Monday, June 24, 2019

Loose Ends * 4 Somethings * June 2019


Well, hello again!

June has zipped by in a flurry of activity, hasn't it?  And all of a sudden it's time for my end of the month round-up, all those bits and pieces gleaned from hither and yon, the stuff I think is meaningful enough {for some reason} to share.

I know your time is valuable, especially this time of year.  So please feel free to tuck this post safely away for when you've got a few extra minutes to put your feet up and enjoy.

I'd love that.

#1  Somethings Loved

































#2  Something Said
'Entrust your loved ones to Me.  Release them into My protective care.  They are much safer with Me than in your clinging hands ... Subordinate your deficient, controlling love to My perfect, empowering Love ... Restrain your urges to solve their problems.  Instead, use your time and energy to listen to them and pray for them.  Trust in My Love and My unsearchable wisdom.  I can work changes in your loved ones' lives beyond anything you might ask or imagine.'
- Sarah Young, Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life



#3  Something Re-Learned
Dear blogger, write when the Spirit stirs.  Not because it's a self-assigned day of the week or because there's a weekly link-up or because some expert somewhere told you to hit the publish button every three days.

Pick up that pen when you're compelled to.  Write when you can't not write.  Tap away on that keyboard when there's a fire in your bones.  Speak when you're bursting forth with words that you believe will deeply impact your reader.


Let's face it, some of us might be a bit hesitant about taking time off even when our creative energies are waning or we're feeling a bit crispy around the edges. 

Will our stats drop while we're gone?  Yes, they will. 

Will our readers return?   Most likely, especially if the relationship and encouragement you offer resonates deeply.

Is there life away from our laptops?   Most certainly.  And our writing will most likely reflect that reality when we return refreshed, revitalized, renewed.

Who am I when I'm unplugged?  If we're asking ourselves that question, it's most likely past time to discover what that looks like.  
Click here for more blogging tidbits I've embraced.



#4  Something Read
What Kind of Counseling Is Available For Christians?
Jolene Underwood

Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused
Church Cares

Farmhouse Inspiration ~ Lilacs and Lavender
Megan @ Farmhouse5540

The mental load of motherhood: Women reflect on the messy truth of being a mom
Abbey Lossing

Why Am I So Angry?
Wanda Walborn

I'd love for my readers to read YOUR end of the month round-up post!  Please be sure to share your link in the comments ...

Happy Summer ~
Linda


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visiting with
HeatherMary & Sue

49 comments:

  1. Now it is the end of June;
    will I yet see July?
    Without a miracle, comin' soon,
    I am going to die.
    The tumours in my neck are growing;
    I bend, and can't draw breath.
    Malignancies are overflowing,
    and signposts point toward death.
    But I am oddly happy here
    in the land of Never More,
    for love and faith have chased out fear
    and God has locked the door.
    It's true that things are looking bad
    but each day's a blessing, for which I'm glad.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't it amazing how grief and joy, pain and peace can rub shoulders, even at life's end? You remind us of this every time you craft another poem, friend.

      P.S. I can't help believing that yes, Andrew, you are going to see July ...

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    2. Linda, thank you so much. I hope I'll be here, too.

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  2. Great photos! It looks like you've had a good month with family and lots of good food! I agree, taking a break from blogging is good from time to time. I took a break for the last week, and while I missed people it was refreshing and it's definitely necessary sometimes!
    Thanks for sharing the links- the Church Cares one looks interesting. I'll be back to look at that in more detail.
    I just posted my end-of-month post and linked up after you at Heather's! The link is https://lifeinthespaciousplace.wordpress.com/2019/06/24/june-round-up/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'm planning on delving into the Church Cares website, too, Lesley. I'm familiar with some of the presenters ... they are tops in the field!

      Looks like a must-do for every church out there. Please let me know what you think after you've checked it out ...

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  3. Your photos remind me to let myself be joyful by making and eating food I love, and spending time just having fun in the sun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep, it's those simple gifts that feed our souls, that make us smile ...

      ;-)

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  4. Loved the pictures!  =)

    And you live your life by #2…I can tell!

    * via text

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm definitely still a student on #2, but thank you!

      xo

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  5. Your pictures--some make me laugh, some make me smile so big. Great collection, Linda!

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    1. The throwing rocks at workers one is a favorite.

      Really.

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  6. Love all of the pictures, Linda. I am trying to take breaks from blogging, it is good to rest. Blessings always, Pam

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    1. Rest from the endless merry-go-round of social media.

      Yes, please!

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  7. Loved, loved, loved the photos, Linda, especially those shark watermelons. How clever is that? Yes, we've exchanged ideas about blogging breaks before, and I know we're on the same page. Unplugging should definitely happen from time to time, and summer is the perfect season for that.
    Blessings, my friend!

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    Replies
    1. My shark creator is my lovely, gentle, beautiful red haired 14 year old granddaughter ...

      ;-}

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  8. Hi, my friend!
    June has been a time of beginning to breathe and return to a more normal routine after the flurry of activity around graduations from May 1 to June 1 in our family. (Grateful for both seasons.) We had painters at our house the first week of June and also a memorial service for my oldest friend (93 years) who went home to the Lord while we were celebrating a different kind of graduation. I was given the honor of giving one of the eulogies. What a sweet time of celebrating such a rich well-lived life.

    My sweet hubby celebrated a birthday on Father's Day and I settled in to try to continue to reach a goal of completing a heritage album of my parents' courtship and early marriage from boxes of photos that have been waiting on me since they died 24 years ago.

    The Lord also reminded me to again adjust my week so I was totally home not less than 2 days per week to be with Him and tiptoe forward into some writing toward a possible second book.

    My "year of dates" with my hubby means one is coming up this weekend...a double date to Columbus to the National Veterans Memorial Museum. Looking forward to it for many reasons including the designs and displays that were built and created by the company our son works for. He was also the senior manager on the project so we heard much about it.

    Over and over I sense the Lord's call to rest and delve more deeply into His Word and tune in to His whispers.

    Hugs,
    Pam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH MY! What a jam-packed bittersweet month of highs and lows. I am so sorry about the death of your friend ... I can only imagine how honored her family was to have you speak about the richness of her life and her faith.

      Your life is full and rich and always fascinating, friend. I'm glad you've shared the highlights of a rewarding month.

      Bless you.

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  9. When I let go of the 'shoulds' in blogging and social media it felt freeing. It seems Jesus Calling is always right on the spot. Thanks for the links, wisdom and grace always found here.

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    1. You're spot on, Debby. It is freeing to let all the 'shoulds' and expectations go. Most if not all of them have been self-imposed, haven't they ...

      These days, I usually sit down and write on a whim, seldom planned, yet always somehow anticipated. I'll spend an hour visiting readers and friends at their sites every week or so when the Spirit moves and I feel focused and sociable.

      It's all good.

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  10. I do the same thing often, write on a whim I mean but I call it writing with inspiration. I need to carry a notebook with me more because I see so many things that stir my mind to write about. I don't spend much time visiting others site but don't really feel bad about it but always glad when I do, I am always encouraged just as I am this evening visiting you. Love the tib bits Linda.

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    1. Oh I hear you about the notebook, friend! How many brainstorms and 'aha' moments and creative ideas have slipped away never to be recalled again!

      ;-)

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  11. Wonderful post. Loved the photos! and #2 ... thank you!

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    1. I'm with you, Joanne, on #2. I'm guessing that many of us are a work in progress when it comes to releasing and loving well ...

      Delete
  12. Linda,
    I don't have an end of the month post because the end of the month beats me to the finish line every time lol. I loved your pics and #2 really spoke to me. I whole-heartedly agree that bloggers should write only if the Spirit is stirring in us and we're not trying to stir the Spirit! Just trying to decide when to take a break...better decide soon before more calendar pages come flying off!! As always, love stopping by your welcoming place!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm guessing you'll just simply KNOW when it's time to take a breather, Bev. Maybe the Spirit will surprise you with the timing ...

      I love when He does that.

      ;-}

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  13. Ahhh, Linda. I'm breathing deeply of the wisdom you've shared here. That quote from Sarah Young really spoke to my raising-teen-boys mama's heart. I needed the reminder. Thank you.

    I loved your pictures. Every single one!

    I don't have an end-of-month post to share, but thank you for the invitation. :) I so appreciate your sweet place here, my friend. Thank you for sharing so much good.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. As I read your comment, I sent up a quick prayer for you in these challenging mothering years. I can't even imagine. Please know that you're surrounded by mamas in all stages who are cheering you on!

      And even in the midst, you bring so much to the table with your writing, your observations, your wisdom.

      Bless you, Jeanne.

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  14. Thoroughly enjoyed your recap. And your pictures are great! Looks like such a fun month....no doubt, since it included waffles with mixed berries!!!:)

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    Replies
    1. The family likes a waffle bar where everyone heaps their plates with whatever seems best. I like a waffle bar because I don't have to do the cooking and try to figure out what everyone might like.

      This is my youngest daughter's selection. And the prettiest plate it was!

      ;-}

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  15. Replies
    1. And I like that you're here!

      Thanks for stopping in and taking the time to say 'hi!'

      Delete
  16. Linda, I feel like your "Something Re-learned" was written just for me. It's not that I don't feel like writing; I don't feel like writing faith-based posts right now. I haven't for months. It's something I've thought about, prayed about, and talked about to friends. I don't know why. I just haven't felt moved to do so. Maybe I should just relax about the whole thing and wait until I feel His call.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Your last line says it all, friend. When we try to write what we think other people think we should write, we'll quickly come to a dead end because what we're trying to offer isn't authentically our own.

      How frustrating.

      We run around in blogging circles where most bloggers are writing devotional pieces and that's fine.

      But there's room for all of us at the table, to bring our faith as it is ... more as an offering to Him, allowing the dailyness of our lives and our written observations to speak what is true about where we are.

      It wasn't long ago your faith shown bright in this piece you wrote -
      https://meditationsinmotion.wordpress.com/2019/06/11/bringing-your-full-self-to-your-whole-life/

      Let your light shine in the way He's shaped you to be. All is well ...

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  17. I'm heading into a summer blogging break, Linda. So I take your encouragement to heart and feel a bit better (less guilty) about doing so! Lol! I also absolutely LOVE the pic of your grandkids sleeping on each other and the painting, I suppose, you are painting seaside! What a glorious and refueling thing to do! Hugs and prayers for you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh don't feel guilt, friend! You're so on top of your blogging that a break is well due you! Enjoy every minute of freedom and rest.

      And thanks for the vote of confidence, but that's not my painting seaside. But it sure was beautiful to take in that color palette on the pier ...

      Stunning!

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  18. love your roundup especially the phots - that watermelon looks yummy

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  19. Oh, my you have had a full summer and it's only the end of June! Good for you!

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    1. It's good to see you, friend. I hope you are well and happy and enjoying these first days of summer ...

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  20. YES, to writing when inspired!
    Blessings, My Friend
    (Cute pictures of the grands!)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. If I'm not inspired, there's nothing to offer. That's where I am in this season.

      It's all good, ya' know?!

      Delete
  21. Those watermelon sharks are so cute! My end-of-June musings are here: https://barbarah.wordpress.com/2019/06/30/end-of-june-musings/

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    1. Yeah, sweet 14 year old granddaughter knows how to bring happy food to the table ...

      ;-)

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  22. awesome article..
    thank for sharing :)

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  23. Wow! Looks like we've been walking some of the very same paths! We just left Woodstock, VT - I'd recognize that beautiful building and flowers anywhere! And is that sign from the dam at Quechee Gorge? Just got home yesterday and sat down to write today. You're so right about waiting until there's a need to write! Hope you enjoyed your family time and travels! Best ..

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    1. Well, yay!! You're back, Barbara!! And I see you're blogging again. And I couldn't be happier because your space has always been so serene and quieting for me.

      Yes, that's Woodstock. What a beautiful day we spent there with friends ... the gorge, the inn, the library, the shops, the vistas.

      Lovely.

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  24. You pictures are stunning! Thanks for linking up!

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