Prompted By A Psalm And Hills

October 30, 2014October 30, 2014 ~ Teresa ~ 15 Comments

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.

The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. Psalm 121

I pray that you are looking to Him for your help today. May you find rest in your weary, peace in your worry and strength in your weak. He will preserve you for evermore.

Resting in grace,

Teresa

For the complete 31 Day series, Prompted to Write click here

Advent IV – Peace

December 21, 2013December 18, 2016 ~ Teresa ~ 2 Comments

Linked to All Manner of Inspiration for Sacro Speco (sacred space)

This is the fourth Sunday of Advent. Churches and Homes around the world will light the candle of Peace, which is also referred to as the Angel’s candle. This is the season of anticipation of the arrival of the Christ child. Of course this is symbolic as we know he came long ago. For believers this also represents the anticipation of his second coming.

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.

Finding peace in grace,

Teresa

It’s Beginning to Look A Little Like Christmas

December 9, 2013 ~ Teresa ~ 3 Comments

I decorated for Christmas Thursday evening and Friday of last week. I still have a few ideas I want to incorporate if I decide I’m motivated enough. If not, then what I have done will be enough. I’m planning to reveal all of the decor next Monday, but thought I’d give you a sneak peek today. You will notice touches of lights, silver, old fashioned.

Keep in mind that we have not had sunshine for a few days and a lot of the pictures were taken Friday evening. Also, I am not a professional photo taker.

I hope you come back next Monday for the full tour.

The wrapping paper has no real significance – they are leftovers from previous years and are now back in the crate. This picture is an in progress shot.

This is a card I found while going through items from an estate. It spoke to me so I have incorporated it into a tablescape. You may notice a few touches of pink in my Living room decor this year. Stay tuned. Over the past three to four years I have found myself drawn to pink in small doses. Go figure!

Lights showing up around my window and incorporated as part of the curtain this year. In the picture below you will see a little pair of crocheted slippers. They were made by my Aunt Carolyn and provide a happy little memory of her when I look at them.

Last year I did not do a tree. This year I graduated up to a small four foot tree in our workroom. I love trees, but don’t think they are always necessary to having beautiful decor. Our main tree is a little the worse for wear and due to the need to breath we don’t do live trees. I’m not ready yet, to shop for a new tree, it’s just not that high a priority for me. So we have a little tree with an old-fashioned, use what you have, eclectic flair.

A glimpse of our mantel. I’m not quite through tweaking it and this may be where a little more pink will make an appearance. I did use some twine and silver balls to make a little garland to hang above the mantel. It is not a completely original idea as several bloggers have done something similar this year. Nothing is ever really new. Just the same thing, said my way.

My little white nativity that I missed last year. It was in storage. I love the simplicity of white and lights and a little sparkle. which is the look I’m going for in the living room.

If there is an overall message that I want my Christmas decor to say to you, it is peace.

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peek of what Christmas looks like at our house.

Christmas grace to you,

Teresa

If We Live

February 5, 2013March 31, 2016 ~ Teresa ~ Leave a comment

“Because I could not stop for Death,
He kindly stopped for me;
The carriage held but just ourselves
And Immortality. ” Emily Dickinson

We live our lives in fragmented pieces and unfinished sentences. We struggle to be what we think we are supposed to be – what we think others expect of us. We listen to the cacophony of voices around us clamoring to be heard and forget to stop and listen for the one, still voice that matters.

Some die too young while they’re right in the middle of the clamor, and they leave other’s to figure out the pieces of their lives. I believe if they could come back they would tell us to forget the pieces, forget the chaos, forget expectations of others. Instead, they would tell us to slow down, let the sentences be finished. Listen to the one who knows us best.

Soul living begins with listening to the still voice in the quiet of our heart. It requires a down slowing and an attitude of waiting, of clinging to the good and settling into peace. Making room for love and living. Realizing that living your faith, making time for others, savoring the everyday is far better than existing to chase a dream that you can’t take with you.

Since the first of the year, it seems that we have had one funeral home visitation upon another. A couple of these were men who died too young. Both my age, one in a car accident and one in his sleep. Both Christian men who loved their families. Seeing them in pictures with their families and hearing others speak about them was a testimony of lives well lived. Lives that made room for love and living.

Death is no respecter of age, and it will come to all. When my time comes, I want those left behind to be able to say that I listened to the Still Voice, that I settled into the Peace that only he can give. I want them to see the finished sentences. I want them to know they were loved by my living.

Living in Grace,

Sadie

Simple Christmas

December 18, 2012December 18, 2012 ~ Teresa ~ Leave a comment

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love – Wrapped in swaddling clothes – a gift for all who will receive. This is Christmas. This is the focus. No need for gaudy adornment, or lots of ribbons and bows. Just a few simple reminders that we are in a special season of light.

My fireplace is cast iron with a slate mantel. The previous owners had painted it white and we thought it was wood, when we discovered that it was cast iron my brother refinished it to it’s original color. It is beautiful, but due to the inadequacy of my camera and my photography skills, pictures don’t do it justice.