I am busy writing!

I am writing this morning, as I do most days, and wondering about what you, my readers, are up to.

With that in mind, I thought I'd share a little of what I am working on today. Keep in mind, this is a rough draft, a part of one of the books I plan to publish this year. It's not been swiped at by the red pen, yet.

Madison had finally adjusted her sleep schedule so she was up earlier in the day. She was thrilled to use her new-found free time to work on the paintings she was planning to display at the hotel, but that was more like playing, a hobby. What gave her the most pleasure was stripping old paint and stain from pieces of discarded furniture and giving them new life. She drew her brows together as she sanded layers of grime and old stain from the top of a corner table. She imagined how the walnut stain followed by varnish would make the piece perfect. If only it was this easy to get rid of the past layers of ick in my life, she thought. Her Saturday conversation with Victoria came to mind as she worked. Something about what Victoria said, how God was already working in Madison’s life, struck her as odd. The beautiful wood grain of the table appeared as she sanded, and she felt an artistic thrill, a sense of new life.

What are you up to today?

Let me know if there is anything you would like me to share here!

Blessings and love,

Tammy

Waiting . . .

Waiting is hard for me. You?

In August of last year, I made a decision that surprised me. After 26 years of regularly coloring my hair, I decided to go gray! You can read that post here, if you care to.

It may seem like it's been an easy decision to stay on the path, but I’ve wrestled with it most of the last 6 months. Progress has been slow and frustrating. When I colored my hair regularly, it seemed to grow quickly—I was constantly needing a touch up on the roots. Now that I want it to grow, it seems to be growing at a snail’s pace. Of course, this isn’t true. Perception is a funny thing.

I’ve smoothly avoided the store aisles that contain neat rows of hair color boxes—even though I regularly catch a glimpse of my line of demarcation in mirrors that are strategically placed everywhere. Sadly, I did not avoid the scissors as I chopped my bangs.

Curious, does anyone else do this when they are unhappy about their appearance? Or is it just me and the frustrated toddler with scissors who goes for the micro bang look?

I am finally seeing progress, though. And truth is, I love my gray. I am embracing it like the 50 something woman I am. I love the texture; my smooth waves, and I love the color. I don’t love the waiting.

This post isn’t just about growing out gray hair.

It’s about patience – something God is helping me with.

Today’s fast paced environment, where everything—good or bad—is a click away, causes us to think things should happen faster than is natural. This results in anger, depression, frustration, and a sense of uncertainty. We can be certain of one thing, God.

I am learning to take a deep breath, or five, and relax. Trust that everything happens in God’s perfect timing, as long as I do my part. And, my part is not to be impatient! I do what I need to do in a timely fashion, and let God’s grace handle the rest.

I am working on patience in the following areas:

Answers to prayers

Health results following a diet change

Physical results after starting a new exercise

Return phone calls/resolutions

How about you?

Blessing and love,

Tammy

P.S. If you’d like to join me in a 12-week study, check out From Pain to Purpose https://a.co/d/8pFK5Nr

Shhhh. Wait, what? Who am I shushing?

(Cute listening dog image to catch your attention, plus I love dogs! Did it work?)

I AM SHUSHING MYSELF! Yes, It had to be done.

I wrote a few posts back about how a change in mindset impacted my life. Read here. I am ready to adjust even more. My recent break-up from social media dependency has helped clear my mind. My spirit still felt heavy. I was missing something. I had to shush myself to recognize it.

I prayed and asked God to grow me - to show me why I was feeling this way. My morning reading has me in Romans, this familiar verse stood out:

Romans 12:2 (ESV) - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I felt God urging me to shut my mouth, watch, and listen. Not to others, but myself. My heart knew, almost immediately, what needed to shift.

In the quiet, I noticed something. I’ve developed a habit of talking way more than listening. I used to be the opposite. I was an introvert, and, as a child, I was painfully shy. As I inched my way out of this protective shell, tiny, positive mindset shifts built my confidence. Over time, I’ve become more outgoing. This has been good for me socially – however, I realize that, because of insecurity, I talk more than I listen. I often catch myself interrupting others.

Yikes! I even did this to God while in prayer. We can talk about that next week!

I am focused now on less talking. Starting today, I can and will make a change. As a creative person and author of fiction, I enjoy people watching and listening to others. Why did I stop this? I know, as a child of God, I can gain confidence without using so many words. God is so good!

If you take a minute (hour/day) to slow down and listen, what is God showing you? I’d love to hear about it.

Blessing and love,

Tammy

P.S. If you’d like to join me in a 12-week study, check out From Pain to Purpose https://a.co/d/8pFK5Nr