I loved to read the comments in the last post (Carp Diem). They were wonderful.I should call this Sunday Evening Tea. I'm still moving at a slow pace. :)
Hubby called this morning from the mountains of North Carolina. He wishes I was there with him to share the fantastic vacation he has had.
I was invited but I would much rather stay here and recover from the "crud" going around... not that I wanted to attend a reunion of war vets (have you ever heard two or more Vets get together and talk... and talk... and talk?) I'm sure they have enjoyed each others' company.
The Smoky Mountains are one of my all time favorite places (we stayed in Asheville on our honeymoon) but I wouldn't have enjoyed the trip.
The reunion is at his friend's summer home... a million dollar cabin (in a gated community) and his friends are paying all his expenses... no strings attached. One of their neighbors is a NASCAR star. As I told my husband, now that is true Southern Royalty!
I never cease to be amazed how God provides an oasis in the desert and in completely unexpected ways. God truly does "set a table before us in the presence of our enemies". This reunion has been a desire of his heart since the 1980s and to add such beauty and luxury... well, that was an unexpected treasure.
Life is difficult for many people right now and even those who live in circumstances which haven't changed face uncertainty in the future. However, such is not uncommon to life in the past. All we have to think of is the generation before us going the Great Depression or WWII.
I know when one is going through unbelievable hardship, it would be easy to become annoyed with the suggestion that serving tea and cookies in the afternoon on pretty dishes (with perhaps strawberry milk for the little ones in their teacup) or making homemade pizza for the family to eat while watching a favorite DVD will make a huge difference... but it does.
There must be at least one person who gathers strength each morning to meet the day, even if it "just" reading a Psalm or a chapter of an inspiring book by a gifted Christian teacher. (Although, it would help so much more to make that decision for indepth times of study and worship.) I have found when in the midst of uncertain circumstances, it seems I can hear that Still Small Voice better than usual.
I love to read books from the Great Depression or those set during times of war about men and women who make a difference in the lives of their friends and families because of their ability to create beauty and serenity in difficult situations.
While there were definitely days when one wondered if they would survive the intense difficulties, often when they have passed through the trials of war or poverty (or both) they looked back and knew there were good days because of family and friends.
Now I must brew a cup of tea and prop my feet up to give full attention to a PBS nature show. Christopher is home for the evening, studying in the family room. It is like old times. :)
11 comments:
Dear Brenda,
You have such a way with words. I have not been by to visit for a while, but I was very encouraged today. May we indeed ponder each day what legacy we're leaving our children!
Love,
Marqueta
Dee from Tennessee
Thanks for loving our mountains.... the Smoky Mountains are in my neck of the woods. We live about an hour away...and we have our own hills and "hollars" right here at home. It is God's beautiful landscape, absolutely.
Hmm strawberry milk or tea I like them both *giggles*....
I enjoy the kind of books that you do but I tend to focus on westerns or "pioneer" novels with the same impression.
Thank you for yet another lovley post
God Bless,
Mrs. G
Can you recommend a book that's a personal account of someone who went through the Depression?
I'm glad your husband is enjoying his time with his friends. Everyone needs a break now and then!
This post reminds me of "April Gold" by Grace Livingston Hill.
Manuela
Thank you so much for your words. You are very sweet...I love your appreciating for cups of tea and just simply pretty things. My 12 year old daughter, Becca, brought me a surprise cup of tea this morning as I was enjoying our back porch with a scrapbook magazine. That was so wonderful...her thoughtfulness and love to me, the beautiful morning, my back porch, tea and a scrapbook magazine! Can't get much better than that!
Love ya!
Beth
I too would like to read books about people who made a difference during the great depression. Do you have any titles you could share?
My mom and I are sitting in a hospital waiting room, waiting for my 79 year old dad to get out of surgery. He has diabetes and a pacemaker. Mom has Alzheimers
We are experienced with uncertainty.
If the LORD should ever provide a way for you to come to the Smokies, I am sure Dee from TN and I could give you a tour. :) I, too, am shoutin' distance from the Smokies.
Such beauty. A daily reminder that despite uncertainty, God's faithfulness endures.
I too would enjoy having some names of books about people living through the Great Depression. Do you have places you recommmend on the net for such things too? May I recommend oa book? Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish. The book is described on the front as Hard times and high spirits on an Iowa Farm during the Great Depresion. It is written from a child's point of view The book has recipes and all sorts of practical information amid the wonderful stories of their life. Jody
what a blessing for your dh I am so glad they thought of him to do that!
I simply adore that tea set! I really want to get one similar to it for our spare room re-do. I want it to have a shabby chic feel with lots of white and touches of pink. This is exactly what I was dreaming of!
:)
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