Monday Musings

August 31, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 8 Comments

In 2019, I’d never have guessed I’d have face masks hanging from my shower wall awaiting to dry.

In 2019, I’d never have thought of driving into our favorite North Georgia mountain town to find one great restaurant after another either closed early, have outdoor seating only, take-out only or have such dismal cleaning abilities that you’d not want to eat there.

In 2018, I never once worried about whom I could hug on a Sunday morning or whom I couldn’t, unless she was a visitor and then, I’d give it pause to not seem too much.

In 2018, I never once thought about how many people across the nation were dealing questions of, “Should I go or stay?”

In 2017, we had concerns around the world about sickness, desolation and fear; yet, we faced it together. We faced it with purpose.

In 2017, we glanced through the hour glass of time, wondering what the future might hold; yet, we glanced with hope, with promise for a better tomorrow.

In 2016, we had disagreements and didn’t see eye-to-eye; yet, that was a “normal” with which almost all of us could live. It was ok to disagree. It was ok to be at odds.

Life just went on.

I wonder how much has to change in 2020 to wake us up from our slumber.

I wonder how many have to be lost before we realize “that normal” is no more and “this normal” is here to stay.

We have to quit “glorifying yesterday” in order to live for tomorrow and be present in today.

We have to quit pointing the fingers and finding the blame in order to live determines and strong.

If we are to not simply survive…

If we are to choose to THRIVE, then, it starts with you and me…

It starts today…

And it must start now.

“Almost universally, when people look back on their lives while on their deathbed […] they wish they had spent more time with the people and activities they truly loved and less time worrying about aspects of life that, upon deeper examination, really don’t matter at all that much. Imagining yourself at your own funeral allows you to look back at your life while you still have the chance to make some important changes.” — Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and It’s All Small Stuff

Friday Fun Day

August 28, 2020August 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

Sometimes, you just need to eat cake…

…or pie

…or a brownie

…or simply something yummy!

😉 It’s Friday! Go have some fun!

😊 And if it’s way too late for a Friday night, and your work week has been heavy, and your feet are hurting, and your bones are so tired that they need their bed early tonight…

Just set out tomorrow and make it a “belated” Friday Fun Day! 😂

Go Have Some Fun!! 🎉🎉

Whimsical Wednesday

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 3 Comments

Sometimes, you’ve got to capture the beauty right where you are.

You may have just exited a busy store and felt like a corralled calf trying to get through the one way door.

You may have just spent way too much money trying to get your college-aged son settled in his new place.

You may have just wandered down aisles for way too long feeling you’re about to suffocate following the rules of the mask wearing brigade.

You might have just hurried out the exit, gasping for air before a mighty headache settles in.

Sometimes, you’ve just got to look up.

You’ve got to look beyond the chaos, beyond the hustle, beyond the noise.

Look up and capture the beauty that is right in front of you.

Breathe deep. Breathe long. Breathe freely.

Remember Whose you are and rest assured, it won’t be long till He returns.

There is still Hope.

“And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Mancoming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, becauseyour redemption draws near.”
Luke 21:25-28

Tuesday’s Treats #203

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 9 Comments

Well, it’s been a little while again, but let’s see if we can get this started once more…

(Have to acquire the name!)

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

I know it seems funny that I don’t have the name of this restaurant, but as you will see below, I have the picture of the name. I have to get in touch with my Ukrainian friends to get the American spelling! Lol.

This place was so intriguing. We were told it is the setting of the Soviet Union homes back before the USSR fell. I felt like I was walking into a home from the 1960s in America.

I especially loved the bakers area, where they were creating all kinds of delicious goodness! I placed that pic at the beginning because I felt it really captured the essence of this restaurant.

The food was actually similar to what you could find in some diners in America. The menu was several pages long, and the food, although delicious, was not fancy or extravagantly presented. (My apologies for no food pics! We were starving by the time it came!)

The food was really good. We had pickles and veggies as an appetizer. We had roast, chicken fillets and sour cherry dumplings and a chocolate cake for dessert. There were other items ordered in our party; however, my memory is a bit fuzzy from the January trip. *I will get an update here soon!

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. I almost felt conspicuous in the restaurant, as I was so awe struck by the decor and atmosphere.

The bakery displayed all sorts of delectable pastries and goodies!

If you can decipher Ukrainian (or maybe a bit of Russian) , you might be able to read this!

The atmosphere was actually very quaint and cozy. I felt as if I was eating in someone’s home, enjoying conversation in their living room.

This was the table in which we sat. The bench was soft and inviting. The bookcase behind simply decorated with a few plants and vases, and a warm lamp glow just beyond.

The stairs going to the downstairs of the restaurant was filled with old books I’d like to sit and read and a vintage lunchbox that made me wonder who owned it, where he has worked and if his home had been a bit like this one in years past.

The napkins and toothpicks were all neatly displayed in little red and white checked jars.

I have never appreciated Russian fare nor the Russian way of life, as I have read so much destruction and so much heartache that they have brought to their world. Yet, when eating here in this restaurant, I can see why there are some in Kyiv who almost want to believe Russia doesn’t want to bring harm but good. (Yet, watching their invasion of Crimea, I do hope they are never deceived… another story for another day… 😉)

*I will need to acquire the name and the website; so, you can visit one day while you’re in Kyiv!

Monday Musings

August 24, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 2 Comments

How far will you go to reach the heavens?

How long will you walk the path to hell?

How wide do you stretch your lips to spread evil and deceit?

How deep will you swim to discover the depths of His love?

He is there when you search for Him.

He will find you in the midst of the darkness.

Simply open your eyes to see the light.

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
If I ascend into heaven, You arethere;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me;
Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”

Psalm 139:1-12

Monday Musings

August 17, 2020September 28, 2020 / The WheatandTares / 1 Comment

There’s nothing better than a great big glass of ice cold water after a 3 mile walk in the heat of the evening.

You’re parched. You’re tired. You’re breathless.

Yet, that water is like snow in the desert.

It’s refreshing to the bones.

It’s reviving to the muscles.

It’s rejuvenating to the very soul.

This is just how I have found my God to be.

I’m not talking about finding religion, and I’m not trying to convince you of an ancient tradition.

I’m just referring to a Friend who sticks closer than a brother.

I’m pointing toward a comfort in times of need, a peace that surpasses all your understanding and a fulfilling joy that words just can’t seem to describe.

You might scoff, and you might even turn the page, but I challenge you to simply try Him.

Just say His name.

Jesus.

He can be refreshing water for your weary mind.

He can be a babbling brook for your exhausted heart.

He can be a living stream for your parched soul.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:37-38