Esta, my dad's sweet wife of almost a year now (and we're growing to love her more each day) and I were talking when I noticed a book on her shelf. I asked her about it and she said, "Oh, my sister gave that to me years ago. You're welcome to borrow it."
I picked it up and started reading… The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden. And it's just what I needed right now as I'm writing the second book in the Belmont series.
It's a facsimile reproduction of a naturalist's diary for the year 1906. It's Edith Holden's words, in her own writing, with her own drawings. Beautiful. Such a treasure!
Esta encouraged me to borrow her copy from her sister, but I just couldn't. Her sister (who died of breast cancer some years back) had given it to her. Plus, I like to keep the books I use for historical research because I tend to refer to them again and again. So… I hopped on Amazon and found a copy within two minutes!
I love when things like that happen with this book. Yet, I wouldn't call those times happenstances. I think God sends encouragements in so many shapes and sizes. Some are big. Some are small. Some pass us by without us giving them a parting glance. But I'm really trying to be more aware of these occurrences. And it's amazing––once you start looking––how many there are. God is so lavish with his gifts and grace! Just like his love.
And now to make certain you start your day with a chuckle… I love a baby's laughter!
Have you had something happen recently where you knew without a doubt that it was gift from above? I'd love to hear about it!
Blessings, friends,
Tammy
P.S. If you haven't seen the trailer for To Whisper Her Name, the first Belle Meade Plantation novel releasing this fall, I invite you to!
With every book I've written for publication, I've run into a person at random (ha!) who has been an invaluable resource for research on that particular subject or time period. It's been quite amazing, each one a gift from the Lord. As I get ready to start a new story, I'm excited to see who the Lord will bring my way this time!
ReplyDeleteThat book looks wonderful. What a find!
Tamera Alexander. =)
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post, thank you. I enjoyed reading about your sweet Esta.. and would you look at those pictures!
Well, I often find just what I need to hear, through Scriptures and messages. I don't know about anyone else?
Thanks for the video, I just LOVE babies...so cute!
That was Ganise, sorry!
ReplyDeleteHave a good day! =)
Love hearing that, Anne! God is so faithful to give us what we need WHEN we need it (His timing, not ours), even in the "small stuff." Praying for the words to flow for you today!
ReplyDeleteAnd so true, Ganise. I'll be reading along and something from HIs Word will jump out at me, speaking to me in ways I hadn't realized I needed to hear until that very moment. Again, his faithful hand! Blessings on your day!
Love, love, love stories like that!
ReplyDeleteHi Tamara, great post! :)
ReplyDeleteI have many, many stories of where I knew right off that it was a gift from above... here's one example:
This year we needed to put in a front fence. I'm a single mum with 4 children and fences are rather expensive. I dearly wanted a picket fence, almost the dearest option of all. I spoke to my Grandma, who has a historical chapel that she helped restore, I noticed that it had a wooden picket fence and asked how much it cost so I could get a rough idea of how much money I would be looking at. "Oh," she said, "it was all donated. So it was free. See if you can beat that." Can I? I thought. I pondered on it for a few days. One morning I decided I would ask God for a fence. After all he owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and they have fences. ;) Well, within an hour my builder rang me. He'd spoken to his wife, who is the matron of our local hospital, and she'd spoken to our flood recovery lady (our area was devastated by flooding last year, but I was unaware we even had someone appointed as a flood recovery person). Anyway, she been in contact with a local who had a FREE PICKET FENCE, available in a 'first in, best dressed' manner. So I rang him and organised to pick it up. 3 hrs later I not only had all the pickets loaded but also a whole trailer load of kindling for my wood heater.
And the best bit? Not only are the pickets lovely... they were already painted in the EXACT shade I wanted. :) Oh yes, my God is awesome! :)
Me too, Cara. Me too...
ReplyDeleteAnd Lucy!! WHAT a great testament to God's tender care and encouragement to us. Love it! Sometimes we don't have because we don't ask, huh? Good for you for asking in faith! And that the paint matched... I can well imagine God smiling as those pickets were originally painted, knowing all along they were intended for you!
You gals bless me so much! Thanks for sharing your walk with me.
That's great that you received that God nudge at just the right time to further your research, Tammy. Nice the book was available and you could get it fast. It's special when we pray and get HIS answer without realizing often times, how it comes....
ReplyDeleteLove it!
Diane
So true, Diane. And the times like this when he gives so quickly (without me consciously asking) and so "exactly," help me when––at other times––his answer comes far more slowly. Or maybe not at all in the way I'd hoped. He's still faithful. Either way.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate you all!
For some reason, this brought to mind the time your mother-in-law gave you that book which sat on your shelf for years until you finally read it - and look where it led! Loved hearing how this was just what you needed.
ReplyDeleteThose moments always give me goosebumps.
Baby laughs are beyond adorable! Can't help smiling at that unbridled joy!
I am so encouraged by the posts today. It really is a good thing to remind ourselves of the goodness of God.
ReplyDeleteA couple of weeks ago, I asked God to help me go west to visit my family this summer. So this morning in my devotional was the statement "God is willing to use His power on your behalf". How cool is that? The posts today, are equally encouraging.
I cannot wait to see how it's all going to fall into place.
Cool post today. That book looks absolutely fascinating.
Thanks for the laugh. Love the baby shooting the dogs with the water hose. But my dogs weren't so sure about that laughing baby they couldn't see. They growled through the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteAs for my most recent gift from God, yesterday as I was praying about which passage of scripture to focus on in my weekly Bible study, God led me to Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing . . ." It was exactly what I needed to hear personally as I put the study together. Then this morning, when I'd already drifted toward that anxiousness again, I pulled up Ken Raney's Clash Entertainment verse for the day, and guess what it was? Yep! Philippians 4:6. I just had to laugh, and hopefully I got the message.
Linda, Mary and Teri, loved your shares! And LOL, Teri, on the dogs growling.
ReplyDeleteGreat on how God's Word spoke to you gals too. It's living and active, for sure! And never, ever disappoints.
So grateful for y'all!
OH, Lucy! Your story touched me so deeply! It's a testament to your faith and God's limitless lovingkindness.
ReplyDeleteSo often, God plunks something down in front of me at thrift stores--like the day I stopped writing because I didn't know what my hero in Forevermore was supposed to say. I was stuck. So I went wandering through Goodwill. Lo and behold! There is was: a huge framed farming landscape with the *perfect* Bible verse below it! (And the picture was half price, no less!)
God is in the details. He loves us so much, He creates blessings that have our names written on them long before we have the need... and He delivers them in due course--at the exact moment when we need them most!
Cathy
Hey sweet Tammy! Great post today, and so glad the Lord introduced you to that lovely book (through sweet Esta!)--He always amazes me when He works through others to give us gifts. ~ This wasn't recent, but I wanted to share because it still amazes me how He worked: Two years ago as I was going through a long (and yes, difficult) recovery from my spinal surgeries, there were days that I was VERY low (physically and emotionally)--now looking back, I really think some of the meds I had to take contributed to some of the "down" feelings (combined with empty nest starting at that time*sigh*). But God ALWAYS provided a "lift" for me, because I would always receive a card, flowers, call, etc. with the exact message I needed at that time--it was truly AMAZING! And I knew--without a doubt--it was the Lord. ~ Am so looking forward to your next book, and continued prayers for your writing. Hugs, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteCathy, wish we could go Goodwill shopping together! Would love that. And Patti Jo, love knowing how God met you where you were, lady. I'm so grateful he's healed you and brought you back into fuller health. Those precious kitties need you! And so do we!
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