One Little Word 2025

 

Happy New Year! I am delighted to once again be joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday. Today's journey is hosted by Margaret Simon, and we are writing about our One Little Word for 2025.

My word for 2024 was "seasons." I knew this past year would bring new life seasons for me, and I wanted to embrace them and fill them with joy even if they would be difficult. 

As I moved through nature's seasons, I also moved through life's seasons and came out a stronger person. Funny how God does seem to know what we need just when we need it.

Last year's journey brought me a greater sense of purpose and gratefulness. Watching my mom's decline with dementia made me realize the importance of capturing memories. Turning 60, I realized the importance of good health. And watching my daughter spread her wings and move into her own home made me realize the importance of my marriage. These three seasons became my cornerstone for my one little word for this year:  TODAY.

I am focused on today:  cherishing the days I still have left with my mom, focusing on better health, enjoying the time with just my husband and me (it's been 32 years since it has been just the two of us!) and leaning in to hear God's word a little clearer.

"This is the day that the Lord has made; 

let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Scrapes and Scars

  

I am delighted to be hosting Spiritual Journey Thursday this month. This month our theme change/transformation--a perfect theme for the season. Please link up below if you would like to join us.

I thought I knew what I was going to write about this month, but you know what they say about best laid plans. All that changed after reading Ruth Ayres' lead from last week's Choice Literacy newsletter. And this post is more of a brain dump than an organized, coherent piece of writing.

Ruth wrote about her son Jay and his powerful story about chasing dreams and not letting his past control his decisions. She wrote about how difficult and frustrated teachers can become with students who experience deep trauma. Their decisions and choices don't always make sense. She explains that this happens "when a child is scraped by darkness at the start of life"

The words "scraped by darkness" stayed with me the entire day. After school, I told a colleague about what she wrote, and he says, "I wonder why she chose scraped by darkness instead of scarred."

Of course I have no idea why she chose those them, other than the fact that she is a master at stacking words. But these words have lingered on my heart.

For days, I thought about the differences between the words scrapes and scars. Most scrapes are temporary and can change, but scars are permanent. I touch a scar on my knee, and I can go back to the night I knelt on a needle, and it broke off in my knee.

We tend to forget about scrapes because they can sometimes heal and become invisible, but scars are a constant reminder of pain. I think about the "scars" from my relationship with my dad. I cannot touch those, but I know they are still there.

I believe that we have both scrapes and scars because God wants us to understand the role they play in our lives, in our faith. I know I have been scraped and scarred in my relationships with others as well as with Him.

But it is through His grace and my relationship with Him that I become healed, changed, and transformed.

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Searching for Wisdom

  

I am delighted to once again be joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday. I missed a couple of months, but I am glad to be back this month. Today's journey is hosted by Ruth at There is no such thing as God-forsaken town and the theme is "I don't know." Please feel free to join me!

I have been studying the book of Proverbs this month, taking a deep dive into the definition of "wisdom." I am taking a chapter a day, but I think this is quite fitting for this month's theme:  I don't know.

I always thought wisdom was information or facts I knew. I have come to learn that experiential knowledge is what lead leads to wisdom, not factual knowledge.

I have found five foundational principles throughout these first 10 chapters.

• wisdom--knowledge or an ability to make the right choices
• understanding--rational thinking
• prudence--ability to use reason to discipline ourselves
• knowledge--to experience reality
• discretion--behaving to avoid being offensive
• discernment--ability to judge between right and wrong
• the fear of the Lord--a worshipful awe of God

I have learned that just reading scripture isn't going to help me find wisdom. I have to act on it and gain that experiential knowledge by reading and accepting His word; being obedient by living His commandments; and continuing to search for wisdom like it's a "hidden treasure" (2:4). 

I know when I "do not rely on my own understanding," I will find peace and happiness, my worries will not seem so burdensome, and "He will make my path straight" (3:5-6)." But this is not always easy for me to do. I oftentimes act on impulse; I don't think things through before I do something. 

This is not wisdom. 

Sometimes I think I have the right answer because "I know things." 

This is not wisdom.

Chapter 8 taught me that everywhere I look, wisdom is calling out. But what keeps me from not seeing it or keeps me in the I don't know?" Am I taking the time to search for wisdom or to notice it. Sometimes, it's easier to just say, "I don't know."

It seems like I am always in a hurry. Maybe not so much in the summer, but certainly during the school year. I need to slow down, embrace times of quietness, and discern if my actions are based on wisdom. Again, this is not always easy for me to do.

These first ten chapters have certainly given me something to think about, and I am looking forward to becoming wiser.

As I work through the remaining chapters of the book of Proverbs, I will continue to pray these words: 

                "Lord, help me to slow down in my search for wisdom and 

                come to understand the treasure that she is, so that I can 

                come to know You better."

A Gathering of Grandkid Goodness 7/31

I am delighted to once again be joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday. I missed February (this post is part of the reason why) but I am glad to be back this month. Today's journey is hosted by Ramona at Pleasure from the Page. Please feel free to join us!

Before I became a teacher, I was a stay-at-home and a quilter. I quilted with my husband's grandmother and sister. We spent hours laughing and talking at the quilting frame while my daughter Megan played underneath. 

About 25 years ago, we began making picture quilts where we had pictures transferred onto fabric and then sewn into quilt blocks. Our first one was for the 50th wedding anniversary of my in-laws. It was beautiful.

We also made one for my grandma. This one featured a baby picture and a current picture of each one of her 18 grandchildren. That was such a special Christmas as no one had ever seen a quilt like this before.

Many years later, dementia took over my grandma's life, and she moved in with my aunt. I assumed she took the quilt with her. Sometime after she died, I asked about the quilt, and the search began.

My aunt looked all through Grandma's things. 

Nothing. 

My aunt looked all through her closets and drawers in her house. 

Nothing.

The quilt could not be found. We assumed that sometime during the move to my aunt's house, the quilt must have been accidently thrown away. It was probably stored safely in a box or bag, and someone had mistaken it for trash or a donation. 

After many years now, I have come to accept that it was gone.

Over President's Day weekend, my siblings and I packed up my mom's house because we had just recently put her in a nursing home. We each took a room, and I was in the back bedroom with my nephew. Going through a closet that had extra bedding in it, I looked down and I saw corner of a blanket.

"No, this can't be!"

I pulled it out and started screaming. The quilt was at my mom's house all these years. My mom now has dementia, so I will never know how or when she got it.  I am assuming that since my mom is the oldest of her siblings, she took it and didn't remember.

I now have the quilt, but what a day it was:  a gathering of grandkid goodness!

Join Two Writing Teachers and other teacher-writers as we 
share a slice of life during the month of March. 

 

One Little Word 2024: Spiritual Journey Thursday

I consider myself lucky to live in an area of our country where I get to experience the four seasons. Although I have my favorite seasons of the year, I am typically happy to move on to the next one and to the beauty that each one brings.

Seasons are a constant reminder of change. But sometimes I don't like change. I find comfort in the familiar. I know that we find rest in the winter, rebirth in the spring, growth in the summer, and transformation in the fall. There is comfort in that continuous cycle of seasons. 

In a few weeks, I will celebrate my 60th birthday and be gifted with a brand-new season. If I said I wasn't a little anxious about this one, I would be lying.

I am now one of the oldest teachers in my building, and I struggle with being labeled by students.

The word retirement has been coming up in conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, and the question is being asked more and more. 

Just last week, we placed my mother in a memory care facility. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.

I feel like I am being bombarded with new seasons. 

I know that each new season brings many moments of joy: winter landscapes of frosted windows and snow-laden tree branches; flowers in pinks and purples popping up, and tree filled with new life buds; the orange glow of summer sunsets; and the warm palette of fall leaves. I find joy in each new day.

For this new year, I need to find the joy in my own seasons of life. The purpose of my life is changing just like the seasons do, yet I struggle to find comfort in them right now. 

I know I must embrace them with my whole heart because God tells us...

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am delighted to once again be joining other bloggers for Spiritual Journey Thursday. Today's journey is hosted by Margaret Simon.

Gratitude

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.

I have to admit something - I cheated a little today.  I used part of a post from Slice of Life as my gratitude post today because the words are worth repeating,

A few weeks ago, I came across a tweet about a girl named Brittany Maynard. Brittany was a young woman who had a terminal brain tumor and chose to end her life on her own terms before the cancer did it for her.  This story grabbed my heart and did not let go.

This post is not about what she did because it is not my place to judge.  It is about what she said.  I am sure being face to face with one's mortality would be the catalyst to change and the inspiration to very deep thinking.  As I read her obituary, I was inspired by her words.

It is people who pause to appreciate life and give thanks who are happiest.  If we change our thoughts, we change our world!  Love and peace to you all." ~ Brittany Maynard

Her words made me question whether I am pausing or am I racing through this one life I have.  Am I assuming the people in my life know I am thankful, or am I letting them know before it is too late.  I like to think I am a grateful person, but I know there are many times when I do not pause.

Reading Brittany's words gave me a nudge.  She knew her days were numbered.  I know my days in this life are numbered too.  The only difference is she made the best of those days she had left.  She chose to change her world by changing her thoughts. Seems rather simplistic, but the magnitude of her words could be life changing.

Today, I pause.  

                        Today, I reflect.  

Today, I thank.

                        Today, I challenge you to do the same.

"And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~Colossians 3:17

Make a Difference

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.

Be a difference maker!  

When I started playing around with this post, I landed up in the middle of the 12 disciples.  You may think that is a strange place to end up, but think about it.  The 12 disciples were quite the difference makers.  But I am sure they didn't think that. Imagine Andrew, sitting in his boat, doing what he does every day - fishing.  The next thing he knows, he his dropping his nets and following the one they call Jesus of Nazareth.

Here were twelve men with their flaws and shortcomings, going about their daily routine.  They were ordinary people, just like you and me.  All of sudden, their lives were about to change in ways I am sure they never imagined.  They were asked to spread the news of the gospel to the world - they were asked to be a difference maker.

And here I am doing what I do every day, guiding young minds and wondering, "Do I really make a difference?"  

I believe that in many ways, we are all called to be difference makers, just like the 12 disciples.  But do we answer that call?  Do we hear God's whisper? Do we feel His nudge?

In this season of gratitude and thanksgiving, my thoughts lean toward making a difference.  But I need to do this during my ordinary days in ordinary ways.   Some days it may be something simple, such as giving someone a smile or a hug.  Other times it might be something bigger.  God sees all of these.  I believe that in His eyes, it does't matter if we are a fisherman or a teacher, we can all make a difference in this world.

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Grace from the God of Again

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.  We are a small group, but the learning and sharing always inspires me.

When I decided to participate in this weekly post,  I was very hesitant because I felt I would be exposing a vulnerability, a weakness.  When I think of the word journey, I think of something continuous, and my spiritual journey has been anything but continuous.  My journey has been full of pit stops along the way.  Many stops and yes, I have even been in the pits.

When I read the topic for this week, I was worried once again.  What can I possibly write about grace!  Searching for some type of inspiration, I came across some things written by Beth Moore.  The first post was titled The God of Again.

This post made me think about my journey and all of my stops and starts.  That is when I realized that because God is a God of Again, He not only allows me to keep coming back to Him, but he keeps coming back to me...again and again.  His grace reaches out to me in those pits, pulls me out, and leads me back onto the path where I need to be...back on my journey.

This journey has not been easy for me, and I know I have veered far off the path.  My path may be different and it may have many restarts, but it is mine. Looking back at where I have been is just as important as to where I am going. I know that it is grace from the God of Again that continues to lead me and will keep me company along the way.

Thank you friends for letting me come along with you on Spiritual Journey Thursday.  You have helped me grow in ways you will never know.  Your words touch my heart and encourage my spirit.

I leave you with another post from Beth Moore.  It is a list of many metaphors of grace.

Forgiveness

Every Thursday Holly Mueller from Reading, Teaching, Learning, creates a place where readers can share their spiritual journeys.

Forgiveness is difficult.  Forgiveness is complicated.  Forgiveness is freedom.

Throughout my life, I have had a difficult time with forgiveness.  My relationship with my father was strained from my teenage years until the day he died.  When he and my mother divorced, our relationship began to divide even further because I blamed him for breaking up our family.  Many things happened after the divorce, and I let those things control me.  Forgiveness was difficult.

I felt in my heart that when I forgive, I must admit what was done was OK.  Many times it is not.  It certainly was not with my father.  A part of me did not want to forgive because it was synonymous with approval.  I wrestled with this for many years.  Forgiveness was complicated.

I remember watching an episode of The Oprah Winfey show where she talked about an "aha moment" about the definition of forgiveness.   Oprah quotes a guest on her show, "Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different."  

I do believe I came to a point where I forgave my father.  It was not that I accepted what he did, or that forgiving made it right.  I accepted what was done, and the past was not going to run my life.  Through the grace of God, I was able to let it it go.  Forgiveness is freedom.