In my own life I often have times, of deep loneliness, anxiety or sadness. But what I have learned is that even though at the time I feel overwhelmed by the emotion, it doesn't last. When I feel like I will drown from the hugeness of the emotion, I have to remind myself that connection to people and freedom and joy is just around the corner and I will be back in a good place "in a little while."
I have included these pictures of flowers, one that I painted and another that is blooming in my house in the middle of winter, as a symbol of how every thing has a season. Plants have a time when they seem dead and a time when they are full of life. Every thing has a season, a time. Just like it says in Ecclesiastes. Whatever darkness you are facing, remember that it is only "for a little while." I don't want to skim over people's pain here. I know for many their "little while" feels like a really long time. And for some who have lost loved ones to covid and other things, the "little while" will go on until we are in heaven.
Just as a side note, this plant blooming in the middle of winter has given me such joy. Not only because it is such a gift to have flowers in the dead of winter, but because for years my nickname has been "she who kills plants" This guy has been alive since May.
Please leave a comment and you will be in drawing for a copy of any of my my books that you might want to read. I have included the cover of one of my books below but you can check me out on amazon as well or at my website www.sharondunnbooks.net to see the other titles. I would love to hear from people as we start the new year. What are you looking forward to? What are you ready to get beyond in 2021?
nice plant
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
thank you. she has lived long enough. I should probably give her a name. How about Pinky?
DeleteI remember as a kid, in a little while, seemed like forever. I will be glad when I get to see Jesus face to face, in a little while. Our world seems to be spiraling out of control, but we will see God's hand at work, in a little while. Your painting is gorgeous & I'm so proud of you for having a blooming plant, I too am a plant killer. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeletealways nice to meet a fellow plant killer. maybe we should form a support group.
DeleteThey say you are to live in the present, by not living in the past. However, with all the things going on right now, sometimes we have to look to the future to live in the present.
ReplyDeleteIt's the little, every day things that I miss and am so hoping to get back to normal again. We live in the folk music capital of the world and a main tourist town where folks income is dependent on tourist. We normally have some kind of festival or town event every month with music on every corner in town or a wide variety of concerts each and every day from April to November. I'm ready for the crowds, the trouble parking and the smells of food waffling through the area along with the strings of music. I look forward to being able to walk among the crowds spotting old friends to talk to or making new ones along the way.
Praying that 2021 will have us moving in that direction as God's hand in is the means to control Covid where the numbers that are hospitalized or die won't be the first thing talked about on the news every day.
Thank you for the fabulous opportunity to win one of your books. Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one selected. Reading has most definitely been a pleasant escape from 2020.
Today is a blank page in a 365 page book - write a good one!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
My hope for 2021 is that all the news isn't about closing of business, unemployment, illness and death with bickering and hatred thrown in with politics and unrest in the nation. I'm looking forward to being able to travel. Being retired, out goal has been to mark off places on our bucket list by traveling to see the wonderful sights and the good things of our nation. A lot of our trips take a year to plan for. All trips in 2020 were cancelled. Also miss being able to travel to see loved ones and to feel that personal connection with a hug instead of just a picture on the face time or voice on the phone.
so much has been cancelled and lost because of covid. I do hope we can get back to normal.
DeleteI am looking beyond Covid and the election, for joy comes in the morning.
ReplyDeleteme too.
DeleteYou are a new to me author, and I’m currently reading Alaskan Christmas Target! Enjoying the book as Christian romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres. Another book would be welcome to my library😊
ReplyDeleteso delighted you are reading Alaskan Christmas Target
DeleteI loved your comments and the flowers as an illustration of your point. I'm looking forward to 2021 as a year of hope with the COVID vaccine coming into play, new opportunities in my personal life, my continued hope in Christ, and lots more good books to read.
ReplyDeleteexactly. our hope is in Christ.
DeleteI enjoy your books & would really like to read Big Sky Showdown! Thanks for an opportunity to win! Your plant is beautiful! in 2020, I killed too many succulents... sigh...they looked so nice in the greenhouses, and then, well, I think I over watered them!
ReplyDeleteLove your books! I had hoped that my Christmas cactus would bloom for the holidays, but actually, I'm grateful that I didn't kill it long ago!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is writing her first book right now, and I'm supposed to take her to a writing conference next month. We're very excited about it!
ReplyDeleteIn 2021 I'm looking forward to getting to know God better and walking with with him better. What I'm ready to get beyond are the things that cause me so much frustration even though I have no control over those things. I want to get past those things.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers.
Love book cover.
Would love to read and review this book in print format as well as the rest of the author's books. Love books like this.
Hope I Win.
I love cyclamen! Ours has been blooming it heart out this year as well...thanks for the giveaway! --
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful painting, from a beautiful plant! This year I'm looking forward to growing closer and diving deeper with the Lord as we wait for that blessed day when He appears in the clouds to call us to Him.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway opportunity!
How timely is the message in your email! And you did a beautiful job with your flower painting! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful blooming plant. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to traveling again.
ReplyDeleteme too. my writer's retreat got cancelled this year along with so many other things.
DeleteI’m looking forward to not having to wear a mask everywhere I go! And, being able to have family gatherings again!
ReplyDeleteSharon, I loved your post! Good to remember that even in the dark night, the Lord is there (He has been, was, and always will be with us!)! BTW, bursts of color, like your plant, are a good idea for those of us who experience long, bleak winters! Thank you, and God bless you! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations from another "she who kills plants". :-) Love your LIS books!
ReplyDeletewe should form a club or maybe a support group
DeleteThe plant is really pretty. I bet your painting is as well. The thing that is being driven home more and more to me is that our hope must be in Jesus and Jesus alone and not focus on the turbulence going on but trusting that God is in control. Thanks for an opportunity to win a book. I will have to check yours out. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteyes exactly. we must look at what is eternal
DeleteJust got home today from a hip replacement. Want to get stronger and be able to do the things I used to do.
ReplyDeletetumcsec(at)gmail(dot)com
hope you are able to heal quickly.
Delete