Month: November 2023

Day Thirty Three – Removing Clutter

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:10-31 NIV

When I was a young, single and a mom, I would pray the 31st Proverbs over my life. Then one day I realized God had fulfilled my request. I was alone when I discovered my prayer had been answered and I remember casting the sweetest smile of becoming one of my greatest desires. My children are grown and two of them live miles away from me. They are living their best lives as I seek to regain traction after my journey was interrupted by the foolishness of others. Yet, even on this stressful journey God is teaching me I must rejoice in good times and in bad times. Progress isn’t happening as fast as I would like but it is happening. Just the other day I decided to unload boxes [I stress boxes] of coupon finds of shampoo and conditioners to charities. Not sure of the recipients but I don’t have time to try and sell the items, as I need the space. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Jesus, let us rejoice everyday in knowing you’re our shepherd! Amen

What To Do With Extra Time

Be very careful, then, how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16

Today’s daily prompt 2134 asked, “If you didn’t need sleep, what would you do with all the extra time? The writing task seems easy to answer but is it when your mind is plagued with overwhelming feelings of uncertainties. So, one would have to really begin their thoughts with “in a perfect world.”

In a perfect world I would use time researching and executing all I’ve learned about my passions, genealogy, quilting, photography, gardening, religion, faith, writing and inspiring others. And even though my life would consist of zero sleep I would enjoy my family longer and praise my God without reservations for there would be no constraints; because, after all this story is truly about a perfect world.

But in a not so perfect world where time is limited, I’m learning to be grateful for each new day that gives me the opportunity to continue and or complete tasks. For it has been those short days where nothing has gone right that teaches me to celebrate my victorious moments no matter how few and far between they seem to be at the moment with a thankful heart. Blessings to each of you! ~Annette 

Day Thirty Two – Removing Clutter

The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.

Proverbs 13:4

I wrote this post four days ago and it was painful to throw good food away today.

Yesterday, I waited to hear from a friend concerning items she said she wanted. I have 10 family size boxes of Cheerios that expired in the month of August. I don’t want to throw them away because they could be food for chickens.

A week or so ago my friend told me she struggles financially to buy feed for the chickens and the turkey in her backyard. I was shocked she even had them! Especially since she has 11 dogs, not sure how many just born puppies and lord only knows how many cats and kittens. Given she’s the only person that works in the household I felt somewhat sorry for her on many levels.

I’m guessing the chickens and the turkey belong to her son-in-law that lives with her and doesn’t have a job. Well, any-who, the son-in-law said he would take the expired cereal off my hands. You would think since he doesn’t have a job and his livestock need food HE WOULD HAVE MADE THE EFFORT TO STOP BY MY HOME TO PICK THE CEREAL UP SINCE THEY WERE IN DENVER! I live minutes away from the highway! It would have taken him just a few minutes of his time to come to my home and pick up FREE food for his livestock! OMG! Some people really do come with special instructions! Really!

I started to take the food to them! Then I remembered my nasty habit of always trying to rescue people that have much more time than me. Later finding myself trying to pour and drink from an empty cup! Today, I will send my friend a text to see if she wants the food and give her one day to pick it up. If she tells me she doesn’t want the boxes of cereal I will post them in a community page as “FREE” with hours only for pick-up. If I still have the boxes of cereal by the time trash day comes around I will throw them away and move on with removing clutter from my home.

Well it’s four days later and they never showed up! Let’s pray!

PRAYER:

Father God, I pray for the lazy person that sits around waiting for things to fall in their lap.  I pray that you stir up their spirit and show them the error of their ways.  Let the slothful mindset they have end with them and not become a family legacy.  Amen 

Day Thirty One – Removing Clutter

A couple of days ago as I wrapped up my post I quickly changed my mind on what I would share today after reading Proverbs 13.  Yet, Proverbs 13:4 is my scripture for today.  Have a great day living your best life!  Blessings to you and yours from me and mine!  ~Annette 

A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
    but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.

2 From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives,
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

4 A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

5 The righteous hate what is false,
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

6 Righteousness guards the person of integrity,
    but wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.

8 A person’s riches may ransom their life,
    but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.

9 The light of the righteous shines brightly,
    but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.

10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
    but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded.

14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    turning a person from the snares of death.

15 Good judgment wins favor,
    but the way of the unfaithful leads to their destruction.

16 All who are prudent act with knowledge,
    but fools expose their folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.

18 Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honored.

19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.

21 Trouble pursues the sinner,
    but the righteous are rewarded with good things.

22 A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children,
    but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.

23 An unplowed field produces food for the poor,
    but injustice sweeps it away.

24 Whoever spares the rod hates their children,
    but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

25 The righteous eat to their hearts’ content,
    but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.

Day Thirty – Removing Clutter

Today, I came on just to read something inspirational. Ask and it shall be given! I found a very profound blog post, simply written about knowledge being power. It’s thought provoking and moving! So, today I won’t be writing a post but sharing one and encouraging my visitors to read it. Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, your word say’s “we have not because we ask not.” Well today Lord I’m asking that you give people an appetite to seek knowledge to make wiser choices. Amen

Knowledge is power-Francis Bacon

Day Twenty Nine – Removing Clutter

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:11-20 NIV

UGH! Smash! Smash! Bang! Bang! Kick the metal trash can! Seven days ago was one of those kind of moment! Really! Where you want to hit something, brake something and most of all kick an object! But! You shouldn’t! And in my case I didn’t! But! Because of some people procrastinating I went from one spectrum to the other emotionally and mentally. One thing I hate is when people waste time [and I learned this from a dentist]. DON’T WASTE TIME! Let’s pray!

PRAYER

Father God, thank you for another day on this side of Glory. Lord, I pray for those that waste time, their time and the time of others. Lord, I ask you to speak softly to their hearts making your word ever present about the importance of time. Amen