Anxiety

I awoke Monday and Tuesday of this week feeling anxious and on edge.Perhaps some of you know that feeling.It was just a real panicy kind of feeling.Not sure why I had it.Perhaps it was from a dream the night before.Or perhaps it was a direct attack from the enemy of our souls,satan.It may have even been caused by lack of solitude and time for writing which this introvert needs regularly.Whatever it's cause it is gone today.I praise God for that.And I praise Him for reminding me of one of my favorite hymns from my youth.If you are feeling anxious today I pray that you find some comfort and relief in the words of this old and much loved hymn:

BE STILL MY SOUL

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.Leave to thy God to order and provide;In every change, He faithful will remain.Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly FriendThrough thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertakeTo guide the future, as He has the past.Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;All now mysterious shall be bright at last.Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still knowHis voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,And all is darkened in the vale of tears,Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repayFrom His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening onWhen we shall be forever with the Lord.When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.Be still, my soul: when change and tears are pastAll safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praiseOn earth, be leaving, to Thy Lord on high;Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divineThrough passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

Blessings,Sharon

I Can't Believe It

I can't believe it's already September.Where did the summer go?I can't believe it's been almost 2 months since I posted anything on this blog...original or otherwise.My mother warned me this would happen.She told me(when I was about 16)that as I aged(horrors...makes me sound like wine or cheese)that time would seem to fly faster.She knew what she was talking about for it has happened.I don't know why it seems that way.We still have 24 hours in a day.7 days in a week.365 days in a year.I have decided it must be because as we mature it takes us longer to do things.We tire easier.Therefore we do not accomplish as much in a day as we did when we were 20.I had much opportunity to see that this summer.We watched our granddaughter Hope alot this summer so her parents could go to work.When she got bored it was a challenge to find things for her to do.So we relied on that good old standby called nap time.I know,I know,my husband and I are only middle aged.But we have discovered that we just don't seem to have the time or the energy we did when were in our younger years.Sometimes I think that's a lesson we need to learn to appreciate.Slowing down even a little can be extremely beneficial.Accomplishing less in a day can allow you to live a richer life because you find yourself really focusing on the truly important things.Like hugs from a child.I saw that this weekend.We had watched Hope and were tired from other activities as well.At one point I was sitting.Resting.She saw me resting.She came running over.Threw her arms around me.She then told me"I love you to pieces Grandma Sharon."I smiled,hugged her back,smothered her face with kisses and told her that I loved her to pieces too.She then just rested in my embrace.We both sighed.Just enjoying the moment.Time spent cuddling with each other.Neither of us was too concerned about what still needed to be accomplished that day.We were living richly.Enjoying each other.Enjoying the moment.In many ways I'm enjoying middle age much more than I enjoyed my youth.I'm learning to slow down.Live richly.Enjoy small moments.Focus on the truly important things.I think our Heavenly Father was pleased.I think that is also what He desires from us,His children.He wants us to just enjoy His presence.Have some cuddle time.:-)Let His presence surround us like a hug from a child.It's the best stress reducer I've found for those days that seem to fly by too quickly.God bless all.
Blessings&Love,Sharon