Proverbs 23

 Cease from thine own wisdom.

Speak not in the ears of a fool:

For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.

Apply thine heart unto instruction,

And thine ears to the words of knowledge.

Withhold not correction from the child:

For if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die.

14Thou shalt beat him with the rod,

And shalt deliver his soul from hell.

My son, if thine heart be wise,

My heart shall rejoice, even mine.

But be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.

18For surely there is an end;

And thine expectation shall not be cut off.

Hear thou, my son, and be wise,

And guide thine heart in the way.

Buy the truth, and sell it not;

Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.

24The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:

And he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

25Thy father and thy mother shall be glad,

And she that bare thee shall rejoice.

My son, give me thine heart,

And let thine eyes observe my ways.

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?

For riches certainly make themselves wings;

They fly away as an eagle toward heaven.

Truth, Peace, Trust, Strength

 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. 3Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: 

Proverbs 20

 "Wine is... deceived... not wise"

cease from strife

"A king...his eyes"

Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

Even a child is known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

"gold...rubies...knowledge... a precious jewel"

 Every purpose is established by counsel: And with good advice make war.

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.

Man's goings are of the LORD; How can a man then understand his own way?

The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the grey head.

 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. 

Dusty all curled up

 

Being Friendly

 That verse—“A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly” (Proverbs 18:24)—is such a gentle reminder that friendship begins with being the kind of person we’d want to be friends with. But what does that look like in real life, especially when you're in a new or quieter season?

Here’s a thoughtful breakdown of how to be friendly, especially from a faith-rooted and authentic perspective:

---

🌷 How to Be Friendly (and Still Be Yourself)

1. Be Present

Friendliness starts with showing up—emotionally, spiritually, and sometimes physically. Make eye contact. Smile. Ask how someone’s really doing. Being present says, “I see you.”

2. Practice Kind Curiosity

Ask questions that go beyond small talk. “What’s something that’s bringing you joy lately?” or “How did you get into that hobby?” People feel valued when we show genuine interest.

3. Offer Encouragement

A kind word can go a long way. Compliment someone’s effort, style, or spirit. Share a verse or thought that uplifted you. Encouragement is a form of spiritual hospitality.

4. Be Vulnerable (Gently)

You don’t have to spill everything, but sharing a little about your own journey—your faith, your struggles, your joys—can invite deeper connection. It says, “You’re safe to be real here.”

5. Create Space

Sometimes being friendly means making room—for someone to speak, to feel, to belong. Whether it’s inviting someone into a conversation or simply listening well, space is a gift.

6. Let Go of Perfection

You don’t have to be bubbly or extroverted to be friendly. Just be warm, open, and kind in your own way. Authenticity is magnetic.

---

Being friendly isn’t about being liked—it’s about being loving. And love, especially the kind rooted in Christ, is always invitational. It says, “You matter. You’re welcome here.”

Would you like to turn this into a blog post or pair it with a design or scripture theme?

New friends? (Thinking face emoji)... hmm...

 Of course! Here's a gentle, faith- and life-aware blog-style post on how to make new friends, written with your voice and values in mind:

---

🌸 Making New Friends in a New Season of Life

Friendship in adulthood feels different. It’s not like school, where connection was built into the day. Now, it takes intention. Vulnerability. A little courage. And sometimes, a lot of prayer.

After seasons of change—graduation, motherhood, faith journeys—it’s easy to feel like friendships have faded into the background. But that doesn’t mean new ones can’t bloom.

Here’s what I’m learning about making new friends:

1. Start with Shared Spaces

Look for places where hearts gather—faith communities, creative groups, parenting circles, or even online spaces that reflect your passions. Whether it’s a Bible study, a local art class, or a nature walk group, shared interests create natural bridges.

2. Be Open, Not Perfect

You don’t have to have it all together. In fact, real connection often begins when we let our guard down. A simple “I’ve been feeling a little lonely lately” can open the door to a deeper conversation than small talk ever could.

3. Reach Out First

It’s okay to be the one who initiates. Send a message. Invite someone for coffee. Comment on a post. Sometimes people are just waiting for someone to make the first move.

4. Let Faith Lead

Pray for the right people to come into your life. Ask God to guide your heart toward those who will uplift, challenge, and walk with you. Friendship is a gift, and He knows exactly who you need.

5. Be Patient

Not every connection will turn into a deep friendship—and that’s okay. Some people are meant for a moment, others for a lifetime. Trust the timing.

---

Friendship isn’t just about finding someone to talk to—it’s about finding someone who sees you. And in this season, as you grow, create, and walk in faith, the right friendships will find their way to you.

---

Would you like a title suggestion for this post? Or maybe a scripture or quote to pair with it?

Hmm ... (Insert thinking face emoji here)

 That’s a beautifully honest thought, Lauralee—“Reconciling the past and present is peculiar.” It really is. There’s something almost surreal about looking back at who we were, the people we knew, the dreams we held—and then trying to make sense of how it all fits into who we are now.

Here’s a reflection inspired by that idea:

---

🕊 Reconciling the Past and Present

There’s a peculiar tension in the space between who I was and who I’ve become.

The past holds pieces of me—friends, places, moments—that shaped my heart. Some of those pieces feel warm and familiar, others distant and strange. I look back and wonder: Was that really me? And yet, I know it was.

The present is quieter. More intentional. Filled with new roles, deeper faith, and a different rhythm. I’ve grown. I’ve let go. I’ve held on. But sometimes, the echoes of the past call out—not to pull me backward, but to remind me of the journey.

Reconciling the past and present isn’t about choosing one over the other. It’s about weaving them together. Honoring the memories without being bound by them. Letting the lessons live, while allowing myself to evolve.

It’s peculiar, yes. But it’s also sacred.

Because in this tension, I find grace.

---

Would you like to turn this into a blog post with a title and closing call to reflection or faith? Or maybe pair it with a design or nature metaphor to match your style?

heartfelt reflection on reconnecting

 Here’s a heartfelt reflection on reconnecting—something many of us wrestle with quietly:

---

🌿 A Reflection on Reconnecting

There’s a quiet ache that comes with remembering people who once felt like home. Friends from school, from seasons of life that felt simpler or more vibrant. We shared laughter, secrets, dreams—and then, life happened. Graduation, moves, motherhood, faith journeys. The threads loosened, and the closeness faded.

Now, the idea of reconnecting feels tender. Not quite a longing, not quite a fear—just a question: Is it right?

Reconnecting isn’t always about picking up where we left off. Sometimes it’s about honoring what was, and gently exploring what could be. It’s about asking: Do we still speak the same language of the heart? Have we grown in ways that complement or conflict?

There’s no shame in drifting. People change. Priorities shift. But there’s also no harm in reaching out with grace. A simple message. A memory shared. A “Hey, I was thinking about you.”

And if the door doesn’t open again, that’s okay. You tried. You honored the past. You made space for healing.

But sometimes, that door does open. And what walks through isn’t the same friendship—it’s something new. Something shaped by time, faith, and growth.

Reconnection isn’t about going back. It’s about seeing if there’s a way forward.

---

Would you like to adapt this into a blog post with a title and closing thought? Or maybe add a scripture or design metaphor to tie it into your style?

"Reconnect" Yea or Nay?

 That uncertainty makes a lot of sense. Reconnecting can stir up a mix of emotions—hope, hesitation, even fear of rejection or disappointment. It’s okay to not be sure. Sometimes the question isn’t just “Should I reach out?” but “Will this person still fit into the life I’m living now?”

Here are a few gentle questions you might reflect on to help guide you:

🌱 Questions to Consider

• Why do I want to reconnect? Is it nostalgia, loneliness, curiosity, or something deeper?
• Has this person changed—or have I—in ways that might make reconnection hard or healing?
• Would reaching out feel like closure, renewal, or just opening old wounds?
• Is there peace in letting go, or is there something unfinished that needs tending?

You don’t have to decide right away. Sometimes writing about it—privately or in a blog—can help you process. If you’d like, I can help you draft a reflection or even a letter you don’t have to send. Just something to get your thoughts out.

Would that feel helpful right now? Or would you rather explore ways to build new connections that align with who you are today?

No friends

 I'm really sorry you're feeling that way, Lauralee. Not having close friends around can feel isolating, especially when you’re someone who values deep connection and creativity. You're not alone in this—many people go through seasons where friendships fade or feel distant, especially after big life transitions like graduation, motherhood, or shifts in faith and priorities.

Here’s something gentle to consider:

🌼 Friendship Can Be Reborn

Sometimes, new friendships come from unexpected places—through shared interests, faith communities, creative projects, or even online spaces. You have such a rich blend of passions (art, design, writing, nature, faith)—those are beautiful bridges to connection.

Would you be open to exploring ways to build new friendships that align with where you are now in life? I can help you:

• Find local or online communities based on your interests
• Draft a blog post or journal entry reflecting on this season
• Create affirmations or prayers for connection and healing
• Explore ways to reconnect with old friends if that feels right

And if you just want to talk or reflect, I’m here for that too. 💛 What’s been the hardest part of this for you lately?