I’m huge on planning and organization. Yep, all eyes are on me when it’s time to plan a family vacation or trip. No one stresses because they all know that I’ll have everything figured out when the time comes. So, I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that peace and preparation go hand in hand for this second week of Advent.

Here’s an interesting fact about me…I played Mary in a live Nativity in my hometown every year from the age of 12 until my senior year in college. Of course, peace is an easy one. We’re all familiar with the iconic phrasing recited and remembered at every community Nativity observance and yes, I heard it spoken as I held a host of little babies throughout those years.

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

Peace

Well…maybe it’s easy to see how peace fits into the Christmas narrative, but I don’t think any of us assume it’s a foregone conclusion in everyday practice. We get the concept; we know we’re supposed to have it, but the daily execution can prove much more difficult to master.

Why is it so easy to allow fear and worry to replace peace in our hearts and minds?

Obviously, God knows it’s a daily struggle for us to walk in peace. That’s why the His Word consistently encourages us not to worry or fear. But, did you know that the Bible actually mentions “fear not” 365 times Yep, one time for every day we’re tempted to succumb to doubt, fear and anxiety!

Preparation

While the worries of this life loom daily, so does the firm reality that God has our lives and this world under control. It’s right here that the whole preparation part comes into play…this world as it is right here and right now isn’t all there is…nope! Jesus is coming again and we can be ready.

‘‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled in,
    every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
    the rough ways smooth.

Luke 3: 4-5

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What does this preparation look like in practice? It means to consistently take things back to Jesus and God’s Word. When I feel tempted to follow the path of cynicism or speak words of judgement, I ask myself, “Where is this emotion coming from and does it reflect Jesus?” God promises to bring peace as long as I refuse to allow myself to wander down crooked paths.

Christmas comes around each year to remind us that God’s got a plan for every step of our journey…and that plan starts and ends with Jesus.

I encourage each of you to reflect God’s peace this Christmas season. You may know that this world and all its problems is not the end, but is your life reflecting this reality to others who so desperately long for peace?

~ Shellie

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I’ve just returned from a grand adventure! My daughter and I launched out on a three-day road trip from Florida to Missouri to move her to a new city. I’d never driven further than the northern borders of my own state prior to this trip, but my girl had a new job waiting and this mama was going to get her there.

Quite frankly, the newness of this undertaking didn’t occur to me until a few hours into the second day. I was forging new territory, on my own…hands on the wheel and foot on the gas. This is not to say I’d never covered this ground before…no, I was familiar with the landscape, but I had always experienced it in from the passenger seat.

This time, I was forging new personal territory by doing something I’d never done before.

The second day taught me that I have the distinct talent of stretching a seven hour trip into ten hours. It all started with a detour to Buc-cees, the Disney of gas stations. We gassed up, grabbed some sugared nuts, a brisket taco, made a gourmet hot chocolate and snapped a few photos along the way.

Only after driving away did I discover that our little detour had added the first hour to our trip. But that was ok…we were fed and ready to hit the open road; however, the road wasn’t as open as I had anticipated. In fact, it was downright small; all two-laney and sloooooow.

After a call to the husband, we were now educated to the fact that Google maps doesn’t figure in speed when determining the best route. We were in uncharted territory…a small, winding Alabama road. Thankfully, the road eventually widened to four lanes as we began our northern ascent through Mississippi.

Of course, our stomachs were soon calling again, so we branched off to a nearby town to hit a well-reviewed burger joint. But alas, we gave up after circling the block three times; only to find out from a waitress at the second highest reviewed spot that the burger place was indeed there; tucked behind the post office, down a tight lane across from the second-hand store. Nope, you can’t really see it from the road…sigh.

Here, I should mention that rest areas are few and far between on off-interstate travel, which left the two of us searching for other points along the path…where bathroom doors are opened with screwdrivers OR where each girl takes turns as the lookout while the other uses the men’s bathroom as the co-workers can be overheard puzzling over what would make someone think they could flush “that” down the women’s toilet??

I’m sure it’s starting to sink in about now…what’s the point of a road trip story without diverging on the path of a life metaphor?…well, at least when I’m telling the story.

This three-day road trip was little about the drive and a lot about the journey.

Yep, I learned a few lessons along the way…

Lessons From My First Long Road Trip

Don’t get so caught up in the destination that you miss the moments along the way.

Yes, that second day was long, but I wouldn’t trade the chats; the podcasts of “Crime Junkies”; or belting out songs in harmony with my best girl. We’ll always remember that screwdrivers make great keys.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to get behind the wheel and drive.

Life is full of opportunities…to do something that you’ve never done before; to go somewhere you’ve never gone or to be something you’ve never been. We are seldom limited by lack of opportunity, but rather by our own inability or unwillingness to step past our comfort zones or the four walls of our accepted reality.

Just because things didn’t go exactly like you expected doesn’t mean they weren’t perfect for you.

We seldom laugh and reminisce about the perfect days.
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We seldom laugh and reminisce about the perfect days.

It’s the bumps and inconveniences that make the best life stories. You alone decide how to perceive events of your life…do you cry or laugh over every missed step? It’s amazing how your perspective can frame your journey!

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.

Psalms 37:23

And, just like that, we ended up in Missouri three days after we set out on our first solo road trip. Baby Girl is moved in and I’m back home in Florida with a journey in my pocket and a few more shared memories.

~ Shellie

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Today, on this sunny Florida afternoon, I’m reflecting on the past twelve months of craziness and one steady God. That’s the only way I can adequately describe how the last year has felt on so many levels.

On this very day twelve months ago, I sat in my Manila apartment and stared out the window to the ground 12 floors below. At this point, I had been on mandated lockdown for one week…and the reality of the situation was sinking in.

The things that I typically enjoyed so much about our apartment…no yard to mow, no dog to feed…we could just pick up and go anytime we wanted, became the very things that suddenly seemed restrictive and confining.

I remember thinking, “What in the world am I going to do with myself all day, everyday with these physical restraints?” I was not allowed to leave the apartment and we had no balcony. In the first weeks, I would open my windows periodically to stick my head out to feel the breeze and hear the wind rustle through the trees below.

I had just come off a busy season of travel and appointments. In fact, I remember laughing about how hard I had worked to carve out a little time for rest and renewal during the busy few months of 2020.

Then suddenly, my “schedule” changed as if by the clicking of a switch. I had time…luxurious time…then, TOO MUCH TIME…to rest. Now, the things I used to fit in on the fly between all the other important stuff in my life became the only things I had to do.

I eventually sank into a rhythm by mentally dividing my days by various rituals. I became more mindful about creating positive connections by posting one encouraging or uplifting post per day on social media. And, I considerably upped my video game by making a series of videos.

In retrospect, I learned to live without the press of the next appointment. I realized once again, as I had in past life seasons…God didn’t send me here to do, but to be.

How many times has God brought me back to this same place?

I remember learning this lesson for the first time two decades before as a mom of young kids in the small communist country of Laos. I spent my days…and a lot of boiling hot ones at that…reading stories, fixing lunches and waiting for nap time. Shouldn’t I be doing something meaningful with my life?

Eventually, God got my attention. He didn’t love or accept me because of my competency or my ability to get things done….in that season, he wanted me to be present for my kids.

Twelve Months Of Craziness & One Steady God

Yes, the Covid season of 2020 was 12 months of craziness that hit many of us by surprise, but I have experienced other seasons that mirrored it in many ways. And, when it comes right down to it, it’s my presence in less-than-ideal circumstances that’s spoken loader than anything I’ve accomplished in this life.

Why would I leave America to raise my kids in a third-world context? Why did I stay in that Manila apartment for twelve straight weeks without leaving but a handful of times when I could have hopped a plane for the United States? Yes, America was also in lockdown, but I could have at least been able to walk outside the front door.

I did it because I can trust God with my days. It’s a lesson He’s taught me over the years…God is only ever interested in my heart, not what I do.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. ¹⁸ So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Corinthians 4: 16 -18

God renews us day by day and we can choose to fix our eyes on him regardless of the storms. Yes, it’s been twelve months of craziness! But ultimately, it’s our presence that speaks value to those we’ve been called to love and serve; whether it’s precious children; a husband in a two-bedroom high-rise apartment or the woman who reads these words in a blog post.

I believe God will continue to use me as new seasons arise, and yes I look forward to fully embracing, squeezing the life out of, some happier seasons to come. But, this one lesson I hope to remember…my greatest contribution is not to do, but to be.

~ Shellie

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Sadly, our attention is often riveted to the saddest and most sensational news of the day. If we’re not careful, we can convince ourselves that there’s really little good in our world at all. Even sadder, is the realization of how easily a gloomy perspective can color our world. That’s why it’s so important to mindfully focus on what’s good about life and living.

I sat down to write a list of my new favorite things; whether they’ve made my life a little easier or brought a smile.

Don’t you love talking about your favorite things? No doubt this is one of the reasons I started blogging in the first place…just to have a regular opportunity to share my life and experiences with others. In fact, I used to write about my favorite things each week.

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I’m an idea girl, so I typically keep a list of future projects running on my phone at all times. But recently, I’ve felt like I never find enough time to take anything from the list to reality. I finally sat down to take a serious look at how I spent my time and where the time was leaking out of my days.

You may have heard the term “tyranny of the urgent.” Basically, this idea refers to the habit of reacting to situations as they arise, rather than planning ahead. Ultimately, this approach leaves little time or energy to brainstorm for projects, let alone focus any creativity toward accomplishing new things.

I’m not sure how I got stuck in the reaction mode, but it was time to become more proactive with my schedule to figure out how to get things done. So, I sat down to pinpoint what tasks I needed to accomplish every week and what projects I would like to develop over the course of the next several months.

Power Hours – How To Get Things Done

The idea was to carve out some time each week to make steady forward movement toward accomplishing new goals, rather than getting stuck in a constant loop of must-dos. But, I knew that I didn’t want to fill every waking minute of my days. Actually, the thought of filling every moment was exhausting in itself.

So, I looked at my schedule to determine a consistent block of time when I was less likely to bend to a million distractions. For me, 2 to 4pm seemed to fit the bill.  I now call these my Power Hours.

First, I assigned my weekly must-do tasks; making sure that the last day of each week included 30 minutes of prep time to prepare for the following week’s must-dos.

Then, I was left with time, luxurious time, to spend on future writing projects and to accomplish once-and-done tasks that crop up each week. This is what my weekly schedule looks like now.

You’ll notice that I scheduled nothing on the weekends. I did this to allow for leisure time, but also because I know how vulnerable my schedule is to unplanned events. I can usually find time in the weekend to make up for missed power hours.

It’s amazing what can be accomplished in an uninterrupted two-hour block. Not only that, but dedicated power hours take away that nagging feeling that I must constantly produce if I ever want to accomplish my goals. Now, if an idea pops into my head or I come across an interesting article that relates to one of my power hours, I just jot it down on a running list to address at the appropriate time. I am way less to run down rabbit trails only to discover I lost a few hours in the process.

Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son.

Ephesians 1: 3-6 (The Message)

Now that I’ve allotted time to get things done, I feel more peace and freedom to enjoy my remaining hours. But then, this shouldn’t surprise me because I know that God’s a planner. If He made the effort to plan, I’m thinking it’ will work out better for me too!

~ Shellie

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If there’s one thing we can all be assured of, it’s change. I find this to be glaringly true in my current midlife season. In fact, I could almost be convinced that little gnomes of change worked tirelessly to stack tons of “changing stuff” at the door to age 53…just waiting for me to open it so everything could come spilling out!

Don’t even get me started on all the goodies I’ve encountered in the past few months. Let’s just say I’ve been hit on all fronts…from night sweats to a mysterious 5 pounds that showed up one morning and so far, is intent on sticking around. So, I guess it’s time to talk about how I am trying to keep up with all my midlife changes and what keeps me going.

It’s a good thing I am such a fan of perspective and choices. I have had to follow my own advice more than a few times in recent days. Ultimately, I can choose to embrace this midlife season or I can sink into it as it threatens to swallow me whole.

Midlife Changes | How Am I Keeping Up?

1. His Mercies Are New Every Morning

I remind myself to take one day at a time and trust God for His mercies that are new every morning. This is especially important when I awaken from a night of staring at the clock at midnight, and one, and two-thirty  and three twenty…

2. My Perspective Is Often The Only Thing That’s In My Control

I can’t always control what is happening to me, but I can control my response to it. The natural inclination is to cast blame to something, or more often someone, when we feel helpless to control our own bodies. But, this habit really just spreads out and amplifies the problem. Instead, I take regular breaks to notice what’s going right in my life and thank God for those things. Then, I try to approach the rest from a position of strength (God’s strength) and promise.

Take a look at this new app I recently discovered, called Abide. It features short scripture meditations to help you refocus and recharge.

3. Take Small Steps To Address Your Midlife Season

If you don’t like where you are, then it’s time to ask God for help. But don’t stop there….take small steps to proactively move to a new place. So, what steps am I taking?

• I set an appointment to see an OB-GYN this week to see what’s happening with my hormones.
• I have evaluated my exercise routine to see where I can make some changes. I know that I need to add more strength training and toning to my typical cardio-rich schedule.
• I am evaluating my diet and asking myself the honest question, “What new habits can I form and realistically sustain? I know I need to address my carb intake in response to the hormonal changes in my body.
• Accept that a new season requires a new approach. Some of these midlife changes are here to stay, while others can be mitigated through changes to my diet, exercise routine and sleeping routine.

Here are some scriptures to encourage us all.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12: 9

He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40: 29

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

Matthew 11: 28

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

If you’ve read this far then I can just bet you’re right there in the boat with me. At least you and I can rest in the knowledge that many women have navigated these waters before us. Even better, we can place our midlife changes in God’s hands and trust Him to help us sort them out.

~ Shellie

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This month, The FABulous Journey turns six.” Wow…six years, it seems like so much has happened and yet it also feels like yesterday.

Where was I in January, 2015? My oldest had left home the preceding August to go to college in the US; leaving me in Manila to mourn his absence throughout the remainder of that Fall. Thankfully, my daughter was still living at home, but I knew my time with her was limited.

I needed to step into a new season; one that was not consumed with mothering. Of course, once a mother you’re always a mother, but I was keenly aware that my job description was on the brink of a major overhaul…from doing to being.

I’m not quite sure where the whole idea of blogging came from. I can’t say I’d read many blogs up to that point, but I vaguely remember a friend suggesting blogging as an outlet for my thoughts and emotions.

So, I did what most of us do when considering something new. I googled “blogging;” found out what I needed; picked a name and started doing it. It sounds easy doesn’t it? Well, in reality it was anything but. I had so much to learn and just when I figured one thing out it was time to move on to the next.

I poured some serious hours into those first months and discovered skills I didn’t even know I had. But then, maybe it’s more accurate to say that I developed skills I didn’t know I had the capacity for. I honed them by researching, experimenting, failing, changing, tweaking and researching some more.

Now, six years later, I think little about the mechanics of blogging because I’ve developed some strong muscle memory along the way. And admittedly, my graphics have improved a tad over the years.

My goals have changed a lot too. At first, I blogged to shake things up…to develop something in me, but somewhere along the way I decided it was time for The FABulous Journey to be more about those who read it.

Some Of My Favorite Posts Of 2020

Casual Black Jumper Dress                        Be The Real Thing                                  Our Mountain Vacation

Hmmm, sounds a like a God thing to me. He had great plans for me, but first I had to be willing to shed my old season.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29: 11

Blogging paved the way for me to learn new skills, explore opportunities that were previously unknown, and develop a lot of new friendships along the way. It was also the catalyst for my first book, Find Your Weigh, which had always been on my bucket list. Ah yes, the book project…now that is a whole…other…story. But I can confidently say I would not be an author today if I had not stepped out six years ago.

What about you…is God calling you into a new season? It can be daunting to step out, especially when you know the journey will require some work and persistence. Yet, I’m convinced that God walks with those He calls and His Word is full of promises  to back that up!

I am thankful to all of you who’ve chosen to walk this journey with me. As The FABulous Journey turns six, may God continue to move and stretch us to embrace new seasons in this new year and beyond.

~ Shellie

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Recently, I made the pilgrimage to The World Of Coke in downtown Atlanta. We southern folks are crazy about our Coke! This place has been on my bucket list for years and it was time to make some family memories. After viewing the museum of all-things-Coke I am now double-sure that the whole world is crazy about it too…as if I didn’t already know!

After all, I’ve drank Coke in some pretty out-of-the-way places. I love sipping it from a plastic bag in Thailand with an expertly tied, improvised rubber band strap to loop around my finger. But, nothing compares to pulling a “Baby Coke” (my name for a small bottle Coke) from a washtub full of icy water.

I can picture it now…popping off the top as a misty white cloud of frozen carbonation wafts from the top of the bottle.

And, let’s not forget Coke’s classic red, which happens to be my signature color. Coke just looks good on me!

About half-way through the tour, I encountered a massive quote posted on an equally massive wall…

“A bottle so distinct that it could be recognized by touch in the dark or lying broken on the ground.”

Everyone knows Coke by its bottle. The design of the bottle is unique and purposeful…it has not changed since the advent of the brand.

This quote spoke more than a design philosophy, it was a mission statement.

I’ve not been a place in the world that I couldn’t buy a Coke. Even when the local water was not safe to drink, I could still rely on Coke to be the “real thing”…it looked like I expected it to look and it tasted like I expected it to taste no matter how unsettling or bizarre my surrounding may have been.

Just like Coke, I too should be immediately recognizable. My life should be unmistakable to everyone who comes in contact with me. I should be the REAL THING. I should look the way people expect me to look and I should act the way people expect me to act.

Why?…because I am an image-bearer of Christ.

Just like Coke’s distinctive bottle, my life is filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence and gifts. If I am really full of God’s presence, then people should be able to recognize God’s presence when it pours out in my thoughts, attitudes, and actions.

I should be the real thing!

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

^15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

Colossians 3: 12-17 (The Message)

It was fascinating to hear how closely the Coke company has guarded its secret recipe for well over a century. In fact, the bottling companies have never had access to the recipe…all they do is bottle it!

But, unlike Coke, the message of Christ has remained consistent for thousands of years…the recipe for life in Christ is no secret at all.

Are You The Real Thing?

Would someone be able to point you out as a Christian based solely on your life; your words and actions? We live in a season of considerable turmoil and yes, each day we’re assailed by a considerable amount of stress.

“Adversity introduces a man to himself.” – Albert Einstein

Still, we are not defined by our circumstances, but rather our response to them. I’ve heard the word “together” mentioned a lot in the last few months. Agreeably, a lot of adversity and uncertainty have been dumped on all of us this year, but it’s still up to each person to determine how to respond.

So, this begs the question, “What are you pouring out on a daily basis?” If your life and responses don’t immediately identify you as a Christian, then it’s time to stop and take stock; if not for other people’s sake then for your own. God’s promises are enduring and His mandate is clear.

The “real” Christ-follower needs to keep the “main thing” the main thing. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking that everyone needs to hear us wax eloquent on the political landscape or the Coronavirus. After all, that’s what is on everyone’s mind…right?

How could it not be on everyone’s mind when that’s all you see? People are drowning in opinions. Only God’s unchanging truth can break through the chaos. There are too many counterfeits out there…people need to see the real thing in you and in me.

~ Shellie

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I woke up the other morning with a good case of ditzy on the brain. I had actually set an alarm for an early morning Zoom call…well, I guess 9am is early if you have no other place to be. However, regardless of the set alarm and a calendar reminder, I managed to convince myself that the meeting was an hour later.

So, there I was waiting for my call, which was actually an hour ago…crickets. “Hey, I’m here,” I typed into the chat. Only then did the 10 am time stamp on my phone call out…”Hey Girl, you missed it!”

After scrolling through a full Facebook feed of bright-eyed avatars only to realize that the avatar function wasn’t available in the Philippines, I drug myself to the kitchen to put some chicken in the Insta pot. At least I would have SOMETHING to show for my morning.

A couple of minutes later my Insta pot let out an unfamiliar alarm…I looked over to discover the word “burn!” I had put the chicken in with no liquid. Phew…another misstep in an otherwise unproductive day. Well…except for the fact that I now know that my Insta pot will warn me before I burn the house down!

When’s the last time you’ve woken to a ditzy day? We all have them. Those days when we just need to shake out of it.

Shake Out Of It

So, what did I do to shake out of it? I cranked up the AC and Rascal Flatts, baked a cake, and danced in my kitchen. And you know what? It made me feel much better…and that piece of cake was really yummy too!

So, what’s the point of today’s story?…I…am…not…perfect. Yes, I write about makeup and clothes. I share words of encouragement and hope. And, I believe every single word. But, I am still just a girl who lives each day sustained by God’s grace.

It’s my heart’s desire that you recognize your worth as God’s daughter; that you understand that your value and position in God’s family has absolutely nothing to do with how well you dress or if your eyeliner is on straight…real life is not always perfectly combed or coifed. 

Still, you can choose how you respond …when life gives you lemons, make some lemon cake!

I don’t do it all the time, but sometimes I need a bite of glazed lemon loaf cake and Stand by Rascall Flatts.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13

Give it a try…it’s a great combination. I’m so glad that God specializes in imperfect people.

~ Shellie

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I must admit, my present-day picture seems less than ideal, and, right now, my real life does not resemble a Norman Rockwell painting. Frankly, it’s easy to regard my current situation as one that must be endured, rather than lived. I’ve heard Covid-19 described as this generation’s defining moment and I have to admit we’ve had a pretty cushy go of it up to this point.

Norman Rockwell actually lived through the Spanish Influenza of 1918, as well as, WWI, WWII and Vietnam. He, like many of our grandparents, lived through hard times and continued on.

In 1916, the 22-year-old Rockwell painted his first cover for The Saturday Evening Post, the magazine considered by Rockwell to be the “greatest show window in America.” Over the next 47 years, another 321 Rockwell covers would appear on the cover of the Post.

Norman Rockwell Museum

The last six weeks of strict home quarantine has me asking,

“Where’s my Norman Rockwell?”

This surreal experience colors my world in a completely different way; almost as if a new filter has been applied to my life picture. Just like sunglasses on a sunny day, this filter has removed the glare of must-dos and appointments and shifted my gaze to new priorities…to keep myself functioning and whole.

I am also closely examining my daily routines as they are now completely of my own design. How do I use my time? Am I doing things to nourish my body, soul and spirit? What are my real priorities and does my daily life actually reflect those priorities?

This season of forced solitude has also challenged me to focus more on others, which is quite ironic since I find myself alone more than ever before. The computer that used to draw me away into an endless stream of projects is now my primary tool for reaching out!

However now, without the distractions of “normal life,” I am keenly aware that God alone can replenish and renew my innermost being. Not only can He do it, but He longs to live with me and He promises to be the source when I come to the end of myself.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11: 28-30

Rockwell said this about his art,

“Maybe as I grew up and found the world wasn’t the perfect place I had thought it to be, I unconsciously decided that if it wasn’t an ideal world, it should be, and so painted only the ideal aspects of it.”

Rampages.com

Undoubtedly, Covid-19 has broken all illusions of the ideal, perfect life. There’s not a camera filter that can remove the reality out of this picture. We are not impervious to disease, nor can we hide behind our own human ingenuity or scientific achievements. We’re just not as smart or invincible as we thought we were.

God is still God and we are not Him.

We see the reality of daunting statistics and troubling headlines. However, God’s word promises that there is a new day ahead when the skies will clear again.

We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

1 Corinthians 13:12

So, I’ll trust God with my picture.

I’ll give him my days and wait to see what brush strokes he adds and what new colors he reveals.

And, I hope…when the virus is finally checked and I walk out into a world where I can hug who I want; where uncertainty no longer looms in the corner of every waking moment…

I hope and pray that the rest of my life will reflect a greater reliance on God by allowing Him to color my everyday life with His masterful hand…my own unique Norman Rockwell.

~ Shellie

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The post Where’s My Norman Rockwell? | When Life Is Less Than Ideal appeared first on Shellie Bowdoin | The FABulous Journey.