Making Things Easier

There will be no more posts to this blog.

Enjoy the archives.

Visit my new website:

The Nature In Us

Seeking Peace

In the wilderness we return to reason and faith. -- Emerson

Hello Fellow Sojourners!

Do you ever feel like you're spinning around trying to get into what you want in life and it just stays locked shut?

This isn't what I call a great photo, but it illustrates how we are sometimes determined to have our own way ... when God's got another place for us to feed.

This squirrel on our squirrel-proof feeder had a very frustrating time. View the photo album of this story in pictures.

We'll soon be visiting with business associates in Chattanooga. That's the news for IRS since it's a tax-deductible trip. The great thing is that they are also friends. It's not only wonderful to own your own business, but to have business partners that are friends, is truly great.

On Labor Day I'll be 57. I was raised by my grandparents, but I knew my mother (their daughter) as Jean. She died yesterday. She was like a sister to me since we were both raised by the same parents .. and neither of us had siblings while growing up. My visits with her were always fun since we enjoyed many of the same things.

I guess birthdays and deaths make you reflect a lot. I've been trying for a very long time to dedicate myself to working more on me to find a way around the rheumatoid arthritis. God's mercy and natural remedies have brought me this far for the past 21 years with the disease, but I've sensed the Lord telling me for the past 5 years to switch "careers."

In 1982 I began a home business that God blessed and grew too large for only me, so Randal joined in 1988. I don't seem to be able to separate work and personal time well. I have always been a "do it now" person and enjoy tasks more than taking care of me. Part of my job is to do 17 publications a month (this mailing being 3 of them). That's been my favorite part of work, but I've argued with God enough on this and since this year marks the 25th anniversary of the corporation, it seems quite an appropriate year to let go.

Why does it take us so long? God's patience is unending .. but we miss out on the better that He has for us in delaying. I don't know what all that "better" will be, but I am excited to finally take the turn off the expressway to arrive where ever He is leading.

You can stay in touch with what's going on in my life via my blog, The Nature In Us. Since God, natural health, nature, photography and pets are all a part of who I am, the blog will be posts of things I find of interest on these topics, along with some personal writing. I already have a few articles written that I will be posting.

I know we are all in this together and as I share what God is challenging me with, there are some of you that are walking the path alongside me. That has put many smiles on my face over the years from your emails.

I'll send out a notice when the entire blog is ready and will add your email to the mailing list so you can determine if you want to remain subscribed. As always it will have an unsubscribe link in each posting.

Bunches of Blessings to You!
Donna

Today's Featured Article

Seeking Peace
by Donna L. Watkins

Catherine Marshall writes, "A king once offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many tried, but there were only two the king really liked. One was of a calm lake. It was a perfect mirror for the peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

The other picture had mountains too. But they were rugged and bare. Above them was an angry sky from which fell rain, and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountains tumbled a waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the king looked closely he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in spite of the rush of angry water, she sat on her nest - in perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize? The king chose the second picture. Why? 'Because,' explained the king, 'Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. Peace means to be in the middle of all these things and still be calm in your heart.'"

Do we pass through each day with a calm heart? Peace is not in the absence of troubles, but in the promise of God's presence in your moments. In Him we can trust and rest like the bird on the nest, knowing that all will be well while the angry world around us keeps flowing.

How about a calm mind? That's my downfall! The power of the mind and thoughts rule the day. Our moods, attitudes and behavior are all determined by what we choose to think about.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Are you a peacemaker? Generally we think of that as mending relationships and responding to anger with a soft answer, and forgiving offenses. But what about the battle in the mind? Are you a peacemaker there? Do you win the daily battle with the mind? It will determine your peace, joy and state of health.

Matthew 5:23-24 says, "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny."

Let's take that Scripture inward. Do you settle matters quickly with your negative and condemning thoughts against yourself? Do it "on the way" not later. You can't allow a bad attacking thought to run free rein. It will literally take you into a prison of depression and misery.

Settle it quickly! Because if you don't, your life and health will suffer. In reading "you will not get out until you have paid the last penny" reminds me of how much money we spend trying to find health when so many times, it's found within the strongholds of our mind. The entrenchments we've made with continuous attacks against ourselves and others eat away at our bodies.

If you want some direction, "A More Excellent Way" is a book that relates emotional thoughts and beliefs to specific diseases. There is a ministry that deals with health problems in this manner: Pleasant Valley Church in Thomaston, GA.

Bottom line is to get off your back! The world is tough enough without us condemning ourselves for past failures and not so perfect life choices, but why continue to make the same choice that you're already condemning? Isn't it time to make today the first day of peace and joy by letting the past go. You can't change it, but if you let go of it, God can make it all good if you trust in Him.

Archived Articles Here

Share "A Healing Moment" With a Friend

On the blog: http://www.theherbsplace.com/AHMblog/ahm.html
On the website: http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html

Quick Links to The Herbs Place
(Nature's Sunshine Products)

Current Specials
Online Catalog
Women
Men
Children
Pet Health Topics
Essential Oils
Natria Beauty Products
Non-toxic Laundry and Cleaning
Products A-Z
Home Business

More Complimentary Email Newsletters

The Herbs Place offers several newsletters with topics such as natural health, essential oils, pets, nature, and frugal living. More about newsletters.

Copyright and Reprint Information
© 1999-2007 Donna L. Watkins

All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and link:

This article originally published in "A Healing Moment" was reprinted with permission. The Herbs Place provides a free email subscription to "A Healing Moment." Visit the author's website for more articles and other free newsletters available. http://www.theherbsplace.com/ahm.html