Created to do Good Work

Ephesians 4:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

With a cardboard template, I cut the pieces from colorful fabrics.

I've been a crafter for as long as I can remember. For many years I sewed quilts, three layered blankets sewn together from the underneath to the top with tiny stitches, then bound around the edges. When I first attempted to make a  quilt, I did everything by hand. I fussy cut the pieces using a cardboard or plastic template and a pair of scissors. Then I handstitched the pieces together with needle and thread and quilted by hand. As I learned more methods over the years, I mastered the rotary cutter and sewed pieces together on my machine. No matter how I made the quilt, I knew the purpose. They were created to provide warmth and comfort for my family.

When I look around at people, I see how unique each human is. Like my quilts, made in a variety of designs from different fabrics, people vary too. My personality, stature, intellect, skills, and experiences set me apart because God created me to be myself. He formed me before I was born and gave me unique attributes.

As God made me, He knew my purpose. He knew why I needed to live on earth at this time and in this place. As a believer in Christ, I try to do good work. For me, the good works reflect in my writing (or at least I hope so.) The abilities, desires, and talents God instills in a person is a guide to the reason God created them. Some folks have wonderful musical abilities, some speak, some listen, some smile and share kindness, while others may minister to folks' physical needs.

In whatever way God created me to be, He is the one who knows my purpose and guides my path. Growing up in a time when everything pointed to "finding yourself," I had to look past society and seek God's word and pray for his revelation to who I am.

Do good work for God, our creator.

Who God Created Me To Be

Growing up in the seventies, I read books like I'm Okay, You're Okay 

and took personality tests in magazines to try to

 figure out who I was supposed to be. 

It took me a long time to realize God 

had made me with a distinct personality and a purpose.

Once I started to understand who God created me to be, 

I was relieved that I didn't have to keep searching. 

Instead, I learned to trust Him.

 

Cover Reveal!

If you are signed up for my newsletter, 

you had a sneak preview of my book cover yesterday.

Today, I'm so excited to share with you, my friends.

Home Where She Belongs releases May 1, 2022.

I'll be posting information on where to preorder soon. 

 

Consider the Creator

Job 37:5-7

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
So that everyone he has made may know his work,
    he stops all people from their labor.

Snow sprinkled the ground like powdered sugar.

Winter arrived in southwest Ohio in the form of an ice and snow storm. For three days moisture froze and covered our little corner of the world. Rain moistened the ground, sleet piled on sidewalks and streets, ice pinged the windows and coated the tree limbs, then the snow fell. Flake after flake tumbled from the sky and a beautiful white wonderland stopped everyday life. Schools closed, businesses shut their doors early, and the roads turned dicey. For a moment in time life slowed down.

On those days, as I walked Rosey and Olive over the frozen tundra, I stood in awe at the wonder of God's artistry. If you don't know, I'm a winter person. I love to walk in the snow and see the earth coated in pure white. As I trekked along the snowy street, I thanked God for the beauty.

The snow will melt in a few days as the temperature rises, but the wonder I experienced will stay with me. This morning I picked up my Bible and read from the book of Job. The seventh verse struck me as one I need to remember. When the weather changes, a downpour opens from the clouds, a snowstorm hits the area, or the humidity hits an all time high, God wants us to stop and consider Him.

Not too long ago, we all had to stay at home due to the pandemic. Perhaps that time, when we were all stopped in our tracks, was a time to better know God and His work. A time to ponder God's power and glory.

Even as I walked in the snow and gazed in awe at His works, I knew God gave me the time to recognize Him as the Creator.

Take time to see God's creation and the power of His mighty hand.

The Power of God

This is how powerful our God is.

His very breath freezes moisture into ice.

Weather fascinates me—thunderstorms, snow, ice, sleet, sunshine, clouds.

And God is in them all.

His power covers the earth in all creation.

 

Historical Fiction: Ever Constant (The Treasure of Nome series, book 3) by Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

Book Description:

She's always determined to be the stable, reliable one. But now her commitment may destroy her.

On the surface, Whitney Powell is happy working with her sled dogs and welcoming the new additions to her family through her sisters' marriages and an upcoming birth. But her life is full of complications, including an estranged father, that have her on the edge of losing control. Growing up, she was the strong sister, and she can't give that up now.

When villagers in outlying areas come down with a horrible sickness, Dr. Peter Cameron turns to Whitney and her dogs for help navigating the deep snow, and they become close while ministering to the sick together. Peter has long recognized her finer qualities but is troubled by the emotions and secrets she keeps buried within. He wants to help but wonders if she is more of a risk than his heart can take.

As sickness spreads throughout Nome and another man courts Whitney, she and Peter will discover that sometimes it is only in weakness that you can find strength.

My Thoughts:
When I chose to read Ever Constant, I didn't realize it was book three of a series. It didn't matter, as I read, I learned enough about the other two books to understand this beautifully written story. Whitney is an amazing and strong woman, who raises sled dogs. She had taken care of her family for years and tried her best to always be strong. Dr. Peter Cameron is the perfect hero, flaws, fears and all. The two of them try so hard to make up for past mistakes while heading into difficult situations. I read the story during a winter snowstorm here in Ohio. While I can't imagine living in Alaska in the early 1900s, tromping out in the snow with my dog brought a better picture of what life might have been like for them. Peterson and Woodhouse have created memorable, strong characters, addressed an addiction, showed family love, and amazing faith in this wonderful story of perseverance. If you enjoy historical fiction with heart, you'll like Ever Constant. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Gracious Words

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.

The purple powder puffs attracted bees. 

Along the shore of Lake Erie, on a Port Clinton beach, nodding thistle grew. Their purple heads bobbed in the breeze as bees buzzed around them. The little winged creatures sought out the sweet nectar the thistle offered. So content to collect the liquid from the plant, the bees ignored me as I snapped their photo. They were intent on gathering the ingredients to make honey, a sweet reward.

Unfortunately, in our busy lives sweetness doesn't always abound. Have you ever said something you wished you could take back as soon as the words left your mouth? I have. Instead of lifting someone up; I said things that hurt. In junior high school, before I became a Christian, I remember saying something offensive to a girl I barely knew, to this day I wish I hadn't said anything. I not only hurt her feelings, but I carried the burden of speaking without thinking with me. I don't even remember what I said, but I know it upset her.

Maybe it's a good thing the pain I caused stayed with me—as a reminder that God wants me to choose my words wisely, to run what I say through His filter and determine if it is hurtful or kind. The lesson has stuck with me for years.

Every person is going through something. Difficulties have touched everyone, especially during the pandemic. Proverbs tells me gracious and kind words sooth and heal. With February proclaimed the month of love, help me spread love, kindness, and joy to every person. Instead of spitting negative thoughts into the air, let honey pour from our lips.

Speak with the graciousness and spread God's love.