I've come to look forward to this monthly post - taking time to look back at the past month, while also anticipating all that the new month will bring. Just a rambling little post sharing my thoughts ...
February held memories of God's faithful love
and His comfort and help during hard times ...
Don't be afraid, for I am with you.
Don't be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you,
I will hold you up by My victorious right hand.
(Isaiah 41:10)
Fifteen years ago, in February, my dear husband was in a life-threatening accident. We took time as a family last month to celebrate 15 years, and to thank God for the healing that He brought, and for His strength and love that carried us through those very difficult months. I am so very, very thankful!
And one year ago, last February, my husband very unexpectedly experienced a stroke. Though it was mild, with no serious lasting affects, he went through many tests to try to find the cause. This resulted in two outpatient heart procedures that were done. How we thank God for His care during those days, weeks, and months a year ago. And how I thank God for my dear husband.
February gave us a trip to warm, sunny Florida ...
Each year at this time my husband and I fly to Orlando for a Cru leadership conference. We greatly enjoy our time with other staff during the 4-day conference, and then we also always stay on a few more days, just the two of us. We just cannot fly to Florida without spending some time together on the coast. This is one of several digital scrapbook pages capturing the wonderful memories of our time together in Florida ...
February offered opportunities to learn and grow ...
I'm thankful for God's reminders of what is most important. The image above (one that I shared from incourage on Instagram) holds deep meaning for me. It seems I need to be continually reminded where to go first. To the Bread of Life. Though it is helpful to me and encouraging for me to read multiple authors and bloggers, it is always of most importance for me to go to His Word first. For He is the Bread of Life, where we find nourishment for the deepest places of our heart.
It was also a joy for me to focus on memorizing a passage of verses. It had been awhile since I had taken time for that, and I was so blessed (through the encouragement of a friend) to focus on memorizing again during February. Memorizing is not easy for me! But it was a joy to think on the words of Ephesians 1:3-14 ... "So we praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes." (vs 3-4)
February was a month for some good books ...
I finished two amazing books in February! Always a treat to have time to read, and especially so, when you find some unforgettable books to read. I finished two of those types of books the last week of February ...
The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp. I started out reading this book very slowly, as it is so very thought-provoking. I took a lot of notes on my "Notes" app on my laptop, wanting to remember the thoughts that impacted me the most. Later on, I read more quickly, and am so thankful I kept on to the last chapter, for it was one of my favorite parts of the book! I'll be quoting from this amazing book many times as I write in the future. "There's brokenness that makes a canvas for God's light. There's brokenness that makes windows straight into souls. Brokenness happens in a soul so the power of God can happen in a soul."
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom. My favorite type of fiction to read is historical fiction. This book was recommended by a blogger who has great recommendations of historical fiction books. It was captivating, and also enlightening, giving a deeper glimpse into the life of slavery a few decades before the Civil War. It was also very sad, heart-breaking, and intense, but so good. I now will want to read the sequel, Glory over Everything, as well. I read this book on my Kindle (a gift from my husband for my birthday last fall). If you watch the Kindle sales on Amazon, you can get some really good deals. I purchased both of these books by Kathleen Grissom for just a dollar or two each.
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There are many more things I could write about the wonderful month of February, of sweet times with family and friends, but now I must stop ... and enter into living my days during this new month of March! Watching for God's gifts, and seeking to live in the moment.
Enjoyed your lovely capture of the month of February. Good thoughts and good books shared. Thank you, Cherry!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Janis - and I'm sure your February was memorable, as well!
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