Finding Grace: Maurice

 Sometimes we find God's grace in the most unusual circumstances. Enter Maurice. When we were in the beginning stages of care giving for my parents we used to go to their favorite diner after church on Sundays. Around 2011 we were sitting in their favorite booth. In walked a tall, suited gentleman who was/is the spitting image of Morgan Freeman the actor. He walked up to the table and shook our hands. My parents were acquainted with him and my husband and I were almost sure he was a preacher. We found out he lived in the same neighborhood as we did. My husband later saved his life once ( another story for another time).

Fast forward to May 2022. Life has been complicated and sometimes arduous, most especially with the advent of  the issues in our current world. God has been giving me that scripture " I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Hebrews 13:5) It is a running theme and I could not seem to escape it. Well, I didn't want to escape from such a quote worthy verse, I wanted to fully ingest it, eat it up, believe it until it was truly part of me. My faith was waning a bit (a LOT) and I was weary. I needed a haircut, which is my therapy. Is it yours? Out of the blue my hairdresser called (she's never done that before) and said didn't I think I ought to get a haircut before I started chopping on it myself. I told her "Too late" but I would love to come in.

The hairdresser is on the other side of town. A huge drive with many perilous pitfalls. Remember, I am a small town girl living in a city that has outgrown the name: Small Town. My husband drove me to the appointment, and we decided afterward to visit our old neighborhood. 

We drove past Maurice's house which is at the entrance of the neighborhood. Yep, there was his old Lincoln, a car past its time, but forever in his heart with its associations to his deceased wife. We drove around the whole neighborhood and made the full circle. On our way out we neared Maurice's house. We noticed the garage door was open. As we approached, there sat Maurice looking just like he did all those years ago. My husband stopped the truck and got out to greet him. Maurice, ever the gentleman, came up to our truck. I opened the door and he took my hand. The first words out of his mouth were "Isn't God good! He will never leave thee nor forsake thee". Then he said he had just turned 89 on April 29, and while he had a few health issues he was doing well, and America was still the greatest place on the earth to live! We made our small talk and ended with promises to visit him soon.

We barely got back on the road when my eyes started leaking salty tears. In one day God reminded me that He is indeed good and will never leave me or forsake me.

God has been urging me to write again. So here I am. I just wanted to tell you that it doesn't matter if you live in a mansion or reside in your car, God will never leave you or forsake you. It's in His Book, and He never lies. 

So this is the finding grace part of my little Finding Grace, Going Mobile blog. I hope to write again soon now that I am semi-retired. 

Remember, God is Good, All the Time.

Take care,

Theresa

Surround Yourself With Beauty

I have a theory! Well, anyone who knows me will tell you I always have a theory about something or other. Anyway, the theory is this: If the world was surrounded by beauty (earthly and spiritual) we would act better, be calmer, even, treat each other with more kindness. Kind of like music having charms to soothe the savage beast.

A painting by Kathryn Winter, my mother-in-law.

What if every child walked into a clean, kept yard, then proceeded into a tidy house filled with objects of beauty. Now being a Christian I can't leave out the Holy Spirit, for He is a spirit of beauty and peace. If we fill our homes with God's spirit, and have objects of beauty that's got to have some effect right?

Waiting for my alyssum to grow in around my rocks
 

If I was in a beauty contest (yeah,right!) and they asked me the age old question, "If God granted you one wish what would it be?". I would answer, "A beautiful home for every child, filled with love and laughter, and the spirit of God.

My dianthus are starting to grow around the rocks

You notice I didn't say what size, or mention expensive at all because that is just not important.

I hope you all have sanctuaries. Here's the definition of a sanctuary:

sanc.tu.ar.y

noun

1. a place of refuge or safety.

sentence: "people automatically sought a sanctuary in time of trouble"

 

My geese from England on an Irish Chain quilt I made
 

I hope you all had glorious Easter celebrations. Isn't it wonderful to know our Saviour is risen, and is with us, not in some old musty tomb!

 

What if we all prepare our homes like Jesus is preparing a place for us? A thing of beauty I think!

 

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I  am, there ye may be also. John 14:3

 

Have a wonderful week, and say a little prayer for our country, I think she needs it about now.

 

Blessings, Theresa

 

 

 

 

Finding Grace, Trying Craft Fair

I have been so busy these past months getting ready for a Craft Fair in May at my cousin Sweetpea's church. I have a few pics to share with you. I am overjoyed that I can still craft after all these years of collecting supplies and never using them, lol. 

Dishcloths, and Trivets, and Hankie Folios, and Notepads, and Potholders and a Crocheted Marketbag, Oh My!

Mobley is evolving into a comfortable home for my husband and I. The finances are sparse, but the willingness to use what we have is there. God is teaching us so much!


Mary Englebreit Said It Right! It's Good To Be Queen!

God is amazing. His ideas are limitless, His love immense. We saved just the right pieces, and they enhance our home and yard. We still have much work to do on the interior, but cozy and comfortable seem to be our watchwords!


My Dear Mother's Hutch Comes Alive In Mobley's Living Room

Here are some more pictures of my craft fair goodies. I am so happy to be using my hands to craft and my head to create, lol....



We are meeting so many nice people in our little "senior" community. Our lovely neighbors gave us a pink geranium and some fescue sod they had left over from their landscape projects. As I look out my kitchen window at their yard I feel as if I am at the beach in Morro Bay, California. Roses and geraniums abound. Lavender and citrus trees, and a little gravel path ending in a wood landing with rustic wooden steps. I call it my beach path.  They have a lovely fountain on their patio that makes me hunger for the day that ours is ready and working. 

I have so many surprises to share in the coming weeks. I am alive with anticipation. Here's a little picture of my coffee table. It's really not for Easter, as I have my Country Rose's Bunnies out all year long. My husband loves the bunnies, too, but don't tell him I let his secret out.

I hope your day is filled with God's love and warmth. Say a little prayer for our country today if you would.

Wishing you blessings, Theresa





God's Immeasurable Grace

I was sitting in church some months ago. It had to be months because my sweet little mother was sitting right by my side (I miss you mum!).

Anyhoo, God whispered in my spirit. You know, you feel the words as opposed to hearing an audible voice. This is what He said, "The universe cannot contain me, but you  hold me in your heart". How awesome is that!

As I Prune, And Remove Certain Plantings Will I Be Pruned By God?

An immeasurable solar system full of world's and stars, planets and moons, not to mention a big burning sun of enormous proportions is too small to contain God. But here I am a puny, whiny, idiosyncratic human who can hold God in her heart. And I do hold God in my heart.

My Strawberry Bed is Full of Weeds, Grace Covers My Hearts Weeds!

 

I hope I can relay some of God's grace through Finding Grace, Going Mobile. Along the way, I wonder if God will transform me as we endeavor to transform Mobley into a lovely, cozy refuge for our senior years.

In Time, I Hope My Trees And Life Bear Much Beautiful Fruit!

Have a lovely, restful, grace filled Sunday.

As Always, Theresa