What a week we’ve had here in the Seattle area with all the snow, freezing rain, ice, wind, downed trees and power outages! Maybe you’re one of the thousands of people without power during our frigid temperatures and wacky weather. I was without power for 24 hours. As the temperatures dipped down to nearly 40 degrees in my house, I bundled up with layers of clothes. I couldn’t leave home either, because a tree blocked my driveway. So, I lit scented candles and crawled in bed under lots of blankets and read while I snuggled with my kitty cats.
Sometimes we can take things for granted like electricity and heat, but it doesn’t take much time to be without them for us to be thankful for those blessings. Another reason to count our blessings every day…especially in the midst of the storms!
Warmly,
Martha
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Monday, September 26, 2011
Changing Seasons
Autumn officially arrived last Friday and what a gorgeous warm sunny day in Seattle it was! Many of us feel rather wistful as we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
Like the changing seasons in nature, God has designed our lives to be seasonal, too. We can approach any change with either apprehension or anticipation. Let’s choose anticipation! Embrace it with open arms and see what God will do in this new period of our life.
I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with memories you’ll cherish for years to come, and that autumn brings with it the joy of family, friendships, new learning experiences, and creativity!
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Love,
Martha
Copyright © 2011 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
Like the changing seasons in nature, God has designed our lives to be seasonal, too. We can approach any change with either apprehension or anticipation. Let’s choose anticipation! Embrace it with open arms and see what God will do in this new period of our life.
I hope you had a wonderful summer filled with memories you’ll cherish for years to come, and that autumn brings with it the joy of family, friendships, new learning experiences, and creativity!
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
Love,
Martha
Copyright © 2011 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Hope For The Future
It’s a brand new year - and it’s brimming with possibilities! I can’t wait to begin a new chapter in our lives as we start this year together.
I wonder what God has in store for us. Sometimes I think it would be helpful to know all the details of what’s ahead, but ahhh… that’s where trust comes in. Perhaps God doesn’t reveal the future to us so that we’ll trust in Him. Since only He knows the future, we have to rely on Him.
Thankfully, God gives us precious promises in the Bible to encourage us. A favorite one I’ve clung to, when I didn’t understand why He allowed certain things to happen in my life, is found in Jeremiah 29:11-14. Maybe it’s been a lifeline for you, too. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
What an incredible promise from the Creator of the universe! The One who knows the future. The One who made you and knows you better than anyone. The One who only wants the best for you - His precious child. With that knowledge, how can we do anything except look towards the future with anticipation and excitement?
God has lovingly given you another year. It’s beautifully wrapped with a big red bow, just waiting for you to open it and explore the exciting possibilities coming up on the horizon as the new year dawns.
Make sure your bases are covered with these basics:
1. Surround yourself with a good support system of friends and/or family. God doesn’t want us to journey through life alone. If you don’t have a support system, join a good bible study group. You’ll not only be spiritually fed and in the company of other like-minded people, but you might just find that best friend you’ve been longing for! Be open to how God might bring a new friend into your life.
2. Take your spiritual temperature regularly. If you’re lukewarm or cold, heat things up by recommitting to regular church attendance, personal prayer time, and reading the Bible. I know you’re busy. But this is too important to put on the back burner. If you want God to actively help you with your daily life, you’ve got to make time for Him. Talk to Him as you go about your day including Him in all the little details, just as if He was right there beside you… because He is!
And remember, we’re always here to cheer you on and give you that extra boost of encouragement.
Even though the waters won’t always be calm throughout the year, if you’ve got a strong faith, an encouraging support system, and the right attitude, you’ll do just fine - no matter what happens. You can do it! I have faith in you!
And most importantly, God will be right there by your side, guiding you every step of the way - if you’ll just let him.
Trust Him. He knows your future and it’s full of hope!
Happy New Year!
Bountiful Blessings,
Martha
Copyright © 2009 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
I wonder what God has in store for us. Sometimes I think it would be helpful to know all the details of what’s ahead, but ahhh… that’s where trust comes in. Perhaps God doesn’t reveal the future to us so that we’ll trust in Him. Since only He knows the future, we have to rely on Him.
Thankfully, God gives us precious promises in the Bible to encourage us. A favorite one I’ve clung to, when I didn’t understand why He allowed certain things to happen in my life, is found in Jeremiah 29:11-14. Maybe it’s been a lifeline for you, too. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
What an incredible promise from the Creator of the universe! The One who knows the future. The One who made you and knows you better than anyone. The One who only wants the best for you - His precious child. With that knowledge, how can we do anything except look towards the future with anticipation and excitement?
God has lovingly given you another year. It’s beautifully wrapped with a big red bow, just waiting for you to open it and explore the exciting possibilities coming up on the horizon as the new year dawns.
Make sure your bases are covered with these basics:
1. Surround yourself with a good support system of friends and/or family. God doesn’t want us to journey through life alone. If you don’t have a support system, join a good bible study group. You’ll not only be spiritually fed and in the company of other like-minded people, but you might just find that best friend you’ve been longing for! Be open to how God might bring a new friend into your life.
2. Take your spiritual temperature regularly. If you’re lukewarm or cold, heat things up by recommitting to regular church attendance, personal prayer time, and reading the Bible. I know you’re busy. But this is too important to put on the back burner. If you want God to actively help you with your daily life, you’ve got to make time for Him. Talk to Him as you go about your day including Him in all the little details, just as if He was right there beside you… because He is!
And remember, we’re always here to cheer you on and give you that extra boost of encouragement.
Even though the waters won’t always be calm throughout the year, if you’ve got a strong faith, an encouraging support system, and the right attitude, you’ll do just fine - no matter what happens. You can do it! I have faith in you!
And most importantly, God will be right there by your side, guiding you every step of the way - if you’ll just let him.
Trust Him. He knows your future and it’s full of hope!
Happy New Year!
Bountiful Blessings,
Martha
Copyright © 2009 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The First Snow
There’s nothing like the giddy surprise of waking up in the morning, looking out the window, and seeing a blanket of freshly fallen snow…especially if it doesn’t snow very often. This week the Seattle area was transformed into a winter wonderland.
Neighborhood kids squealed with delight as their dad pulled them on a sled down the snow-covered sidewalks. I remember how excited my brothers and sisters and I were when we woke up on a snowy morning and found out there was no school. We gleefully spent the day sledding, having snowball fights, making snowmen and snow angels and ice skating. Now, once again, I became like a kid and bundled up in warm clothes to go play in the soft snow.
I marveled at the pristine winter scenery and the beauty of the majestic evergreens. They looked like huge Christmas trees as they stood tall and strong with a blanket of snow beneath them and a dusting of white decorating their boughs.
After a while, my toes started getting really cold, so I headed home and gathered firewood from my woodpile. By the time I got inside, I had rosy cheeks and popsicle toes. So I built a crackling fire in the fireplace, made hot cocoa and popcorn, lit scented candles, and got cozy as I snuggled in the blankets with my warm, furry kitty cats.
That night as I watched big snowflakes float softly to the ground, I stepped outside and enjoyed the silence of gently falling snow. It was so calm and peaceful; and a special glow shined everywhere as the snow reflected the light of the moon. I thought about how every snowflake is unique; and that God creates us uniquely, too, with different gifts and personalities.
This Christmas as you gather with family and friends to celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus, remember to cherish the uniqueness of each person. No matter what your differences are, make sure they know how much you love and appreciate them.
As I reflect on the joyous wonder of the unexpected gift of that wintry day, I’m reminded that God wants us to always have a childlike wonder as we look to him as the source of our joy and peace – like the gently falling snow on that silent holy night when Jesus, our Savior, was born.
Merry Christmas!
In Christ's love,
Martha Hadley
Luke 2:8-14
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Copyright © 2008 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thanks to God...For Everything!
Thanksgiving is a time of year when we gather with family and friends around a table overflowing with food. It’s a time that is centered around food and fellowship. It’s easy to let that take center stage on Thanksgiving Day and say a quick prayer before we dig in to the feast.
But, we also need to make sure that we sincerely thank God for not only providing the food we eat and the gathering of our loved ones, but to thank him for EVERYTHING. And that includes things that we may not normally consider a blessing.
As you count your blessings and thank God for the good things he’s done in your life, make sure you thank him for not just the roses, but the thorns, too!
Sure, thorns hurt, but when we trust in God and his plans for us, it makes it a bit easier to weather those storms that inevitably come. When I look at how God has worked in my life, I see situations that I prayed for and thought I knew what the best outcome of it should be, but God had another plan for me.
I’m thankful for those times when he said, “no” or “wait” to my prayers. Of course, I’m also thankful for the times he said “yes” and the incredible blessings he’s given me!
But, when we truly thank him for both the joys and the sorrows, he gives us that peace that passes all understanding… and isn’t that really more important than any kind of blessing he can give us?
This Thanksgiving, I pray that God showers you and your family with his love and grace… and peace.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bountiful Blessings,
Martha
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Copyright © 2008 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
But, we also need to make sure that we sincerely thank God for not only providing the food we eat and the gathering of our loved ones, but to thank him for EVERYTHING. And that includes things that we may not normally consider a blessing.
As you count your blessings and thank God for the good things he’s done in your life, make sure you thank him for not just the roses, but the thorns, too!
Sure, thorns hurt, but when we trust in God and his plans for us, it makes it a bit easier to weather those storms that inevitably come. When I look at how God has worked in my life, I see situations that I prayed for and thought I knew what the best outcome of it should be, but God had another plan for me.
I’m thankful for those times when he said, “no” or “wait” to my prayers. Of course, I’m also thankful for the times he said “yes” and the incredible blessings he’s given me!
But, when we truly thank him for both the joys and the sorrows, he gives us that peace that passes all understanding… and isn’t that really more important than any kind of blessing he can give us?
This Thanksgiving, I pray that God showers you and your family with his love and grace… and peace.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Bountiful Blessings,
Martha
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Copyright © 2008 Martha Hadley. All rights reserved.
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