On our way home . . .

 

(source)

On our way home . . . we are more often than not led along the strangest ways. Unexpected turnings often take us back to days long gone and in the past. Suddenly we've gone astray, even though the track we chose to take seemed straight . . . and we find we've stumbled upon the road of the forgotten years.

It could be the snatch of a song heard on the wind when passing down a narrow street . . . or we may come across a poem, some long ago memorised lines . . . foolish but sweet . . .

Sometimes the bells which ring out loud and clear on Sunday mornings can be the impetus that takes us on that backwards journey . . . or Toby jugs, or blue willow plates . . .

 

(source)

Door knockers . . . made of brass and shining, laid out against an old wooden door, painted black . . . Hollyhocks which grow against a brick garden wall . . . small wicker gates . . . the creak and snap of a screen door . . .

These things are the stuff that memories are made of . . . a tiny glimpse and the doorway opens wide and we are taken back as our thoughts fly to distant days already lived . . . down the long, long lane of all the dreams that never die . . . the way home for a weary heart.

 

(source)

The way home to peace and rest at the journey's end . . . the good things and the best. Looking back we see it was the hardship, not the ease . . . that taught us most of our life's philosophy. the hurts, the stabs, the stings . . . the things that brought us to our knees, bringing us wisdom from calamity.

A glance behind us and we can clearly see that it was failure . . . not success, which goaded us to fight against despair. Looking back . . . we see that it was pain, not happiness, which led us . . . groping and hoping . . . to knees bent down and hands folded in prayer, and each year it is the same, our lives a mix of pain and pleasure. 

 

(source)

Was it worth it . . . ahhh . . . yes it was . . . yes it was.

Just my thoughts as the year winds down and we stand on the precipice of a brand new page, clean and fresh and ready for us to write upon. 

 

My Christmas grocery order came yesterday morning, nothing was substituted (thank goodness) but I had ordered two small single trifles just so Todd and I could have a taste and they were out of stock. I did get this tin of choccies for us.  It is the cutest tin, only 8 inches across and about 4 inches deep. Designed by Olivia Burton for Cadbury's.  It would make the cutest sewing tin.  A few years ago I started creating sewing tins to sell and got side tracked. I think I might take it up again. We'll see.  

Had a joy-filled facetime with our Doug and his family yesterday. The boys are filled to overflowing with Christmas excitement!  It was simply lovely.  I am so grateful that our Doug is still with us. Things could have ended so differently.  Praise God for tender mercies.

So anyways, everything is all in for Christmas now, just the turkey which will arrive today.  It wasn't supposed to until tomorrow, but for some reason they want to deliver it today. They are worried about highway chaos I guess and it is coming from Devon.  Anyways, I will be at church and they know that, so I have given a safe spot for it to be delivered to if I am not back in time. 

I am looking forward to church this morning, it will be a special Christmas service centred on the Saviour. I always love the Christmas service.  There is always a really tender spirit in attendance.

A thought to carry with you  . . . 

 ° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *If you won't let the past die

then it won't let you live.

~Unknown•。★★ 。* 。 

 

In The English Kitchen today, could this be a contender for Christmas Dinner Dessert?  Or maybe Christmas Eve?  Possibly.  Gingerbread Roll.  Its delicious, tender and fragrant, nicely spiced with a lush lemon cream filling.  Soooooo good! 

Have a wonderfully blessed Sunday!  Don't forget! 

═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════ ⊰✿░G░O░D⊰✿⊰L░O░V░E░S⊰✿⊰░Y░O░U░⊰✿
═══════════ ღೋƸ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒღೋ ═══════════

And I do too!