In Your Patience...

God's Word says, "In your patience possess ye your souls."
Luke 21:19.



In the beginning of my journey to simplicity here at my Home-Sweet, after hearing the Lord's Word of inspiration to me and also the way it all worked out, there was sheer and utter excitement. After all, who would not be excited about such direct leading from God Himself? To say I was ecstatic would be an understatement! I'm sure my friends got tired of hearing about all the Lord was showing me and what He was doing in our lives.

I recently received an email from a lovely Sister, Tonya, from GA who asked how my year of simplifying is going. It really made me stop and think.


Am I still as gung-ho about decluttering as I was when I first embarked on this path of emptying out my life...in so very many areas?

Have I been diligent to accomplish what the Lord has given me to do or have I been slack?

Have I set my face like a flint or have I looked back?

Have I quietly braved the time it is taking or have I been impatient and cranky?

Have I praised God throughout the year by coming before His gates with singing or have I whined?

Have I cried? Have I been reluctant to part with certain items?

Have I... well... have I sinned?


I really wanted to tell her that I have been so excellent at it all...and be the 'Wonder Christian' of blogland! But I could not. I had to be honest.

I told her that it has been a time of testing as well as a test of endurance. Trusting God all the way through.

You know, on one of our trips this summer to NYU in New York City, I met a woman in the hospital waiting room and we started talking about family and God. Her husband had heart trouble and had just had surgery. She also told me her daughter was expecting twins and they were so excited! She was concerned that her husband would not be there to meet his grandbabies, to which I proceeded to say, "We do not serve a halfway God. Just trust Him."

We were both a bit quiet after that. I had never heard that said before nor did I read it anywhere. But there it was. It gave us something to think about. She was very encouraged and I was too-for her.


But after my email confession of not having yet 'arrived'...I needed to walk circumspectly again-take a look around and see what has been done. When I tell you I have removed literally tons of stuff from my home-I am not exaggerating. I am happy with that. I am thrilled with that! (Some of the stuff was very heavy!)

Do I still have more to go? Yes. But I will continue to make progress.

We do not serve a halfway God!

Amazing!!!

He is the Author AND Finisher of our faith.

I know He has led me thus far...and He will continue to work with me all the way until the end!

I can be content in Him, because He will continue to lead me and all will be well if I follow and keep my eyes on Him-The Prize!!!


I don't have to rush. Each day I make progress here at Home-Sweet. I am, each day, working toward blessing the Lord first, then my family, then letting it overflow to others. Each time I do anything, I do it for His glory. I want to shine His light through my marriage, my home and my life.

I can be patient and in that I will possess my soul! He will keep me as I allow His Holy Spirit to guide all that I do and in that He will help me to become like Him. He can see the finished product. His image!

The Father, the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit will do the same for you-He is the Author and Finisher of your faith too!


As God's Word says:
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 3:18


May we be changed into the image of Christ as we are patient and thereby possess our souls as we work to bring God glory in the Home-Sweet Things. x0



Addendum: In adding photos I just want you to know I was playing with my photoshop to see what they would look like in different colors. Promising not to make the photos too boring in the future!

A Long Tempering Process...

Many times I've been near the point of getting on to post and have been sidetracked with some pressing need and the posting thought got away from me.

I've been messing around on here this evening to force myself to get back on and get back in the swing of posting. I took off the music after finding that there was something on the list that I did not quite remember putting on there. Alas, I just could not get it to work, so I've dumped it all for a bit.

I will not bore you with the details of the past year that I've been away. I will let you know it's been busy, full of trials and tests. Many days I've been exhausted and our tents here have definitely been enlarged.

I believe we have been put through a sort of 'tempering' process. No matter which piece of the definition you choose to give it, each one has passed through our home this year. I asked the Lord what was going on and 'tempering' is what it seems was His answer. So, it was a year of 'working in' and 'working out'; 'heating' and 'cooling' in order to strengthen and toughen us; we've also been softened and worn down; my favorite is this one: to moisten, mix, and work up into proper consistency, as clay or mortar. THAT IS THE TICKET! Since the Lord is the Potter...and we are the clay...He has every right to moisten, mix and work us up into whatever He desires!

I only pray we are learning how to be the vessels He is fashioning us into. I have so many areas that need a total mixing and working! I know He will not leave His task and He will transform me into the likeness of His Son-my Lord, Jesus Christ.

There is much pain involved in dying to yourself. I will leave it at that. But as I learn to yield to the mixing and working up...the pain is minimal. It is as I kick against the goads...the pain is increased. Oh that I would learn to become pliable in my Lord's Hands!

And so, without so many details, that has been this year, since January, in a nutshell. I do pray that it ends better than it began and that the new year proves me wiser for having gone through it all.

God Be Praised That We Can Survive His Tempering Process And Be Filled With His Sweet Fragrance To Pour Out And Bless Him And Others As We Daily Go About Our Home-Sweet Things! x0