Sharon – Sharon O'Connor

Is Your Christmas Tree Up Yet?

by Sharon

Our pastor asked the question last Sunday at church. The sermon topic: Thankfulness. A number of people raised their hands to say, “YES!”. Others groaned.

How could anyone allow Christmas decor in November??

Novembers growing up on Spencer Avenue were dedicated to Thanksgiving. Christmas came cheerfully into focus once December arrived and not a day before. Our home even had its own Thanksgiving Tree made by mom. A tangible reminder that being thankful was its own kind of gift.

When I got married, my husband began decorating for Christmas in November. You see, he had been homeless for a time before God drew him to Christ. Christmases were a time of darkness and despair because of choices he made in his young adult life.

When Jesus Christ changed his eternal destination, the Christmas celebration took on a whole new meaning for my husband. Decorations appeared everywhere the eye could see starting in November.

One November this very week fourteen years ago almost toppled us. I came home from a week-long hospital stay with a colostomy and a cancer diagnosis. Thankfulness was a tear-filled choice. Family helped us decorate. Green wreaths and soft Christmas lights filled the space where I recovered. We caught our breath, steadied our gaze on Christ, and navigated our way, over time, back to hope.

Randy Alcorn shared this on social media recently:

God has built into us a nostalgia for the world that once was, before sin and curse and death and suffering. We are homesick for Eden, for its beauties and pleasures and health and vibrant relationships. “I long for Your salvation, O Yahweh, and your law is my delight. Let my soul live that it may praise You, and let Your judgements help me.” Psalm 119:174-175, LSB

Since the Great Family Storm of 2010, November sort of wraps us up in nostalgia, a remembrance of sorrow, thoughts of things broken and healed, a promise of peace, and a yearning for the Savior who will return and be, surely, the reality of how a happy Christmas makes us feel. Finally at home.

For the record, so far this year, three trees are decorated and brightly declaring Christmas is on the way.

Friend, if you’re homesick for less difficult days, or facing challenges that are shadowing the season, I pray that God will bless you with his kindness and love and great comforting presence as we enter this season of giving thanks.

Sharon

“You Had a Really Hostile….

by Sharon

Published September 13, 2024

… abdomen.”

The doctor doing morning rounds kindly and efficiently shared details about the previous day’s surgery. I’m a pretty laid-back person. Don’t get hostile about much… but am dedicated to avoiding medical intervention. When doctors are needed, I go big. Thanks, abdomen.

“We had trouble getting to the cyst because you had so much scar tissue. You had what we call a hostile abdomen, probably from your previous radiation. The cyst we eventually removed took up much of your pelvis, but there is no cancer.” I would go home the following day. A miraculous difference from years ago with the first open surgery, a long hospital stay, cancer treatment, and more surgeries to follow.

Have you ever asked God for help with something, and discovered he was giving you an assignment to work through as part of the answer to that prayer?

This past spring I was driving or doing makeup before work or something mundane.

“God, would you help me get healthy?”

I went on about my day. I was having what seemed like endocrine issues or maybe thyroid stuff. I added in specific essential oils and supplements based on nutritional scans. I felt better but decided I needed get my act together with some cardio and losing weight. Overall my body has carried me well for the fourteen years since the first colon cancer diagnosis, the return of colon cancer in 2012, and being declared cancer free in 2013. Work life balance had blessedly arrived in 2024. It was time to get more proactive physically going into the next decade.

In July, probably two months after my quick prayer about getting healthier, I went for a gyn exam. You know, not feeling any issues, but maybe it was time for blood work to check thyroid levels. I spent about six months talking myself into that visit. The July gyn visit found a 10 cm cyst and set in motion a flurry of tests that caught me up in every category. Bloodwork (including thyroid) = good. Colon = clean. Mammo = clear. Cyst = hopefully, oh God please, would it be benign, or push me back into dealing with cancer? I and my family worked through fears and dread and trust and waiting on an answer with the news of this cyst. Would I be healthy? Are my fears unfounded? Or was this process just a mean thing to go through again, a distressing development after being cancer free so many years? I know God doesn’t work in mean ways; sometimes my mind does.

A referral sent me to a surgeon out of town. The beautiful sign at the office said “Gynecology Oncology“; Tom and I both almost fainted at that second word. My dormant white coat syndrome came right back and sat beside me.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

In late August 2024 I showed up for surgery to remove what we hoped would be a large benign ovarian cyst, and to rule out cancer. This was the exact same scenario we tumbled into during 2010, except they weren’t sure where the cyst or tumor was located.

I woke up this time to the incredible gift of no cancer, and surgery was able to be done laparoscopic instead of open.

I felt like I had gotten away with something.

Moving forward, I have every confirmation and incentive to be healthy. I am grateful for the medical team God used to help me, starting with my own phenomenal gyn doctor, and the specialty team she sent me to for gyn surgery.

Two of the ways Webster defines “scar” include “a mark remaining (as on the skin) after injured tissue has healed”, and “a lasting moral or emotional injury”.

Here are thoughts on how God worked over the past few months helping me face emotional scars and the removal of extensive internal physical scar tissue:

We have to want to be healthy.
Once we ask for help, be ready for God to lovingly and effectively deal with the scars. They may be ones we didn’t know we had, or ones we didn’t realize were limiting health.
Allowing God to deal with our scars can be really scary. Will it hurt? Will there be more pain? Will it create more issues than it solves (if you’ve been through health challenges, you get it). What if it’s easier to just leave the scar tissue instead of removing it? We’ve become used to each other.
Scars are protective and restrictive.
The process of confronting and removing scars, while painful, positions us to move forward in better health.
God lovingly helped me work through many fears going into this surgery. I would have had the same fears to work through no matter the outcome. I can tell you that my hope, my security, and my joy is in the presence of God every day. He has proven himself to me not so much in the outcome for which I prayed, but in the journey of learning who He is today and into an eternity. I love him and trust him.
My body will fail someday, but my eternal soul is secure because of Jesus Christ. If you would like to know more about the God of hope, please visit https://www.peacewithGod.net.

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23

The photo at the top of the page is my husband’s hand holding mine. We started a habit of praying together at the start of the day back during cancer rounds one and two years ago. This photo is from Summer 2024 when contemplating whether we were walking towards cancer round three. The picture of Tom holding my hand is a sweet reminder that God is always with me, with us. Isn’t that amazing?

God holds us by the hand no matter how deep and unseen the scars we carry or hard difficulties we face. He is for you. Trust him with your scars.

Other info:

Things I did in the month before surgery to prepare:

Myrrh and Sacred Frankincense essential oil on my abdomen with a rice heating pad before bed (after about a week, I felt far less pressure on my bladder – the cyst was sitting on top of my bladder based on CT imaging).
Castor oil pack over my liver/abdomen 3-4 times weekly (may help detox the liver, which in turn helps the liver function better, and may help break down cysts).
Deep Spectra Phyto Nutrition essential oil blend taken daily, 20 drops in water.
Thyromin, Super B, and Progessence Plus taken daily for thyroid, endocrine and adrenal support.
LifeWave X39 Patch begun two weeks before surgery to help promote wellness before and healing after surgery. Honestly it helped my anxiety about surgery, as well.
I eliminated most meat, dairy and processed foods.
Dropped to one cup of coffee daily with organic creamer (with my hubby in the morning; it’s our time to get ready for the day; the picture at the top of the page is from our prayer time together). Caffeine strains the adrenals.
Started walking one mile per day 4-5 times per week.
I lost about seven pounds before surgery and felt good going into the procedure.

Things I’ve been doing after surgery:

Daily iTovi nutritional scans for guidance on which oils would support my body. Lots of specific hormonal and structural support going on with some emotions tossed in!
Deep Spectra Phyto Nutrition essential oil blend taken daily, 20 drops in water.
Thyromin, Super B, and Progessence Plus taken daily for thyroid, endocrine and adrenal support.
LifeWave X39 Patch daily for healing at the cellular level (think, stem cells), and the addition of the Aeon patch for hormonal support, stress support, adrenal support, and inflammation support.
And other things nutritionally with lots of rest, gratitude, prayer, hope, and relief.

Follow me on Instagram for things that encourage me and may encourage you, too.

Field Journal

“Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People…

by Sharon

… like you?”

Published August 10, 2024

You know that quote about, “Daughters are little girls that grow up to be your best friends”?

Today I went for a two mile walk along our local Rail Trail with two of my best friends. They have grown into beautiful young women whose friendship I respect and treasure. I stepped back to take a photo and watched them move ahead of me on the tree-lined path. Something in our relationship as a mother and daughters has shifted. They walk confidently ahead or beside me, instead of being led by me. It is a comfort. I enjoy being with them. I like them. More than just a little.

One of them said last week, “I’m enjoying these normal days. I don’t want them to change again.” Planned surgery is not really what any of us would have ordered for our August itinerary. And yet, we all know change is a part of life. What I don’t want to change is their enjoyment and pursuit of God.

We headed back to the car and saw a friendly acquaintance from church. Waving hello, we chatted and he kindly said, “I was just talking about you in our group at work. We were talking about why bad things can happen to good people, like you.”

I had heard this before over a decade ago when I woke up from exploratory surgery with a stage 3 cancer diagnosis and a colostomy. People who loved us wondered why, how, what was God doing? We did, too. My conclusion then has not changed. I can just say it with more certainty.

“Well, we live in a fallen world. Bad things will happen. But God is still able and in control.” We conversed a little more and then we went on our separate ways.

There is a website I find helpful on the question of why does God allow bad things to happen to good people, and it speaks to this question. Read the full article by clicking here.

The last paragraph on this web page says, “God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful (Psalm 135:3). Often, bad things happen to us that we simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God’s goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6). We walk by faith, not by sight.” – Excerpt from https://www.gotquestions.org/bad-things-good-people.html

Part of being ready for this upcoming surgery has been my wanting to help prepare my family, especially my daughters. I’m so very proud of the way they have stepped up, worked through tough emotions, and have stepped with me, with us, towards this next thing. Whether it’s something concerning or just surgery + recovery and moving on, we’re all trusting the God who will never, ever, change. Do you know Him?

To keep our faces toward change, and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate, is strength undefeatable. – Helen Keller

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:16-18

Field Journal

70/30

by Sharon

Published August 5, 2024

“Well, then that makes it 70/30 towards open surgery instead of 50/50.”

Two weeks of medical tests, spikes of PTSD plus anxiety wrapped in a history of hope, and three anxiety-induced high blood pressure readings taken late July in the new surgeon’s office, were bringing us to the next step. I would be having surgery in August 2024 to remove a grapefruit-sized ovarian cyst. A mid-July CT scan confirmed the cyst, and showed an additional 1.3 cm something behind or at the edge of the cyst that needed to be identified. Thankfully, every other test came back with no indications of cancer. No tumor markers, no issues in my colon like fourteen years before. No necrotic lymph nodes shutting down a kidney like twelve years before.

So what was this new thing? Scar tissue from radiation was the most hopeful option ringing the bell in my corner. Can we just run with that? Across my mental boxing ring pranced the real possibility of a new cancer. Surgery would determine the winner.

The surgeon continued reviewing my history. We negotiated to 50/50 on whether he would find cancer or not, and 50/50 on whether he could do the surgery laparoscopic or not.

I mentioned that I’ve had radiation not once, but twice. He turned.

“Then your previous radiation and scar tissue from abdominal surgeries changes the odds. Chances for an open surgery are more like 70/30.” I blanched. More high blood pressure.

“Do you have to do open surgery?”

I had tried to bargain with my first oncologist on whether I really got cancer for a lack of chemo in my body. Any other options? At all?

The surgeon looked me straight in the eye. Fair and direct.

“If I get in there and need to do open surgery, it is because open surgery will help protect you from needing a colostomy or from possible damage to other organs.”

Let’s not do a colostomy again, please. We’ll do it however you determine when you get in there, sir.

“I understand.”

Tom and I left the office. He drove. I began making a mental list of everything I would begin doing to help my body prepare. Can we dissolve a 10 cm cyst in four weeks and clear a 1.3 cm something? Is that a thing? God did it before. Sharon, He also used medical treatment to help. “Lord?” Fine. You’ve pointed us in this direction. Surgery prep it is. Let’s go.

If you’ve read this far, hello and thank you.

My family and I have had a few weeks to move from, “This sounds horribly like dejavu – a benign appearing cyst that turns out to be cancer,” to, “Ok, this is a different thing; lots of women have ovarian cysts… we know what this is and where it is … and many women need surgery… maybe they haven’t all had radiation twice but who’s counting… and perhaps God is taking care of this thing now and getting it removed so you keep moving forward with living and healing and embracing the hope that has carried us all the past fourteen years.”

I’ve pondered about what and how to share. I mean, I had an entire blog filled with writing that helped me cope with cancer. I revamped, removed, and finally recently put this blog back together wondering what, in the world, I should blog about (ha). I’ve kept key things from previous blogs here because sometimes people will ask me and really want to know what I did that helped my own 2010-2013 cancer healing journey. There are things the cancer journey taught me – losses, wins, and truces – that I never want to forget. I also never want to go through it again. I dread another major surgery.

Does this new thing need to be shared with the world? Not sure. My emotions are complicated. Do I need and appreciate prayer? For sure. Does writing about it help me? Oh yes. What would God like through this? I don’t know, but my eyes are on Him.

Today a friend texted me to ask how I was doing. She did not know I was thinking about whether I should be writing down this latest challenge that, by all appearances, could turn out fine. A bump in the road. However the last three weeks have reminded me and my sweet family that bumps, benign or not, are capable of pulling us back to the anxiety, stress, discouragement, and reality that disease can be life changing. But so can hope be life giving. God has not changed. His love, care, and mighty help will not change. I and my family have a peace about this situation. I want others to know the God who can give peace in turmoil.

Does a new chapter about hope ever get old?

My friend, a masterful writer of encouraging posts herself, texted, “Here’s an encouragement… Only you (and the Lord) can say when it’s time if it’s time to share. If God is doing a new thing with your old story … don’t feel bad about sharing it … if you want. Someone will hear it for the first time.”

What has God given you to share about hope? Someone may need to hear it! (Including me.)

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:49-50

Field Journal

Quiet Wait

by Sharon

We get excited around here about particular things. The grand babies coming to visit; a good meal shared; the Amazon delivery truck (I bet you’ll say the same); God’s stunning hand-painted sunsets over the farmer’s field; and for my mother-in-law, seeing our neighborhood doe and two fawns makes her day complete.

Recently mom saw the doe jog cross the field, bound up the hill, and leave her two fawns. One fawn was alone in the corner of the field across the road. We could catch a patch of brown just at the edge of the woods. The second fawn went off alone. Had they been scared? Separated by accident?

For an entire day mom watched the field. The fawn refused to move away. Evening shadows came and still the fawn waited alone, nudging her nose out now and then testing the wind. We very much wanted her trust rewarded with mama doe’s return.

What if the doe was hurt, or had abandoned the fawn? She had proven herself as a good mama, capable, trustworthy. But gone for an entire day? The little fawn stayed in her place. She rested, watched, and waited on the edge of an unknown.

The next morning my husband saw the fawns with mama doe together in the field. When we told mom, she said, “Yes, I watched for an hour last evening until it was dark. Just when I had given up, the doe returned. They are all okay!”

Have you ever questioned what you may know about God’s great goodness and character? Or maybe you’ve seen him work miraculously on your behalf before, but dare to wonder if he’ll choose to come through again they way you hope? Does he even know where you are?

If you’re standing on the edge of a lonely place watching for safety and sunrise, wait:

1) Stay grounded in God’s love for you. He has not abandoned you. He knows exactly where to find you.

2) God’s character does not change even when our circumstances may shift.

3) How we *feel* in distress is often not the true reality of our situation. Our emotions can deceive our minds and draw us from focusing on truth. God’s promises are true. Read them, pray them, dwell on them, rest in them. He will meet you where you wait.

Verses to consider:

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:25-26

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” Psalm 39:7

“But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.” Hosea 12:6

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” Micah 7:7

“Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.” Psalm 62:5

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Sharon's Journal

A Hand of Protection

by Sharon

Our one and a half year old grandson, Jack, was playing at our house last night with his big sister Josie. We adults were sitting at the dinner table chatting and getting a kick out of the antics of the kids. I saw Jack bend down to pick up a toy he dropped. He was about to whack his head on the bottom of the table if he stood up. I couldn’t reach him in time. Without missing a beat in his conversation, Jack’s daddy reached over and placed his hand between Jack’s head and the table. He had been very aware of what Jack was doing and saw the danger. Jack didn’t realize his dad was there protecting him. He stepped back and cheerfully walked away. Crisis averted.

Watching Nate look after Jack gave me a word picture to a phrase my mom often prayed growing up, when she would ask God to literally put a “hedge of protection” around someone she was praying for (sometimes that was me). How many times are we protected without even knowing how God is working on our behalf?

Psalm 33:18 says that, “… the Lord’s eyes are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Take time to thank God today for his help in ways you may not see. He is our loving Father and is always working for our good and his glory. He sees you, friend.

Take time to thank God today for his loving care, and pray for people he places on your heart and mind.

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Psalm 5:11, NIV

Sharon's Journal

Whiteboard Wisdom

by Sharon

The church were I work recently upgraded the children’s ministry area. When the carpet installation was finished, all of us on staff helped move shelves, supplies, Bibles, tables, desks, and chairs back into the well-used space. A whiteboard in one corner caught my eye. The words OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, and OMNIPRESENT were neatly written out. Attributes of God.

OMNIPOTENT: Having unlimited or universal power, authority, or force; all-powerful.

OMNISCIENT: Having total knowledge; knowing everything.

OMNIPRESENT: Present everywhere simultaneously.

I first saw those words on a whiteboard in my high school youth group. Imagine that – teaching theology to teens (thank you, youth pastors and pastors and Sunday School teachers). Or, as I witnessed this past week, how wonderful that these truths are being taught to younger kids in grade school.

I am so grateful to have been taught about the God who is present everywhere, all-powerful, and knows everything (even knows me).

www.gotquestions.org says this about the omniscience of God:

“Finally, there is nothing too hard for an omniscient God, and it is on the basis of our faith in such a God that we can rest secure in Him, knowing that He promises never to fail us as long as we continue in Him. He has known us from eternity, even before creation. God knew you and me, where we would appear in the course of time, and whom we would interact with. He even foresaw our sin in all its ugliness and depravity, yet, in love, He set his seal upon us and drew us to that love in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:3-6). We shall see Him face to face, but our knowledge of Him will never be complete. Our wonder, love and praise of Him shall go on for all millennia as we bask in the rays of His heavenly love, learning and appreciating more and more of our omniscient God.”

I will never tire of the happiness and security that comes from learning about God. Do you know him? If you do not, please comment or message the page. One of us would be delighted to share how he has powerfully, lovingly, and unquestionably changed our lives for eternity.

Are you a Christ follower? What is one of your favorite resources to study about God? Comment below!

Sharon's Journal

Day by Day

by Sharon

The holidays are upon us. The “Holy Days”. The days that we want to be filled with joy and hot cocoa and time with loved ones. Sometimes, instead, this time of year can be filled with hard days.

Recently a friend of ours received very discouraging news. Knowing that he and his wife are trusting the Lord, I asked, “What’s your favorite hymn?” I listed off a few old hymns like Be Still My Soul, Day by Day, and It Is Well.

“Day by Day!”, was the response.

Day by day and with each passing moment, Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure Gives unto each day what he deems best–
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure, Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord himself is near me, With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares he gladly bears and cheers me, He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of his child and treasure Is a charge that on himself he laid:
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure”– This the pledge to me he made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation So to trust your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation Offered me within your holy Word.
Help me, Lord, when, toil and trouble meeting, E’er to take, as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting, Till I reach the promised land.

If toil and trouble are meeting you more quickly right now than the joy of the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, I’ll share a secret with you that I appreciate much more today than I did years ago, when my mom would say this:

God gives us the grace and strength we need, one day at a time.

Lord Jesus, when the very real toils and troubles shadow the good gifts from you in my life, help me to trust the promises in your Word, and to rest in your presence, day by day.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33

Sharon's Journal

Called to Hope

by Sharon

*Saturday morning mindset while relaxing and drinking coffee or tea*:

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

*Monday morning mindset looking at the list of to-do’s for the week*:

“My sorrow, when she’s here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane.” – Robert Frost

Which quote can you relate to above?

Are you invigorated this year with the change to a crisp fall, sunshine filtering through falling leaves, and the cozy happiness of all things autumn (pumpkin spice coffee lovers, rejoice)? Or do you struggle with those subtle change-of-season-blues that are real for many people? If you know, you know.

Maybe you’re like me and can relate, some seasons, to both. Last year I walked in our familiar misty woods on paths covered in foliage. This year we moved. A big change. A lovely provision from God. The new scenery is just as beautiful in its own way. I walk my dachshund pup on a country road surrounded by pastures, curious cows, and a stoic blue heron that swoops away up the creek nearby.

I think about seasons and situations and how God works through them all.

Illness.

A big life change – a precious new baby, new marriage, adjusting to an empty nest, or a new job.

The loss of a loved one.

Global upheaval.

An unknown future.

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “There is nothing permanent except change.”

I think Heraclitus is not wrong in terms of this world . . . but hold onto your pumpkin spice coffee just a minute and stick with me.

Hebrews 13:8 assures us that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and forever.”

If we have a relationship with Christ Jesus, even in a rapidly changing world, we know our future. We are secure in him and our future is good. Our unknowns, our sorrows, our dreams and joys are filtered through powerful, personal, hope. Whether we’re in a sunny happy pasture-place in life, or feel like we’re walking down a misty hidden lane, as believers, our spiritual footing is secure.

God offers hope freely, day to day, month to month, season to season. There is enough for you, too.

Here is a passage from Ephesians 1:15-23 that I journaled recently. I’m holding onto these truths hiking into the end of October:

¹⁵For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, ¹⁶I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. ¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

If autumn quotes aren’t quite resonating with you this year (or even if they are – some of them are a lot of fun!), the promises of God’s Word, friend, are always true. Let’s get to know God and his promises better. We’ve been called to hope (read that as a noun) every day of the week!

Would you like to know more about true Hope? Comment or message me. I would be honored to share the hope available in every season, in every “pasture or path” of life, that only comes from believing in God’s son, Jesus Christ.

Are you worried about the future? Struggling with a personal or spiritual issue that’s causing anxiety, uncertainty or fear about tomorrow? You can browse through dozens of topics and questions and begin your journey to a more peaceful life right now at Peace with God (https://peacewithgod.net/)

Sharon's Journal

Like a Lily

by Sharon

I couldn’t tell you a day lily from goldenrod the first spring we lived at our previous home surrounded by fields and woods. A day lily would bloom and would be welcomed like an old friend by my neighbor. The goldenrod was relentlessly hunted and picked and discarded preferably before it could bloom and cause allergy issues.

After a decade of living on that property, I learned to coherently identify many of the plants in the woods. Some I dehydrated for teas and tinctures. My favorite forest path led me by a patch of day lilies. The plants were tucked in a small clearing at the bottom of a shady hill. On warm summer nights deer would lay in the high grass bordering the lilies. I learned to watch for their splash of vibrant color as summer wound along.

Our very first year at that home, we never saw the day lily patch in bloom.

“There are beautiful flowers in the woods where you walk,” said my elderly neighbor one afternoon. “Maybe next year you’ll see them.”

“Oh.” I didn’t understand. This was always the trend when plant-talk happened around me. I wondered silently, should I know about why we wouldn’t see the blooms?

The woods belonged to her and her husband. They had thoughtfully curated those woods like a park for fifty plus years. They knew where the day lilies should bloom.

“So, we won’t see them this year?” I asked casually.

Should I have verbally emphasized “won’t”, or “see”? Which option would have sounded like I knew anything about anything about beautiful hidden flowers in the woods, and, why hadn’t I seen them?

“No.” She paused while browsing a European travel magazine. “Someone mowed over them.”

Ah. That was her polite way of pointing out that my husband, faithfully mowing walking trails up over the hill, had accidentally taken out that year’s perennial growth with the mower. There would be no day lily blossoms in the sheltered clearing. Maybe I would keep this knowledge to myself for a month or two. He had spent hours mowing paths over the hill for me to wander at my leisure. It was my healing place.

Happily, the flowers have bloomed in force every year since. Sometimes they posed for me to take pictures as a way of saying “thanks” for not being taken out by my favorite groundskeeper.

Maybe we’re all a little like the hardy hidden day lilies. Some seasons we are unexpectedly on pause. Circumstances are beyond our control. That doesn’t mean our God-given gifts have been permanently muted. We need to regroup, rest, and trust the Creator’s master plan.

Photo credit: www.sharonoconnor.net

So extraordinary is Nature with her choicest treasures, spending plant beauty as she spends sunshine, pouring it forth into land and sea, garden and desert. And so the beauty of lilies falls on angels and men, bears and squirrels, wolves and sheep, birds and bees.
John Muir

Have you ever been on pause? What did God teach you? Provide for you? Prepare you for? What would you tell someone facing their own season of “pause”?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.”

Luke 12:27-31 NIV