It’s always fun to watch the trees change and see the collection of different fall flowers and decorations come out in people’s homes.

There’s one tree across the road from my home that I keep an eye on, and find myself smiling when it starts to change to fall colors. Just like I watch it to observe it blooming into brilliant green in the Spring.

The simple things of life bring me pleasure.

Sometimes I wonder why it took me so long to surrender to God’s leading me to live a simple life. I know that the definition of a simple life is different for everyone, but in my heart it is keeping to the basics, not looking for more all the time, not wanting to make myself something the world has tempted me with, something, someone I am not. It meant not living up to the standards of anyone but God, and not to focus purely on the world’s traditions and rules, but to focus on God’s Word.

Four years ago tomorrow, 9-30-22, I moved into my current home. A small apartment, shared with an aging cat, a place I consider a gift from God. A place I remember when it was first built over twenty years ago, that I said: “I sure would like to live there when I retire.”

I wasn’t pressing to move in here. I’d put in an application, and four years later got a call that they finally had an opening. This place is one that people rarely move away from. And I got in. The moving part wasn’t easy. That took a lot of thinking, planning, and lots of prayer. But in it all was a surety that this was a gift from God and I’d make it in.

And here I am.

A simple place, a simple life, a simple faith of peace and joy.

Years of learning to trust God, to surrender my independent nature, and a passion to learn God’s Word brought me to the life my Lord had for me.

This is my life. I’m sure yours has its differences. We were made different to minister to others in different ways. At this point in my life, testimonies of His work in my life are the way I have to show just how deep and far-reaching God’s love is.

Trust in that.

Blessings. – Vicki