Headache

Most of yesterday, I had a bad headache. I even went home early from work, which I never do. After taking my headache medication and getting some sleep, it seemed to go away, but sadly it came back a few hours later. So I went to bed early last night.

The Little Ghost

The Little Ghost
 By Edna St. Vincent Millay

I knew her for a little ghost
     That in my garden walked;
The wall is high—higher than most—
     And the green gate was locked.

And yet I did not think of that
     Till after she was gone—
I knew her by the broad white hat,
     All ruffled, she had on.

By the dear ruffles round her feet,
     By her small hands that hung
In their lace mitts, austere and sweet,
     Her gown’s white folds among.

I watched to see if she would stay,
     What she would do—and oh!
She looked as if she liked the way
     I let my garden grow!

She bent above my favourite mint
     With conscious garden grace,
She smiled and smiled—there was no hint
     Of sadness in her face.

She held her gown on either side
     To let her slippers show,
And up the walk she went with pride,
     The way great ladies go.

And where the wall is built in new
     And is of ivy bare
She paused—then opened and passed through
     A gate that once was there.

Another Monday

By Monday, I’ve mentally planned out what I’m going to wear for the week. By Monday morning I have my week’s wardrobe basically planned out. I may change my mind throughout the week, but I pretty much know what I’m going to wear.

Mondays are always difficult for me. It means the work week begins again and the weekend is over. It means I can’t sleep in, no matter how badly I want to. As you might be able to tell, Mondays are not my favorite day. I just don’t do Mondays well. But, I’ll get up this morning, put on my happy face and head to work. It all gets a little better after I’ve had my first cup of coffee.

5 Psalms about the Future

By Nicholas Hemming

When you fear the future, the struggle often feels all-consuming. “What ifs” seem to run wild in your mind. You strive to focus on the task at hand—but without fail, you surrender to a fear that feels insurmountable. What does tomorrow hold? What if the future feels hopeless?

While submitting your latest rent payment, you may fear living paycheck to paycheck for the rest of your life. As you prepare for another move, you may fear loneliness or isolation. After an unsuccessful dating relationship, you may fear life as a single person, without a spouse to love and cherish.

Regardless of the circumstance, it seems impossible to move away from this fear. The future makes you freeze; thoughts of tomorrow, and the next day, unearth unmanageable anxiety. You want to have a hopeful, confident outlook, though at this point, you only feel grief and uncertainty. You wonder if your anxiety about the future will ever pass.

In these moments, turn to God’s Word for encouragement, comfort and hope. Depend on the Lord as you wrestle with anxiety about the future. And continually seek him through prayer as you work to overcome your fear. These five Psalms will get you started:

Psalm 23:4 (GNTD)

Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

I will not be afraid, Lord,

for you are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

Psalm 34:4 (GNTD)

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me;

he freed me from all my fears.

Psalm 55:22 (GNTD)

Leave your troubles with the Lord,

and he will defend you;

he never lets honest people be defeated.

Psalm 94:19 (GNTD)

Whenever I am anxious and worried,

you comfort me and make me glad.

Psalm 121:1-2 (GNTD)

I look to the mountains;

where will my help come from?

My help will come from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

Nicholas Hemming serves as a Content Specialist with American Bible Society. As a child of Southern New Hampshire, he grew up exploring hidden towns along the rocky New England coast. Though he now resides in Philadelphia, PA, he continues to curiously explore his home—and the towns, cities and countries that lay beyond his home.

Moment of Zen: Autumn

Tired

I was so tired when I got home. It was a long drive back from southern Connecticut. After eating dinner, Isabella and I basically went to bed. Whenever I am gone overnight, Isabella just can’t get enough of me. She likes to snuggle when I get home, and it’s usually at least a day before she lets me out of her sight. She did leave me long enough to let me watch The Orville last night, but then we turned out the lights and went to bed. She’ll roam around some of the night but she won’t be too far away from me.

Heading Back

First of all, yesterday was quite successful. I accomplished everything in Connecticut that I set out to. That being said, no one ever told me that southern Connecticut was such a sketchy place. While searching for a place for dinner, I didn't want to stop because no where looked safe. At one point, I was even approached by a prostitute, to which I promptly drove off. I finally did decide on a decent looking Mexican place, which had the cutest little Mexican gay waiter with a nice little bubble butt. The food was also delicious. I had sopa de mariscos, which is a seafood soup, and a carne asada steak. both were beyond delicious. This is the best Mexican food I've had since I left the South.

Now, I am headed back to Vermont.