happy little sigh

❤ Wake up with Jesus & your favorite books! ❤

Each day is a gift, not to be wasted. But so often we hit the ground running, stressed and already behind. Getting up early, before the rest of the household, helps us start our mornings gracefully, plan for the day, and most importantly, focus our thoughts on our calling and our hearts on the hope and peace found in our Heavenly Father.

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❤ Devotional inspired by literature

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Sample devotionals…

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Anne of Green Gables

One of my favorite characters in Anne of Green Gables is Marilla Cuthbert. In the book, we see how the dramatic, whimsical, exasperating chatterbox Anne works on Marilla’s heart. Marilla is a practical, no-nonsense, somewhat stoic person, but Anne brings out the hidden depths of Marilla’s heart. Her oldest memories, most painful hurts, and also her ability to look at life and laugh (hair dyed green, slates broken over boys heads, wine mistaken for raspberry cordial and all!). It’s so easy, especially when we’re tired or overwhelmed, to become snappy and short-tempered at little mishaps in our day. We all have a few Josie Pyes and Rachel Lyndes to test our patience. Maybe some of them even live under our roof! But how would the mood of our home and our relationship with our families change if instead of shouting, we just decided to laugh?

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Pride and Prejudice

“She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me.” Ooh, don’t we feel our necks just bristling at Mr. Darcy’s hurtful words at the ball, which, of course, Lizzie overhears. But I also suppose we’re a little thankful these two must work through their pride and prejudice toward one another. If they’d immediately fallen in love, it would have been a much more boring story–and what’s more, would have needed a different name! But how many times have we recently felt inner dislike toward someone for a thoughtless look or comment they made? Or because they failed to thank us, or to mention something we did that we felt deserved recognition? Maybe we used that one instance to form a negative opinion on their entire character. Maybe we even mentioned their “misdeed” to others. I’m sure I’ve failed many times to give people the attention, respect, and praise they deserve. Sometimes this may have been because of my own hurt pride, or plain old thoughtlessness. But many times, I’m sure I was caught up in my own worries and distractions, and certainly didn’t mean to cause another pain. I’m thankful for all those who have shown me grace, decided to assume I didn’t mean it, and continued to treat me with more respect and love than I deserve. Let’s strive to treat others as we would like to be treated–with honor and grace–and even when they fail, to give them the benefit of the doubt. And let’s remember that if our Lord sees our good works, then that is all the recognition we need.

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Little House on the Prairie

Pinterest can give us ideas aplenty, if we’re looking, on how to furnish our homes–farmhouse, mid-century modern, country cottage, or any style we choose. But how, oh, how do we “furnish” our homes with pleasant and happy thoughts? And which sort of furnishings are more important, do we suppose, to our families, and to the guests we welcome through our doors? I think we know, though we often forget . . . So what do we want our guests to remember, when they return home at the end of the night? How stylish and clean our house was, or how loved and appreciated we made them feel? And what message are we sending our children, as we prepare them to go out into the world? That the look of our home, and the look of ourselves, is most important of all? Or by the praise on our lips, the smile on our face, the blessings we look for, the forgiveness we offer, and the peace we have in every situation, that God is good, His love is strong, and we are safe in Him? There’s a saying, “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” So be cheerful, mama. And brighten your family’s day with your smile, optimism, and tender love.

Avonlea x

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Happy Little Sigh

Homemaking Inspiration from Literature  ❤