Songs of Joy

Lately, days seem to run together. Sometimes I don't know the day or date. 

What I do know is God has created evening and morning, and in his presence I find joy.

This colorful sunset fell over Lake Erie, as we watched in awe and wonder. 

Children's Picture Book Review: Fiona, It's Bedtime by Zondervan (Author), Richard Cowdrey (Illustrator)

Book Description:

It’s time to go to bed and Fiona can’t fall asleep until she’s said “GOODNIGHT” to all her animal friends at the zoo.

Fiona, It’s Bedtime, a follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Fiona the Hippo and A Very Fiona Christmas, is the latest book to showcase the adorable internet sensation from the Cincinnati Zoo. Fiona is beloved by fans all over the world, and her newest book is the perfect bedtime read-aloud for cuddling with your little one. Fiona, It’s Bedtime, illustrated by New York Times bestselling artist Richard Cowdrey, features everyone’s favorite hippo who wanders through the zoo saying “GOOD NIGHT” to all her animals friend before she heads to bed and settles into slumber.  

My Review:
Richard Cowdrey's charming and colorful illustrations will delight little ones as they're encouraged to go to sleep. The rhyming text of Fiona, It's Bedtime is fun to read aloud, as Fiona visits all her friends at the zoo. The text also captures the sleeping habits of the various animals. Living near Cincinnati, I have a soft spot for this lovable hippo. Cowdrey has captured her sweet persona on each page. This is perfect for children ages 2 to 8. Or an adult like me who loves children's books. Fiona, It's Bedtime will become a good-night favorite. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Struggle is Real

Psalm 30:11-12

You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

This week my anger flared.

Tim and I are doing well. We fill our days and enjoy each other's company. We're thankful we have a safe place to live and food on the table. Yet, my anger toward this COVID-19 virus reached a peak this week. I'm grieving the fact that I can't see my family, hug my children, or play with my grandkids. Tim and I can't go out for dinner at a restaurant. We can't attend church with the congregation. I walk in my neighborhood, but fear I might catch the virus. As I wallowed in my discontent, my fibromyalgia flared and made me even more miserable.

That was Tuesday.

On Wednesday, hope filled my heart. The ire dissipated and joy sang out. So often, I must walk through the darkness before I appreciate the light. As they say, "The struggle is real." Our mental health is being tested. So is our faith.

Dale Chihuly glass art  

Maybe anger eats at you, depression dogs your days, or anxiety attacks. I've suffered them all through the stay-at-home corona days. But I've also experienced joy through the Holy Spirit. When I get over myself and hand my cares to God through prayer, the Spirit fills my soul with joy and a peace that passes understanding. When I stop to thank God for my circumstances and ask Him to forgive my selfishness, he turns my grumbles into dancing, my grief into joy. I'm so grateful that God loves me even when I'm unlovable.

As my faith grows and stretches, I praise God for his continued love and grace.

How have you dealt with all the baggage of these stay-at-home times?
Are you taking care of yourself?
Physically, mentally and spiritually?

Even a few minutes in God's word and in prayer eases the stress.

Fiction Reviews: Liar's Winter & Mercy's Rain by Cindy Sproles

Liar's Winter Book Description:

Liar's Winter

Lochiel Ogle was born with a red-wine birthmark--and it put her life in jeopardy from the moment she entered the world. Mountain folks called it "the mark of the devil," and for all the evil that has plagued her nineteen-year existence, Lochiel is ready to believe that is true. And the evil surely took control of the mind of the boy who stole her as an infant, bringing her home for his mother to raise.

Abused and abandoned by the only people she knows as family, Lochiel is rescued by a peddler and given the first glimpse of love she has ever known. The truth of her past is gradually revealed as is the fact that she is still hunted by a brother driven to see her dead. Unsure if there's anyone she can truly trust, Lochiel is faced with a series of choices: Will she continue to run for escape or will she face her past and accept the heartbreaking secrets it reveals? Which will truly free her?

Set in the wild and beautiful Appalachian Mountains of nineteenth-century East Tennessee, Liar's Winter is an unflinching yet inspirational exploration of prejudice and choice.

Mercy's Rain Book Description:
When your life is built around a father's wrath, how can you trust in the love of Father God?

Mercy Roller knows her name is a lie: there has never been any mercy in her young life. Raised by a twisted and abusive father who called himself the Pastor, she was abandoned by the church community that should have stood together to protect her from his evil. Her mother, consumed by her own fear and hate, won't stand her ground to save Mercy either.

Mercy's Rain

The Pastor has robbed Mercy of innocence and love, a husband and her child. Not a single person seems capable of standing up to the Pastor's unrestrained evil. So Mercy takes matters into her own hands.

Her heart was hardened to love long before she took on the role of judge, jury, and executioner of the Pastor. She just didn't realize the retribution she thought would save her, might turn her into the very thing she hated most.

Sent away by her angry and grieving mother, Mercy's path is unclear until she meets a young preacher headed to counsel a pregnant couple. Sure that her calling is to protect the family, Mercy is drawn into a different life on the other side of the mountain where she slowly discovers true righteousness has nothing evil about it--and that there might be room for her own stained and shattered soul to find shelter. . . and even love.

Mercy's Rain is a remarkable historical novel set in 19th century Appalachia that traces the thorny path from bitterness to forgiveness and reveals the victory and strength that comes from simple faith.

My Review:I love Cindy Sprole's writing about mountain folk. Her description and dialect drew me into the beautiful Appalachian setting and into the heart of the people. The women portrayed in the stories endure difficult circumstances, sometimes hard to digest. But I love how they drew on their deepest emotions and found the courage to move forward. Lochiel and Mercy's stories are difficult, they struggle, but they also endure. Cindy has captured the essence of what life is like in the mountains and how God's love overcomes evil. She writes about the hard stuff, pain and sorrow with the essence of hope. Years ago, I fell in love with literature written about the Appalachian Mountains when I read Christy by Catherine Marshall. I am thrilled to visit the mountains once again in Sprole's books. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cindy has a new book coming out in June, 

What Momma Left Behind. 

His Love

No matter what, God is faithful.

His love never ends.

I see him in the flowers of spring, the rainfall, the greening grass.

His love surrounds us every day.

God's Incredible Creation

We'd walked around the park's path a couple of times. Wanting to reach the two mile mark, we needed more steps. Across from the play area, a hiking trail wound up the hill. Other than a bit of mud, we enjoyed trekking along the small rise. As we tromped the path, we listened to the river rush and the birds sing.

As with any hike in the woods, I'm always searching for flowers and plants, particularly in the spring. I thought I'd missed discovering one of my favorite wildflowers. We hadn't visited the park where I usually see them. As we hiked along, I watched the floor of the woods. Along the edge, I spied not one, but many of the wildflowers I had hoped to see.

White Nodding Trillium

Red Trillium

Several red trillium squatted together along the edge of the woods. Only one white nodding trillium rested among them. Being a bit of a nerd, my excitement rose and I felt blessed to see these beauties of spring.

Anytime I am in the woods, I am recharged by God's incredible creation. His artwork revives my soul and increases my hope. If you can, visit a wooded area and take in God's beauty. Or step outside and listen to the birds' songs. Refresh your soul through his creation.

A little trivia—Ohio's official wildflower is the white trillium.

The Man Had Enemies

Psalm 56:1-4
Be merciful to me, my God,
    for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
    all day long they press their attack.
My adversaries pursue me all day long;
    in their pride many are attacking me.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Their target was King David.

The man had many enemies. In the Psalm, he wrote of being chased and pursued by armies. Thwarted on every side. He hid in caves, he ran, but in the end he knew where to find help.

In the midst of this health emergency we are in together—I hear fear. Will I get the virus? Will my loved one get it? Will we ever get to go back to work? Will we survive financially? So many questions, and all good ones. Everyone has been touched by this invisible nemesis.

When I ponder those same questions, I'm tempted to ball up with anxiety.

But I have good news. I've found comfort in the Psalms. As David was chased by his enemies, he recognized his refuge, his safe place, his best place to shelter in place—in the arms of God. Each day as I read a new chapter, I see God peeling away my layers of fear and replacing them with trust. No matter what happens, I trust God to love and comfort me.

Is this easy? No. But I choose to place my hope in God.

Do I fear? Yes. But I trust God more.

Psalm57:1 Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.