There is Beauty in Every Season.

    As summer comes to a close and cool fall weather approaches, I’m excited for cozy outfits. Fashion scarves, tights, high-heeled boots and sweaters. I love summer and sundresses, but fall is so pretty and cozy. Comparing the two seasons' clothing choices made me think about the beauty of each one.

    Springtime is for renewal and the beginning of life. The flowers are blooming, and the weather starts warming. You get to watch the snow melt and jump in mud puddles. Nature comes alive, and all the animals who were hibernating come out to enjoy the warm weather. It's also a great time to buy your dog a rain/shush suit. Seriously. Full coverage, minus her crotch, tail and feet. She also has shoes. No more wet dog for this dog mama. Plus, she looks so cute.

    

    Then comes summer. Sundresses, warm weather for paddle boarding, swimming, biking, hiking, camping (not my cup of tea personally, but still), campfires. Basically all the outdoor activities that require warm weather. We can relax on the beach and work on our sun tans. You can enjoy picnics and food trucks. Driving with the windows down and the wind in your hair. Personally, I don't want the wind in my hair, but some do.

    Then we get to enjoy the leaves changing colour. The crisp, chilled air. Going for a walk with a hot chocolate. Yes, you can enjoy those in all seasons, but there is something special about enjoying them in the fall. Cozy outfits. I know I already said that, but I'm very excited for them. With fall, snuggling is also easier because no one is overheating. Plus, since hubby lost all the weight, he now wears hoodies and sweaters more often because he gets cold. The first winter after his weight loss, he looked at me and said, 'Now I understand why you always have a sweater with you.' I live in sweaters. You will seldom see me without a sweater or some sort of extra layer. I may not be wearing it in that particular moment, but I have it with me. Anyway, with him wearing sweaters more often, I can now enjoy 'hoodie hugs' more often. There is nothing cozier than receiving a bear hug while you are both wearing sweaters. He also wears long-sleeve shirts in the fall and winter, and I think they look really good on him. The cooler weather is also convenient because it means that my head won't sweat while I wear my silk bandanas. Plus, I find the one downside to wearing fashion scarves is that my hair gets all messed up, but now that it's always up and usually under a silk bandana, no more rat's nest at the back of my neck.

    Winter is also exciting. Yes, it's cold, the days are shorter, and the snow makes driving challenging at times. But there is still lots to do. One of my favourite things is ice skating. Preferably outdoors on a lake so Blessing can run alongside me. One winter we were up north visiting my parents. We went skating on the lake one day. Blessing thought it was great fun running alongside me and would bark whenever I stopped for a minute. She isn't traditionally a vocal dog, so it was funny. Winter is also fun for downhill skiing and snowboarding. Around Christmas time, it's fun to get a hot chocolate from Tim Hortons and go drive around and look at Christmas lights. Blessing also enjoys jumping through the snow like a rabbit and loves catching snowballs.

    You see, every season has its beauty. They all have their own special features that we get to enjoy. We may not like every season; we may even have a favourite, but they all have beauty in their own ways. Just like in life, not every season is full of joy and peace. Some are hard, with difficult lessons, but there is beauty in every season. Sometimes we just have to look for it. For example, my hubby has been in a sling since the beginning of summer. He fell off his bike and broke his collarbone. It has been a difficult season for us in many ways, but God has also used this season to grow and stretch us. Both individually and as a couple. And by the grace of God, we are relationally stronger than we ever have been. And for that, we are thankful. Could do without that darn sling, though. ;)

    So, instead of complaining about the heat of summer, or the snow in winter, let's simply enjoy every season for what it offers. Because there is beauty in every season.

I pray this encourages and blesses you today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Overcoming Comparison Part 2.

    Day three. Did God really say?

    Romans 4:19-22. ¹⁹ And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. ²⁰ He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, ²¹ and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. ²² And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” NKJV
    Comparison takes our eyes off what God has given us and turns our eyes onto what was never meant for us. When we start looking at someone else's life, we forget what God is doing in our life. Comparison shows the final work in someone else's life while looking at the incomplete work in your life. It's a joy and peace stealer, which shouldn't be a surprise because that's what the enemy's all about. John 10:10 (NKJV: “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

    In the Romans passage, Abraham chose to look to God and the promises he had given him, and not to his present circumstances that didn't align with God's plan. Both he and Sarah were old and, on a human level, unable to have a child of their own. But then, God came and told them they would have a child of their own and that he would be a father to many nations. The enemy's one and only tactic is to get you to question if God really said what he said. We already have everything we need in the season we are in. Whether it looks like it or not from the human perspective. And if we know that in his timing and by his will, he will give us the desires of our heart. Then why do we need to compare our life to the other guy? Simply put, we don't. But that’s easier said than done sometimes.

    Day four. The Carrier of the Blessing
    Genesis 13:9-11. NJKV. ⁹ Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” ¹⁰ And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. ¹¹ Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.
Ephesians 2:10 NKJV. ^“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

    Abraham lovingly gave Lot the first choice of land when they parted ways. I look at it like Abraham was putting Lot first. The author of the study suggests that it's because Abraham knew that God was with him and that the blessing was on him wherever he went because he was the carrier of the blessing. I don't fully understand that yet, but the author suggests that because we are children of God, we carry the blessing wherever we go. This is the freedom that breaks the power of comparison.
When you know God's hand is on your life, there is no need for comparison. You were not built to do what the other guy can do. You were built to do what God has designed you to do.

    Day five. Am I in the will of God?
    Proverbs 3:5 - 6 NKJV. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall ^[a^]direct your paths.”
Am I in the will of God? A simple, and yet profound and important question. As the author says, and I agree, it cuts through the noise of comparison. Today is the final devotional. Beautifully closes out this Bible study. The author suggests that your current circumstances may not look like you had hoped, but someday they might. My circumstances don't look exactly like I would like them to right now either. But that's okay because I know God's got it. They also encouraged us readers to ask ourselves whether we are obeying God right now. Did you do the last thing He told you to do? And are you doing what He's currently telling you to do? Then you were on the right track. I found this to be very encouraging as I thought about my life. Because even though I wish a few things were different, I'm in the Father's will. God has been saying no to a dream of mine. I don't believe it's a hard no. I believe it's a not yet. The other day I prayed about it again, and he said no again. But then I asked why, and he explained. Not that he needs to explain it. Of course He's God. He is the creator of the heavens and the earth. He doesn’t owe us any explanation. But he did, and it gave me peace and hope because I believe that one day it will be a yes.

    God has used this study to break off the chains of comparison, and I'm so thankful for it. That being said, the enemy did sneak in today and get me to start comparing myself again to somebody. But I'm not going to let myself be defeated by it. I'm going to pray and ask the Lord what I should do with that, whether I should be using that person as motivation or if I should walk away from it and put it at the foot of the cross.
But it's okay if you get tripped up. That's where his grace and mercy come in. And now it's time to enjoy the weekend and not worry about the rest of the world. God bless, friend.

    I pray this blesses, encourages, and challenges, you in whatever way you need today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

Overcoming Comparison Part 1.

    Two of the things I struggle with the most in my life are my self-worth/value and comparison. The rest of the things I struggle with all stem from those two. Right now I'm working on a Bible study on comparison. The biggest things I compare myself against with other is my fitness level, diet and how much they can do all at once. Ex. Work full-time, run a house, full-time student, raise kids, etc. How many things can they juggle well in any given season? And then there's me. I struggle with working full-time, running a home, spending time with my family and enjoying my hobbies.

    I'm working through a Bible study on the topic of comparison. One of the things I have come to learn/realize is that comparison is a waste of time and energy. I was having a hard time with the topic last Saturday. It took me down for a little while

    After working through it, I was at my sewing machine finishing up my latest dress project. I realized right then and there that comparison is a waste of time. Because instead of getting upset and then getting into an argument with hubby. I could have simply continued on with the task I was doing and then headed to my sewing machine early and finished the project sooner. But instead of enjoying my life and all the things that God has given me and I get to do, I was wasting time comparing my life to someone else's life who didn't know and likely doesn't care because they are enjoying their life. I was chatting to a coworker about my struggles with comparison and sharing a few of the above areas in which I compare myself to others. Interestingly enough, I don't care about wage differences. If you make more money than I do, I'm happy for you. There are a few other topics that I don't feel the need to compare with others, but the wage difference was an interesting realization. We had been discussing wages and such, and it occurred to me that I don’t care about that difference. There are other areas, of course, that I do not compare myself against other people with either. Another area I don’t compare myself with others is clothing choices. I don’t care what you wear. The immodest fashions of today drive me bonkers, but I don’t feel bad about how I dress. Anyways, there are some areas that I do compare myself with others and some I do not.

    Day 1. A heart at peace
    'A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones. ' Proverbs 14:30 NKJV
The author asked how old you were when you first started comparing yourself to others. As I thought back, I realized that like many of us, I have been comparing myself to others my whole life. Not always in a bad light mind you, but always comparing myself to others. But it didn't start bothering me until I was in my teen years. The verse used for today's devo talks about being at peace with yourself. It was both convicting and encouraging, and like every other word found in Scripture, correct. If I had been at peace with myself that morning and many other times, I would not have lost out on enjoying any of my day. I'm also working on practicing gratitude. I’m trying to thank God more often for everything and working on changing my mindset/perspective.

    Day 2. You don't know their fertilizer.
    "But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each of you shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:4-5 NKJV
The author reminds us of the downfall and the trap that social media can be. We see people's nice posts. Their highlight reel, and unconsciously start comparing our selves to them. Now, it would be one thing if we were comparing their highlight reel to our highlight reel, but we aren't. We are comparing their spotless kitchen to the pile of dishes in our sink. The problem with this is that we are comparing apples to oranges. Two different things. We also don't know the work that went into getting that post. That vacation picture that you saw, is it on credit or paid in full? Or did the couple have a fight 30 min before the picture was taken? Hopefully not. Point is, though, we don't know what work they had to put in order to get that picture. Personally, I have become very intentional about what I post on social media. Am I posting to brag about my latest sewing project or to help encourage someone along their journey? Admittedly, a little of both sometimes.

    The author also reminds us of the work that likely went into that post. Do you want to put in all the work that person put into getting that post? Maybe you do, in which case, use them as motivation to help you get where you want to go. But, more likely, you don't. Another good question. Did that person get there on their own strength, or did God bless them? As the author put it, 'You could be in your own lane, faithfully obeying, comparing yourself to someone who is not even in the will of God. That is a dangerous metric to live by." This statement hit home in all the right places. They also worded it this way: 'Comparison is so dangerous, you could end up comparing where God has you to where the devil has them.' Also helpful.

    I am part way through this study, and already God has healed so much of my heart. I pray that it heals your heart before you finish reading it too.

    There are a few other reflection questions for day two.
1. Think about someone you've recently compared yourself to. What do you actually know about their story? The two people I was comparing myself to that morning. I know some of their story, but much of it I do not. I do know that they have both seen hard times, though. I can also imagine the one person encouraging me not to compare myself to them.

2. Are you willing to go through the process that it took them to obtain the things that they have that you want? I don’t have the time or energy to obtain the things that they have. One of them is a major athlete. Yes, I would like to be fitter and work out more, but I have no desire to be at their level. The other one has a very high level of education. I would love to finish my bachelor’s degree, but I don’t care to go further than that. As I do these reflection questions myself, I realize just how silly it is to compare myself to these people. Hubby and I were discussing my struggles with comparison the other day, and he was reminding me that part, if not the whole root cause of it, is that I don’t know who I am or like who I am. He has a point. Something else I’m working on.

3. Are they in God's will? Are you comparing yourself to someone else's detour? I do not know where these two people stand with the Lord. I know that one of them was raised to know the Lord, but I do not know where they stand now, and I don’t know the other person’s faith background. I do know that I am in the will of God though.

I pray this blesses, encourages, and challenges you in whatever way you need today, friend.

God Bless

~Hannah

I Need God's Grace and Mercy Every Day.

    Two weeks ago we were headed to my brother's wedding. Along the way, I had to apologize to hubby for something. I don't remember what for, and it doesn't matter. Anyways, I apologized, and he forgave me. I sat quietly for a few minutes and thought about God's grace and mercy and how I really do need them every day. The Holy Spirit then reminded me that's why His grace and mercy are new every morning. In my self righteousness, I thought that I didn't need His grace and mercy everyday. That I needed it most days. A few days a week, but not every day. In my self righteousness I thought that if you needed it everyday then you were definitely struggling with sin of some sort. I tried to tell myself that I didn't need it everyday, that I could handle life on my own most of the time or at least some of the time. I see now that I was wrong.

    Holy Spirit then reminded me that this is why His grace and mercies are new every morning. Because He knows that when we are honest with ourselves and with Him, we do in fact need it every day. It was a beautiful moment of conviction and correction.

    I shared this with hubby a few minutes later, and he agreed that not only do we need it every day, but every minute of every day.

    I'm working on admitting that to myself and to you, friend/reader. That I'm a sinner saved by grace who needs a new dosage of grace and mercy everyday.

Lamentations 3:22-23 through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, Because His Compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. NKJV. I also thought that there was a verse literally saying, “His grace and mercies are new every morning.” Turns out this is that verse is the verse. It is also an important reminder to know the Word of God and not just assume that you know it.

Anyways, we all need God’s fresh grace and mercy every morning.

God Bless

~Hannah