I’m going to focus on FAITH this year. After what we’ve all been through in 2020 I step into 2021 in faith and trust.

I have faith that my work and my health, my choices and decisions will be for the good of all concerned.

I have faith that God will keep my family and friends and me in his care.

I have faith that all will be well for the ultimate good because God is love and love cannot fail.

“Worry ends where faith begins.” 

(A Treasury of Wit, Wisdom and Irish Blessings)

How about you? What is your focus for 2021? Let’s encourage each other.

Relax, rest, retreat, renew!

I plan to do the same….and I’ll see you again on the other side of December 31.

‘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.’ Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Hi everyone. Today I’m excited to introduce you to my good friend, Lisa Bogart, who likes to write about little things to make a big impact. Lisa’s written dozens of devotions for The Upper Room and Daily Guideposts. She wrote three devotional coloring books, and enjoyed creating the drawings as much as the writing. Drawn From the Heart, Drawn to Worship, and Drawn Into Christmas. She also wrote a book of devotions about her favorite hobby–knitting. Knit, Purl, Pray. Lisa likes to hike and read and watch movies. She lives with her husband, Rod in San Rafael, California. Their grown son, Zach, lives in Portland, Oregon, and these days they all stay in touch on zoom.

Lisa on a hike.

All photos courtesy of Lisa Bogart. Lisa at her art table.

I interviewed Lisa so you can get to know her.

Q: What inspired you to focus on JOY?

A: I started focusing on joy because it was always popping up. Little things make me smile. The sun hitting the Japanese maple in my front yard, an unexpected text from my son, a book I read that brought tears or giggles, the pleasure of friendly mail, the discovery of a new recipe. It sounds like a gratitude list, I know. Noticing all these things makes my day swell with joy. I think reminding people of the simple things that bring joy encourages them to look for these good things in their lives too.

Q: You are a multi-talented professional as a writer, artist, graphic designer, and an accomplished knitter. How have you used these talents to spread joy?

A: Your question describes all my happy places so it’s a quick step from there to spreading a little joy. I have such gratitude for all the creative work I get to do. And it’s in my nature to share it by writing a devotion I think might help others or designing a card to send to a friend, or knitting something warm for another. All these are ways to spread joy. When I add a little sparkle to someone’s day that brings me joy, too.

Q: I enjoy your monthly newsletter. How can my readers join your list if they wish to?

A: There’s a sign-up for my newsletter on the homepage of my website. Here’s a linkie dink. And when you sign up you get three coloring pages.

Lisa will send a FREE variety pack of 8 cards to the winner of a drawing. Just leave a comment in the reply box to this blog and I’ll put the names in a basket and then select a winner. I’ll let you know who wins. You can take a sneak peek at the prize on Lisa’s website here.

Thanks so much, Lisa, for sharing your talent and for offering a free gift.

We all wish you the best as you continue to spread joy. I feel joyful having you as one of my dear friends.

courtesy of spiritbutton.com

The other day I spent some time rereading a journal of my trip with my husband to Ireland. One item struck me–a reference to a little sheep who kept hanging around the edge of the fence that lined the road between two plots of juicy green grass.

I watched him for quite some time and then suddenly he went for it. He managed to get himself (or herself) through the opening and across to the other swath of grass. I’m assuming he thought the grass was greener on the other side. He munched for awhile and them looked up and over at his buddies back where he came from and suddenly he wiggled through that fence and returned to the original pasture.

Photo courtesy of Sam Clark Unsplash.com

I couldn’t help think of how many times I, too, have wiggled my way out of one situation or relationship and into another because I believed the grass was greener ‘over there.’ Of course it wasn’t. It never is even when we are determined differently. That’s not saying that every situation or every relationship is equal or that there is never one that is better than another, but by and large the ‘grass is greener’ approach has never worked for me.

What I’ve realized in my life is that I don’t even have to think about that, or look for it, or consider it because ‘it’ is never about that situation or relationship. It’s always about ME. When I settle down, stop looking outside myself, and focus on God’s will and guidance, I find that I am perfectly content with the ‘grass’ I’ve been given. And if a change is called for, I can trust God to lead me to it. What a relief it is.

Maybe that little sheep learned the very same lesson and that’s why he returned to the place where he belonged and felt the most secure.

Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3