Anxiety and a Pair of Jeans

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Shopping for jeans raises my anxiety.

After a hot summer, I’m ready for the cool air of autumn. With the change in temperature comes the need for new jeans, part of my standard retirement uniform. I’ve worn out the ones I bought a few years ago, so I gathered my courage (because I need that to try on pants) and went to the store where I bought my last pair. The bins and racks oozed with denim, but every pair I looked at either had pre-ripped holes (I’m too old for those) or buttons instead of a zipper, again, too old. No classic jeans existed. As my anxiety rose and my frustration with it, my daughter, who came to the store separate from me, saw me and creeped up on me and scared the beejeebers out of me (of course we laughed about it—later.)

The whole shopping experience made my anxiety go through the ceiling. I vowed to wear my thread-bare jeans and forget shopping. Then Kohl’s dinged my inbox with a 40% off coupon. Could I try one more time? Yes, I did, and I came home with a pair of classic “mom” jeans and a cute Peanuts t-shirt. I’m thankful that despite my anxiety, I tried one more time.

I laugh now about the ridiculousness of trying to find a pair of jeans, but the anxiety I’ve dealt with throughout my life isn’t funny. The truth is, being anxious leaves me exhausted. I’m so thankful Paul addresses it in these verses. God understands. He reminds us to stop and pray, ponder on thankfulness, and He’ll pour peace into our hearts and minds. Without doubt, I know this to be true.

Full disclosure: I have a medical issue that causes anxiety and with the help of medicine, I am much better. But I also know that without God, I’d be in a heap of trouble. My go to is prayer, always. I’m so grateful I can talk to God about everything, including a frustrating shopping trip. Philippians 4:6-7 is one of the verses I cling to—to get me through life.

Pray first, always.

Cozy Mystery Review: Dog Days of Summer, book 2 Gone to the Dogs series by Kathleen Y’Barbo

What the story is about:
Trina Potter, Nashville country music star, buys a ranch near her hometown in Brenham, Texas, to help her niece open a rescue facility for dogs. Her presence in town stirs up some old high school rivalries—and romance. Finding property to buy is a challenge, convincing her mother to move there with her is daunting, and navigating a string of strange accidents is perplexing. Sometimes Trina feels like she’s purchased her own three ring circus instead of a beautiful piece of land. But her first priority will be figuring out who wants Second Chance Ranch shut down before they even have the grand opening.

My Thoughts:
I enjoy cozy mysteries, and this series has been a treat. Trina Potter wants to help her niece get her rescue business up and running, but in the meantime, someone is sabotaging Second Chance Ranch before they even get set up. I like the idea of dog rescue and love the pups in this delightful mystery. There is a thread of romance, but the kennel and the mystery take the limelight. If you enjoy cozies, give Dog Days of Summer a read and make sure to read book 1, Off the Chain. Book 3, Barking Up the Wrong Tree will be available January, 2023. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Christmas Book Review: O Little Town by Deborah Raney, Janyre Tromp, and Amanda Wen

What it’s About:
Stories of small-town Christmas and the enduring love of God from three critically acclaimed authors

In the sleepy small town of Mapleview, Michigan, Christmas is always something special. In this charming collection of romance novellas, join three generations of Mapleview residents longing for love--and finding it--on the most wonderful night of the year.

"Hopes and Fears" by Amanda Wen

Emma Trowbridge is determined to give her students the Christmas pageant of a lifetime. The last person she expected, or wanted, to encounter in her two-room classroom is her childhood rival, Frederick Oberstein. He would rather be far away himself. He wants no part of cheer, Christmas or otherwise. Can they learn to see each other in a new light--and embrace a new season of hope and faith together?

"While Mortals Sleep" by Janyre Tromp

While World War II rages overseas, news reporter Eleanor Sweers returns home to Mapleview to face the repercussions of the death of her sister and her nightmare of Christmases past. But the homefront isn't as far from the war as she thought: a bomb has landed in the middle of the U.S. Now Eleanor and family friend Gideon Braum may have to choose between the scoop of a lifetime and the love of a lifetime.

"The Wondrous Gift" by Deborah Raney

High school football coach Caleb Janssen and music teacher Rachel Hamblin bond when they both lose their jobs at a Christian school. But when they discover their plans for the future are mutually exclusive, the fallout threatens to tear them apart.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading this collection of holiday themed stories. Set in the town of Mapleview, Michigan, three authors create stories from different generations of towns folk. Amanda Wen’s story, set in the early days of the town’s settlement, is a sweet tale of love and forgiveness. Janyre Tromp’s story, set during WW 2 involves intrigue and the most lovable male character, Gideon. Deborah Raney captures modern day Mapleview in her romance of two teachers. I like that the schoolhouse from Wen’s story appears in Raney’s. Each story is unique and thoroughly enjoyable. From historical fiction, to mystery, to contemporary these authors have delivered three engaging and wonderful stories. Add this to your Christmas to be read pile. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Quiet Moments of Purpose

God sees the little things as big things, and the least as most important.

Tucking a child in at night, kneading dough for bread, writing a sympathy card, giving a hug, creating, walking a pet, laughing with a friend, making soup, and so many more touching gestures give purpose to life.

Love others in the way you know how. 

Embrace the quiet moments and the work of your hands.

Value Others

Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

What would the world look like if we truly valued people?

My granddaughter, Dylan, and her best friend, Emma, have played doubles tennis together for three years. The day I dropped Dylan off for her first practice, she was the only student who showed up. A few days later, more girls joined, and she had recruited Emma to play with her.

In the last three years, I’ve watched these young ladies grow in the game. They’ve improved their serves, thought through their strategies, and learned to slam the ball, when needed. Their prowess on the court has grown from uncertain to confident. And more importantly, they’ve learned to trust each other. They don’t play for themselves or try to steal the limelight. Instead, they encourage each other and value the other one’s skills. I love watching them because they play as a team, dependent on one another. As a matter of fact, their whole team cheers for and champions each other.

What would the church look like if we did that?

Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians to encourage them and to advise on how to live life together as believers. His writing emphasizes the opposite of the ‘me first’ mentality. Instead, he instructed the people of the church of Philippi to humble themselves as Jesus did when He lived life on earth. 

Jesus humbled Himself to the point of being a servant to the people He met. He didn’t bang His chest and command attention. Instead, He lifted people up with His words, He washed the feet of the disciples, and He healed the broken and wounded. Jesus, by example, taught how to love other people and placed great value on everyone. 

Be a team player and encourage each other.

He Lights the Way

People ask me why I love lighthouses so much.

The reason is simple--

a lighthouse provides safety for ships, which reminds me of Jesus.

He is my safety, my hope, and my guide. He is the light which 

provides safety for me. His Word lights my path, and He gives me hope.

 

Life is Not a Checklist

1 Thessalonians 1:3
We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I like lists and calendars. Something about the orderly way they help me organize my life gives me satisfaction. I use a program called Scrivener that helps me organize my writing, and I create Excel sheets to help me keep track of editing. Notebooks with check-off lists and the calendar on my phone help me show up where I’m supposed to. Without my notes, there's a great chance I'd forget something important.

As much as I like lists and organization, I can't live my life by checking off boxes. Organization works wonders for a project, like writing a book, but not so much for life. Living life is more about prompts, nudges, crossroads, inspiration, and endurance. Life in Christ includes hope, conviction, the nudges from the Holy Spirit, opportunities to serve, and unexpected joy. If I only stick to my to do lists, I’ll miss out on the blessings.

How about a list infused with hope and joy!

• If you're a parent, take time to play with your kids. If your children are teens or adults, hang out with them. Enjoy making memories.
• If you're married, date your spouse and be attentive.
• If you're single enjoy the adventure God's given you. 
• If you work outside the home, stop and ask your co-worker how their day is going.
• Take the walk, pet the dog, smell the flowers, smile at the folks God puts in your path.
• Sing out loud in church or in the car and worship freely.

My point--God has plans for me. If my head is focused on a check list all the time, I'm going to miss out. Instead I want to live like the Thessalonians who were faithful, and prompted by love and inspired by hope.

Be flexible when it comes to living a life mapped out by God. He has unexpected surprises, if we pay attention.