Stay In Your Own Lane.

    Earlier this week I had my two-year review at work. It felt a little bit insulting because, in past reviews at other jobs, I would get a lot more "above and beyond" vs "meets expectations" reviews. I was a little upset but knew I was upset at myself and not my boss even though I wanted to blame her. Because that's how human nature works. Blame the other guy, and don't take responsibility.   

    I asked about ways I could improve, and she gave me a few ideas. She also encouraged me and said that this was one of the better reviews. All I could think was, "Oh boy, that speaks volumes about this company." As my hubby would say, "Welcome to factory life." She mentioned that I could be less talkative in certain departments. My first thought was, "Have you seen the others!? Everyone stops and talks to their friends while they are working." (No, not here to throw shade) Then the Holy Spirit reminded me to "Stay in my own lane." To which I responded, "You're right, you're right."

    I spent the rest of the day a little upset because my review revealed my heart to myself, and I didn't like what I saw. Yes, I will admit, I have no intention of working at this factory until I retire. Hubby and I are planning on moving to the St. Catherines/Niagara area in two years for Hubby's next step in his education.

    Now, getting a "satisfactory" review instead of an "above and beyond" review is not a bad thing. It shows me that my work/life balance is improving and becoming more balanced. I used to be married to work and gave all my energy to my employer. Yes, work is important, it puts food on our table and a roof over our heads, but it's not everything, and I will be the first to admit that I treated it like the most important thing in years past. I like to think I have come a long way since then. Not perfect of course, but strong improvement.

    Anyway, for the rest of the week, every time I would see people stop and talk to their coworkers, the Holy Spirit would remind me to "Stay in your lane" and by the end of the week, I was saying it to myself over everything at work that didn't directly affect me. I should be doing it anyway of course, but like everyone else, I need a reminder sometimes.

    1st Thessalonians 4:11-12, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

    Friend, as much as the world around us encourages us to compare ourselves to everyone else via social media and other such things, it's important to remember who you are and who's you are. As believers, we are called to be set apart from the world and to demonstrate Christ's love to those around us. We are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to seek after Christ and His righteousness. Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will."

    We are not here to seek the approval of man but of God. Meaning that your review at work does not matter in eternity. Yes, we are to work hard unto God. I would much rather hear, "Well done good and faithful servant," from God when I get to Heaven rather than "Thank you for your hard work. You have gone above and beyond." from my employer.

    I pray this post finds you well on this cold and snowy November evening. I pray this post blesses and encourages you this evening friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Pray Without Ceasing

    One of the many Bible verses I was taught to memorize as a child was 1st Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." Means never stop praying. For roughly a year now, I have been using the sanding booth at work as my "prayer closet," and 90% of my prayers are prayed in there. I listen to a variety of podcasts and pray while I sand away defects on roof rack parts.

    So when I was taken out of the booth and sent to the buffing department I wasn't a very happy camper. Not only am I not a huge fan of buffing but for safety reasons you cannot have your earbud in for podcasts, music or whatever else one might listen to. Needless to say, I was feeling a little out of place. I was taken out simply because we wanted to train more people on how to sand the part that I sand.

    Now, because of what I learned as a child and now as an adult about the Christian faith, I know that God is always with me and that I can pray anywhere I like. And for that I a grateful. But I still have to remind myself of that truth. One morning, I was praying while I loaded the dishwasher before work. I prayed and told God that I know He hears me everywhere I go and is always with me. Yet it still felt awkward praying outside of my prayer closet at work. Later that day at work, the Holy Spirit told me that I was treating the sanding booth as a temple from biblical times. I was getting religious about it and reminded me that I can pray everywhere I go. As usual, when the Holy Spirit told me I was treating it like a temple I responded with, "Shots fired." I hadn't realized that I had become religious about it. Which is the last thing I ever desire to be.

    Now, I know I can pray in my heart in the buffing department. But because I am "on display" at my buffing table versus the sanding booth with four walls, I feel awkward praying at the buffing table. Which of course is the enemy attacking and trying to discourage me from talking to my heavenly Father in public.

    It's at these times when I am struggling with the location of where I pray. Think that God can hear me better in some places over other places. When I get into this head space I remind myself of all the places I have stood in both publically and privately where God has answered my prayers and spoken to my heart. I find this to be a rather encouraging and helpful practice. Because it reminds my soul and the enemy that My God is always with me and is for me.

    It's funny, this past February, my mother and I were talking about the early church in the Bible and how the people had to go to the temple to pray to God. When Jesus ascended into Heaven after He died and rose again, He sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper and counsellor until Jesus came back for us. It is through the Holy Spirit that we pray to our Heavenly Father and hear His voice in our hearts and all the other wonderful ways He speaks to us. During this conversation, Mom and I were agreeing about how thankful we are to have the Holy Spirit living in us and giving us direct access to our Heavenly Father. And yet, this past week, I forget that location does not take away our access to the Holy Spirit. I also really missed listening to podcasts. They help make the time go by nicely. Buffing is so slow and boring. Sanding is not exactly, but it is a much faster pace and entertainment through an earbud is a bonus.

    The moral of the story though friend, is that God hears us no matter where we are. Yes, we are called to have a private place to pray. Matthew 6:5-8, "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reared in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

    My understanding of this passage is that when we pray in public we are not to be loud and seek the attention of others. One of the ways we identify as Christians is by praying in public, but not loudly and obnoxiously. We are also called to pray in our homes behind closed doors and simply pour out our hearts to our heavenly Father who hears us. Also, the length of our prayers doesn't matter to God. God hears and loves our prayers that are five words long or five pages long. Both are beautiful to His heart.

    The other day a friend/loyal reader of my blog and I were discussing it. We agreed that it is a ministry that God has trusted me with, to which I am honoured to "produce" and deliver to you, reader. We also agreed and had a good laugh over the fact that the content of my blog is about me being stupid and the Holy Spirit and at times a combination of the Holy Spirit and my dear hubby correcting me and directing me back to The Cross.

    I have enjoyed writing since I was a little girl. When I was little I wrote fiction about dogs. I fell away from this interest in my teen years mainly because I wasn't sure what to write about. I started blogging a few years ago but again wasn't consistent due to a lack of content. But over the last year and especially the last five months, God has stirred up my passion for writing and has given me lots of content aka my shortcomings 😂 to encourage you, friend. And has affirmed that it is a ministry for me and for that I am blessed.

 I pray this post finds you well this evening and ready for another work week. I pray this blesses you, and encourages you in your walk with Christ, friend.

Have a good night friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Follow the "narrow" path.

Finding Joy in Sewing

    At the end of August, I decided that for September and probably October, because it's my birthday month, I would only wear skirts because they make me feel pretty and feminine. After work on August 28th, I went through my skirts to figure out what  I had. What variety of outfits would I be able to put together, and which ones would be "sacrificed" as work skirts? Between both jobs, there is always a possibility that they will get stained or damaged.

    After taking an inventory, I decided I needed a red skirt. Hubby's favourite colour. He has never asked me to get a red skirt, but I wanted one anyway. I tried looking for one a while ago with no luck. This time, I went to Amazon. Silly me was too concerned with the style and length to bother looking at the material used or how you put it on. Elastic vs zipper. So it had to be returned. Back to the drawing board.

    I decided to sew one instead. I already had the fabric from years ago and a sewing machine. I've had a love/hate relationship with my sewing machine all my life. Every time I run into a problem, I get frustrated and stop instead of trying to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.

    So I pulled out my machine and started working on this skirt that I started years ago. My husband has this "1 hour" rule. When you start something new or try to learn something, you only put an hour a day into the task. That way when you start getting frustrated, confused or any other emotion, you remind yourself that you are only putting an hour into it, and then you will be done for the day. This method allows you to walk away after an hour and revisit it later on. I chose to work on it for an hour, and then take a break for a while, then return when I was ready. Using this method allowed me to complete the skirt by the end of the weekend and be proud of my accomplishment. After completing my skirt, I felt satisfied and ready to continue working on our love/hate relationship. I have always liked jobs and projects where you can see the final result when completed. I quickly learned after making my skirt that sewing would be a hobby that gave me that satisfaction.

    In the last few months, I have sewed a handful of things and attempted an alteration. The alteration didn't go as planned. But that's okay. I learned a lot through that attempted project and that's what matters.

    I still get frustrated sometimes but I no longer get angry and walk away. I am much better at troubleshooting and moving forward through the problems. I have learned a lot about fabric, needles and everything else. Now if I could just translate my ability to work through my sewing frustrations to the rest of my life. One thing at a time I guess.

    For years I thought that I wasn't good at sewing because I get easily frustrated and quit. I figured I didn't have the patience for it. But I always thought that it was a waste that I had a machine and yet never used it. Not anymore though, no more wasted talent or machine.  My "talent" is still very much at the beginner stage, but it's a good start.

    In regards to wearing skirts vs pants. It's now mid-November, and I have no interest in wearing pants anymore. I love feeling feminine in my skirts, and it has challenged me to get creative with my wardrobe. Instead of just wearing the same jeans and shirts every day. Plus instead of simply coming home and putting on track pants after my shower, I now put on a skirt and feel more put together and better about myself.

    The moral of the story is if you have a talent, even if it is small, practice and work through the frustrations that come with it. The result may surprise you.

I pray this post finds you well this evening and blesses you in whatever way you need.

God Bless

~Hannah

One of my first photos taken after getting my Canon. Good to look back sometimes and see how far you have come.

Head to Heart Knowledge

    When I was 17, my faith and relationship with God became my own. I was no longer simply following the rules that my mother had taught me.

    A family friend gave my name to the youth pastor of a local church and said that I might be interested in attending their youth group. Two weeks later, I started attending their youth group. Over the next few months, my faith became my own, and it was no longer just my mother's. I continued to learn and grow, which translated into the things I learned about God going from "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge." Meaning that it was no longer simply information like you get from a textbook in school. It translated into something I believed in my heart then and even more so now.

    Fast forward 13 years to the present. Last week, hubby and the Holy Spirit corrected me and informed me that I had reverted to "head knowledge" and needed to get back on track toward "heart knowledge." It was not a pleasant conversation, but important, and needed nonetheless. Holy Spirit had been nudging me for a few days, but I wasn't listening. So, He brought in reinforcements through hubby and finally got the message across. Guess you could say I'm a little stubborn. Okay, a lot stubborn. I wasn't walking the walk as much as I was talking the talk. Thank you, Lord, for giving me a godly husband who leads me back to You when I wander off course.

    The other evening, I was visiting with some old ministry friends. I shared about how hubby had corrected me. How I needed/deserved it but didn't like it in the process. The husband of the couple I was visiting with said how it's always uncomfortable when we are being convicted of our sins. His wife then added something about it being hard but good to be corrected by our spouses. Or something to that effect. The moral of the story is that it's always best to be corrected by our loving spouses rather than other people. I am so thankful for my husband and all the things he does for me. Including calling me out on my crap when needed.

    As hubby was correcting me and telling me what I needed to do, I felt the Holy Spirit say, "Head to heart." It brought me back to all those years ago when my faith became my own. When it went from, "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge." He reminded me that I needed to get back on track with walking out what I read in my Bible and not let it simply be "head knowledge" like it had been recently. I told hubby what the Holy Spirit had told me and agreed that I needed to get back to walking out my faith and not just believing it in my head.

    Today, God allowed me to love like Jesus and speak the truth in love to a dear friend. We disagree on an important topic. Not a friendship-ending topic, but important nonetheless. In the past, I have either spoken with unkind words towards this topic or went along with the other person's opinion to simply keep the peace. Neither is helpful. Today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to respectfully and lovingly say that I do not agree with these "choices" but that I still love the person and that agreeing to disagree is a part of life. Despite a few awkward moments, it felt pretty great to be able to handle this situation and topic the way that Jesus calls me to.

So, friend. Is Holy Spirit speaking to you and calling you out on your crap too?

I pray this post finds you well and blesses you in whatever way you need it to tonight.

God Bless

~Hannah

God loves us so much that not only did He send Jesus to the cross for our sins, but then gave us beautiful trails to enjoy His creation. Thank you, Lord.