September Selection

Dearest Readers,

It's a new month, and a fresh opportunity to live life as God intended us to do.

We have a choice today: firstly, a choice between believing in God, or not.

Then, we must choose whether to believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son. Are we going to accept the awesome gift of eternal life which He bought for us through His death on the cross?

Each one must choose: to believe, or not to believe.

And then, as believers, we must choose to walk right. To walk according to The Holy Spirit's leading day by day.

I have been thinking a lot recently about the choice to place our hope in Jesus each day. To continue in that hope, even when all around seems bleak and hard.

And also, of the choice to remain in His joy, even when there seems to be no reason to smile or sing.

Today, and here in September, I choose hope. And I choose joy. And those can be mine only through my Lord and Saviour, Jesus.

How about you, dear friend?

My testimony:

The Book of John:

Freckles

Garden Glimpse

The garden is still growing, despite drought conditions. This mirrors life somehow. It blooms even when you think it shouldn't. And it bravely soldiers on. As we must, in the strength and provision of The Lord.

Awe-inspiring freesias. (My Mom's bulbs.❤️)

Beautiful Albert.

Bright and joyful nasturtiums.

Beetroot and Calendula.

Carrots and cat :)

Glowing and praising: California poppies.

The lettuce is still lettucing :)

Shady spot

My barrels will need some attention soon.

The Simple Life

Nolan dragged his protesting body out of bed. Outside, black had only begun lightening to dark gray. And it was cold. Icy. His feet recoiled at the touch of the bare floor. He sighed. He hadn't had time yet to lay carpeting. There was just too much to do.

He moved around the room as quietly as possible, not wanting to wake Shona. She was finally asleep after a night of heart burn and leg cramps, her hand resting protectively on her swollen abdomen. Their third little one.

He sighed his second sigh of the morning as he reached for his jeans. From where he was standing, life looked like an extreme hike. Nothing was easy, and his list of chores was never ending. Admittedly, Shona's list was longer than his, what with homeschooling, cleaning, cooking, gardening, and canning. How she managed it all was beyond Nolan's comprehension. He helped in the evenings of course, but the livestock took most of his time. He didn't even want to think of how they'd manage with a newborn in the house.

"It's not that simple is it?"

Nolan turned. Shona's eyes met his.

"What?"

She shrugged. "You know, the simple life. The one we've always dreamed of."

Nolan sat on the bed. He touched first her hand, then her belly, hoping for a hello kick. He grinned widely and chuckled when his hopes were realized. The morning rush paused, and he felt God speak to Him in the moment. Nolan acknowledged his pity party. Here was his sweet wife, still smiling even with the hardest work a woman could ever do ahead of her.

His eyes softened, and a whispered promise of The Lord's assured presence brought strength. "Nope. It's not. It's downright hard sometimes. But we've plenty to be thankful for. " Nolan reached for Shona's hand once more, and squeezed it gently. "Not to mention how God has provided, what with your sister Holly coming to stay awhile to help."

"And your nephew Matt's helping too now." Shona sat up with some effort and massaged his shoulders. "I've been worried about you: working so hard."

Nolan sighed once more. This time with happiness. "Looks like I'll have time to get that carpet laid and the painting done before that little blessing makes his or her appearance."

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The End

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Story copyright: pencil in His Hand

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Wishing you a blessed September🩷🤗🙏See you in October again, God willing.

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