May memories – 2024

Goodness sakes…what a month! Buckle up, friends, because this isn’t going to be a short post. XD

We are too prone to engrave our trials in marble and our blessings in sand.

Charles Spurgeon

Things worth remembering…

• finding a bunny while mowing
• rain…rain…more rain…
• jamming with music friends, VeggieTales and Springsteen
• feeling ridiculously proud of my brother and his student address at his commencement ceremony
• spending a week in Tennessee with old and new friends
• sharing tears and laughter with this dear friend who always points through the dark to Jesus
• spotting one of my music heroes in downtown Franklin
• finally visiting the Rabbit Room
• windows-down car rides + music swaps
• Livy and Kiana’s performance of “Santa Fe” when the WiFi was being cantankerous
• seeing one of my friends get married off
• tornado warnings and music practice with no electricity (RIP, keyboard and bass guitar)
• the first songwriting session
• The Noodle Redemption
• riding in the tractor with a brother

I realized that I was immortal till my Master’s work was done. – John Patton

What I’ve been reading…

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – C.S. Lewis

“Am I to understand,” said Reepicheep to Lucy after a long stare at Eustace, “that this singularly discourteous person is under your Majesty’s protection? Because, if not–“

My heart has needed a return to Narnia. ❤

Adorning the Dark – Andrew Peterson

Sometimes you start with nothing and hope it all works out. Not sometimes—every time. All you really have is your willingness to fail, coupled with the mountain of evidence that the Maker has never left nor forsaken you.

I started a reread of this on the plane to Tennessee. Andrew Peterson’s appreciation of and hunger for hope and beauty is catching.

future flowers, whispered war-cries – Hosanna Emily

i may wake to morning stars or thick darkness yet, but maybe – hope against hope – it’ll be Day. soon, He promises, and that’s enough.

Hosanna and I did a book swap in Tennessee, and I’m savoring the journey through this chunky book of hope-laced poems. Hosanna has a passion for Jesus and His coming that is contagious, and she articulates her heart so well in this poetry collection!

A Light in the Window – Jan Karon

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Everything and nothing. What you did today, what I did today, what we’ll do tomorrow. About God and how He’s working in our lives. About my work, about your work, about life, about love, about what’s for dinner and how the roses are doing – do they have black spot or beetles…”

So far, I’m loving the second book in the Mitford series even more than the first! It feels softer, cozier, even more full of warmth and gentle healing.

Holy Hygge – Jamie Erickson

Even when we’re only given fleeting seconds of connection, we almost always have the opportunity to share the touch of Christ, if not in our actions, certainly in our reactions.

I’m still savoring this book!

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name…

Romans 1:5

From the journal…

Oh, God! Get it through this hard head of mine that nothing shall be impossible for You, and that You have not left the business of redemption. Open my eyes to see the chariots of fire. Open my heart to wait on You and You alone for provision…there is joy set before me…and so I can endure.

Help me, Lord, as I walk the rim of the darkness, staggering towards the light and holding it in my heart. Thank You for this time of grace…this opportunity to stand firm in the darkness and hold high my torch. You are so good…always, even when the world continues to fall apart around me.

Thank You, Jesus, that You are sovereign, and that Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth.

Instead of seeing every bad thing as a failure of God’s goodness, why don’t I see every good thing as His grace?

Let me not be defined by what I lack. I am not a dry tree. I am planted by Your river.

Liz Snell

What are you taking away from this May?

Stay the course!

❤ Laurel

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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