A Warm Cup of Comfort: Life, Interrupted

If you're like me, you probably long for order. Interruptions can be disappointing and distracting, but they can also stretch us and help us grow. Interruptions are God’s opportunity. Noah had to stop what he was doing to build an ark. Joseph’s life changed course when his brothers sold him. When Jonah’s plans got interrupted, he refused God’s calling and ran away. He eventually got on board, and it resulted in the revival of an entire city. Mary’s life was interrupted with a pregnancy that changed the course of history. A little boy’s day took an unexpected turn when he shared his lunch with thousands of strangers. Jesus was interrupted when He slept, walked and when he sought to be alone. We should view interruptions not as inconveniences but the very ministry into which we are called.

Christian speaker and singer Tammy Trent’s life was interrupted when she lost her husband in a diving accident while they vacationed in Jamaica. It was the day before 9/11. Her grief was devastating and because of 9/11 she couldn’t return home and loved ones couldn’t come to console her.

She found herself alone with strangers, grieving the loss of her husband, and questioning “Why?” Yet instead of turning from God when her life was falling apart, she ran straight into His arms because she knew He provided a solid foundation. She goes on to say, “I knew I had to choose life even though death surrounded me. I had to choose hope, even though I felt hopeless. Despite losing my husband I had to choose to trust God. I needed to look beyond what I could see.” Tammy rested in God’s plans and what she knew to be true about God.

Excerpts from an article in the magazine Just Between Us.

As we navigate this season remind yourself that God is in control in our darkest moments, He is always working behind the scenes. Remember to choose hope. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Bound to Please: Book Readings

I've put the kettle on for you so settle down into a comfy chair to enjoy a good book and a warm cup of comfort. For fun I have videoed a book reading for you. Click here to hear me read from Giddy Up Eunice. Author Sophie Hudson reminds us, "The Lord has woven our stories together, intentionally He has intersected our paths, and how beautifully our callings complement each other!"

Mixing Bowl: Recipes!

Get your aprons on and your spatulas ready for more great recipes! Click here where my good friend, Sheri Torelli gives us her recipe for Tortilla, Meat, and Rice Pie from her cookbook, The Fast-Food Kitchen, Great Meals at Home in 15 Minutes. (See below - our next GIVEAWAY is Sheri's Cookbook!) Upon my request, Sherri Hawkins shares her Mac & Cheese recipe which stole the show at many of our Christmas parties, JoAnn Thorsheim gave us her comforting Cream of Zucchini Soup which sounds perfect for dinner tonight with crusty bread and a side salad! Bobbie Stern has dessert covered with her Easy Poppy Seed Cake.

What Brings You Comfort?

We look for big dramatic ways to find relief and calm when the Lord's presence and comfort are readily available to us in the still and simple. So many of you reminded me of this by sharing the comfort you receive in the things we hear, see, touch, smell, and taste.

T. J. Seabert shares, "I enjoy listening to music/worship it can immediately flood my heart and mind with comfort and peace. Singing words and lifting them up to the Lord is medicine to my soul. It frees me of what is weighing me down."

Lorna Sytsma - This song reminds me of God's faithfulness, "He Will Hold Me Fast." Click here to enjoy this beautiful song.

Joy Rutz - I love freshly scented hand sanitizers. Bath & Body Works has Sunshine & Lemon, French Lavender and Cucumber melon. And Aromatherapy's Eucalyptus & Spearmint scented candles.

Bobbie Stern - Did you know California Poppies are protected by the state of California? Did you know that you are protected by God? Nobody is ever allowed to touch you unless God allows it! Isn't that a comforting thought? My comfort spot comes most days at about 3:00 PM at my dining table, sometimes with a visitor but most of the times it’s just me and Jesus. For my Tea Time we enjoy a hot cup of Lipton’s Tea, like me it’s been around quite a long time! Jesus and I chat about life and the beauty that surrounds us. (See Bobbie’s recipe for Poppy Seed Cake in Mixing Bowl – Recipe.)

Scripture to Nourish Your Souls:

Pam Miller - . "My flesh and my heart may fail, BUT GOD is the strength of my heart." Psalm 73:26. “BUT GOD! Those words are like a fire engine rounding the bend. Help is on the way. A flood was coming. "But God remembered Noah." We were helpless. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ." Whatever is happening in your life today------look up! Help is on the way!’ (From “Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing” by Sally Lloyd-Jones.)

Corrine Scotti - "Hush, for the day is holy." Nehemiah 8:11. Long ago Samuel Rutherford, writing to one in distress, said, "Command your thoughts to be silent." Can we say "Hush!" to ourselves? Can we command our thoughts? I believe we can. God has given us the power to close the shutter of our minds to hurtful, weakening thoughts... our God is a God of joy." (Excerpts from Edges of His Ways by Amy Carmichael.)

Janni Cassera - "O my people, trust in Him at all times. Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:8 "There is a story in 2 Kings that illustrates the truth of being able to pour our hearts out to God. King Hezekiah of Judah did what was pleasing in God's sight. His enemy, the king of Assyria, began a campaign to instill fear in the people. When King Hezekiah received a letter threatening annihilation, he took that letter and spread it out before the Lord. He poured his heart out to God who heard and rescued them. God is waiting for us to pour our hearts out to Him." (Excerpts from Lord, It's Me Again by Judson Cornwall)

Activities For the Whole Family

Keeping In Touch: To help you stay connected I have pinned dozens of ideas on my Pinterest board "Keeping In Touch." Click here to check out mail tag, journal sharing, onscreen coffee date, virtual meet ups, ways your kids can keep in touch with their classmates and more.

Host a Virtual Tea Time/Lunch Break with Family, Children or Friends

A virtual tea time with snacks is sure to be a hit. Pick a family member or close friend to call and use any number of video chat platforms. If you or your child aren’t particularly chatty, prepare five questions to ask your tea time guest.

So many of you have given the gift of encouragement now it's my turn! Time for the drawing of the the Breathe Diffuser Bracelet by SoulAnchor.etsy.com and tangerine essential oil that I offered in the last post.

Thank you for all the lovely comments you left, it makes this virtual world so much more cozy. It's like I walked out to my mailbox opened it up and saw a note left by the mailman from you! Remember I will have more winners coming up as I am having a new GIVEAWAY with this post (see below!) and more to follow!

Today's WINNER is Lynne V. Congratulations!!!

And the GIVEAWAYS continue!! A thought, a warm hello...

Just leave a comment below about what you loved most in this Life Interrupted post to be entered in the drawing for my good friend and author Sheri Torelli's cookbook - The Fast-Food Kitchen, Great Meals at Home in 15 Minutes!! With an amazing collection of recipes, tips and side dish suggestions Sheri encourages you to gather at your table more often!

As you adjust to the season you find yourself in may you see the new ministries the Lord is calling you too and consider again these insightful words from Sophie Hudson, "The Lord has woven our stories together, intentionally He has intersected our paths, and how beautifully our callings complement each other."

So remember - my kettle is on for you!

Lovingly,

Linda