Hello, again.

Isn’t it funny – how different things in life start and stop and start again.

I took a walk thru my yard just now. And do you know what I found? My yellow roses budding, my peonies pushing up, my hydrangea showing its intentions! Ridiculous. It can’t be that time yet.

My sister started a new business not long ago and it is going gang-busters. I’ll probably tell you more about it soon. Amazing. Fantastic.

I have friends in heart-breaking endings. Others in joy-filled beginnings. Mostly I don’t know what to think, let alone ask “Why?” Thoughts of treatments beginning with the best of hopes, funeral processions moving at an unbearable pace, sweetest baby showers, wedding vows. awe-filled shock and wonder alternating.

We started attending a new church last year and love helping lead worship there. Michael even sang with me last week. Typically he’s a “yes” to guitar playing and a “no” to singing into a microphone. Wild. Happy.

I’ve been homeschooling for over fifteen years. Emily is graduating from Chattanooga State in a few weeks. And Isaac graduates from high school in May. Surreal. Unbelievable.

Different physical and emotional limitations have complicated life for the last few years. No space for in my heart for things I love – like taking photos or writing. But here I am, talking to you about it. Unexpected. Mind-boggling.

And what about this new job I’ve just begun, using all the creativity that’s jostling around in my body. Feels like home – like I’ve been at it for years, maybe longer, in the happiest of senses – yet it’s only been a few months. Unimaginable. Almost Breathtaking.

Even though we walk through seasons and cycles of death and life, grey barren landscapes turn to bright green buds on trees and the sun goes up and down; but I’m still surprised at it all, beautiful or otherwise, not to mention the ebb and flow of my own life. Gobb-smacked. Stunned.

I recently participated in a Bible Study on Ecclesiastes with my Bible Study Gals. It was actually wonderful. Do you know what I learned that completely caught me off guard when it should not have? My times are in His hands.

To everything there is a season. Even though the writer questions so much, The Teacher promises in Ecclesiastes that every inch of humanity is in the hands of the creator. Every moment is full of His purposes.

Rest easy, friends. His plan is good. Try not to look surprised.