Sunlight through the Fog

Foggy Morning Beauty
Early Morning Beauty

When I took Jordan out early Thursday morning, there was a beautiful mist. Everything was covered in a soft white glow and the glorious super moon was still present in the sky. I was so taken by the sight of it all that I went back in the house for my phone. Snapping photos while enveloped in the mist, I was witness to the magnificent dawn.

My wedding season ended last Saturday and I’m looking forward to no commitments for the next few months. This break will give me the freedom to do whatever I want- a luxury in my mind. I am a worrier by nature (I come by it honestly!) and so it takes an effort for me to let go of thinking too far into the future, i.e. next year’s season, will there be enough events, will there be too many? (oy!)

“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.”
– Leo F. Buscaglia

What do you worry about? (Maybe you’re not a worrier- lucky you!) For as long as I can remember, I hold too much weight on my shoulders. I’m a recovering perfectionist you know, one of God’s most needy children, and it is only through faith that I’m able to work at turning things over. When I saw the sunlight through the fog that morning, it reminded me that God can be the beacon through my worry. The worry is the fog, the sunlight is faith.

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.”
– Henry Ward Beecher

Faith is a deliverance from worry. It is a breath of fresh air, a dark chocolate bar, a new puppy. It reminds me that everything will work out in its time. The one thing I try to remember is that I cannot solve my problems all at once. Honestly, sometimes waiting it out proves more helpful. Rather than force solutions, I pray, turn it over, and let God provide the answers.

This week, for the first time ever, I joined my church women’s group as they made homemade nut rolls (yes, from scratch). They sell them and donate all the profits to charity. This has been going on for AGES but I was always too busy to participate. This year, I wanted to help. I showed up at the chosen time; one of the ladies was making dough, the other was mixing nuts with various ingredients for the filling.

Over the course of the next half hour, other women showed up. I was told to bring a rolling pin and I did. Soon there were several of us rolling. I can’t tell you how therapeutic this was. I rolled dough for a while then I helped spread filling. I think we made at least 30 nut rolls that morning.

When it was all over, one of the ladies made lunch. Delicious scrambled eggs with fried potatoes, Greek salad, feta cheese and pita. My favorite part? A warm from the oven nut roll, cut up in big chunks. Boy was that good.

I told an Orthodox friend later that this experience inspired me. She said ” Treasures In Heaven”. I asked her the meaning of that and she said, “What you do here on earth will bring you treasures in heaven.” To work with these ladies (I was the youngest one there I think), spend time with them, learn from them- it was something sweet. And I’ll tell you. I didn’t worry about a thing when I was rolling dough.

Rolling out the doug
Rolling out the dough
Spreading nuts
Spreading nuts
Just before baking
Just before baking
The finished product!
The finished product!

Looks wonderful, doesn’t it? If you have an opportunity to make treasures in heaven, wow, I encourage you to do so.

To you and your family – have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

For another inspiring story, check out my latest post on the Orthodox Christian Network. Click HERE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's nice to share. Thank you.

8 Replies to “Sunlight through the Fog”

  1. Beecher’s quote was exactly what I needed this morning, Joanne. Your posts are such a beautiful combination of photography, words and hope.
    The pictures of your church ladies baking together remind me of my mother’s group of friends who got together on Wednesday before Thanksgiving and baked fresh pies and rolls to add to the food baskets delivered that afternoon. When we were 12, the daughters could join in, and I still remember the warmth of the kitchen and the women who worked together.
    Wishing you a warm, loving Thanksgiving, Joanne.

    1. There is just something about the baked goods and food that comes from church ladies. I don’t know if it’s the love and care, old recipes, lots of butter (!), or a combination of all those thing. How nice that your mom’s group baked fresh pies and rolls. Love to you Marylin on Thanksgiving. xo

  2. …treasures in heaven….

    Oh my stars. I adore this blog post. I am going to re-read it 3 more times today. You have the magic touch. Weaving beautiful words to tell a story and teach and inspire. By reading your post today, I felt like I was a little girl outside the window looking in on Grace in action.
    For heaven sakes, thanks, a sincere thank you for sharing this moment in goodness.
    Happy, Happy Thanksgiving my friend.
    Love you.

    1. You participated in this lovely post by baking rolls for your neighbors! What a lovely thing to do. In the same week, we both had the experience of rolling dough. I feel like we were there together ;). Happy Thanksgiving to you and Bruce! xo Joanne

  3. Hi Joanne, I couldn’the agree more with Marilyn! Your posts certainly are a beautiful combination of photography ( my mouth is watering looking at those nutrolls), inspiration and hope! I too am a worrier and I also come by it honestly! For as long as I remember, even as a first grader, I carried too much weight on my shoulders. Us worriers have to work hard to stay in the present and allow God to do his work. As you said, sometimes things turn out better than we could have even anticipated(for sure worry won’t change the outcome anyway). What a “beautiful moment” it had to be to see the beacon of God’s presence through the fog! I love your analogy. Thanks for sharing “Treasures on Heaven”! You are certainly someone that does alot of good things here on earth! Happy Thanksgiving to you, your family, and all of your Katherine’s Daughter followers!

    1. Hi Cindy, thank you so much for all your kind words. I am guessing you are the first born like me? 🙂 Isn’t the Treasures on Heaven phase so beautiful? I simply love thinking about service in that perspective. Let’s plan together to not worry as much, ok? Happy Thanksgiving to you and Jim. xo Joanne

  4. I am so happy to hear that you’ll have some down time. Truly, I know we would have been awesome friends if we lived closer. I am all about the therapy in rolling or kneading dough…it feels amazing and full of “puttery” goodness.
    As for worry and fear, I read something last week that truly struck me:

    “Hope is generally regarded as good. Fear (worry) is generally regarded as bad. Hecato of Rhodes says they are the same – both are projections into the future about things we do not control” (from The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday)

    I am a worrier, too…but I’m working on. Perhaps, I’ll make something a little sweet and doughy today

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!
    xoxox

    1. Hi Michelle! I agree- we would be awesome friends! I love the quote you shared about hope and fear- so true! I hope you have time to create something doughy for Thanksgiving or over the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well! xoxo Joanne

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