Heart Warming Thoughts for 2025

From Philippians 4 … if you value the approval of God, fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good… and you will find the God of peace will be with you.

As I pen this note, it’s day five of the new year. Diamonds sparkle on ice-laden trees, fences, and walkways as I warm by a cozy fire. With above-freezing temps nowhere in sight, winter photos somehow lost their appeal! Happy summer pics of Kitty checking out my coffee warmed my heart. I trust they will do the same for you.

Let’s chat a bit about this new year looming in front of us. Are you a goal-setter? Did you make resolutions? How’s that going for you?

Perhaps you’re reading this and thinking, “Susie, I just hope to get through one more day with a little sanity left. I am not ready to look at an entire year before me. I’m bone tired, worn out, and physically and mentally empty. I cannot think of resolving for next year!”

Like me, you may watch the news and wonder how anyone will make it. We can so easily get weighed down with our daily struggles and the cares of this world that there seems no way out.

I have a personal challenge for you. Let’s make this our best year ever. No matter how busy, stressed, or worn out we are, we can do this!

Consider joining me this year on a journey. We will set one personal resolution (goal) we can keep for the entire year. I promise this simple goal can change your life, give you a new perspective,  ease your burdens, and lighten your load.

Here is the deal. My one major goal this year is taken from God’s Word in Philippians chapter 4 (paraphrase):

“…fix your thoughts on what is honorable – right – pure – lovely – admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Let’s not plan to change our doing, let’s change our thinking, one day at a time. For me, as my thoughts head for old familiar territory-I Can’t Hill, They Won’t Road, Trouble’s Coming Village, We’ll Never Make It Curve, 

Stop it. Today, with God’s help, I will fix my thoughts on lovely, pure, good things.

I will look into the mirror and smile at myself until I laugh out loud at that silly woman staring back. 

I will hug someone nearby, call a friend, or simply raise my hands high and breathe deeply as I sing praises to Jesus.

Yes, precious friend, I will have other goals. I have to make them for my work, my family, and myself. However, this one goal will be my priority, and all else will follow.

Thanks for listening and taking the time to leave me a note so I can pray for you as we journey 2025 together. Let me hear from you. We can make this a great year.

Hugs,

Susie

Gifts Money Cannot Buy

 

 

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” I Corinthians 13:13 NKJV

As I sit down to pen this article, our town is brimming with people. The Christmas parade has come and gone. Little ones are wired with their tummies and pockets filled with sugary treats. Eager shoppers rush to find perfect gifts for family and friends.

For forty-two years, Russell and I either exchanged gifts or planned a special outing for our anniversary or Christmas. Other times, he brought me gifts when he thought about it (not necessarily for a holiday or anniversary). Often he gave flowers, carefully choosing the container.

Of more value to me than the flowers, were the little cards. The words clearly came from his heart. He seemed to know when I was feeling old or inadequate and had the right words to encourage me. They were his words in his writing; priceless!

If you steal my purse, take all the money (both dollars!), just please leave this card. Seriously, it is one of my most treasured gifts and cannot be replaced. Money can’t buy the tenderness in the words my sweet husband penned in 2016. Eight years later, his final “I love you” was as meaningful as his first.

As you continue your holiday shopping, are you giving the best gifts? Your time? Your attention? Your prayers? Could you take time to write a simple love note to include with your gift? Perhaps you can join me in resolving this year to pen a tiny note to each of our loved ones every month or so.

We are reminded in this season that the Greatest Gift, while free to us, cost God His only Son. Jesus freely gave His life so that we could have forgiveness of sin and be with Him in Heaven. If you have not received this free gift or have someone you are praying for, jot me a note. Eternity is at stake.

May Jesus be more real to you this Christmas than He has ever been.

Love, hugs, and prayers.

Susie

 

The Great Cover-up Part One

The Great Cover-up Part One“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” Ecclesiastes 3:1 Click here to read Ezekiel 34:25-27.

We purchased our little home on the hillside in beautiful Buffalo, MO, 25 years ago. I continually praise my husband’s wisdom and the Lord’s direction for this decision as I navigate life as a single for the first time in sixty-plus years.

From day one, it was heaven on earth for this country girl. I tended my flowers, planted shrubs, and eagerly tromped the hillsides picking four-leaf clover. Often I hiked down the hill, across the creek, and marched around an empty field for my daily exercise.

Colorful irises, lilies, succulents, and other perennials had donned their best attire throughout the spring and summer on Adams’ Acres.  And time passed. This year as weeds began to take over the flowerbeds gracing my front entry, I vowed once more to yank them out before they got out of hand.

Seriously? I can’t reach over to tie my shoes!

Days turned into weeks and soon the front porch was edged in ugly. Could someone please explain why weeds always flourish while flowers succumb to the elements?

Then, as if by magic, a beautiful vine adorned with huge leaves and vibrant yellow blooms quickly took over the entire bed. The great cover-up began. As if on a mission, the vines stayed within the bed ignoring the banister, steps, and walkway. And I was pleased – no weeding for me.

The truth of the matter?  This plant is truly magnificent, but it covers a bed of neglect and waste. Soon, this foliage will wither and die revealing a bed in worse condition than in the beginning.

I have cause to pause and look at myself. As I fluff my hair and put on my happy face and best attire to go out into the world, what might I be covering up? Am I prayed up; cleaned up inside by the Holy Spirit? Am I hiding anger, bitterness, selfishness, bad attitude, etc.? Did I tidy up to impress others or to please and honor my Lord and Savior?

Do I want the world to see what is hidden inside? Is God happy with my heart condition, or do I need to spend more time with Him, in His cleansing Word?

As I begin tomorrow (December 1) reading a chapter of Luke each day, I am asking God to search my heart. I need a cleansing, a refilling, a refueling! I want my life to count for the One who gave His all for me. How about you?

Let me hear from you,   

Hugs,

Susie