Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

While it may seem strange for me to post do-it-yourself projects on a blog created to provide inspiration and encouragement, I see God all around me – even in the excitement of fixer-upper projects. There is a lesson to be learned, and skill to be honed, in even the tiniest of experiences.

That being said, on occasion, I intend to share some of these experiences – both good and bad – with you.

As a single person, with a limited budget, I fix most everything myself. The number of projects I undertake is only limited by the amount of time I have.

For example, over the past year, I’ve slowly landscaped my back yard with new flower and vegetable gardens, re-painted my house interior, pressure-washed the exterior, painted furniture, restored a former “chalk wall,” installed a new mailbox and post, refinished and re-stained antique end-tables, and installed an under-the-counter microwave – all with God’s help!

Today, though, I tackled a relatively easy project – restoring corroded lamp bases to their previous splendor.

The back-story is this: I’ve made my house my own by shopping at estate sales to purchase one-of-a-kind items at a fraction of the cost I would find at standard retail outlets.

Two such finds are my unique glass and brass seashell-filled table lamps.

I was fortunate to find these gorgeous creations. True, the shades were dry-rotted and the metal bases, corroded; but, I could see the beauty beyond their imperfections to the fun flair they would provide to my ocean-based, decorating theme. As a result, I snatched them up as soon as I found them.

Since I’d only spent $16 for the pair of lamps, the last thing I wanted to do was spend a fortune on replacement shades. On the way home from the sale, I took a chance and stopped at my local Goodwill store. Miraculously, I found two perfect, beige shades, which I purchased for $4/each. Such a gift!

The bases weren’t real brass; so, I chose to spray-paint them with Rustoleum gold paint to add a brighter glow to the lamps and make them look brand-new.

Now the specifics:

Step 1: I prepared my outdoor painting station by laying out a piece of cardboard I frequently utilize when working on small projects.

Step 2: Using a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper, I sanded away all the rust and corrosion from the base of the lamps. Once sanded, I removed the dust with a dry paper towel.

Step 3: I covered the lamp bodies with brown paper to protect them from overspray. Using blue painter’s tape, I securely fastened the paper to the lower portion of each lamp’s body.

Step 4: I sprayed the lamp bases with two light coats of paint, allowing 15-minutes to dry between coats.

Step 5: Once the paint was dry, I applied a single coat of clear lacquer to further protect the lamps from future rust damage.

Step 6: Satisfied with the results, I removed the brown paper and admired my beautifully restored lamps!

Lesson learned? If I can combine a small amount of work with a big desire to look past a less-than-perfect exterior, imagine what the Creator of everything can do to us!

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Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on earth below. There is no other. (Deuteronomy 4:39)

There are those that believe in God when times are good, but doubt His existence, when the opposite prevails. They feel alone, forsaken, and rejected by God when life is hard. They think He has abandoned them when pain persists. 

Why is it that we’ve adopted the image of God as a kind-hearted grandfather, who only wants to bestow gifts and goodness upon us? Where do such beliefs come from? They’re nowhere in the Bible. 

Quite the opposite. Christ told His disciples to “take up their cross and follow [Him]” (Matthew 16:24). 

I couldn’t imagine such thoughts until a friend of mine, began expressing such sentiments. “Pray for me,” he’d say. “God listens to you. He doesn’t listen to me.”  

How sad it must be to think that God doesn’t hear you, to feel all alone, tossed by circumstances, without an anchor to stay firm, or a sail to move forward in life.

The reality is that God is always with us, and He always hears our prayers. Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us that “The Lord your God goes with you: He will never leave you or forsake you.”

What comfort there is in that promise! Just think of it – the Creator of all that ever is, was, and ever will be, has promised that He will always be with you. Whether you believe in Him or not, God is omnipresent.

When times are difficult, we need to seek God’s presence. We don’t need to face our difficulties alone. While I strive to listen, comfort, and reassure my friends when they need me – how much more amazing is it to know that “there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24)?

We don’t need to ask where God is when times are tough. He is with us, and His strength will see us through our difficulties. In my darkest hours, when I’ve felt most rejected by the world, I’ve grown closer to my Savior. I know He’s there, and that thought gives me comfort.

God is with me, and He’s right there with you, too.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Fear is a powerful emotion. It robs us of our security while keeping us tied down, incapable of moving forward.

Lots of things instill fear: death, rejection, the unknown – to name a few. As humans, we long to control our circumstances. Anything that moves us to a state where we can no longer control our happiness, security, or future can be frightening.

But what happens when we’re afraid? Fear causes us to take our eyes off of Christ – the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Faith is the polar opposite of fear. One cannot exist in the presence of the other. 

In the past month, I’ve faced countless frightening situations.

To begin, my mother and I recently took our sixth annual European adventure together. Note that I called this an “adventure” rather than a vacation. Our trips are often fraught with stress and anxiety, as we are two women traveling alone in a foreign country. While I plan, prodigiously, the unexpected always happens. I now call these our Fully Relying On God (F.R.O.G.) trips as a result. Get the picture?

This year’s trip took us to Scotland, where I immediately had to learn how to drive on the left-hand side of the road, while seated on the right side of the rental car, on narrow lanes, with no shoulders.

While traveling, we became lost while locating six out of ten apartments where we were staying – in an unfamiliar land, with little guidance, while driving in different road conditions than I was used to – oftentimes, in the rain.

Shortly after arrival, I learned that my cat was gravely ill and would have died, had it not been for the quick thinking of my pet-sitter.

I misplaced my credit card, twice, while traveling, finally losing it, altogether – not knowing how I’d move forward without it.

While in Europe, I kept apprised of Hurricane Dorian’s decimation of the Bahamas, with dire meteorologist predictions of its path moving steadily closer to my home. Can you feel the tension mounting?

But wait! There’s more.

When I returned to the U.S., I was informed of the death of my best friend from his surviving widow. I had last heard from him via text, just a few days before my flight home.

Two days later, I learned that my employer would soon be proceeding with permanent layoffs.

A week after the work announcement, a dear friend called to tell me of the death of her precious companion cat.

Two days later, another close friend disclosed her cancer prognosis over an after-work dinner, together.

I had every reason to be fearful of and about all of the above things – the gut-wrenching loss of a loved one, daily work insecurity and stress, the anxiety of an unknown future with a frightening prognosis.

Fear is always present; yet, I choose not to be afraid.

Don’t get me wrong. I was terrified when I first experienced all of the above things.

But then I surrendered my fear to God. I made a conscious choice to give these fear-laden burdens to the only One who controls them, anyway. As scripture reminded me, God did not give me the spirit of fear. 

If and when God chooses to take any of the things I hold dear, I know He will give me the tools to work through them – as He has in the past, and as He is now. I trust God, completely, and give Him praise for everything He’s already done for me.

Living by faith means one must let go of fear. I choose to surrender my yesterday, today, and tomorrow to God. This is the secret to living fearlessly: in the arms of our Creator, there is no fear.

Fear not, beloved. God is with you.

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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

The Oxford Dictionary defines inception as the establishment or starting point of an institution or activity (Lexico.com, 2019).

Today marks the inception of an activity I have been called to do. I am an encourager. It is my fruit of the Spirit, my life’s blood, my reason for being. I was created to encourage.

Since third grade, I knew I wanted to be a writer. There are many books in my head waiting to come out, but taking that first leap seemed impossible. How would I find the time? What would I write about? Where would I post my musings? The longing was always there – as were the excuses.

That changes today.

But why now?

One month ago, my best friend died while I was out of the country. My friend Paul believed in me like no one else ever had.

“You know you can do it,” he would say. “Whenever you’re ready, I know it will be great. There’s nothing you can’t do, once you set your mind to it. I can’t wait to read whatever you write.”

Today, I move forward for Paul – and for Diane, another friend recently diagnosed with Stage 2 melanoma.

I am writing for Patty, who lives alone and recently had to say goodbye to her companion pet.

I write for my mother, family, Alex, Ruth, Mary, Anita, Bobby and all those with broken hearts, dreams and ideals that need to be reminded that they are not alone in their pain and everyday trials.

Thank you for loving and encouraging me. Now, it’s my turn to encourage you and others in this new forum. It’s time to use the gift God has given me as we walk down this path, together.

Today, the inception begins.