Ever After

Photograph taken on Valentia Island, Ireland, Lisa Lyons

Let’s pretend that all is well

and just go back in time

Let’s find the place where hours glowed

and laughter always chimed

There is no perfect time, she said

No matter how you sigh

There always is a time of tears

Intermingled with the cheers

This life we lead is full of joy, of sadness, and of wonder

The way to peace is accepting all, and finding the Creator

The One true God, His name is Jesus, and life eternal after

He is the Way, the Truth, the Life

He is our Ever After

c2022 Lisa Lyons

Peace

Gleniff Horseshoe, County Sligo, Ireland, 2015.

“When everything seems to be against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

“A quiet conscience makes one strong.” – Anne Frank

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” – Isaiah 26:3

“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. – Isaiah 54:10

On Earth As It Is In Heaven

Gazing out at the sea from an old church window, County Kerry, Ireland, 2009 Ed Lyons.

What will happen? How will things turn out? Can I fix it? What can I do?

This morning, Christ is impressing on my mind one thought. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Pray, pray, and pray more. Let Him work out the outcome according to His perfect will. Let it be on earth as it is in Heaven, Lord, I pray.

Love, Lisa

A Stone at a Time, or How Not to Plow a Field

My favorite castle in Ireland, Ballycarbery, was built one stone at a time. They did the work. Photo: Ed Lyons, 2009

Worries. Anxiety. Circular thoughts that go nowhere. When these things hit me, I head outside to the garden. Pick the beans, discard the bad leaves, plant fall spinach, kale and carrot seeds. Water. Just doing the work in God’s good earth quiets my mind every time.

As I dig my hands into the dirt, I am thinking of some of my favorite quotes about work.

“You’ll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.” – Irish proverb

“Castles were built a stone at a time.” – Irish proverb

“Pick the potatoes yourself, Joseph; you ambitious boy.” – Far and Away, film 1992, directed by Ron Howard

So now, instead of snapping and freezing the green beans, which I was going to do, I am writing this. But that’s ok. Work is work, no matter what kind of work it is. It keeps the hands busy, the mind active on positive things.

Which reminds me of another good quote I heard a lot growing up: “Idle hands are the Devil’s playthings.”

The Enemy likes nothing better than for me to be idle, to be aimless, to worry, to fret. It breeds fear and anxiety. It is not good.

So now I will snap the beans. I am grateful. I am feeling productive. God will take care of the rest.

Love to you, Lisa