Introvert Secret No. 102

 

Via

Sometimes your local introvert will turn down out-and-about excitement just so she stay home alone, listen to good music, drink coffee, and munch on chocolate chips.

And she’ll be happier than a clam.

I promise you.

Because that’s what I’m doing right now . . . and it’s heaven.

What does your introvert do?

Growing

 

God, this is a beautiful time and I am so glad to be your daughter.

I know feelings are like waves—undependable, quick to move—but at this time I feel like a patch of fresh daffodils breaking out in the dawn. I feel like a plum tree full of white blossoms; that is, I feel that these growing pains are okay and natural. That I’m at rest and at peace with who I am and Who You are.

When it seems like school will never end; when dreams fall through; when mistakes are made; when the future is unknown I trust in You.

I trust in the God Who counted Abraham’s faith as righteousness, the God Who loved David, the God Who revealed Himself to Saul of Tarsus, the God Who sent His only Son to be the world's Savior.

Learning to watch and sing in the midst of growing pains; learning to delight in the heart of my Savior,

Frannie

Love those cute little guys? Find them here. 

 

I Will Sing

{ This beaut belongs here }

The Definition of a Dearheart

 

What It Takes:

        to be a dearheart. ♥

-  Bearing a high price; high-priced; costly; expensive.

-  Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious.

-  The seat of the affections or sensibilities

-  A term of affectionate or kindly and familiar address.

- A term used by the authoress to describe the most wonderful of people

Laughter
Purity of heart
Gentleness
Joy in the Lord
Contentment
Humor
Strong, willing hands
Trustworthiness
Love
Mercy
A ready smile
Being teachable.
Oh, and it also includes those who are fond of kittens and books.
 

Lots of folks find such enduring words silly and unnecessary. But to me they are perfect for describing my love for others and what I want to be myself.

What’s one of your favorite words?

 { Love that little guy? Find him here! }

Five {Springy} Things Love

n Blossoming flowers

 

m Being able to wear sandals and cute, summer tops

l Watching my cat Pip play in the sun—he’s “the cuteness.” Bonus points to whoever can name that quote!

 

k My mom . . . wait, she’s not necessarily springtime-y. But she is wonderful and so dear!

 

j Sunshine!

What springtime beauty is your favorite?

Murmuring Cottage is the home of all these sweet pictures. |:| Please visit!

 

The Sunday Christian

 

Dear God,

Am I really, truly pure?

I mean, I’m the girl who’s saving herself for marriage, the one who tries to be sweet yet careful around men, the one who you’ve delivered from so many bondages.

But lately, well, my mind just seems to wander.  

I’m so preoccupied with every thought but you. Idols seem to popping up everywhere in my mind; strongholds, though seemingly innocent, are growing stronger and stronger.

You talk about loving you with all my heart, all my strength, and all my mind. All.

It’s so easy to be fake with people. I can smile sweetly and talk church talk all day. No one really sees that deep down inside I’ve let the cup get dirty. No one see the skeletons shaking about in the closet.

Except you.

You see right through me. You see right through the religious, vain talk. You see right through the pretty smile and the aura of piety. You see me: a lonely girl who is desperately resisting her Lord’s leadership.

Lord, let me be real. Help me to open the closet to your powerful, life-giving light. Purge me of the dross which so easily settles within me. Jesus, transform my mind with your word so that I may be authentic and pure of heart and mind.

Wanting to be so much more than a Sunday Christian,

Frannie

 

{Find this quote here!}

A Quiet, Beautiful Day

 

Those days when you see beauty, feel heavy mists, and drink hot cocoa; the kind full of early work and kittens.
 

When the slightest bit of orchestra music and pretty things makes you want to weep.
 

I’m having that kind of beautiful, quiet day.

Frannie
 

{Want to be inspired by beautiful things too? Then visit Whatever is Lovely

 But here, before you go, take a tissue . . . it's just so sweet!}

Dear Husband

 

Dear future, unknown husband,

          Hi.

          . . .

          Please do not love me because of me.

          Why?

Oh, lots of reasons. Mainly, the real me is not enough to sustain your love. I mean, I would love for you to love me because you found me winsome and the sweetest-bit of woman ever. But the truth is I’m not.

I’m not as godly as I’d like to be nor am I as strong as I try to portray.  My looks will change (I expect large crow eyes are in my future) and I’m afraid my winning jokes will one day grow old. I'll talk too much theology and, unless you work a bit of magic on me, my temper will reveal itself a time or two.  As someone once wrote,

“In short, me-ness is incredibly shaky ground for love . . . So while it's natural and normal and good, even, to love certain things about certain people -- it must go deeper than that. It must be a love that doesn't depend on the actions or character or person itself. It must be God's kind of love -- the love that stems solely from who He is, not who we are.”

I want you to know that I purpose to love you not only for who you are (because I’m certain you’re quite wonderful) but because of how God sees you: marvelously made, redeemed, and worthy of unconditional love.

Can’t wait to share jokes and imperfections with you,

          Frannie
 

{P.S. This was based off of a post written by Bailey at The Big House in the Little Woods. Grab a cup o’ whateveryoulike and enjoy her thoughts!}

{P.S.S. This lovely bit of photography can be found at this link!}

My Fear of All Things Babies

Babies. Most females my age love the little bundles; they like to kiss, hug, and jostle about the squirming creature and they enjoy cooing and soothing and holding all the while making it look easy and natural.

I, on the other hand, am different. Much different.

Put a baby in my arms and I become as wide-eyed, stiff, and awkward as can be.

Babies scare me. They’re fragile. Their necks flop about and they are so hard to dress; it took me forever to learn how to button onsies (so many buttons!) and I’m scared stiff to pull their little t-shirts over their little faces.

Back in Alaska I’m known for putting a baby’s diaper on backward.

Toddlers aren’t any better—instead of enjoying the cute faces they make I spend energy worrying about whether or not they’ll choke on a carrot or if it’s time to change the diaper.

Finally, the birth process. Oi. I have ever so many questions about the pregnancy. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is a miraculous event and I believe motherhood in all its stages is beautiful.  But what about weight gain, labor, pain and all those doctor visits?

You see, I’ve never had any little people in the house to take care of. When my sister and I babysat she would take care of the babies and I would take care of the cleaning; we made a great team and I relished the chance to avoid those fragile, precious packages.

Last week I had the chance to visit with a friend who recently had her first baby. We talked about little things at first; I was afraid becoming a mom had totally changed her. Then we began to talk about it, the baby and the birth.

“Was it painful?”

“How has your body adjusted?”

“How did you handle all those doctors?”

“Was the umbilical cord . . . creepy?” J Ever since I watched an episode of “I Didn’t Know I was Pregnant” the umbilical cord has resembled something alive from the SciFi channel! Eeek!

It was so good for me to ask real questions and to hear honest answers. It was such relief to know that pregnancy and labor are hard but well worth it. It was such a blessing to see how God carried her through her pregnancy and labor and how the pain is now drifting into the past . . . just like He promised.

So, am I ready to pick up every baby I see?

No.

But am excited to see the little ways God molds and changes my heart and soothes my fears?

Absolutely.

With love,

          Frannie

          The baby about babies

 

Like that baby carriage? Me too! Find it here.

Happiness is Blooming Where You Are

 

To the girl who wishes she were elsewhere,  

Be happy.

Rejoice in the Lord.

 

Because happiness and contentment are not found in having your own home or in owning an assortment of dainty dishes. Joy is not gotten in the collection of books nor is it discovered in soft, feminine clothing. Peace is not even found in the arms of a lover or in darling babies.

 

These things are beautiful and good--worthy of praise--but you will not find true, enduring happiness in them.

 

Joy is found in a thankful heart.

Bloom where you have been planted and rejoice in the care of your Lord.

. . .

 

{Enjoy a peek of this picture at the Murmuring Cottage. I so love my visits there!}