You may have noticed this has been a long blogging break for me. It was unplanned but in the big scheme of life quite needful.
There has been much pondering of life to settle in my heart, muddled thoughts to clear a path through, plans to revisit and reassess, deep heartfelt prayers and more than a few sleepless nights for one reason and another.
It's difficult to believe we are almost at the middle of 2020, a year of unexpected hurdles and situations which spread from personal challenges here at home to far greater concerns which were felt around the world. When the New Year arrived I had hopes and plans before me that filled my heart with excitement and I couldn't wait to delve deeper into a year long examination of what it means to have a Homemakers Heart...and for a few months I wrote weekly about this on the blog and encouraged as many of you as had a similar desire to become involved. There were some simple home-based projects, recipes, a weekly cleaning or organising task...and for my part, a genuine delight about cherishing my home anew and 'polishing' my role inside these walls grew rapidly.
I did have a short detour when my heart problem surfaced but found my way back on track soon after. Then COVID 19 and the rapid decline in health, employment, economies and social distancing across the world rapidly took hold in most of our countries. In March, to offer some productive enterprise whilst we were all sequestered at home I shared a few weeks of simple projects you could make with me which I named the Creative Hands At Home initiative.
All of this to say, life just didn't follow the plans I had made, and I imagine this year has been a bit like that for you too?
I'm reminded of Jesus' teaching to His disciples - "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for today is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:34)
Certainly there has been troubles this year that we would never have imagined, some of it could have come direct from the pages of a fiction novel. And yet it really happened, and in many lives and countries it is still happening. In fact the long term effects will be like earthquake aftershocks for many years to come.
So over the past ten days I have travelled the valleys, mountains, plains and highways of my mind and my heart; pondered logic, common sense, dreams and desires; traversing an emotional and mental journey to find a new starting point, a fresh attitude and renewed enthusiasm for the latter half of this year.
And in the midst of this I wondered, truly wondered, if you too have a longing to start over as July 1st draws near? Or at least to seek a fresh plan that is uplifting, encouraging, inspiring, joyous, productive, hopeful and life-renewing?
Before going any further with this train of thought I'm taking these Scriptures to heart, writing them in my journal and waiting on the Lord's 'nudge' in order to follow the right path He would have me walk along. I have an idea of what this fresh plan entails but still want to pray a little more and lean in to hear that still small voice in case He has something else to add - after all, waiting on the Lord will always lead to a better outcome than I could plan myself.
"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)
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)
What about you?
Are you in need of a fresh plan for the second half of this year?
Have a think about that, pray about it...and if you have a mind to, share your thoughts here in the comments because I do believe when we come together and open up about our hopes and dreams many will read and pray with us, and we shall pray for them.
Bless you lovely ones,
loving hugs,
