In the south, porches are a part of our culture. No matter the season, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of coffee in the winter or sipping something sweet and cold as we rock in the summer, we love our porch time. I sit here on my own porch with my computer in my lap or my journal writing down my thoughts. Sometimes I am just quietly rocking in my chair, listening to the waterfall in my fish pond. It’s peaceful and I am content. I think you have to search for peace and take the time to let it happen. Maybe that’s why I love my porch time so much. It allows me the time to just sit, ponder and reflect.

My sweet “daughter-in-love” Mary Catherine has an affinity for porches and porch sitting as well. Check out her blog called “porchesandpillowfights.com”. She, like myself, enjoys a good cup of morning coffee while sharing time with her preschooler on their porch.

Many times my best thinking happens on the porch. As I sit and look out into my yard at the world God has created, I just can’t help but be overwhelmed with gratefulness. The key here is the sitting and being quiet, not an easy task for most of us. I will admit that I was not good at it until I retired but I wish now I had taken more time to just stop, sit and relax. As the weather begins turning warmer, I encourage you to make the effort for a little “porch time”.   Who knows what good thoughts you’ll think!

Blessings, Cindy J

Have you ever thought about how a pearl is formed? A tiny irritant of some type works its way into an oyster, mussel or clam and as a defense mechanism, the mollusk secretes a fluid to coat the irritant. (Thanks Merriam-Webster for this definition!) Slowly, layer by layer the coat builds until a beautiful pearl is formed. Naturally occurring pearls are actually quite expensive and no two are the same. This further adds to their beauty.

Do you have an irritant in your life? It can be a current situation, your job, a serious illness, a person, your finances, etc. Whatever it is, it just won’t go away or go YOUR way. Maybe you can react like the mollusk and create a protective coating that turns your irritant into a positive opportunity; especially if you know it is not going away anytime soon.  Some irritants stay with us for life. 

ABC’s Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts said her Mama always told her that “everybody’s got something” so the best thing you can do is to “make your mess your message”. I think she was telling us that life is not always going to be perfect and whatever comes along was meant to be for us. So, we can either wallow in self-pity or we can make a pearl. I think maybe this blog is my cancer pearl. What positive thing can you create with your irritant?

Blessings. Cindy J

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Being out on a boat in the ocean can be one of the most peaceful, relaxing experiences you’ve ever encountered as long as the water is calm. Just the gentle rocking of the waves can soothe away your worries and make you forget about life on land. But what about when the storms come? That idyllic feeling can quickly change to worry and fear.

Most of us have faced those “storms at sea” in our personal lives. It seems like you’re going along and things are just fine when wham another issue presents itself and you’re in the midst of a storm. That’s kind of how I have felt about my health issues over the past few years. It seems every time my life takes a turn for the positive, another problem appears. Scar tissue, concerns about my eyes, abnormal blood work, etc.

Even though the seas of my life have been rocky at times, I have never fallen out of the boat. Sometimes I’m drenched by the waves but I’ve never drowned. I just hold on tight through prayer and staying focused on the promises of God found in his Word (the Bible). I know for certain that God is always right there with me in the storm. He even sends other people to sit with me in the boat during the storm. Does someone need you in their boat today?

Blessings, Cindy J

Have you ever filled a cup to the brim then tried to pick it up just to have the liquid inside slosh* right out all over everything? You try to be so careful but yet the contents just spill over the side anyway. When David wrote Psalm 23, he said “my cup overflows” when he was describing his relationship with God. Wouldn’t it be great to be so filled with the joy of the Lord that it overflows onto everyone?  To be so filled with the Holy Spirit that I “slosh” everywhere?

When I think back over the last eleven years since I was diagnosed with cancer and all that I have endured health wise, it can be a bit overwhelming. But then when I also think about all of the good things I have been able to be a part of, it doesn’t seem like such a big deal at all. My youngest son was so afraid that I was not going to make it to see him graduate from college. Not only did I see him graduate, I was able to be at his wedding and I just got to meet his newborn son. I also saw my oldest son get married and have two amazing little girls. You better believe I “slosh” that joy all over the place!

Being around someone who “sloshes” that much joy fills us with hope. Right now, we all need a bit of hope. Find something that brings you joy and “slosh” over someone who needs it.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13 NIV

*Note: The word slosh was borrowed from a sermon on the 23^rd Psalm preached by Dr. Rob Roberts. Thanks Rob!

Blessings, Cindy J

One of the best ways to take your mind off things that are stressing you is to take a walk and look at nature. My husband and I take our walk most evenings when he gets home from work.  It gives us a chance to talk and it helps him to unwind from the pressures of his work day. In my neighborhood there are always a lot of wildlife like deer, rabbits and birds to observe. Just simply marveling at how amazing they are is enough to take your mind off most anything.

Then there’s the sunrise over the river in the morning and the colors of the sunset in the evening to awe and inspire us. Every time I see them it’s always breathtaking. I never get tired of that beauty. The river itself is a sight to behold; smooth and calm one day, full of whitecaps the next. You’ll see some impressive things in this Earth God created and it will remind you just how insignificant what you thought you had to worry about really was.

We’ve all been cooped up in our homes and offices for such a long time. I’m afraid it’s going to get worse again before it gets better. So, I guess my point is just get outside and move! Enjoy the view wherever you live. A walk is simply good for the soul; I promise!

Blessings, Cindy J

I think we can ALL agree that 2020 was a difficult year. It was indeed a year of many changes and challenges. But most of all, it was a year of finding out that the simple things in life can be our biggest blessings. That’s why I have decided that during 2021, I am going to keep a blessing box. Each time I encounter a blessing, I will write it down on a card and put it in my Blessing Box. Or maybe, I’ll slip a memento of a special trip into the box. There will probably be a picture or two of my sweet grandchildren and my family as well. Just saying!  I want this to be a year of thankfulness and gratitude for everything that God has allowed me to see and do. Won’t you join me in looking at all the good things in your life this year?

Blessings, Cindy J.

Traditions; boy, that word kind of went right out the window this holiday season! Large family gatherings, office parties, church socials and Christmas programs were either cancelled or scaled back. In our small town, we didn’t even have a Christmas parade! The things that we love so much about the season just weren’t done this past year.

Traditions are important to us.  They define who our people are and when we can’t spend time with them it can be very disheartening. Our people can be our family, our church, our community, etc. They’re the ones we long to gather with on special occasions and holidays. Sorry, but Facetime and Zoom are just not the same.

In the church, especially a Baptist church, we are all about tradition. Traditions are good in that they help us remember who and what has come before us. Plus, they give us a sense of structure and belonging.  In my family, traditions are changing and developing to meet the needs of my adult children.

The fact is though that traditions change and people struggle with change. Sometimes we have to redefine and adjust traditions to meet the needs of the current situation. It’s all about negotiating the old and the new until we can agree on a different tradition. In this season of challenges with COVID, don’t give up your traditions. They matter. Just find a new way to make them work.

Happy New Year!

Blessings, Cindy J.

I am alive! I am well! I am blessed! This is how I feel today and this is how I should feel every day. Just the fact that I am still alive after facing my bout with cancer 10 years ago is enough to make each day a grand day indeed! On those days when I struggle, and I do struggle, that is what I need to focus on so I can remain positive. I am a child of God and He cares for my daily needs. I matter to the one who created the universe. Isn’t that the greatest blessing of all? My two grown sons and their spouses are healthy and well, just wish they lived a little closer but they are happy. My husband loves and protects me. I live in a beautiful home in a quiet neighborhood. I’m retired so I don’t have the stress of work any longer plus it gives me time to write. Yes, blessed and at peace. What a gift!

Oh, did I mention my sweet granddaughters? Now that’s a blessing that always makes me smile. Plus, I have another grandchild waiting to make his appearance in January of 2021! In this season of Thanksgiving, take time to think about all the things that make you truly blessed. I bet you’ll be surprised at how many things you can add to your list. You see when you count your blessings, they just never seem to stop.

P. S. I am blessed to know each of you and thankful that you read my blog. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Blessings, Cindy J

I think I’ve always known that the little things matter. When I was working in my first public job as a cashier at McDonalds, my boss told me to pay attention to details and be nice to every customer. He said if I excelled at this part time job, people would notice and better things would come. I embraced that philosophy in my professional life and always tried to make sure I took care of the little things; even when no one else paid attention. What I’ve learned though is that other people really are watching.

I tried to use that same philosophy in raising my boys. A little note of encouragement, an extra treat for hard work, cooking their favorite food at a meal, sitting down to play a game after dinner and yes, editing papers when needed. These little things matter. A lot!

My question for myself today is, do I pay the same attention to the little things when it comes to God? Does my Christian walk show they matter? Do I notice when He sends someone my way that needs my time or resources? Do I share the hardships I’ve been through with others who are going through the same thing? In reality, I think we can all ask ourselves these questions. Someone may be watching and waiting. They may need that little thing in their life that only you can give them. The next time you think that the little things don’t matter just remember, they DO!

Blessings, Cindy J