School delays due to cold weather, an unexpected college scholarship for my daughter in the mailbox; writing opportunities, exemptions, and revisiting old hobbies that include embroidery thread and a hoop – we’ve enjoyed an overabundance of new things at our house this week.
As we wander down a crooked path back to the schedule, may you prop up your feet on the end of your worn out coffee table, lean your head back on the lopsided couch cushion and create an imaginary masterpiece from the lines of your chipped ceiling paint. Find artistry in what is commonplace. The cracks and rough patches are opportunities for finding beauty when it isn’t handed to you in a vase.
He makes all things new. Remember the Sabbath.
Want to make rest a routine, not just something you fill in between the cracks of your busyness? Find out more here.
New Online Communities {with Writing Link-Ups}:
Coffee for Your Heart {on Wednesday}
Community Posts on Transitions at the High Calling
For those of you who picked the word #trust as your One Word 365, Amy Young is hosting a Trusting Tuesday link-up on the third Tuesday of every month. The first one is January 21. I’m so thankful for accountability, aren’t you?
New Books by Friends Available for Pre-Order:
Love Idol : Letting Go of Approval and Seeing Yourself through God’s Eyes by Jennifer Dukes Lee
Spiritual Misfit: A Memoir of Uneasy Faith by Michelle DeRusha
New For the Sabbath Society
Surrendering to Sabbath community board on Pinterest – for resources, blog posts, recipes and photos, all about Sabbath-keeping. Hopefully it will be jammed full by the end of the year.
#SabbathSociety hashtag on Instagram and Twitter – follow the menagerie of pictures and tweets from the community, a patchwork of restfulness to warm your heart.
New Conversation that Needs Your Input
For research fueling an upcoming speaking engagement about utilizing social networking. I would love your two cents here.
Happy Sabbath Friends!
I love these kind of posts. Full of sharing the love. Thanks. Great links to check out over the weekend.
I want people to find each other. If I can be a small part in that, it makes me happy. Have a great weekend Beth.
So many great links… thanks, Shelly! Enjoy your weekend, sweet friend.
Hope your littles are feeling better. Praying for all of you this weekend and hoping you don’t get it.
“Find artistry in what is commonplace.”
You are the art in this world of common words bringing them together to be beautiful!
Thank you for sharing my little space of {I hope} inspiration.
Bless you my sweet friend.
What a lovely thing to say Angie, thank you. Hoping more people find your link-up, what a great community.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the book link, lovely friend! Wishing you a weekend of peace and joy.
You are more than welcome, anything I can do to get the word out Michelle. Looking forward to reading it myself. I bet it feels a bit surreal to finally realize your dream after dwelling on it all this time. I’m excited for you.
Thanks for highlighting Thought-Provoking Thursday, Shelly. I am smiling over here in Florida. 🙂
I am soooo excited about Michelle and Jen’s books!!!
Yep, glad to let people know about it Lyli. Smiling back from the shores of beach here in SC.
Well you are just amazing, Shelly. What a gorgeous photo. I can’t fathom how you take such exquisit pictures, and only *you* could see beauty in chipped ceilings! I love how you see beauty in so many things. And God does the same, and makes ALL things new. I’m counting on it.
Love you, Shelly, and you remain in my prayers.
Lynn
This is one of my favorite photos Lynn. I took it a while ago in Brookgreen Gardens here where I live in February during that transition between the heaviness of winter and the hope of spring unfurling. It’s not as wonderful as the Botanical Gardens I grew up going to in St. Louis, but close. It was called Shaw Gardens when I was growing up, loved going there with my grandparents. Thank you, always.
Yes, Shaw’s Garden. That’s how I knew it growing up, too. It’s now officially called the Missouri Botanical Garden, but most St. Louisans use t he former name. Just think of all the things we could have shared had we known each other when you lived here. Of course, you would have been my little sister! =] The Botanical Garden is one of my favorite places to stroll, pray, journal, and see the beauty of God’s creation unfolding. When you visit St. L, I’m counting on you to come w/ me. They make improvements every year, and it’s considered one of the finest gardens of its kind in the world–or at least the US. Recently, we strolled it on a frigid Dec. night for something new called: Garden Glow. They’d lit many trees and structures, and opened the newly renovated Shaw’s House, which was decorated for Christmas. My favorite spots still remain Shaw’s grave, the Japanese Garden and the Chinese Garden. I know you would never set down your camera. Honestly that photo you have here? If that were an example of your work, they’d be hiring you for their greeting cards and calendars!!!!
Yes, yes. Let’s remember the Sabbath. For, truth be told, we need it’s rest and recalibration more than ever. And the Sabbath Tender longs to have us simply be in His glorious presence …
Yes and amen. The sun is making its descent Linda, I am looking forward to basking in His presence. Almost ready to light my candles — *squee*.
So, I come over to see what goodness you’ve found this week. And I find my book! You make me smile. Thank you for encouraging and believing and loving me, friend. I couldn’t take this debut book journey without friends like you. And three cheers for Spiritual Misfit. That book is amazing. I’m recommending it to everyone I know.
It’s an honor and a privilege to be your friend Jennifer, I want to do whatever I can to support your journey. You’ve played an important part in mine.
‘Love that sentence about artistry in the commonplace, Shelly. Just today, as I waited for a traffic light to turn green, I watched a long wisp of cloud curl into a graceful arc, a ballerina’s arm moving in slow motion. Finding such beauty during a mundane moment certainly augmented the pleasure. There is great joy in discovery!
I could see it, Nancy, the cloud curl like a ballerina in the intersection bowing toward you with her eyes closed and toe pointed. Lovely, thank you for that.
Shelly, you breath (and model) generosity — I almost want to just copy it and share with those who follow my blog to be sure they don’t miss any of this deliciousness! Thank you 🙂
Thank you Amy, somehow I missed your comment last week. Appreciate you.
Hi Shelly, I found your blog through the OneWord “Trust” for 2014… I’m new at this, and wanted to let you know I think your blog is lovely! Looking forward to reading more in the days ahead. Blessings!
Mary, lovely to meet you. Thank you for stopping by from One Word 365, I need to get over there and visit people myself. Appreciate your kindness and do hope you come back.