Thankful for a few reminders this week:

First, sometimes when and where we least expect it, we could find a reason to smile.

Reminder number two:  Storms don’t just bring lightning and thunder and downpours. They also bring rain that waters plants, rain that induces growth.  Rain helps plants bear fruit (or vegetables!)  one day.

Reminder number three:  Good things take time. Beautiful old water oaks were once tiny little acorns. Yes, good things take time. It’s sad when an old tree falls down that has taken a long, long time to grow. But that very tree may have left lots of acorns behind. It’s good to remember that there are always more acorns, more new beginnings, more things to be vested in.

Reminder Number Four:  Trees have good years and bad years. The lines of the rings tell a story. We’re kind of like trees. Some years can be good or great. But then some, well, not so much. Just gotta keep on keeping on through the not so much and be thankful for the good and great. (Actually, scripture tells us to be thankful in it ALL…even in the “not so much…”). I’m not sure as it relates to trees, but it seems like  those times are really good at growing people up, that’s for sure.

Reminder Number Five:  You might catch glimpses of yourself when you least expect it. While taking photos of a historical home, I didn’t realize I was  catching myself in the mirror. Sometimes we see ourselves in people. Sometimes in situations. The cool thing is, when we see ourselves in new surroundings, it might bring out things that we didn’t see in the day to day status quo kind of way. (Like, I was thinking I sure do need a tan, lol.)   I could see myself in some of the students I worked with this week. They were curious and full of fun, but had some insecurities as well. I saw myself in some others as well this week, and it gave me compassion.  Empathy often comes as we put ourselves in a different scenario and think about how we’d feel in the situation. Yeah, catching glimpses of ourselves unexpectedly can help us to not only be more aware of ourselves, but also more aware of others.

Reminder Number Six: Things change. Don’t be afraid. Some changes might be good, some might be scary, some might be fun or exciting. But things change. Using a keyboard after using an old typewriter might be hard to get used to. But it’ll end up being way more worth the learning curve that it takes in terms of capabilities, etc. Fighting that fact can make life a bit difficult. Acceptance of change can sure make transitions a lot easier.

A lot of times, change that’s hard can end up looking like growth. Am thinking the response often determines whether it looks like growth or just hard change. I love the verse that says we are to be ‘transformed by the renewing of our mind. ”  Here it is: ‘In view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A seed needs to be buried and cracked open  before the growth starts to occur. Acorns gotta die before becoming big old oak trees that stand for all to see. Some change might not be easy, but hopefully it’s leading somewhere good. Am thinking that renewing our mind with prayer and scripture will help ensure that it does just that.

Well, that’s it for now.  Just a few simple reminders to myself from some photos of the week.

Blessings~

Heather

Psalm 1