TIME FOR DE~STRESSING

Hello, my friends, how are you doing today? How was your week? Today in my neck of the woods, we are experiencing a cloudy but mild, pleasurable and refreshing kind of day.  It’s cloudy enough to feel cozy and cuddled and mild enough to be calming and comforting.  In reality, it’s a beautiful day, I love cloudy and non rainy (yet) days, it reminds me of fall.  Thankfully though, after glancing at the temperatures for the next seven days, (although the Lord has the final say and the meteorologists are frequently wrong) it appears that we will enjoy at least 80Β° every day. Right now, it is 69Β° with rain in the forecast, by the day’s end; a blessing our little kitchen garden is happy to receive.  The call of the cicadas tells me that summer is still here, although today may look like fall.     

I apologize for the length of time it took me to respond to last week’s Blog Party post.  It has been crazy in our household.  We took the girls back to their home away from home over the weekend and that event, my friends was borderline chaotic. Two weeks before, the girls were told to begin packing for their trip back to college. Do you think they did that? Do you? Do you? Let me put it this way, we left on Sunday, but most of the Friday and Saturday was spent corralling the chaos. By the time, we came back on Tuesday morning, I was exhausted (I’m getting too old for that). I needed to decompress a bit. Have you ever felt like that? What did you do to help alleviate the stress? 

My absolute favorite things to do to help release the tension is to call my mom.  There is something so very calming and soothing when I hear my mom’s voice. She reminds me that God has not abdicated His throne; that He is still in control.  Nothing affects my life, without His permission.  

Or sometimes, I’ll take a nature walk. I love those too; it’s peaceful and tranquil, in spite of the number of people along the way. As a matter of fact, that’s the best part; the interaction with strangers pursuing a common goal.  Nature reminds me that my God is trustworthy, that His love for me is secure.  

Reading also helps, especially on days like today; cloudy with a hint of rain in the forecast.Β Β Give me a good historical or suspenseful romance book and all my stress falls to the wayside.Β Β Relaxation and recreation are God’s gift to mankind.Β Β It reminds me of God’s kindness and mercy.Β 

Eventually my mind catches up with my body and peace reigns, albeit too briefly at times.  The Lord has surely blessed me with a wonderful husband for which I am very thankful. In spite of the chaos that dominated our household, while preparing the girls for their senior and sophomore year at college, he knew I would miss them. He was aware that this mama’s heart would be slightly unsettled; oh, those control issues! Without any prompting, he will usher me into the car for a drive.  I love those; the sweet silence as we drive, because I know it means, he is praying for me and the girls. (Young ladies don’t settle for less).  How thankful I am for my God’s patience and gentleness. 

clouds as we drive by

Here is a brief(?) summary of my week. How was yours? 

Let’s continue the conversation over on Instagram. Follow my Instagram and I will follow back, just let me know in the comment section.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

43 responses to “TIME FOR DE~STRESSING”

  1. Absolutely gorgeous pictures! Sometimes decompression time is limited around here, lol. Glad you have had time to de-stress a bit. I can only imagine how stressful that must have been trying to pack them both up in two days! Yikes! Enjoy the downtime πŸ™‚ God Bless!

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Beautiful!!!! Yes, I agree and Prayer is a great way to de-stress too. Wonderful pictures! Loved your “Let’s Party” Post!, but I couldn’t leave a comment there. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY! So happy for you! And thank you for your support.

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Your pics looked so peaceful! And Mama looks so sweet! I’m so glad you can call your mom and spend time with her. Enjoy every moment, even the chaos. Prayers my friend! I hope this comment goes through on your post this time! πŸ™πŸ»

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Your mama is a wise woman, Brenda! “God has not abdicated His throne.” Amen! And He never will! May He help us to remember that!
    I’ve nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! You can check out the details at:

    Sunshine Blogger Award #2


    Feel free to do as much or as little as you’d like. I enjoy your blog and hope this will bring new bloggers to read and enjoy it, too! πŸ™‚

    Liked by 1 person

  5. The pictures of the clouds were beautiful. Thankful you got the girls off to school ok. My best way to destress is to put on some gospel music, get a glass of water and read. Second way is for my husband and I to just take a drive through the countryside. Enjoy the coming fall!

    Liked by 1 person

    • We do have quite a bit in common:) LOve drives through the country too; usually,​ after these drives, I get the urge to move to the country, then I remember how dark it gets and I quickly change my mind πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Lovely post Brenda! I felt God’s peace through your words. I’m glad your girls got off ok back to school. You and your mom look great! I feel the same about my mom. Nature reminds us of God’s sovereignty. I love the pictures! β˜€οΈβ€οΈβ˜€οΈ

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Great post as always Brenda…I so enjoy reading your post. There is so much takeaways.

    This resonates with me, nature reminds me that my God is trustworthy, that His love for me is secure.

    What a happy family. Blessings to you and your family. Do enjoy your weekend, inclusive of some rest. You are loved.πŸ€—πŸ€—πŸ˜˜

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Brenda, you are a breath of God’s fresh air, so uplifting and real! I didn’t come from a Christian family, or have a mom like yours–but God gave me a cousin who’s both devout in her love for JESUS, and down to earth Funny. So she’s the one I call–I talked to her today! (Lives in TX). I want to say that your face reflects the way you write–warm and inviting, knitted to our Lord in every way. I’m just a bit envious that you have a wonderful husband–but God is both a father to the fatherless and a husband to those who were betrayed, so I have nothing to complain about. Thank you for being here. I send you lots of love from the Seattle area–and prayers that God will continue to bless you and your family abundantly ❀ Fleur

    Liked by 2 people

  9. I love all the photos! My sister is delivering her only child (daughter)3 hours away to college tomorrow. I can tell she is wrecked already! Both of their lives are about to change. Pray for them if you feel led. As for relaxing, you know what I do, the same things you do, haha! Trails, drives, reading, sometimes just sitting outside looking at the sky. πŸ™‚ Big race for me tomorrow. Eek. Prayers are always appreciated and I pray for you as well.

    Liked by 3 people

  10. You are so blessed to have your mom to call! I loved those days when my mom was still here and I could call her or stop in for a visit. Mothers are special gifts from God. I miss mine, but I know we will see each other again one day.

    Liked by 3 people

  11. Such a nice garden you have there – love that. And the nature walk is my thing too – It totally reminds me that God is in care of it all looking at the birds and the grasses, trees, flowers (how beautiful they are effortlessly). Such Grace!.

    Do try to catch your rest ma’am.

    Liked by 2 people

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.