Author: Betty Owens

Christian writer of historical fiction and general fiction.

Chalk Messages from God?

On By Betty OwensIn chalk, divorce, emotions, God, healing, message, park, walking

Most of us who believe in God believe He still speaks. Many times, He speaks through others around us. Especially when we need encouragement.

A friend of mine is going through a very painful divorce. She’s improving daily, but still has emotional ups and downs. The other morning she was walking in the park, which she often does. But on this day, she decided to take a different path.

She was walking along, struggling with her emotions when she caught sight of this:

You are perfect (so love yourself).

 Ok, writing on pavement. A message for someone in particular. But in her heart, my friend knew this message was for her. She walked a bit further and found another:

You are strong.

Once again, exactly what she needed. She walked on, praising God and feeling physically stronger. She could do this. She could overcome.

Shine bright like a diamond

Her day was getting better and better. If I know my friend, by now she was bouncing along and throwing her fists into the air, a big smile on her face.

Never give up.

Never give up. No matter what life throws at you, never give up. This has practically been my mantra the past few months and to see it written here for someone is proof I’m on the right track. My friend felt the same. She couldn’t wait to share it with her friends. Her heart overflowed with love and gratitude. Her difficult road just got easier because she knew God cared enough about her to include her in this message.

Yes, it was written for someone specific. A biker, perhaps. Someone pushing beyond their limits to improve his or her life. But these simple messages were in a public place where they’d be seen by many. It’s a message that’s meant to be shared. How many others received it?

I hope you receive the message. God does care. He sees what you’re going through and He wants you to make it. He wants you to overcome. He wants you strong so you can reach back and help others.

Thanks for stopping by!

An Unexpected Detour

On By Betty OwensIn America, beautiful things, Betty, deer, Roads, Summer, travel, woods2 Comments

Yesterday, while my son and I were out driving, we passed a road neither of us knew. We weren’t in a hurry, so he decided to turn and find out what was down that road. My dad used to do that. We’d be out driving somewhere and he’d say, “Wonder where that road goes?”

We’d sit up on our knees and peer out the windows, waiting for the first glimpse of the unknown. Yesterday’s road was narrow, sometimes only one lane. It dipped down into a valley and followed the winding path of a creek. Houses sat on large, verdant lots, banked by rolling and sometimes rocky hills. Often the dark woods shaded the road so heavily, we could barely see.

Around one turn in the road, we happened upon a doe, standing on the edge of the road. My son thought she might be scouting for danger before she allowed her fawn to follow. She hesitated when she saw our car, then turned back to run into the woods, before we’d had a chance to snap a picture.

Kentucky boasts many beautiful spots and we found several yesterday. We had no idea where we’d end up, but when the road ended and we recognized the area, we were surprised at how far we’d gone. Life can be like that. You take an unexpected detour, sometimes fighting fear and uncertainty, but the road always leads back to the familiar. Or else, you grow accustomed to the new road.

We’re on a new road here at my house. At times, it’s hard to see what lies ahead, but we get up every morning and push on. We know the roads all lead to the same place. Our trust is in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth, and He will never let us down. His word promises that.

Thanks for reading. Hope you’ll stop by again sometime.

Redirect – Redirect: Virginia Carmichael’s Writers Journey

On By Betty OwensIn Thoughts & Ideas, Virginia Carmichael, Writing, Writing Prompts

Oops! I missed a week’s posting.

Since I have something set to post later this week, I thought you might like to check out Virginia Carmichael’s very interesting articles at Writing Prompts, Thoughts, and Ideas…Oh My!

Click Here to read Part I      Click Here to read Part II

Thanks for stopping by. See you Thursday!

My Grandma’s House by Teghan Owens

On By Betty OwensIn grandchildren, Grandmother, Summer, Teghan Owens1 Comment
Teghan Simone Owens

While I take a break, my granddaughters have agreed to fill the void. I have four of them, so you may get a glimpse of each one as they share something dear to their hearts. Today, I welcome my youngest granddaughter, Teghan, to the blog.

She celebrated her tenth birthday a few days ago. Just to let you know, she spent the week with her other grandmother. So I am not the one who provided this best week ever. That would be the super fun Grandma Blaylock.

This summer I did something awesome.

I went to my Grandma’s house for a week. 
I had the best time ever. 
We did lots of fun things. 
For instance, on Friday, we went to the movies and saw Despicable Me 2. 
And we also went bowling. 
It was so much fun. 
That was the best week ever.

–Teghan Owens

The Reward Will Come

On By Betty OwensIn Angels, benefit, Malachi, prize, Summer, The Message

Sometimes it’s hard not to complain. When you’re going through difficult situations, like job loss, for instance. Or sickness. Or any number of other things. You feel slighted when you see others being blessed and living happy lives. You’re tempted to murmur and complain. It’s understandable. It happens.

It’s all happened before. And it will happen again. Solomon said there’s nothing new under the sun. When I’m tempted to complain about my less-than-perfect situation, I read the third chapter of Malachi. Sometimes I have to read it more than once. It’s a reminder. Though it seems others around you are being blessed far more than they deserve, though they don’t even take the time to serve God and you have served Him all your life…

I’ll let you see it for yourself.

When you said, ‘It doesn’t pay to serve God. What do we ever get out of it? When we did what he said and went around with long faces, serious about God-of-the-Angel-Armies, what difference did it make? Those who take life into their own hands are the lucky ones. They break all the rules and get ahead anyway. They push God to the limit and get by with it.’ (Malachi 3:14-15 via Bible Gateway/The Message)

I’ve been guilty of such thoughts, how about you? Yes, sometimes it looks as if our daily walk is pointless. But don’t let yourself dwell on that. Keep your eyes on the prize. See the final outcome. Know that your present situation is a season that will end as a new season dawns. We will see the fruit of our labor. If you continue reading this chapter of Malachi, you’ll find what happens when you refuse to speak negative words regarding God and the situation you are in.

Then those whose lives honored God got together and talked it over. God saw what they were doing and listened in. A book was opened in God’s presence and minutes were taken of the meeting, with the names of the God-fearers written down, all the names of those who honored God’s name. (Malachi 3:16 via Bible Gateway/The Message)

They got together with their friends. They talked it over. They talked about how good God is and how He would come through for them, because His promises, once made, are always honored. God-fearers who honored God’s name…no matter what. Like Job. Refuse to back down. Because the reward will come. 

God-of-the-Angel-Armies said, “They’re mine, all mine. They’ll get special treatment when I go into action. I treat them with the same consideration and kindness that parents give the child who honors them. Once more you’ll see the difference it makes between being a person who does the right thing and one who doesn’t, between serving God and not serving him.” (Malachi 3:17-18 via Bible Gateway/The Message)

Can you say it any better than that? If you’re a parent, you know exactly what He’s talking about. It’s always easier to treat an obedient, loving child with kindness. It’s easy to lavish your blessings on one like that, when they honor you and stand up for you, no matter what.

Don’t give up. No matter what comes, stand in the light of the knowledge of Him. Keep your tongue reigned in. Don’t allow yourself to complain and be caught up in trash talk. No matter what. If you’ve been hurt by others, knocked down by sickness, lost your job, your home, death in the family, hunger, pain…no matter what. Find a way to keep your eyes on the final outcome. He understands, He knows, He sees, and they’re keeping a record of it.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post this week. I hope it’s helped you. And I hope you’ll stop in next week. Happy Summer!