The peace of the porch.
"Every so often. Go where you can hear a wooden screen door slam shut".
Although I don't know who wrote it, I love the quote above. It's basically telling us to relax and find a space that we can listen to our heart and that 'still small voice' of God whispering to us.
In the fall porches get decorated by nature with colorful autumn leaves swirling around, the smell of fireplaces or back yard bonfires, beautiful sunsets, dogs barking in the distance as the harvest moon rises in the sky, warm blankets wrap us in coziness on a porch swing with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in our hands. The porch...is the perfect setting for fall as we relax from busy summer days, and make even more memories.
September has been a hard month for me since my mom went home to heaven on September 18, 2017. September 1st starts a count down to remembering her final days on this earth. Fall was one of my mom's favorite times of year and God graced us with beautiful September days before she went home. During her final fall, we spent most evenings on the porch at my parents house. My Dad would go to Wendy's and get Frosties and we would sit and watch the world go by eating Frosties, remembering old times, and basking in the final days of my mom's earthly journey. I can still see her on her chair, blanket wrapped around her, savoring every moment on the porch. As the leaves began to change...she transitioned to her heavenly home. We transitioned to life without a mother and for my Dad, life without his wife of almost 60 years.
I am always reminded in September as the autumn colors begin to light up the Midwest, how fast life changes, and to be grateful for every day...every blessing from God. The leaves swirling all around us mimics life on this earth, filled with unknowns, and unexpected gusts of life that can cause us to lose our steady footing...and yet, beneath it all even during those seasons, there is a beauty that comes from God. As beautiful as this autumn season is...it is true, the best is yet to come if we've placed our faith in Jesus Christ. I know that's a bold statement for a magazine, but if there's someone out there whose reading this and they are questioning during a hard season of life, if God loves them and if they can trust that there is a better life waiting; as God's child, the porch swings of heaven will not even compare to anything on earth. The seasons set by the Lord in heaven will be ones without tears, without pain, and filled with joy...with even greater splendor than the brightest colors of autumn.
If we sit quietly on the porch this fall, hearing screen doors slam as we watch the colors change, we can hear that still small voice assuring us that everything will be all right. We can find a peace that will comfort us in our struggles on hard days and remember to be grateful for every good gift from above on days of laughter and sunshine. Knowing we are never alone. In the stillness of the porch, we can find peace and refreshment as the world with all it's business keeps on moving...we find quiet and solitude to listen for that small whisper from God.
In this issue, you'll find those who have listened and made some decisions that were scary, but ended up being amazing for their lives. You'll read some great words from Coach Brenda Wyatt. And of course, along with our encouraging faith based articles, there's pages of inspirational decorating ideas, DIY tips (including two of my porches!), and a few awesome recipes for fall...and did I mention that we have FIVE new candles coming out...The Faith and Family Collection by The 5th Street Candle Company in the middle of September. Fall is blowing in a season of change and before the winter winds blow...I hope your heart is filled with warmth and peace as we approach the Christmas season.
Grab a sweater and find a cozy place on your porch (or favorite chair), brew a cup of hot tea or steaming coffee and enjoy the September/October issue online issue of 'For your Heart and Home'.
Blessings, Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
Although I don't know who wrote it, I love the quote above. It's basically telling us to relax and find a space that we can listen to our heart and that 'still small voice' of God whispering to us.
In the fall porches get decorated by nature with colorful autumn leaves swirling around, the smell of fireplaces or back yard bonfires, beautiful sunsets, dogs barking in the distance as the harvest moon rises in the sky, warm blankets wrap us in coziness on a porch swing with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in our hands. The porch...is the perfect setting for fall as we relax from busy summer days, and make even more memories.
September has been a hard month for me since my mom went home to heaven on September 18, 2017. September 1st starts a count down to remembering her final days on this earth. Fall was one of my mom's favorite times of year and God graced us with beautiful September days before she went home. During her final fall, we spent most evenings on the porch at my parents house. My Dad would go to Wendy's and get Frosties and we would sit and watch the world go by eating Frosties, remembering old times, and basking in the final days of my mom's earthly journey. I can still see her on her chair, blanket wrapped around her, savoring every moment on the porch. As the leaves began to change...she transitioned to her heavenly home. We transitioned to life without a mother and for my Dad, life without his wife of almost 60 years.
I am always reminded in September as the autumn colors begin to light up the Midwest, how fast life changes, and to be grateful for every day...every blessing from God. The leaves swirling all around us mimics life on this earth, filled with unknowns, and unexpected gusts of life that can cause us to lose our steady footing...and yet, beneath it all even during those seasons, there is a beauty that comes from God. As beautiful as this autumn season is...it is true, the best is yet to come if we've placed our faith in Jesus Christ. I know that's a bold statement for a magazine, but if there's someone out there whose reading this and they are questioning during a hard season of life, if God loves them and if they can trust that there is a better life waiting; as God's child, the porch swings of heaven will not even compare to anything on earth. The seasons set by the Lord in heaven will be ones without tears, without pain, and filled with joy...with even greater splendor than the brightest colors of autumn.
If we sit quietly on the porch this fall, hearing screen doors slam as we watch the colors change, we can hear that still small voice assuring us that everything will be all right. We can find a peace that will comfort us in our struggles on hard days and remember to be grateful for every good gift from above on days of laughter and sunshine. Knowing we are never alone. In the stillness of the porch, we can find peace and refreshment as the world with all it's business keeps on moving...we find quiet and solitude to listen for that small whisper from God.
In this issue, you'll find those who have listened and made some decisions that were scary, but ended up being amazing for their lives. You'll read some great words from Coach Brenda Wyatt. And of course, along with our encouraging faith based articles, there's pages of inspirational decorating ideas, DIY tips (including two of my porches!), and a few awesome recipes for fall...and did I mention that we have FIVE new candles coming out...The Faith and Family Collection by The 5th Street Candle Company in the middle of September. Fall is blowing in a season of change and before the winter winds blow...I hope your heart is filled with warmth and peace as we approach the Christmas season.
Grab a sweater and find a cozy place on your porch (or favorite chair), brew a cup of hot tea or steaming coffee and enjoy the September/October issue online issue of 'For your Heart and Home'.
Blessings, Shelly
Publisher
The Notebook Café
Millie McKeever’s Vintage & Home Decor
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