Beverly Varnado's Blog, page 7

When they're far away and what she said

Thissummer, I'm continuing to share some of my most viewed posts--this oneabout a challenge I faced when one of my children was traveling. This piece firstran in 2019.

Mysister handed me an envelope.  “Patsygave these to me. She found them while going through old photographs.” 

Our friend Patsy’s mom and ours were friends and coworkers when young. I opened the envelope and found a picture of my mom I’d never seen, which had to have been taken during the mid 1940’s judging from her age.




Interesting that after more than seventy years, the picture came to me at this particular time.
Here's why. Someone I love is working in London for a month. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime with all expenses paid. Such a blessing!
Yet, may I admit in a very unsophisticated way that it’s a bit challenging when people I care for are on another continent.
My mother always liked to keep the people she loved close, too, so when Jerry and I announced we were embarking on a Wesley studies tour in England, she was none too happy. After a few days of wrestling with the idea, she called me. “I guess I’m going to have to trust God with you.”
What she said.
Yes, I guess I’m going to have to trust God for my traveler.
Why does it seem I’m surrounded by people with huge adventuresome spirits. A writer friend has a daughter they nicknamed, “Danger.” I understand that. It could apply to many I know starting first with Jerry, that plane flying, quarterback sacking, swamp wading, hunter- gatherer I married.
When this picture showed up of mom with her hand on her hip, it’s as if she were saying, “Uh, huh. Now, you know what I went through.” I had to laugh.
That trust thing, well, I’ve written about it so much.
I don’t imagine anybody I know will suddenly decide to hole up somewhere (and I don’t want them to), so I guess I’m going to keep writing about it and hopefully doing it.
At present, I am reading Max Lucado’s book, Anxious for Nothing. In it, he describes a practice he uses which I find helpful. “On my good days I begin my morning with a cup of coffee and a conversation with God. I look ahead into the day and make my requests . . . Then if a sense of stress surfaces during the day, I remind myself, Oh, I gave this challenge to God earlier today. He has already taken responsibility for the situation. I can be grateful, not fretful.”

Gratefulness, not fretfulness. Don’t you love it? That one practice can change the way our days go. We pray in the morning, and then the rest of the day we rely on Him and give thanks.
I’m convinced God allows these situations where we’re totally out of control to occur so we’ll look to Him alone. If you’re facing one of those yourself, pray over your day, and then trust that He’s got it.
So, thanks, Patsy, you had no idea how meaningful those pictures would be.
Praying the words the Lord spoke to Joshua for those close to me, “. . . for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

If you're in the area, I'd love to have you join me this Friday
 from 2-4 for a book signing in Watkinsville, Georgia at a the
 lovely Bird and Brass on Main Street. Hope to see you there. 




Beverly Varnado, a Georgianative, is an award-winning multi-published author, as well as a screenwriter,blogger, and artist. Her writing has also been included in a dozen anthologiesand one of her screenplays was a finalist for the Kairos Prize in screenwriting.She enjoys participating in gallery exhibits and is always working on a newpainting.Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Best of One Ringing Bell: If Something Seems Dead

Another one of my most read posts from the archives. I hope this serves as an encouragement to keep believing for God's redemptive power in the life of someone for whom you have long prayed. This post first ran in April of 2012. 

Last year Ibought a hibiscus while in coastal Florida and brought it home. I loved thecolor of the big full blooms and enjoyed them all spring and summer. In thefall, as frost threatened, I put it in the backyard studio intending to waterit over the winter, so it’d come back in the spring.

But…I forgot towater, and when I finally checked on it, the barren branches screamed neglect.

Dead.

A couple of weeksago, I was at a family member’s house and saw a hibiscus on their patio puttingout leaves.

“In the garageall winter,” I was told. “Maybe watered it twice.”

Oh, if I’d onlyremembered and mourned the loss of the plant, knowing it’d be unlikely to findone like it locally.

I went home andtook the lost cause plant out of the studio intending to throw it on the leafpile near the road and reuse the pot. As I did, I remembered what my gardeningneighbor used to say. “Don’t give up on a plant,” he’d advised. “Hang on to it,give it water, and sometimes they come back.”

I suppose he’dlearn over a lifetime that often when things seem dead, that given time andnurture, they could still revive.

Well, I did what myneighbor said. I soaked the plant and put the scraggly thing out in the sun.

I’ve checked onit several times over the past two weeks. Nothing but brown branches, but atleast Lucy hadn’t made a chew toy out of it. This morning, again, at first Isaw no sign of life.

Sigh.

Then, as I bentcloser, down near the roots, a few tiny little leaves sprouted.

I wanted to havea parade. I hadn’t killed the hibiscus after all.

I was so happy Ieven made Jerry go out and look at it.

For my sake, hefeigned rejoicing. I think I’ve mentioned before that he’s not big ongardening.

But as I’vereflected on my hibiscus, I thought of words by Andrew Murray that I underlinedin the Christian classic, With Christ in the School of Prayer. “Instead of being hopeless orjudging or giving up those who fall, let us pray for our circle, ‘Father! Keepthem in Thy Name; Sanctify them through Thy truth.’ Prayer in the Name ofJesus availeth much; ‘What ye will shall be done unto you.’”

As the water andsun were to my plant, hope, prayer, and God’s word are to those who appear tobe dead to the life in Christ.

Given nurture andtime, God who is always at work, may allow us to see a demonstration of thatwork.

At one point inmy life, I was for sure a lost cause. In fact, because of the way I was living,someone close to me once said, “I can’t help you anymore.”

But somehow, afew did persevere in prayer. And God redeemed my life.

All these yearslater, I’m sad to say there are times, when I look at someone’s life and wonderif there’s hope.

I don’t want toever forget what God has done for me. You may remember the Casting Crowns song "Jesus, Friend of Sinners." i would like to be as Jesus is, even in the direst circumstances.

God’s all aboutraising the dead. Let’s pray for his heart and his eyes to see the peoplearound us. God, help us be a friend to sinners.

I’m going out tostare at my hibiscus. There’s just something amazing about seeing dead thingscome back to life. 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Best of One Ringing Bell: 3 Things I Learned from my Dad the Builder

As I've shared the past couple of weeks, this summer I am revisiting a few of the most viewed posts. With Father's Day approaching, I'm remembering my dad this week and a few of the things he taught me, which you might find useful, too. This post first ran in 2020. 
My dad built things.

Not for a living, mind you. His career was in banking. My dad built for joy.He constructed the house he and his wife lived in for many years. Sure, he contracted out a few elements, but he built a surprising percentage of the structure with his own two hands. It was not a tiny house concept but approached 3,000 square feet.

He crafted this French Cupboard for me. Simply because I asked.


He erected this playhouse for my daughter, which later became her studio and later mine.

My brother in law, a lifelong executive with the Boy Scouts of America, asked my dad if he could build birdhouse kits for summer campers. And he did-- 400 of them. Each house had six parts.I’ve been reflecting on my dad, and what he taught me through his building that I use in my life today. Here are three things:

1.       The way you do hard things is tackle them in small increments. The summer he built the birdhouses, he worked on them for many, many days but he took breaks and didn’t become overwhelmed with the task. In building books with words, I try not to become overwhelmed with sixty, seventy, or eighty thousand words. I just think about the ones I’m writing today.
2.       Don’t say no to a big job just because it seems impossible. Dad could have said no to all the big jobs he tackled, but he didn't. So many of my creative endeavors have seemed impossible to me at the beginning. However, I have a heritage that says that’s not a reason to say no.
3.       You can make something from nothing. Just as my dad did in wood, by the grace of God, it feels as if that’s what I do in words, paint, and in other ways, too.The things my dad built transcended wood and nails. Because of his influence, there are principles built into the center of who I am. I hope to pass these on to my children. I am grateful for his example because when I come up against a seeming mountain, I can think, well, my dad did it, and I have his DNA, so I can, too.

We can never measure legacy in dollars and cents. The most important legacies are the ones that endure in the hearts and minds of family members for generations.  Proverbs 13:22 reads, "A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children . . . " I am blessed to have had a dad who left behind such a legacy.

Do you loveChristmas in July? I sure do, and this year, I've teamed up with more than 70Christian authors of Christmas-themed books for an EPIC reader giveaway. FromJuly 8-31, you can sign up to receive daily emails featuring some of theauthors, who will be giving away print copies of their Christmas books (Including my Christmas book, A Season for Everything) plus awesome Christmas items. Those who participate will also be eligible forone of 11 grand prizes, which include Amazon gift cards and 2024 Christmas inJuly Reader Extravaganza swag. Sign up here: Those who participate will also be eligible forone of 11 grand prizes, which include Amazon gift cards and 2024 Christmas in July Reader Extravaganza swag. Click to Sign up HERE. 

Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Best of One Ringing Bell by Beverly Varnado: Worry less. Pray more.

As I shared last week, after fourteen years of blogging and well over a thousand posts in the archives, this summer I am revisiting a few of the most viewed posts. This post really hit a nerve when I first wrote it I suppose because so many of us struggle with worry in some way. This post first ran in 2018. 
As we whizzed down the road toward coastal Georgia, I turned around in my seat to look behind me.

“What are you doing?” Jerry asked from the driver’s seat.

“Reading a wayside pulpit.”
The adage on it hit me hard.   
“Worry less. Pray more,” some pastor or church member had posted in front of their little building. It appeared not more than a few dozen might fit in their sanctuary, but I wondered the countless ones, like me they touched who traveled the busy state highway in front of their building.
Such a simple truth.
Yet, how often what I do is the opposite―worry more, pray less.
I should probably have worry less, pray more tattooed on my forehead. The tattoo artist would probably offer me a senior discount. Irritating.
We might even shorten the thought to pray more or maybe one word―pray.
Pray, I tell myself when I drag out my list of concerns intending to ruminate over them. Again.  
Pray, when something touches one of my children or grandchildren and my anxiety starts to rise.
Pray, when I wonder if I can get the right marketing off the ground for books. Like most writers, marketing is not in my wheelhouse, but so expected by publishers.
Pray, when the thoughts of a thousand tomorrows invade my brain, and how will things ever work out, anyway?
The Apostle Paul said it best in I Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray all the time.” (The Message).
Because here’s the thing―if we’re praying all the time, there’s no time for worry. That’s the benchmark.
In an interview with Jerry Jenkins , Billy Graham told Jenkins the Bible instructs us to pray without ceasing and that’s what he did.
“I was stunned,” Jenkins wrote. “You pray without ceasing?”
“I do,” Graham said, “and I have every waking moment since I received Christ at age 16. I’m praying right now as I’m talking to you that everything I say will glorify Christ.”
So, if you were wondering what we should aim for, that’s it. If you’re like me, you’re a good ways off. We might even need a telescope to see the target. No problem. God meets us right where we are in this moment.
And in this moment, what we do is . . . Worry less. Pray more. var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Best of One Ringing Bell by Beverly Varnado: The Golden Ray in the Golden Ray

After fourteen years of blogging and well over a thousand posts in the archives, this summer I thought I would revisit some of the most viewed posts. I'm starting with a remarkable story which you may have read a bit about in the news, but here is what Paul Harvey used to call "the rest of the story." This post first appeared here in July of 2022.

Many of us who live in the southeast followed the plight of the Golden Ray, a car carrier that capsized in St. Simons Sound just off the coast of Georgia in September of 2019. Miraculously, there were no casualties as all the ship’s crew was rescued by the Coast Guard.

Environmental concerns were high because the seventeen-story high ship carried 4200 cars, each of which held gas or diesel, as well as antifreeze. The ship’s fuel tanks contained 320,000 gallons of fuel.

There are several theories why the ship capsized including a data entry error that controlled the ballast and incorrect loading.

I first saw the ship in November that year—a mammoth mass of steel sitting out there in the sound. As I sat on a bench on the water’s edge near the Saint Simons pier, you could almost hear the saltwater corroding the cars. How in the world would anyone figure out a way to get all that metal from the ocean? It seemed impossible.

The ship had already been declared a total loss in October—eighty million for the ship and eighty million for its contents.

But despite my sense that the task was impossible, a contract was issued to T and T Salvage to remove the ship, which would involve cutting it into pieces for scrap.

Procedures to mitigate harm to wildlife were continually being evaluated and put in place and the fuel from the ship was drained.

Then a global pandemic struck in 2020. The salvage company needed housing for their workers to keep them in a bubble so that the work would not be interrupted. For this, they struck a deal with Epworth by The Sea, a Methodist retreat center on St. Simons Island. Epworth supplied rooms and twenty-four-hour meal service for the 115 salvors who came and worked shifts around the clock. 

For Epworth, this was an important contract. The pandemic had put retreat centers in crisis.  Large gatherings were at a standstill. The arrival of the T and T salvors enabled Epworth to bring back their staff.

Ministry continued at the retreat center as well. When the workers arrived, they were able to log into chapel services, and the center offered spiritual guidance to any who requested it. The salvors could leave prayer requests at Epworth, and there were those who would pray over them.

These people who came to dismantle a wreck walked paths under moss draped oaks and heard chimes playing hymns. At the Epworth Frederica River Pier, when they boarded the ship each day that carried them to the Golden Ray, they walked by a cross.

I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to spend fifteen months, which was how long it took to dismantle the ship. 

Over the course of the worker’s Epworth stay, thirty-seven of these workers gave their lives to Jesus.

We were back at the retreat center recently for a conference, and Jerry heard the director give this firsthand report.

I haven’t been able to get this story off my mind. A one hundred and sixty million-dollar loss, and yet out of it, the future of a conference center engaged in ministry for nearly seventy years was secured. And most importantly, the eternal destiny of thirty-seven people changed. This was the golden ray in the Golden Ray.

A tribute to the salvors of the Golden Ray has been erected at Epworth by the Sea. It includes a link of the chain used to cut the ship into pieces and sits beside the Frederica River pier that the sailors used.

On it is written Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” A perfect verse for those who did what seemed an impossible task.

This is a powerful lesson for all of us--out of the biggest shipwrecks in our lives, God can bring miracles. And when you face one, as we all do, remember Philippians 4:13 and what God did in the lives of the salvors of the Golden Ray.

Beverly Varnado's most recent book, In Search of the Painted Bunting, is a middle grade historical set in the late sixties. She is also the author of several small town romances including, A Season for Everything. In addition, a memoir, Faith in the Fashion District,  as well as her other books, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees and Home to Currahee are all available at Amazon. She offers her art related items at her Etsy Shop, Beverly Varnado Art. 

To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.com

Beverly Varnado copyright 2024           

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Best of One Ringing Bell: The Golden Ray in the Golden Ray

After fourteen years of blogging and well over a thousand posts in the archives, this summer I thought I would revisit some of the most viewed posts. I'm starting with a remarkable story which you may have read a bit about in the news, but here is what Paul Harvey used to call "the rest of the story." This post first appeared here in July of 2022.

Many of us who live in the southeast followed the plight of the Golden Ray, a car carrier that capsized in St. Simons Sound just off the coast of Georgia in September of 2019. Miraculously, there were no casualties as all the ship’s crew was rescued by the Coast Guard.

Environmental concerns were high because the seventeen-story high ship carried 4200 cars, each of which held gas or diesel, as well as antifreeze. The ship’s fuel tanks contained 320,000 gallons of fuel.

There are several theories why the ship capsized including a data entry error that controlled the ballast and incorrect loading.

I first saw the ship in November that year—a mammoth mass of steel sitting out there in the sound. As I sat on a bench on the water’s edge near the Saint Simons pier, you could almost hear the saltwater corroding the cars. How in the world would anyone figure out a way to get all that metal from the ocean? It seemed impossible.

The ship had already been declared a total loss in October—eighty million for the ship and eighty million for its contents.

But despite my sense that the task was impossible, a contract was issued to T and T Salvage to remove the ship, which would involve cutting it into pieces for scrap.

Procedures to mitigate harm to wildlife were continually being evaluated and put in place and the fuel from the ship was drained.

Then a global pandemic struck in 2020. The salvage company needed housing for their workers to keep them in a bubble so that the work would not be interrupted. For this, they struck a deal with Epworth by The Sea, a Methodist retreat center on St. Simons Island. Epworth supplied rooms and twenty-four-hour meal service for the 115 salvors who came and worked shifts around the clock. 

For Epworth, this was an important contract. The pandemic had put retreat centers in crisis.  Large gatherings were at a standstill. The arrival of the T and T salvors enabled Epworth to bring back their staff.

Ministry continued at the retreat center as well. When the workers arrived, they were able to log into chapel services, and the center offered spiritual guidance to any who requested it. The salvors could leave prayer requests at Epworth, and there were those who would pray over them.

These people who came to dismantle a wreck walked paths under moss draped oaks and heard chimes playing hymns. At the Epworth Frederica River Pier, when they boarded the ship each day that carried them to the Golden Ray, they walked by a cross.

I can’t imagine a more beautiful place to spend fifteen months, which was how long it took to dismantle the ship. 

Over the course of the worker’s Epworth stay, thirty-seven of these workers gave their lives to Jesus.

We were back at the retreat center recently for a conference, and Jerry heard the director give this firsthand report.

I haven’t been able to get this story off my mind. A one hundred and sixty million-dollar loss, and yet out of it, the future of a conference center engaged in ministry for nearly seventy years was secured. And most importantly, the eternal destiny of thirty-seven people changed. This was the golden ray in the Golden Ray.

A tribute to the salvors of the Golden Ray has been erected at Epworth by the Sea. It includes a link of the chain used to cut the ship into pieces and sits beside the Frederica River pier that the sailors used.

On it is written Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” A perfect verse for those who did what seemed an impossible task.

This is a powerful lesson for all of us--out of the biggest shipwrecks in our lives, God can bring miracles. And when you face one, as we all do, remember Philippians 4:13 and what God did in the lives of the salvors of the Golden Ray.

Beverly Varnado's most recent book, In Search of the Painted Bunting, is a middle grade historical set in the late sixties. She is also the author of several small town romances including, A Season for Everything. In addition, a memoir, Faith in the Fashion District,  as well as her other books, Give My Love to the Chestnut Trees and Home to Currahee are all available at Amazon. She offers her art related items at her Etsy Shop, Beverly Varnado Art. 

To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.com

Beverly Varnado copyright 2024           

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Name that Matters

Recently, I came across one of the most inspiring poems I’ve everread, yet the poet’s name was not familiar to me. When I searched online, I found the poet had written a book in the 1920's, but I still found it odd that no biographical info wasavailable. Maybe the book provides more information, but I doubt it because volumesof that time did not often include biographies.

I have prayed through the years that whether it be in mymusic, art, or writing, that I would disappear, and only Jesus would remain. Iwant to be a transparent vessel for Him. And yet, in our humanity that’s atough thing to deal with. This poet’s words have remained illuminating the pathof those who followed her, but we don’t evenknow what country she lived in, only that God bestowed on a person with hername a gift of writing words that would draw others to Him.

Yes, recognition for our work if affirming, but we must alwayskeep at the forefront of our minds whose name is important, and that name is Jesus.

I’m sure if we could interview our poet in heaven, she wouldtell us it has never mattered that the details of her life have been lost inhistory, because she has a full-time job now giving glory and praise to the onewhose name matters more than any other.

Though there are close to two thousand songs with a similarname to  “No Other Name,” the one thatremains my favorite was performed by Sandi Patty. And if you have never heardit, I include a link, because I think her rendition gives us a glimpse throughthe heavenly portal.

When we struggle with being invisible, let’s remember we areseen by our creator, the one whose name is above any other and our praise ofthat name will continue into eternity.

Sandi Patty, “No Other Name but Jesus”

 

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

6 Things to do when discouragement threatens

Weall face discouragement at one time or another whether in our work, ourrelationships, or even in our calling. Sometimes, dejection dogs our heels andwe can’t seem to shake it especially when our best efforts have not been ableto move the needle toward a desired outcome.

Whatto do? These are a few things I’ve found helpful, but the list is by no meanscomplete. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Some are obvious, but still, we mayneed to approach them in a different way.

Pray. You’re probably already doing this, but just areminder that after prayer, we  leave theresults to the Lord. Easy to write or say. Hard to do. Desired results areoften driven by comparisons. We see others reaching a particular goal, andallow their outcome to drive ours. The Lord may not be taking us to that sameplace . . . or in the same time. We trust that God has his reasons, which are sometimes obliqueto us, at least in the present.

Listen. We give ourselves time to hear from the Lordthrough prayer and His word. He could be using circumstances to redirect us,but we are insisting on staying the course we may have predetermined. We allow the Lord to tweak our course and adjust our expectations. I often hearwriters say their journey has not turned out like he or she thought it would, butit has been wonderful, anyway.

Zoom out. Instead of doubling down and really focusing on asituation, do the opposite. Zoom out and get the big picture. In the grandscheme, is this important, or have we become too focused onjust one thing? Are we giving God the space to work in His time or have wecreated a situation where we are expecting God to work in our time?

Share with atrusted friend. Don’t suffer alone.Find a trusted friend with whom you can share your struggle and receive the affirmation from someone who cares.

If it’s possible,do something different for a while.Take time to reset, to get a fresh vision, and relax. Often, we’ll come back tothe table with a renewed sense of hope of what God wants to do.

Put yourmind on the truth. At our low points,we’ll often find the enemy attacks with negative thoughts. But God has told ushow to combat this: “. . . whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything isexcellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” That verse is followed withthe benefit of putting that verse into action: “And the God of peace will bewith you” (Philippians 4:8,10). That’s the most wonderful thing, that God iswith us, no matter what.

So,there you go. Try these out and see what the Lord will do. My prayer for you isincluded in a  benediction that Paulwrote to the Hebrews, “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of theeternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherdof the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may hework in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-24260977-1']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

Finishing the course and who is with you

Here during this season of graduations, for the first time we attended a high school equivalency ceremony. As the one hundred and twenty graduates processed in, I imagined that most of them arrived here against all odds. And after hearing a few of their stories, I found I was right.

The reasons for not graduating high school are many. Some in their youth fail to see the importance of finishing. Others drop out because of family circumstances, bullying, or health issues. The list goes on, but these one hundred and twenty somehow made the decision to go back and finish what they started.

The graduation speaker told her own story of never finishing high school and years later finding it difficult to get the job she wanted because she lacked a degree. Even though it was challenging, she returned to school, and not only obtained her high school equivalency certificate but because of a scholarship she received, she went on to obtain both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She is now on staff at the school encouraging others to reach their goals. She noted the importance of faith in her accomplishments.

I couldn’t help but think of my dear Aunt Nell. Her entire life, it haunted her that she never finished high school, but she had so much responsibility from an early age, as well as health challenges,  there was hardly a moment to think of altering that decision. Finally, in her late seventies, she learned to use a computer and then through attending classes, home study, and tutoring, she finally did it at the age of eighty-one. She put on a cap and gown and received her certificate. She was one of the most Christ-like women I’ve ever known, and her example which includes lifelong learning continues to inspire me.

Someone made a comment that her  late in life graduation wouldn’t benefit her by leading to an income. Well, it did her benefit her, and a picture of her in her cap and gown shows a face radiating joy.

The young person we went to see graduate received the top academic award in the class—a great surprise to all including the graduate. And talking about benefit—it’s a clear message that the work, the effort, and all that it took to reach that point were worth it. And such an affirmation to the graduate’s ability.

The apostle Paul once wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” ( 2 Timothy 4:7). Paul wrote these words to encourage us to finish the course in the spiritual realm as well. When we grow weary, when we wonder why things happen the way they do, when we don’t see the clear benefit of continuing, we trust the Lord to help us, to be with us, and we finish. Because here’s the thing, we get way more than a certificate when we finish the course, we get Jesus and heaven.

My Aunt Nell in sharing her testimony once wrote, “I don’t know what the future holds for me here on this earth, but I know who holds my hands. He is my Master, He is my King, He is my Savior, my all and all.” In her nineties, she finished the course, made her final graduation, and I am confident she is rejoicing with Jesus in heaven.

So be encouraged, whatever challenge the Lord has put before you, finish the course. Jesus will be with you all the way.

Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023

The Power of One

Thisweek we will observe as we usually do the National Day of Prayer by attending agathering in our community. A message I heard there years ago has continued to resonatewith me and I thought I’d revisit it today hoping to also bring encouragementto someone else.

Thespeaker noted that in our culture we tend to believe that (I think have thisphrase verbatim): “More is powerful; less is worse; big is important; and smallis insignificant.”

Andyes, we do. It’s all about more and big in about every arena.

Ourspeaker’s wife had recently worked in Philadelphia, visited Independence Hall and sent him a picture of the room in which the Declaration of Independence wasdrafted, the “most important document of freedom” ever conceived. He noticed howsmall the room was and quoted Elizabeth Barrett Browning, “Earth's crammed withheaven, and every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees, takes offhis shoes…”

Ithought of Ann Voskamp who has written how we should give thanks for the little thingswhich magnifies our experience of God and His grace.

As an adolescent our speaker questioned a Sunday Schoolteacher about the meaning of “The fervent prayer of a righteous man availsmuch.”

Theteacher said, “It means your prayers matter.”

Right there was his point. One person’s prayers matter. Even when we don’t feellike they do. Even when we don’t see immediate results, the prayer of oneperson when offered from a heart turned to God can work much.

So,when we pray for the big stuff, like “God please turn a country back to you,”we can feel our prayers small. But they aren’t. “The prayer of a person livingright with God is something powerful to be reckoned with (James 5:16 TheMessage).

Asour speaker said, it’s easy to slip into thinking, ““More is powerful; less isworse; big is important; and small is insignificant.”

Butone person’s prayers matter.

Letthose prayers be yours.

 

Beverly Varnado's most recent book is In Search of the Painted Bunting, a middle grade historical from Elk Lake Publishing, #1 in new releases in its category. She is also the author of several small town romances from Anaiah Press including her latest, A Season for Everything. All are available at Amazon. To explore the web version of One Ringing Bell, please visit bev-oneringingbell.blogspot.comTo sign up for her newsletter, go to http://eepurl.com/dHNdsX Beverly Varnado copyright 2023