A Fork in the Road

I always wondered about that saying, "A fork in the road," and what it would look like if a giant fork was in the middle of the road, its tines firmly planted in the ground.  I know, I know... the phrase means a point where the road splits off in two different directions and we must choose one.  But to me, that "choosing" feels like a giant fork obstructing my path.  It looms overhead, stressing me, shadowing my convictions.  What if I make the wrong choice?  What if I missed the sign telling me which road to take?  What if I really like the look of the wide, paved road and not the narrow, stony path that meanders off to one side?  My own inability to trust, without anxiety, and choose the path I KNOW God has laid before me, is like that giant fork... it stops me dead in my tracks, and I hang my head.

That's when I have to back up, take a deep breath, and pray.  God is showing me the right path.  He's laid it out clearly for me.   

I am told, "Be anxious for nothing" (Phil. 4:6), that "Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression" (Prov. 12:25).  I know from His word that He has plans for my good, that He knows all my days, that He loves me dearly.  He Loves Me.  He Is There For Me.  He Has Prepared Me My Whole Life For This New Path.

I raise my head, a smile just beginning, to look again at the giant fork roadblock, and *poof*, it has disappeared, a soft light shining on the already-chosen path.

Frugality and Sustainabilty

Hi, my name is Donna Rae, and I'm a fashion snob.

It's true, and I'm sharing this with you, my friends, in the spirit of honesty and Christian accountability.  I have spent alot of time shopping for, caressing, and purchasing gorgeous, girly clothing.  I also have spent alot of time poo-poo-ing my son for his years of shopping in thrift stores, for buying interesting girls soccer t-shirts from unknown destinations and hard-sided suitcases that smell like old man.  (I would never poo-poo his wife, as I adore her and she does not, like my son, HAVE TO love me.)  For this, I am deeply sorry, because I have discovered the thrill of the hunt for beautiful things at an amazing price... things that would have otherwise gone to our ever-growing landfills.

So, today, I was Olympic in my efforts.  There, at our local consignment store, were two excellent finds!  An Ann Taylor suit, black sheath and jacket, in my size and in perfect condition for... are you seated?... $15!!!   Additionally, a gray (my favorite color in the whole world!) brocade jacket which fits beautifully.  The whole spree was $43 with tax. 

Living simply, living frugally, living sustainably... living free of the trappings of this world and free of the competition with each other... living for God, not for my mortgage or my clothing budget or some THING. 

My sweet son, you had it right all along...

A Day of Rest...

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

 ¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
      will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 ² This I declare about the Lord:
   He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
      he is my God, and I trust him.

Rest today in Him; refresh, recharge, renew for the week He's planned for you!

Sunshine and Sweetness... and a little blog history

This little blog of mine began as a work-related exercise in becoming familiar with Web 2.0 tools and how they can be integrated into the modern library.  This explains the earlier posts.

I decided that I'd like to have a little spot of my own and realized that I HAD a blog.  Yes, dusty, forlorn, but still a blog.  So here I am, puttering in my blog garden.

The Master Gardener Himself blessed us abundantly today with temperatures above 50 degrees AND warm, spirit-lifting, vitamin-D-producing SUNSHINE!  We worked in the garden and found leaves and/or buds of forsythia, hydrangea, lilac, black-eyed Susan, daisy, bee balm, butterfly bush, jasmine vine, and mum.  Also peeking out from their winter blankets were hyacinth, lily, iris, and hosta.  What a delight!  Sure signs of Spring and right when we here at the Beach had begun to lose hope of its arrival.

God is always working, even when we don't see it.  He is busy nurturing and growing, even when it's hidden from our dim, earth-bound vision.  When we take the time to pull back the old, dead leaves and debris of our lives, the sin and broken vows and horrid, selfish habits, we discover what He offers: fresh, green shoots of refreshment and joy. 

MIA Donna Rae

So, it's been such a long time. The journey has been long and, at times, quite difficult. But the support of friends and the sweetest family, and several of my dear friends, THE BOOKS, has seen me through. And now, we in Library Land face budget cuts of such a nature as to leave us unemployed. We are all holding our breath, hoping to continue to serve the public of this wonderful City. We shall see...