Jan 14, 2026 – Newness
As with the photos of our mugs from the other day, I could tell you the whys, whens, and whos of just about every object on the mantle in the photo from yesterday. The lamp used to sit on the piano in my childhood home. The clock and the pitcher were my grandmother’s. I usually have a photo of her and my grandfather up there with his glasses propped nearby, but those never reappeared from wherever they’d been packed away during Christmas. Oh well. It will be a fun surprise to discover them next year. Another way to look at losing some of my items is that it makes room to add more of Don’s treasures.
Today’s photo is from the far right of the mantle. I don’t think I’m the only one who enjoys (and probably has too many) books. If you look at the titles on anyone’s shelves, they will likely tell you the stories of their life, at least my shelves do. I have books stacked in every room of the house (really, I thought about it and it’s every room) about faith, dating, marriage, divorce, pregnancy, parenting, gardening, decorating, health, and more. Most all of them have been such a helpful, and sometimes crucial, part of my life that when I’ve tried to retire them to the giveaway pile, it’s like giving away a trusted friend or even a piece of me; and, so, they stay, hoping to get dusted now and then.
I could reminisce about every book in this short stack and the feelings/memories they evoke when I peruse their unique bindings and titles, but only one of them makes me laugh. Everything Men Know About Women is full of blank pages! I thought that was such a clever book ages ago when I bought it; but, I think twice about it now because of how patient, kind, and loving Don is. He calls it “getting my PhD in Lyn.” Certainly, if we had started out together when we were young, we’d have had speed bumps to maneuver through. No one gets married thinking they will divorce; but, if nothing else, earlier relationships hopefully help sand-off the rough edges making the next one(s) even better. At least that’s the case with us.
I think my favorite item in the stack is the bowl of flowers, but it almost didn’t make it to the display. I thought it was a sort of mismatch of flowers; but, Don said that’s why he likes it, which warms my heart because my mother made that arrangement. I remember watching her, when I was a child, cut all those flowers and leaves out of metal creating these little pieces of art. I have small arrangements in other spots around the house and am now glad that this larger one made it to a place of honor. We have an abundance of items that both Don and I “honor” which makes for fairly-cluttered living, but he frames it in such a sweet and positive way saying we are the keepers of memories for our families.
JC – “Let Me bless you with My grace and Peace. Open your heart and mind to receive all that I have for you…. It’s easy to touch up your outward appearance, to look as if you have it all together…. But I see straight through you, into the depths of your being…. Rejoice in the relief of being fully understood [God has more than a PhD in us]…. Little by little, I will transform your weaknesses into strengths. Remember that your relationship with Me is saturated in grace.”
Utmost – Romans 6:4 – “Buried with Him…that…even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Chambers explains, “No one enters into the experience of entire sanctification without going through a “white funeral” – the burial of the old life…. a resurrection into the life of Jesus Christ…. Death means that you stop being. Do you agree with God that you stop being the striving, earnest kind of Christian you have been? We skirt the cemetery and all the time refuse to go to death. It is not striving to go to death, it is dying – ‘baptized into His death’…. When you realise what the will of God is, you will enter into sanctification as naturally as can be.”
Power – Hebrews 12:11 – “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it…. “ Joyce points out that we need disciplines in our everyday lives (work, food, finances, etc) but, “we also need spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, and confessing God’s Word out loud….. Discipline doesn’t produce immediate joy, but it is an investment that will pay great dividends in due time. Discipline is wisdom because a wise person always does now what he or she will be satisfied with later on in life.” I love that reminder because it really applies to everything in our lives.
JA – “YOU ARE FULLY KNOWN…. Many people are searching for greater self-understanding and self-acceptance…. I am the Someone who can fully satisfy this deep-seated longing. It is in your relationship with Me that you discover who you really are…. In the Light of My holy gaze, you will see things you need to change. But don’t despair; I will help you.”
Streams – John 10:4 – “When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them.” Cowman writes, “This is intensely difficult work for Him and us – it is difficult for us to go, but equally difficult for Him to cause us pain. Yet it must be done. It would not be in our best interest to always remain in one happy and comfortable location. Therefore He moves us forward. The shepherd leaves the fold so the sheep will move on to the vitalizing mountain slopes…. It could never be better to stay once He determines otherwise…. So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him…. When His presence cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move ahead…. This is the blessed life – not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shepherd, one step at a time.”
This (which was give to me by, and makes me think fondly of, a friend who moved away) is what is turned sideways in the photo that you can’t quite see:
And if God is in your heart, that is very good advice!
