Am I Happy?

Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tim made sure I didn't miss this pretty pink tulip.

Do you remember the song from Bible school, "If You're Happy and You Know It"? We clapped our hands and shouted amen. It was a fun song to sing, but I'd like to change the words. Instead of happy, what if we sing "If You're Joyful". To me, happy is a feeling dependent on circumstance and inconsistent with the deep joy Jesus gives. Joy's not dependent on anything except my relationship with God.

I've been sick for a week. Run a fever every day. Am I happy? No. But I still have joy because I know Jesus loves me. My heart fills with joy because God gave me my husband who takes care of me and family and friends who check on me. I hope to feel better soon. I don't usually ask this but if you think to, pray for me.

Praise God I can sing, "I'm joyful and I know it."

Spirit of Power

Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

Book description:

Abigail Pressman would never have guessed that love notes penned on paper hearts by an anonymous couple could restore her belief in love. As a business owner in a quaint town at the base of the Rockies, she’s poured everything into dreams of expansion... and resisting the matchmaking efforts of the Valentine Volunteers, who gather in her store to continue Loves Park’s tradition of stamping mail with the city’s romantic postmark.

When Abigail is unwillingly drafted into the Volunteers, she encounters the paper hearts, a distraction that couldn’t come at a worse time. A hard-to-read doctor has become Abigail’s new landlord, and he’s threatening to end her lease to expand his practice.

As she fights a growing attraction to this handsome man crushing her dreams, Abigail is inspired to string the hearts in her store, sparking a citywide infatuation with the artsy trend. But when a new batch of hearts reaches the Volunteers, it appears something tragic has happened to the couple. Will uncovering their story confirm Abigail’s doubts about love, or could it rescue her dreams . . . and her heart?
-From back cover

My Review:

On the surface Paper Hearts appears to be a sweet romance, but the story is so much more. With remarkable writing skill Courtney creates a powerful tale of a young woman who discovers her strengths as she embraces the amazing power of forgiveness. From the main characters to the most minor one, the town is filled with quirky, likeable, folks with well-developed personalities. The Valentine Volunteers made me laugh and cringe as they championed Abigail's cause. And the doctor's story tugged at my heart and reminded me that each person has a story. This is a book I'll want to read again because I loved the town and the people so much. Five stars.

I purchased the Kindle version.

Baseball and Honeycombs

Proverbs 16:23-24
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
    and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Joey Votto hits a homerun. Billy Hamilton steals another base. Aroldis Chapman closes the game with a win. That's what I like to see when the Reds play ball. My family loves the great American Pastime, enjoyed by all ages. So when I heard on the news that the manager let off a string of curse words (seventy-seven in a five-and-a-half minute span) to the media, I was disappointed. He represented the team and the fans. The media reported he was under duress and angry at them. Instead of gracious words, he threw harmful darts.

© Penny Frost McGinnis

I have a magnet on the refrigerator that says, "You are your words." Once they come out of the mouth, they can't be swallowed back up. Proverbs reminds me to consider whether my words show care, thoughtfulness, positivity, a teaching spirit, and a healing concern. I've heard it's easier to draw bees with honey. That's true with the spoken word. I want to stop before I speak and consider how what I say affects who hears. Encourage, compliment and instruct with love like Jesus did. We are his words. 

Sing for Joy

©Penny Frost McGinnis

New Art Shop in Batavia

Under the Stars, at 97 East Main Street, opened this month. Vicki Watkins, owner, has invited talented artists from across the country to display and sell their work.

I browsed several rooms and discovered beautiful jewelry, colorful paintings, pallet word art, pottery and handpainted furniture. Vicki plans to have several art events this coming year. Stop by and enjoy the beautiful work.

Aggravating Allergies

©Penny Frost McGinnis

I rarely miss church. But today after sleeping all day on Friday and Saturday, my body called again for rest on Sunday. Spring allergies have attacked and given me their gift of an ear, eye, and sinus infection. It started out as a minor irritation and worked it's way to a full blown aggravation.

I missed work on Friday, free admission to the Nature Center on Saturday, and church on Sunday. I probably sound whiny because I am. But I just hate missing out on life. Yet I know God calls me to rest and too often I don't listen. My husband tries to remind me, yet I think I'm okay and I plow through.

My advice to myself and anyone who might read this. Rest when your body gives the signs. Take care of yourself. And sleep as needed. It's not easy or convenient sometimes to just rest, but it's sure necessary.

Here's hoping the allergies are done with me or will at least give me a pass for the rest of spring.

Do you have allergies? What do you do to keep them at bay?