Dingo in Disguise

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

Song of Songs 4:7

In November of last year, my daughter moved out. She is my baby and it was the hardest moment a mother could ever endure. Although I have worried and protected her, her whole life, the time came when worry was the only thing left for me to do.

Trying not to be overly motherly, my only request was that she texted me at least once a week so I knew she was alive. She was moving to the big city and I cringed at the thought of, well….EVERYTHING!

I am proud of her. She was offered a good job, one that would potentially grow and her talents will flourish.

Then one night she texted me. She was upset because things weren’t working out with her roommates. I had never lived with roommates, therefore I didn’t know what she was going through.

Rather than vomit all of the thoughts and fears I initially had of this big move, I just encouraged her to be strong, not to make any harsh decisions and told her how proud I was of her.

Although she is still living with her roommates and it is not the best situation for her, she continues to persevere.

Then she brought a puppy home.

I told my husband that was the last thing she needed. Something that will cost her money, that will be a lot of work, and I hope she is prepared for this.

Then she sent me a picture. Oh my goodness! That poor little pup was not the prettiest….putting it lightly. Poor thing has oversized ears and brindle in color with stripes and patches going every which way. His name is Bear but honestly looks more like a dingo than a bear. A face only a mother could love.

Bear is actually a blessing in disguise. He has brought my daughter more comfort in these unpredictable times and they are inseparable.

I felt ashamed for thinking this pup wouldn’t bring joy to her life. She sends pictures of him to me and the radar sized ears are kind of growing on me. I just had to draw him which I’m afraid made him uglier than ever. But Bear makes her happy and this is all I could ask for.

Sometimes we are quick to judge the choices others make in their lives. I know I am guilty of this. However sometimes those decisions create a path that open other opportunities. It is those opportunities that bring us the most joy.

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

Romans 2:1

It’s Okay to Love Yourself

Do everything in love

1 Corinthians 16:14

I had forgotten how much joy fresh flowers bring to me! I bought a bouquet the other day because I was feeling down and needed a pick-me-up.

Show yourself love, as you would love others. Don’t forget about you in the hustle of the daily grind.

Rest Assured

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

I am thankful for a creative mind. Lately my mind is overwhelmed and burdened by many things, especially work.

In fact, I pray so much about it, I’m sure God wonders why this is a repetitive issue with me. Not only do I turn to Him, I turn to my art because I figure with both, I can conquer my messy mind and I won’t have the need to think of anything burdensome, therefore I can rest.

The world sits heavy on my shoulders, as does my commute, daily challenges, and so much more. I’ve been in this situation before and I wonder why I’m never satisfied. I pray about this too!

I don’t believe I have received an answer as of yet, but that doesn’t stop me from asking or listening! I am sure it will become clear from Him. When in doubt never give up praying and listening! He will answer you in His time.

In the meantime, I keep myself busy with creative eyes with new projects, ideas, and ways to settle my uneasiness I have been feeling as of late.

With love,

Robin

A Pint of Prayer

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4

I am mourning the death of my youth.

There is nothing like a spoonful….um…pint full of Double Chocolate Brownie Truffle cashew milk ice cream during a bad day.

I can’t say my day went horribly wrong, but lately my frustrations appear to be beyond my control. Maybe it is the adjustment of staff at my work during this pandemic and I am absorbing more responsibilities, or maybe it is because my regular routine has been disrupted.

Or it could very well be the wretched heat waves I have been experiencing of what my Doctor blatantly stated, “Robin, I hate to say it, but welcome to the sisterhood of aging. You are peri menopausal.” I fell out of chair.

I gasped. “You…take…that…back. Take it back!” I was distraught. She laughed. “I’m sorry there is no avoiding this one!”

If she would have slapped me across the face with a latex glove and told me to snap out of it – it would have been easier to take.

But this….I went in to have my hand examined and I leave with one foot in the grave and a pamphlet on discounted plots. This marks the idea that my precious life is 3/4 of the way over. Hypothetically speaking of course, if I were only to live until my eighties.

I cried later in the shower. Just me and my tears. If I would have looked up to pray, I’m sure I would have drown.

But it’s times like these, no matter the circumstances or unexpected news flashes, a big spoonful of prayer and a pint of Double Chocolate Brownie Truffle cashew milk ice cream will ease the pain and calm the mind.

Faith in Change

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

2 Corinthians 16:13

Change has been shifting the lives of us here on earth, and many of us are unsure of what the future holds.

As with myself, everyday I am reminded of change happening. Once I have learned to quickly, yet reluctantly adapt to the changes set before me, those changes swiftly shift again, and I am grasping for balance. Similar to waves crashing at my feet and the sands quickly move beneath me.

What I have learned amongst these rapid changes, is I must have faith; faith in myself, the choices I make, faith in others, and faith in God. If I don’t have faith to stand strong and trust in Him, I have nothing.

There is a nest in one of our pine trees that belongs to a Robin bird. I have been carefully monitoring this nest for over a week now. About a week ago, I peered in to find two of the three eggs with tiny puncture holes. The babies were on their way. A couple of days later I peered in again and to my surprise, not much had changed. The same holes had not grown any larger. As worry overwhelmed me that something may have been wrong, I was reminded to have faith in these little birds to have the strength to break free from their confined little compartments.

A few days later I was out in the yard and I could hear their tiny voices chirping for their mama. Overwhelmed by joy, a large smile came over my face. I knew they could do it!

Faith. Have faith.

Eyeful Beauty

“He has made everything beautiful in its time”

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Bloom Big, My Love

“Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come”

Song of Songs, 2:12

With the hate and confusion of multiple tragedies going on in the world, I turn to prayer and the beauty of my rhododendrons.

How could one not stop and enjoy the beauty of what God brings us and become one with our senses of sight and smell?

Right now, our rhododendrons are in full bloom. I love these flowers so much, our home is surrounded by them. I cannot even begin to tell you how much joy these flowers bring me. Right before they bloom, the anticipation is immense! Similar to a child the night before Christmas, I am consistently checking the blooms, patiently waiting for their tiny petals to open wide for the my enjoyment.

I once told a colleague I was a tree hugger. She laughed and I said I was serious. I told her I meticulously care for my trees and plants, cutting off any dead branches that may be robbing the plant of nutrients. I talk to my plants and tell them how beautiful they are. I thank God for their beauty. It may sound crazy, but I almost bet my plants and trees hear me! They are that beautiful, as though it makes them proud with my compliments.

Lately I am obsessed with trying to capture their beauty. It is good for my art practice, provides me with a form of meditation and peace while shutting out all of the negativity in the world. It captures a perfect moment of beauty that I can enjoy until they bloom again.

With love,

Robin

Wonderful World

“God made all kinds of trees that grow out of the ground – trees that were pleasing to the eye” Genesis 2:9

Life is beautiful!

I’m struck by the beauty of Spring. The other evening, my husband took me to the local Home Depot to look at trees. I wanted a Japanese Maple to plant outside my art studio window. Another sanctuary I was hoping to create.

As we walked around, I saw a Dogwood. Oh the beauty of this tree! I couldn’t make up my mind now! We left Home Depot empty handed.

The next morning, over coffee, my husband said to me, “did you think about what tree you wanted?” I sat there a moment and then sheepishly said “both”. I knew the answer would be no. He never said anything, but changed the subject to some pavers he had seen.

We went back to Home Depot later that morning and he asked again what maple I wanted. Then he said to pick out a Dogwood, then he said he wanted an additional Dogwood!

I was so excited I could hardly contain myself! Three trees!

Last night I dug a hole for my maple. Earlier my husband had planted the other two. The maple was going to be much harder, as that side of the yard had been neglected. Once I start a project I don’t know when to quit! I had to pull at the least, 10 feet of weeds and prepare the ground. Needless to say, this 46 year old body is unbelievably sore this morning!

There is still much too do, but when I am finished, this will be our little have and the view from my studio will create a peace I have been eagerly waiting for. As it fills in and has new growth, I will be surround by God’s beauty as the birds will enjoy their new playground.

With love,

Robin

Then Sings My Soul

What is your favorite hymnal?

Yesterday I had been working in our backyard pulling weeds in preparation to plant more flowers, trees and bushes. I am trying to create a secluded sanctuary for my husband and I. He said to me, “it is pretty much there”, this was upon my request of a lush yard. I remarked, “not yet, I can still see my neighbors”. I want to forget the world when I enter my backyard and it is slowly getting there.

As I was pulling weeds, my favorite flowers, the rhododendrons are in full bloom and I noticed the bumblebees flourishing around the blooms. I ran in the house to grab my camera. On the fence line we’re these tiny golden finches singing their hearts out and in the pine tree, the hummingbirds too, were singing at the top of their tiny lungs.

It reminded me of how wonderful the little things Jesus provides for us that so many overlook. I always soak in the beauty of it because like the little finches and the little hummingbirds that surround our home, my heart too sings with joy. But not out loud because I was not blessed with a voice as pretty as those little birds and if I sang with joy, there would be no birds! Oh how I wish I could sing!

My joy is overwhelmed by all of the nature in our yard and brings the music of my favorite hymns:

1. Then Sings My Soul

2. How Great Thou Art

3. Amazing Grace

4. It Is Well With My Soul

5. The Old Rugged Cross

I captured the image of the bumblebees and later in the afternoon, I pulled out my colored pencils to try and capture the beauty I saw earlier in the day. A tiny 3×3 drawing of one of nature’s small species but bursting with beauty, and my soul was singing! I hope yours sings too with all the beauty Jesus provides.

With love,

Robin