Abide - Plain Jane (1)

Hello friends!   

I see so many of you are getting lots of snow and freezing temps

 ~ bundle up, stay warm!

   You may remember my post on daydreaming in church 

discovering my word of the year ~ Abide ♥  

I'm committed to spending time this year digging deeper into God's word

and observing all things that will draw me closer to Him.

In just this one little week into the new year,

I'm learning abide is more than just being obedient.

It's also to be dutiful,

finding strength and grace along the way. 

 I heard a phrase too often this holiday season ...

"It's not enough. It's too plain!"

Plain.

Oddly, this word is comforting to me.

It's a word that doesn't beg.

It doesn't boast.

It's just ... average.

They say a Plain Jane is a woman with an average appearance.

But it also means an object that is unadorned or unembellished.

 

And here's the beauty in that.

Plain allows for growth, enrichment, revelry.

It also often includes doing things for others,

even in the smallest measurements.

Smile at someone.  Wave hello.  Give a compliment. 

 Say a kind word.  Hold open a door. 

 There is no monetary value to live in a moment of absolute grace.

 

I made a humble set of cards,

created to share with people I don't even know.

I already know where they will be delivered ♥

They are plain.

But they are equally bold.  

See that sentiment right there on the front?

Three  little words.

To me, that says enough.

I'm just a plain jane.

Just like my handful of humble cards.

But I'm living in God's word and that's a great start!

Thanks for your visit today :)
Big hugs, bigger blessings!

~Kelly

Abide: One Word 2017 ♥

You know those moments in life 

when you just know something is meant for you? 

That was me. In church.  'Bout a month ago, give or take a Sunday :)

I was daydreaming.  Not even gonna fib.

I was lost in thought, thinking about who knows what ...

laundry, the kids, chicken or beef for that night's dinner ...

literally staring up at the ceiling.

See, that part was kinda great ...

it fit.

At least to those around me.

I looked like I was seeking, praying, nourishing.

BUT.

Because I wasn't paying attention closely enough,

I didn'nt notice that Pastor had started to walk down
 from the stage and onto the floor.

Getting closer.

Preaching to us in the congregation.

 "Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." ~ John 15:4

I nearly jumped off the pew!

Okay, Lord ~ I hear you.

Loud. and. clear.

I knew right then in that moment,

before Christmas, before ringing in the new year,

that it was a word meant for me.

Abide.

According to definition, it means: 

1.  to endure without yielding, to withstand, to bear patiently, tolerate 

2.  to accept without objection

2016 was not a year without it's flaws,

but 2017 will.  be.  different.

Each year holds 365 days.
Blank pages, one for each day, and it's up to us to fill them up. 

God has spoken to my heart and for this year's story
I will reconnect with Him on a deeply personal level ~ 
listening, enduring, withstanding, tolerating, dwelling, abiding.

My goals for this upcoming year are simple.
 I will abide in growing my faith, my family, my creativity, 
my friendships and my passions.
Simply, that means I'll savor the world in which is our gift.
I'll trust in Him that all is designed for me.

Three hundred and sixty five ways 
to abide in grace and wonderment ..
three hundred sixty five opportunities!

My story starts today.
And I'm excited to see where this journey takes me ♥

Big hugs, Bigger Blessings! 
~Kelly