A Bluebird of Happiness

Cedar Hill Studio

Years ago, I found this little framed picture you see above, and it's been in  every room of my house. It serves as a reminder; I'm not to worry, I'm to tell God my needs, and I'm not to forget to thank Him for His answers.  This prompt has brought me more comfort over time than I can remember.

I ran across Gretchen Clasby, the artist of the bluebird, way back eons ago. I called her and ordered two of these from her Cedar Hill Studio in Waynesville, NC. I have no idea how I found her in those decades past, but it's easy now via the Internet. Her link is above.

 She shipped me two pictures: one for me, and one for my sister. My sister and I have a habit of worry. It comes with our DNA, but Scripture tells us that worry can be overcome with prayer and thanksgiving. It's not easy, my friend, but yes, it's doable.

For me, it's a growth process. I've had the affliction of anxiety since childhood.  My mom and dad taught this ailment well. They worried about everything.  My dad was fearful of clouds. He'd wake us up an night, and we'd head to the cellar in the backyard. He'd even come to school and take me out of class!

My mom feared all circumstance. Everytime she heard an ambulance, she was convinced a relative was in trouble. She worried about each one until she spoke to them and knew for certain they weren't carried away in the zooming, loud ER vehicle.

I hated their fears, and I made my mind up when I was about six years old that I'd not be afraid of storm clouds, and I wouldn't go to another cellar unless a tornado was headed right toward me. When I see an ambulance, I decided to pray for whoever is inside, but I don't worry that I know them.

Hmmm? Maybe that's part of the "not worry" process. The decision. Make one and stick to it.

I made the choice to be calm in a rain storm. Now, I'm not mindless. I prepare. We live in Houston. We have hurricanes and flooding. I keep emergency supplies on hand, but I'm not terrified of a "possible" storm that might or might not occur.

So what do I worry about? Well, here's a few items: health, finances, old age, family, church, country, government, friends. Did I leave out one or two? Probably, but you get the idea. 

As a family, we memorized Phil: 4:6 when the kids were children. We still repeat it to each other as a means of encouragment. Here's an interesting tidbit. Our daughter, the one with Dementia, can still repeat this verse. She can't remember much of anything else, but this verse sticks with her and brings comfort. 

I remind myself that God knows our needs and has already provided for them. Will I like the way He plans to take care of them? Perhaps. Perhaps not, but there's one thing I know and don't worry about. He loves me and whatever He plans is, it's better than mine. My plan "B" will never be as good as plan "G."  That's G for God.

What do you worry about? I'm gonna guess I've mentioned a few worries we share.

Okay, here's something for you and me. Jesus tells us not to worry. Read his Words in Matthew 6:25-34.  Take a deep breath, seek His kingdon and righteousness, and relax. 

I'm working on it. Growing into it. How about you?

Old Fashioned Tea Cakes

This recipe is from the 19th Century.

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 cup buttermilk

4 cups flour

Pinch of salt

1/2 tsp baking soda.

Mix all ingredients together and throroughly chill for at least 2 hours. Roll dough 1/8 inch think. Sprinkle with sugar. Cut into small cakes. Bake at 375 for 7 to 8 minutes.

My grandmother made these cakes when I was a child, and I recall their goodness to this day. Do I make them? No, but I remember them, and I wish I could find a baker who made them. I'd buy them.

Cooking and baking is an art. I have a friend who defines creating delicious concoctions as her passion. It relaxes her. Can you believe it?  A few other friends enjoy quilting. Fancy dishes and sewing are two activites I seldom try.

I wonder how many arts we've lost?  Anyone remember tatting?

The border on the above banner resembles tatting. Ladies once made this "lace" out of sewing thread into designs. A senior friend once gave me a tea towel she'd embroidered and then tatted the four edges. I kept it in a special place. I didn't want to use it or ruin it. Hubby didn't realize the value of the piece, and while looking for towels to use as he changed oil, he chose that beautiful piece of art.

What arts of today will be gone in one hundred years?

Perhaps we should learn some of the old ones. Bring them back. There's one I never want to learn. Making art object from hair. Can you imagine? That tedious art began in the 15th century. People collected hair and then twined them into neclaces, bracelets, or wall art. Yuk. 

Let's have a tea cake and a cup of coffee. Maybe we'll color in a coloring book. It was once enjoyed in days gone by, but it's the rage now. Things do come back. But no hair necklaces for me.

Writing Faith and Humor

Languages

You may have power with all the saints to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.....Ephesians 3:18

The Apostle Paul spoke at least two languages, possibly four, and with all his understanding of words, he found it difficult to convey in language the love of Christ.

If he couldn't, how can we?

It's love to encounter, explore and experience. Spend a lifetime trying to grasp His love. You'll discover you can't.