting.  They have a much higher perspective than I and can see not only my season of waiting but they see the end and it is good.

So, here is a song for you: 

Enjoy the season you are in and learn all you can from it.

cate b

 

 

Meet Me

Life is full of many seasons.  This one, for me, is one of waiting – I hate waiting – who likes it?  But I have surrendered to the waiting because waiting means there is preparation going on.  Things need to fall into place to bring forth our desires and dreams.  So waiting is good.  If we could just jump instantly into the things of life it could be disastrous if it’s not ready to take flight.  So I say, “Wait”.  I want it to be right.

So, on that mysterious note…… I am fine.  All is well and good and better things are in the making.  I just cannot get into blogging lately.  Wait – I just did blog.

Here is a song from one of my favorite bands, Over the Rhine.  They make the waiting wonderful.

Enjoy!

cate b

overtherhine.com

Out of This

I haven’t posted a full written post in a while.  Why?  As the seasons change around us sometimes it is more than the weather or the geographical location.  It can also be seasons of the heart.  A transition in our lives.  It can be a move or a job or a family situation or a loss.  It can always be for the good no matter how easy and joyful or how hard and painful it may be – with the right perspective.  I have always been a person who can take a step back and look at my life and try to see the good – that is after I freak out and stomp my feet and cry or yell, LOL.  And I have to say that every season change has turned out for my good.  Sometimes the good takes a little longer to come around in full view.  That’s OK, where am I going in such a hurry?

Where I physically live is a place of four distinct seasons.  I like that because I like variety.  It is definitely my spice of life.  So back to the blogging.  I’ve been told to “find my target audience”.  Huh?  I look at the wonderful few followers I have and they are a variety.  So how do I find my target?  I love to talk about a variety of things.  Who is my target?  I guess I have something for almost everyone???  As I write these words I feel quite happy with myself (pat on the back).  I really do love variety in my life and get incredibly bored and irritable when things don’t change from time to time.  So until I have a blazing revelation as to my topics and audience I’m afraid you are stuck with my variety show.

So, for the Friday song of the week – I present Autamata – Out of This.  Like most art I think the song will speak to each of you in a different way.  May you get the words and melody that you need at this moment.  May it bring Hope to you and encouragement with the season you are in right now.

Enjoy!

cate b

I will confront you at last you dreaded empty
When I met you in others I fell in love
From the cradle, to the bottle, to the needle to the bed
We all need something to deliver us from dread

But I believe in truth

Out of this noise, here comes the stillness
Out of this chaos, here comes the order
Out of this language, out of this language
Out of these words

And a hollow man leaves you empty-handed
With fingers carved from Asian ivory
From the cradle, to the treadmill, to the rocker, to the last sigh
Some are made happy when something dies

Out of this noise, here comes the stillness
Out of this chaos, here comes the order
Out of this language, out of this language
Out of these words

Shitsujo, seijaku, shinjitsu
Shitsujo, seijaku, shinjitsu, shinjitsu

Out of patience, out of deed
Out of courage, out of me
Out of reason, out of truth
Out of conscience, out of you

Konran kara shitsujo ga umare
Soon kara seijaku ga umareru
Shinjitsu wa ai o umu

Out of this…

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