Promises

As I sit here in the frozen cold that is currently gripping north Texas I'm thinking of the promises on the horizon, the promise of the sweet Valentine's holiday on the cusp of the next week or so, the promise of the green shoots that should begin to appear in the next month or so, the promise of the summer quickly on spring's heels,the promise of the Easter holiday and my preparation in response to each of those promises.

Valentine's Day is looking promising this year! Mr. Sweetness mentioned restaurants this morning and I suddenly went all squishy over the promise of a real date on Valentine's and realized that I just "didn't have a thing to wear."  Yes, this is a HUGE change in my life. Valentine's didn't seem to mean much to the men in my past life, it was like once they got me, they didn't have to do anything to keep me. Well, let me tell you what...my promise to myself is that any man who will be in my life from this moment on will want to work to keep me around. I realize my own value and will not allow myself to be cheapened, cheated, lied to, or forgotten. In order to do this I also have to treat myself with love, grace and forgiveness. Part of that is treating myself like I should be treated by others....so, yup, I bought that really pretty outfit and all the girly things that go with it, down to the pretty underthings. Wow! The promise of a possible future love is a powerful thing!

Spring! I am so excited and ready to see spring after this weird winter. Last week it was in the high 70's and this week we are currently under a sheet of ice, with incredibly cold temperatures. All I can think about is the green that should soon be showing in the trees, the grass and the early blooms of spring. I just want to see some renewal after the cold, dark, end of the year, I'm ready to see the world bloom in all kinds of ways! May have to buy some fresh flowers to keep the promise of spring fresh in my mind. Then comes the rich, fullness of summer and the fresh fruits and vegetables, summer trips to the lake, swimming, sun, being so tired from having so much fun in the sun. Bring on the green!!!

I have returned to the life of the church. I know in my heart that I need to praise the Lord who has given me so many blessings, even the blessings that I wasn't sure were positive have turned out to be so in the fullness of  time and  God's Love. A real human man was born into this world in the darkness of winter and 33 years later gave his life that we may understand God's Love and Grace and hope for us, His children. I only hope for you my friends and acquaintances that you will also know the warmth and love that has been given to us.