They say as you get older time flies by faster. As much as I don’t like to admit I am older, there is truth in that old adage. For the sake of this February recap post, I am going to blame how quickly the month of February flew by on the fact that it is a short month. Let’s stick together on this!
February, typically, is one of my favorite months. The jury is still out whether that is true this year. Let’s take a stroll back through February and see what I am learning, loving and living.
February is a month that I reflect on what was, is and will be. I am past the feeling of beginning again with January and ready to go deeper. With that thought, I am learning …
When you turn a another year older, it is God’s way of giving you a priceless gift. As I celebrated another birthday, I remember I am loved, cherished by family and friends and given the sweet gift of time to share all the love with others.
That writing about purpose gives you a chance to reflect on where you are in your own life. Purpose is God-driven, God-ordained and lifeless without God.
I am not a winter-lover at heart. My body, mind, and heart love the change of seasons, and as I grow older, I yearn for Spring, Summer and Fall.
I am loving…
Books and more books! Here are a few that I am reading or finished during February.
The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay. I like fiction and non-fiction books equally but for different reasons. I fell in love with books by Katherine Reay when I read her book, Dear. Mr. Knightley, several years ago. If you love all things about Jane Austen and her cast of characters, step into the world Katherine has created.
Invitations to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton. My dear blogging friend, Linda Stoll, started a book club at the beginning of February and we are reading this book. I love how it is perfect for me at this time in my life. Click HERE to head over to Linda’s and learn more about the book club.
A Place to Land by Kate Motaung. I have been anxiously waiting for this book to publish for the last several years. This memoir from Kate takes you on a journey between the United States and South Africa. It chronicles Kate’s experiences of seeking home in the middle of her parents’ divorce, her mom’s battle with cancer and the challenge of seeking home on two different continents. It will hit bookstores on April 2. I am honored to be on the launch team and cannot wait for all of you to read it too. You can pre-order your copy today.
My grand puppy Belle!
I am living …
With hope that even in a hurting world, our children will grow into who God created them to be. Our lives will have challenges but God will ultimately prevail. A hope that surpasses all understanding as we reach beyond what the world says and reach for the truth of who God is. My teacher heart is hurting over the senseless school violence. I needed to process it so I wrote about it here, Are We Bleeding Out?
Knowing that my purpose comes from God and each day I begin again by letting go and trusting the future to Him. One of my new favorite podcasts is The Next Right Thing by Emily P. Freeman. In Episode 24 she references a book called, What Now? by Ann Patchett. She shares these words from the book:
What now? is not just a panic-stricken question tossed out into a dark unknown… It acknowledges that our future is open, that we may well do more than anyone expected of us, that at every point in our development we are still striving to grow.
I think that’s the perfect period to my series on purpose. Click HERE to check out the whole series.
[Tweet “Take a stroll with me through the month of February and see what I’m learning, loving and living.”]
No matter whether you love Winter or Spring, February is a month that many times is just a small blip on the calendar. It always seems to race by and we wake up one day and realize it’s March. February taught me how much I need sunshine to get me through. It also continues to teach me that no matter what I am faced with, joy or sorrow, challenges or achievements, good days or bad days, God is always present and He cares deeply about everything I feel and experience. No one will ever care more about things than your Father.
May you find reason to celebrate each day anew as you hold onto the hope of greater things to come.
Blessings and here’s to the arrival of Spring!
Enjoy some of my favorite February photos scattered throughout this post.
Affiliate links are included for each of the books in this post. If you use my link to order from Amazon, I receive a small compensation which helps me to keep my blog up and running. Thank you!
You may find me linking with these blogs this week.
It’s so fun to read these kinds of posts. I always feel I learn a bit more about the people behind the screens. Kate’s book is amazing isn’t it?
It is a treat, isn’t it? For writers, it’s a time to step out a bit from the usual and give a peek at the behind the scenes. Glad you stopped by.
Mary, I always enjoy your posts. I appreciated each segment you shared, but what really spoke to my heart today was this:
“With hope that even in a hurting world, our children will grow into who God created them to be. Our lives will have challenges but God will ultimately prevail.”
Yeah, it’s been a roller coaster week in my family. And, I’m still trying to catch my breath. I am thankful our God is a God of hope. That He does work in the hearts of our children (I REALLY needed that reminder tonight!), and that He prevails. Through trauma, heartache, and everything else.
Sending you a hug, friend.
As a mom and teacher my heart hurts for children who do not have the opportunity to develop in who they were created to be no matter what the reason. I cannot get the Florida school shooting out of my head. We live in such a broken world.
I’m praying for you and your family. The roller coasters of life are not always fun and are definitely challenging. You have amazing sons and kids grow up and challenge their parents. But God is our hope and He will always prevail.
Mary,
Enjoyed your musings….February did fly by and I look around here and the daffodils are blooming. One thing I do miss dearly between my work and writing is being able to read. I wish I could find the time to hole up with a good book and just check out for awhile on some good reads. Love your new little grandpuppy Belle…what a sweetie.
Blessings,
Bev xx
I see the daffodil stems peeking out of the ground but no flowers yet. I also have spied buds on the trees. It makes me so happy. I hope you find a way to steal some reading time. I tend to pick up my fiction to read at night before I fall asleep. It’s a nice treat to end my day. The puppy is a cutie and my son and DIL are smitten. Thank you for being here and Happy March!
Yes, yeah to Spring! February tends to be my least favourite month! Even though it is short, it can seem long to me. I was definitely hit with quite a few challenges this February but, yes, God is always with us in every experience! The Austen escape sounds like it would make a great women’s book club pick. I’ll definitely be keeping it in mind for my group of ladies. Thanks Mary!
It’s always been my favorite because it’s my birthday month but recently the tide is shifting. I imagine, now looking back, you are glad February is over. I pray the challenges left along with the month. You will have to let me know if you end up reading The Austen Escape or any of the books by Katherine Reay. Have a good week!
I love these monthly musings of what you’re learning, loving, and living, Mary. I’m experiencing, too, that the older I get, the more time seems to fly by. And I’m so with you in looonging for spring with its warmer weather and new life! I love Linda’s open house, too. Even though I’m not reading the book, I’m gleaning a lot of golden nuggets from her posts and all the comments. 🙂 As always, your nature photos refresh my spirit! Belle looks so adorable! 🙂 Thank you for the encouragement, too, that whatever the season we’re going through, God is always present and cares deeply about what we feel and experience. Love and hugs to you!
We have had several days this week that have brought a glimpse of spring and it brings about a desire for it to stay. Of course as soon as you being to enjoy it the colder weather creeps back in. We both enjoy nature photos. Your brother is talented. Belle is a cutie and my son and DIL are having so much fun with her. Thank you for taking time to stop by and join in the conversation.
I really love these end-of-the-month posts, except that they signal the end of the month -ha! Yes, I’m sticking with you on the short month theory, Mary. Time was created by God so there must be a blessing in it. But I’m convinced we allow the enemy to use it to his advantage far too often. Perhaps finding the blessing is the key to slowing it down!
You’ve mentioned Katherine Reay before and I really need to add her to my “want to read” list. Sounds like we share a common taste in fiction. And non-fiction, too, as I am also enjoying Linda’s book club!
We’ve had a couple of sunny days here but are now back to the cloudy, wet days. Praying this means an abundance of Texas wildflowers are just around the corner!
Thanks so much for sharing all these lovelies, my friend! Blessings on your week!
There is a blessing in time and we all know February flies by because it is only 28 days. I’m glad to know you are enjoying being part of Linda’s book club. I love how God brings me books to read at the exact time I need them. Invitations to Solitude and Silence is one of those books.
I pray the flowers pop up and bloom soon. I imagine the wildflowers are quite the sight. Blessings as you finish your week!
I agree, February has flown by! I read someone else’s reflection post yesterday and I couldn’t believe it was that time already. We’re reading similar books. I am also enjoying Invitation to Silence and Solitude and loving being part of the launch team for A Place To Land. I haven’t read The Austen Escape but I enjoyed Dear Mr Knightley so I’m sure I would like it too.
February is always one of those months that you look up one day and it is over. I’m glad you are reading some of the same books as me. Kate’s book was such a treat to read. I finished it because I couldn’t put it down Enjoy your reading and the rest of your week.
Dear Mary,
I am longing for spring-time sunshine also, and today’s glimpse of the sun is sure increasing my spring fever! But thank you for your thoughts here today, reminding us that God is with us through every season, dwelling with us in the here-and-now moments of our every day! I’m heading over to put “The Austen Escape” onto my growing wish list now. It sounds wonderful. Blessings to you!
I was so excited to see bright sunshine and warmer temps this past Monday and Tuesday. Of course, that did not last as the rain came back and the temperature dropped. It is so good for me to know God is always present and to have that reminder daily. I hope you have a chance to read any of Katherine Reay’s books. I have loved them all.
Mary … wow! Thanks so much for bringing your tribe over to the book open house. Your wise input has been valuable and insightful as we’ve talked over the chapters.
Bless you …
Absolutely! I love “Invitations to Solitude and Silence”. It came at just the right time. Glad to be part of the book open house. I learn a lot from the discussion.
I’m definitely sticking with you on the short month/ time evaporates theory. Yes, this is definitely a thing.
And I’m a bit envious of all the readers who are doing Ruth Haley Barton’s book with Linda. I’ve been trying to read her posts to keep a bit in touch with it, but wasn’t able to commit to the book, and I’m really feeling as if I’m missing a good thing.
Blessings to you, Mary!
Oh, please come by anyway, Michele! A number of people aren’t reading but are chatting anyway and I’d love your input. The welcome mat is out!
;-}
Good to know we both are on the same page. February is just a short month. 😉 Definitely stop by and absorb the great conversation about Ruth Haley Barton’s book. I am blessed that this book came along just when it did. You will appreciate Linda’s insight and perfect quotes that she pulls from the book. Thank you for being here. You always make me smile.
I LOVE the Next Right Thing podcast, Mary! It is so life-giving, and that episode you mentioned really helped me regarding a decision in front of us. I was so curious about that Ann Patchet book. Love seeing your favorites. I’ve been curious about Dear Mr. Knightley for a long time. (I’m an Austen fan for sure.)
I’m so glad to hear you love The Next Right Thing. Emily packs each episode with such goodness that I actually downloaded the transcript to get the quote from Ann Patchett for my post. If you find time to fit in some reading for fun, I recommend Katherine Reay’s books. I also love Kate Motaung’s book that is coming out, A Place to Land. It is a beautiful memoir.
Your musings just get better Mary. I’m still trying to get one up for January. HA!
I don’t like the cold either and this February is going to be a record setting rainy Feb for us. I do like the laziness of February of being in the house and not worrying about mowing all this acreage, flower beds, etc.. Yes, it is just a blip. It seems life is blipping by and this weekend is March and we get to celebrate 1 year birthdays for our twin grandsons and granddaughter.
You are busy with all your grandchildren so stopping to do a recap post is not needed. You are living it, Debbie! I know about rainy Februarys.This past weekend alone probably brought us about 4 inches of rain. I pray you enjoy those grandkids and celebrate the beautiful gift of them with their birthday parties.
Thank you Mary for reminding me I’m living it. I am blessed to get to do all of this and live near those babies.
The rain is continuing and storms tonight. I think Spring has arrived for sure.
Sure! I love watching how intentional you are in spending time with your family.