For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
Deuteronomy 8: 7-10
Good Monday Morning, Girlfriends!
What do you have cooking for this week? Or baking? Or microwaving, if you are like me? Ok, I am already off topic, but not too far perhaps. What I was trying to ask is what are your plans for this week, and I do not mean just for dinner. Is something special on your calendar, or are you facing the same old routine? Either way, I pray you will celebrate the newness of Monday, the opportunity to begin the week with a fresh start, a right attitude, and a rejuvenated heart.
Beginnings and Endings
I completed a major task over the weekend, finishing a digital scrapbook project in which I have invested well over eighty hours. I realize now, however, that my true investment has been nearly eighteen years of raising our cherished daughter. The end result, of both the project and her maturation, is beautiful. Celebration is in order, and forthcoming, as she graduates high school later this month. An ending. A beginning. Moments gone by. Tears of joy and tears of sadness cried. Now, a fresh start. A new routine. Kind of like Mondays....
Some people hate Mondays. I say embrace the day! Yes, the weekend is over, and our hours of play and rest are gone.Yet, opportunity lies before us--a chance to create something new, to change or alter our path, or simply a time to meet a stranger and make a new friend. Days to demonstrate to our family the love of Christ. And maybe even time to try a new recipe. (See I told you I was not too far off topic with the "what's cooking?" line!)
You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11
Girlfriends, we have one life to live in preparation for eternity. Grasp yours with joy and excitement in your heart. Give closure to the past and send it on its way. Walk today's winding path with enthusiasm and pep, engaging with God's creation. Look to the future with fascination and fervor. Bake or buy some bountiful bread but remember that we do not live by bread alone. Feed on the very Word of God and be satisfied. Say a sunny hello to Monday just as brightly as you thank God for Friday. And, Ladies, I pray you savor every day in between.
Jesus said to them, “I tell you the
truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it
is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:32-35
Love to you all!
PS For those of you who simply must take me literally, check out the link on the left side of my blog page for Organizing Dinner. Kelly has some tasty recipes that are simple and healthy, fresh and lively to the taste buds. On her site, check out the blog for a recipe from my last retreat for Thai Coconut Basil Chicken. I promise if you put this on your menu for the beginning of the week, everyone in your house will profess TGIMonday!
