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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Pantry Chronicles

Like sand in a beach pail, tiny grains of sugar softly collect, filling the canister.

This particular morning is not unlike many before. I’m a southern girl and, as such, have my priorities rightly placed.

      God, family, sweet tea.

However, this day I’m unimpressed with the empty status of my sugar bowl. There is no “sweet” in tea without sugar – and, well, any good southerner knows that the “tea” without the “sweet” is – so very unfortunate.

Enter my ten pound bag of sugar. As these shiny, white grains tumble into pillowy sugar dunes within my canister – I notice it.

An invisible dusting of sweetness permeates the air. An unexpected taste of confection on my lips. Unseen, yet evident.

Pantry Chronicles

As the air around me held this loveliness, I considered how much I long to be like this unassuming sack of sugar. Poured out. Not a trace of myself lingering in the spaces of this life, only a pervasive essence of sweetness—of grace, gentleness, love.

A sympathetic word, patient forgiveness, a warm shoulder. Quiet, airborne sweetness, rooted in the unseen, but carried…evidenced by grace.

Just like this obscure, candied dust fell on my lips that morning—I want a life that scatters sprinklings of softness—that rest on the hearts of those around me.

More of You, Lord, less of me. May it ever be so. flower

 

“You should clothe yourselves…with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” (I Peter 3:3 NLT)

 

(Originally written for Faithwriters on September 18, 2014.  To view it as it appeared on Faithwriters, please visit this link: http://www.faithwriters.com/wc-article-level1-previous.php?id=49452 .)

 

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  1. Amy says

    April 3, 2016 at 8:59 am

    Beautiful. I’m a born northerner, but moved to TN 4 years ago. I’m loving every minute. 🙂

    Reply

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A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a fe A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a few Easter shenanigans for good measure. 😊)
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What projects are you working on these days?
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Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconn Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconnected after these last two years of social distancing. If so, I understand. 💗
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In today’s devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I share of a time when I felt unknown by the community around me, as well as a current feeling of disconnection the last couple of socially-distanced years have brought.
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So thankful we have a God who knows us through-and-through, and who walks with us in every season of our lives. 🙌
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As we all begin to take awkward steps toward re-establishing in-person connections this year, May we never forget how very *known,* and *loved* by God we are.
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Oh, that we would find our greatest comfort & community in Him. 💗
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Head over to proverbs31.org to read the & join in on the conversation today. ✨
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In times of joy, times of grief, and every time be In times of joy, times of grief, and every time between—Oh, how we’ve lived in the goodness of God.
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Thank you, Lord, for surrounding our lives with Yourself.
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“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever.” Psalm 125:2 🙌
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Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so of Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so often I’d rather show up on the scene of everyday life after I have things figured out…after I have my stuff together.
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But, I’m learning that the Figuring-Out comes with the Showing-Up.
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For when we come as we are to the table of life, our place finds us.
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We need not concern ourselves with what others might say, nor worry about who seems more qualified than us.
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For we aren’t defined by anyone else’s standard of being. We are beautifully made for purpose—just as we are.
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Everyday, every year, every decade of life, we’ll grow. But may we not wait till we feel comfortable or confident or have it all figured out (as if) to step into the things God places on our hearts.
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For the beauty is in showing up & making much of Him.
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Good news, it’s not about us! 🙌
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Simply come as you are. 💗
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