I went missing in action for a while. I think I was overcome by smoke from the sugar shack. Truly. That whole thing was an experience that will probably be repeated (again and again). It is just SO good. Much like having a baby. We forget the pain involved when it’s all over and we actually want to have another after the pain and agony of delivery. It is very time-consuming and I’m not sure my physical health can withstand standing next to a wood fire for 10 hours at a time. I have not felt great the last week and am quite positive the boiling had something to do with it. The second day I had to resort to using a respirator. We boiled for 7 days and got 30 or so bottles.
We have some design issues to contend with this year in planning for next year. Note the canopy that is trashed on the side in photo. I purchased the thing two weeks ago to save me and the fire from rain and two inches of snow destroyed it. ugh.
Life can get a bit messy, cant it?
Which brings me to what is going on in my little pea brain.
We all have to make REALLY HARD decisions some times. I have a friend who is in that process right now. Sometimes our decisions make messes of our lives. And other times, the decisions we make clean up those messes. The rest of the decisions usually fall somewhere in the middle where we have to feel them and ride them and grow with and by them.
And as we stand by others as they contemplate decisions, we want to input and many times try to control their decision.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change. Please, help me accept other’s decisions.
How do we come to the decisions we make? I’m not talking about what to have for dinner. I’m talking about the biggies. The ones that form us into who we are and who we have to live with.
Barnes and Noble is stocked full of books on how to’s and self-help. I have spent years with my nose in books trying to get someONE or someTHING to give me a clue as to who I am supposed to be morally.
Do we know right from wrong innately? Do we need to be taught right from wrong?
Who do we depend on to give us a moral guideline for right and wrong? Our parents? Our political officers?
Do we CARE what is right or wrong? Do we make decisions in the wind and let them fly where they may? Let someone else pick up the pieces?
Seriously, folks. I am asking. What are we doin’ here?
As I navigate these questions that burn holes in my heart, I am inclined to believe that …….do any of us know how to be right and wrong on our own? Where can we go to check our moral decisions? How can we be sure that what we are choosing to do, does not hurt ourselves and others? Does it matter?
Somewhere, there is a definitive guide to moral judgement. Wisdom. God, give. it. to. me. .
Prayer. Grace.
Since I quit drinking, and began to really delve into these questions, I have often said that Barnes and Noble can lay one book on the curb and shut their doors. 100 percent of the answers lie in one book. The Bible. The day that I decided that I cannot trust the decisions that I make and I cannot trust the word of others and that the moral compasses of all of us are spinning round and round wildly, was the day I decided that ANY decision that I make, I will confer with my “self-help” Book first. It is consistent, reliable, true and predictable. I do not have to question the validity. EVER. And for that I am more grateful than I can tell you.
Very, very sorry for my heavy today. My heart is heavy. Heavy. If you are so inclined to pray, please pray for my friend today.
God bless,
Karen
The Shieling 