There is a museum near me that has a Gingerbread Gallery every year during the Christmas season. I love to bake and create and the prizes offered were very inviting. It seemed like a fun challenge so a couple of years ago I sent in my entry form and started creating.

That first year I decided to enter a cathedral. It was large (too large) and complete with stained glass windows.

It was coming down to the wire when I added the roof and catastrophe struck.

I had no more cathedral and nothing to enter. I was done…and very disappointed.

Last year I created something less grandiose. My goal was to finish, not necessarily to win. The creation was my interpretation of the Erie Canal Lock near where my father grew up. He and his brothers used to take vegetables and eggs from their farm to meet the boats that came through the lock traveling across New York State.

While I was working on the creation I talked with my uncle about his memories and heard stories about my dad and his brothers when he was little. That time was precious.

I finished that one and I thought it looked pretty good…until I got it to the competition. Others that were entered were created by professionals who were much more experienced with gingerbread than I. But I did finish and along the way had some great family time and made some special memories.

A few weeks ago I opened my e-mail to the invitation to participate in this year’s gallery. Did I want to enter again knowing that my skills aren’t at the levels of others and I am not likely to win anything from the competition? Is it worth the time and frustrations that come along with the competition?

My answer was, “yes”. I would enter. I would do my best with the time I had and my skill level. And I would have fun. The goal for this year was to create something that would make people smile and brighten their day. Soon the Candy Cane Carnival was born.

 

I am pleased with what I created and while it will most likely not take any prizes I feel like I accomplished my goal. And I had fun.

Through the creation process there were times I wanted to quit. I became frustrated and once I smashed a little gingerbread person on the table just to make myself feel better. But I didn’t give up.

The writer of Hebrews talks about perseverance and not giving up when we’re running a race.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.   Hebrews 12:1-3

 

So what have I learned from gingerbread?

• I’ve learned that you don’t know what you’re capable of until you give something a try.
• I’ve learned that time spent with loved ones learning about family and sharing laughs and love can be worth much more than any monetary prize.
• I’ve learned that perseverance does always pay off…even if the only reward is the satisfaction of a job well done.

The race you’re running right now may be much bigger than gingerbread. It might be something very serious and painful. I encourage you to not give up. Keep running and keep fighting the fight. Lean on God and lean on others who He puts in your path to help you along the way.

God is bigger than any race or any struggle. Believe that He walks beside you and holds you up when you can’t take another step. And you will make it.

He promises.

What lessons have you learned in unexpected places? Share them with us below.

blessings and peace to you as you learn!

Paula

 

 

A couple of years ago I met a woman at church who was starting a writers’ group at her home. I have always enjoyed writing and had dreamed of perhaps publishing someday to share my writing with others. So off to the first meeting I went.

The ladies who met that night all came from varying backgrounds and had different writing talents. But one thing was certain; we all love to write and want to share that love with others.

Meeting most months we grew to know each other more deeply and began to challenge each other in our writing and in stepping out of our comfort zones. We critique and compliment, always with love and the best interest of each other.

Just as Proverbs 27:17 says:

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.  

At an early meeting one of the gals said that she really felt like we would all become published before too long. In the last year that dream came true for a few of us!

Last night we met for a celebration!

I can say without a doubt that if I had not met these women and been blessed by this writers’ group I would not have published my first book this Christmas.

Thanks, ladies for your love, encouragement and inspiration. I love you all so much!!

The words of this Proverb could have been penned for this group,:

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

Proverbs 27:9

 

So if you find yourself near Delta Lake in Central NY on the first Monday of the month you may hear a lot of commotion coming from a nearby home. Don’t worry, it’s just us, laughing, carrying on, and carrying out the messages we have been given.

In whatever brings you joy, I hope you will seek out others who share your passion. Encourage each other and push each other to be all that you can be. And laugh a lot!

Along the way I am certain you will find another peace in life’s puzzle.

Paula

What’s the first thing you do if you spot a police car laying in wait on the side of the road?

Driving home tonight I encountered just that in one of the oft-used radar spots of this commonly traveled highway. Glancing ahead I watched a string of brake lights blink on and off as people slowed their quick commuting pace and chuckled to myself. Yes, it’s true that by the time you see a police car the radar has probably already recorded your speed, but stepping on the brake seems to be instinct.

While I wasn’t concerned about being caught for speeding, I too found myself briefly stepping off the gas and it made me wonder to myself. Even though I wasn’t afraid of being caught what was the reason I maintained a reasonable speed? Did I do it only because I didn’t want to get a ticket?

For that matter, why do we obey any rules or laws of the land?

As children most of us are taught right from wrong. At home, school, church and in the community we are instructed to follow the rules whether or not we had a part in creating them. We didn’t have to understand why the rules were in place, it was our responsibility to follow them to be good children, students, citizens, etc.

And most of us do obey.

But why? Only because we don’t want to get caught? Simply because we don’t want to reap the punishment that comes from disobedience? Or is there a reward for obeying?

On the rest of my drive my pondering mind took the thought one step further. . .

Why do I obey God?

Do I do what God instructs because I am afraid of His wrath? Do I want to avoid the discipline and cost of disobedience? Or does it go deeper than that? Is there a reward for obeying God?

Digging into the scriptures I found that there are rewards.

To the Israelites headed to the promised land God instructed:

So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left. Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess. Deuteronomy 5:32-33 NIV

Paul reminds the Romans where obedience will lead them:

Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6:16 NIV

Jesus Himself told the people:

“Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 NIV

So there are promises…rewards for obeying God’s word and His will for our lives! That’s great, but should that be our motive?

I realized that the ultimate obedience came from Jesus. He was obedient to His Father out of love. That love was not only for God the Father but for US!! Jesus loved us so much that He submitted to the worst death imaginable…death on a cross for sins He did not commit.

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8 NIV

For me this is what it all boils down to. My obedience to God needs to be out of my love for Him. It shouldn’t be only because I fear the punishment for my disobedience but because I love Him so much I want to do what will please Him.

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23 NIV

That’s the bottom line…L O V E!

What is your “bottom line” when it comes to obedience? Do you do it because you don’t want punishment, because you’re looking for a reward, or for some other reason?

blessings and peace to you as you obey!

Paula

I used to love to run. I loved the feeling of freedom as I ran and the sense that I was doing something good for my body. I hadn’t run in a long time and watching runners go by the house or the office made me long to run again…to be one of them. Also, they say that running is one of the best ways to lose weight. So I decided it was time. I found a walk/run program that trains you to go from walking to running 30 minutes in 30 days and prepared myself to start. I would run on a path near my house made of cork – a good place to start my adventure. 

Last Monday I was up at 5am, strapped on my mp3 player, leashed the dog, and we were off. It went really well and I felt great when I got home.

Tuesday was a strength training day.

Wednesday we were back on course. Again I felt great when we got done. I was so excited! I was on my way to being a RUNNER!!

By Wednesday night I felt a little differently. My joints were aching and even additional stretching didn’t seem to help. Thursday morning it was hard to get out of bed because of the stiffness and pains. A little anti-inflammatory and I was on my way but rethinking my future as a runner. Perhaps running isn’t the best thing for my body. Maybe I should walk instead.

But I want to be a RUNNER!!

Why do I want to be a runner? Is it because I think it’s the best thing for me or do I have some kind of idea that runners are better people than me and are in some kind of elite club that I want to be a part of? Do I need to get “over myself” to do what’s best for me instead of potentially doing my body harm? Is my stubbornness actually hurting me?

Sometimes I find myself getting hung up over things that seem so important at the time. But do these things really matter in the grand scheme of life? And the bigger question – do they matter to God?

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.     Jeremiah 29:11-13

It can be very difficult for us to live in a world where performance is valued so highly and we are constantly fed with messages of what we need to do in order to ‘fit in’. We are prodded to own the latest electronic gadget, rub shoulders with the right people and keep up on the newest forms of entertainment. Seeking out God’s purposes for us can be a big challenge. Holding fast to those purposes & promises is an even bigger challenge. Sometimes things don’t happen as quickly as we think they ought to and we aren’t always rewarded in the way we would like. But that doesn’t mean God isn’t there or that He’s not listening to us.

The last verse in the Jeremiah passage above gives us a requirement for finding God and His purposes for us. We must seek Him with ALL our hearts. For me this means letting go of ideas I’m holding onto about how I want a situation to turn out or being worried about what others think about me. Sometimes it means letting go of my heart’s desires when God reveals to me they are not His desires for me. It requires me to not be stubborn and not be selfish, but believe that His will is greater than mine, even when I don’t understand.

What areas of your life are you holding too tightly when perhaps they don’t matter as much as you think they do? I encourage you to release them to God and seek Him with your whole heart. Then accept what He reveals to you and move ahead with Him.

As for my fitness challenge, maybe some day I will run but for this morning Lucy and I are on our way to try race walking. I may be able to eventually achieve the speed of jogging without the high impact and unhappy joints. Sure I might look funny but what does it matter?

Blessings and peace to you all!

Paula

It’s getting to be that beautiful time of the year. The hard work of the spring planting is giving way to beautiful blooms and green gardens. I enjoy watching the buds on the rose bushes and seeing the blossoms on the tomatoes and squash in the garden. It’s time to sit back and enjoy.

Or it would be, except for the weeds.

Yes, just about everything we do and have requires maintenance. From our cars to our bodies and everything in between, we can’t expect anything to run at its full potential without maintenance. Even our smart phones aren’t smart enough to charge themselves!

Gardens and flower beds are no exception. While the blooms burst forth with color, weeds sprout up anywhere they can find a little place to grow. And boy do they grow! Have you ever noticed how weeds seem to grow faster, and their roots seem to grow deeper than any plant that we actually want in our garden?

Last summer I was clearing out an old foundation from a barn or shed that used to be on our property. Over the years this foundation has been used for many things from a goat yard to a peacock pen and most recently a bed of hollyhocks. We had let it go for a few years and decided last year to plant some sunflowers there. As I started pulling weeds I realized it was going to be a bigger job than I originally thought. There was some sort of plant/tree that had embedded itself in that foundation over the years and it did NOT want to give up its home. I pulled and dug and yanked…finally getting the weed out, with its whole root.

I couldn’t believe the size of that root. The plant had been supported by an enormous root system that dug down deep and held the plant safely and securely where it was supposed to be.

As I was weeding yesterday I was reminded of all the weeds I get in my own life. Weeds of deception and self-doubt. Weeds of discontent and jealousy…the list could go on and on. At different times in our lives we have to fight different types of weeds. Some of them pull up easily, especially if we catch them quickly and get rid of them before they spread and deepen. Some don’t come up so easily.

Sometimes we allow weeds to grow and establish roots without even realizing it. Lies we have told ourselves for years about not being good enough or being unsuccessful can, if left to their own bidding root themselves so deeply inside of us that they seem impossible to get rid of. And it’s easy to give in and stop trying. This is satan’s ploy and desire for us to live in doubt and never allow ourselves to reach our full potential. But that’s not God’s plan.

As I weed I often listen to a baseball game, or think about things that are coming, or even pray for others. Weeding can be monotonous and having something to occupy your mind makes it go easier and faster. In our lives we need to be filling our mind with the repetitiveness of God’s word to replace the untruths of those who are  planting doubt and holding us back. Repeating scriptures such as these below can plant God’s truth in your heart and mind:

“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” Philippians 4:13 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

When weeds start to take over a garden or flower bed it cans seem an impossible task to clear them, and you wonder if there’s going to be anything of value left when the weeds are gone. It CAN  be done with hard work, consistency and never giving up. The beauty of what is left and the value of the fruit that will grow when the weeds are gone is worth the work.

 

The same can be said for the weeds in our own lives. It can seem impossible but we CAN conquer them and squelch the lies that try to root themselves deeply. It may take some time, but in the end we will see the beautiful results of God shining through our lives in the way He always saw us from the moment He created us.

Where are you rooted and how deep do your roots go? These are important questions that help determine the direction and quality of your life, and your peace along the way. I encourage you to plant God’s Word and His Truth in your life and let those roots grow deep. You will find blessings and peace as you move forward in Him.

If you need help finding these truths, please comment here, or e-mail me at pauladavispeace@gmail.com. I would be honored to pray with you and encourage you on your journey to be all you can be in God.

blessings and peace on your day…

Paula