Ej Abenoja

“It's laughter that lubricates our irritations, that releases our tensions, that feeds our joy… it’s the laughter that helps keep things warm and joyful even in the midst of pain.”
― Emilie Barnes

“Lfr Jp tZ~ LLtI~
A righteous [woman] who walks in [her] integrity-how blessed are [her] sons after [her].
-PROVERBS 20:7
My Bob often says, "Just do what you say you are going to do!" This has been our battle cry for more than 25 years. People get into relational problems because they forget to keep their promises. It's so easy to make a verbal promise for the moment and then grapple with the execution of that promise later.
Sometimes we underestimate the consequences of not keeping the promise flippantly made in a moment of haste. Many times we aren't even aware we have made a promise. Someone says, "I'll call you at 7:00 tonight"; "I'll drop by before noon"; or "I'll call you to set up a breakfast meeting on Wednesday." Then the weak excuses begin to follow. "I called but no one answered" (even though you have voice mail and no message was left). "I got tied up and forgot." "I was too tired."
I suggest that we don't make promises if we aren't going to keep them. The person on the other end would prefer not hearing a promise that isn't going to be kept.
Yes, there will be times when the execution of a promise will have to be rescheduled, but be up front with the person when you call to change the time. We aren't perfect, but we can mentor proper relationship skills to our friends and family by exhibiting accountability in our words of promise. We teach people that we are trustworthy-and how they can be trusted too.
You'll be pleased at how people will pleasantly be surprised when you keep your promises. As my friend Florence Littauer says, "It takes so little to be above average." When you develop a reputation for being a woman who does what she says, your life will have more meaning and people will enjoy being around you.”
― Emilie Barnes, The Tea Lover's Devotional

“HEART ACTION
Take any situation that comes and find the goodness in it. Look at a trial as a chance to draw closer to God. Look at a struggling relationship as a chance to be faithful and forgiving. Then look at the sunset and praise God for the beauty He made, which is, for us, a constant reminder of His love and presence.
Tea is wealth itself, Because there is nothing that cannot be lost, No problem that will not disappear, No burden that will not float away, Between the first sip and the last.
THE MINISTER OF LEAVES”
― Emilie Barnes, The Tea Lover's Devotional

“The sun is setting in a burnt orange sky; the cliffs are black silhouettes; the sea, liquid silver.”
― Laura Treacy Bentley, The Silver Tattoo