The Little Buddies were just too cute this morning as we headed for shots and baths. I think Bama Kitty was more ready to get out of his carrier than ready to leave 😉. A remarkable little blessing happened as we headed up the highway. Mr Bama is typically very unhappy during rides but today was different. A lovely recording of the song “Beulah Land” was playing on the Bluegrass station. I started singing along softly as this is an old favorite that my daddy used to sing. Immediately, Bama settled down and meowed softly. Miss Abby calmed down and it was the most peaceful drive we three have experienced together. Then anytime the music stopped, the Little Buddies would fidget and fuss until I tuned in to more of God’s music.

For years I’ve had favorite “go-to” music to soothe my soul and refocus my thoughts. And come to think of it, those songs are all God’s music. I think it’s neat that God soothes the Little Buddies through His music too.

Have a day with surprise blessings along the way,

Kim, Abby Puppy and Bama-Kitty 🐶😻💕💕💕

Earlier today, after I posted my Sneaky Snake Story (or thought I had, but that’s to be addressed later…), my husband came into the house with a photo and a warning …

“Kim, I was under the deck and just thought you should know that I found this wrapped around some of your flower pots.”

Before I realized it, he stuck a photo in my face that nearly startled me half to death!!! There around some of my unused and stacked flower pots was a recently shedded, snake skin. I know it’s recent because I saw those pots just 2 days ago and the surrounding space was clean! After I recovered from the shock enough to catch my breath, I asked if he had gotten rid of it. He answered me with a sincere and sweet question, full of concern for my well being … “Do you want to move it as part of overcoming your fear of snakes?”

My horrified and immediate response … “NO!” And later I explained … “No! Not while I’m on steroids! My nerves can’t take it!” (Just a note, steroids for asthma always make me jittery and I’ve been taking them for a week. I’m a jittery, trembly mess on these things 😵‍💫 but I sure am breathing better, thank the Lord!😃)

Later, I couldn’t help but chuckle when I reconsidered the whole incident. I thought he was asking because I had just posted the first Sneaky Snake story and it was fresh on his mind. But actually no. The story had snuck off into cyberspace and didn’t really post. Weird how these things happen. But as my official Editor and Chief Proof Reader, he knows I have been working on the story for some time and he has proofed it beyond count. My hubby also knows what a struggle this has been for me all my life and he was just trying to help. He doesn’t want me walking in fear either! I mistakenly thought he was being sarcastic and kind of “rubbing salt into my wounds” which is not kind of me because sarcasm is not in his nature. Looking back, he didn’t even realize the mixup or lost in cyberspace business. I can see the humor in the mix-up now. But I still apologize to my hubby for misunderstanding his intentions and ask him to please blame my jittery self on steroids. And in retrospect, I’m glad this all happened because I also realized the original post didn’t go through!

Here’s the hard part of this … Confession time… This may have been a humorous communication mixup but it made me realize that I’ve been thinking that I’ve completely overcome that snake fear and maybe even been a bit proud about it. Just a note to myself … Remember the verse… “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” Proverbs 16: 18 …

Here I had been posting about overcoming this snake fear and then I nearly jumped out of my skin at a mere photo of a snake skin. Once again God has reminded me of a lesson I thought I had learned … I can’t be proud in my own self about overcoming this fear. Rest assured, I would have fallen had I been the one to see that skin first! Absolutely and Always Give God His credit, give Him His Praise! 🙌 I know that winning this fear fight is purely His doing and none of my own. I also realize that I may always have some level of over-reaction and fear of snakes, but God is helping me and I am thankful for His Grace, lessons, and His humor in yet another Faith Walk! 🙌

I’m also thankful that my hubby is heading outside right now to get rid of that sneaky snake skin! Bless his heart!!! 🥰

Have a blessed day with Hope and a little humor!🙂

Kim 🙂💕

Today, little Bama buddy felt I needed some help with my Bible study. Well, it was more likely he was hoping for a treat 😉. Anyway, I hope this sweet photo brings a smile to your day. 😺😺😺

Have a blessed day!

Kim💕😺

Have you heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons 🍋, make lemonade”? In this case, when the new paint dries differently than expected, make a smiley face! 🙂 The paint job turned out a whole lot brighter than expected on Mom’s propane gas tank so her creative friend came to the rescue with this great smiley face decal! It’s so cute that I smile, and sometimes even laugh out loud, every time I see it! 😃. I just had to share it with you in hopes it will brighten your day! 😃😃😃

May The Good Lord bless you with smiles and happiness in unexpected ways today! 😃

Kim 😃💕

Faith and fear have been on my mind for a while lately. There are so many great verses throughout the Bible about having faith and not giving in to fear. One of the first verses I recall learning as a child says it plain and simple …

“When I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
Psalm 56: 3 NIV

The thing is, fear can be subtle and is not always terror-filled. Starting “Hope and a Dash of Humor” entailed a process of exercising my faith and overcoming subtle fears. At the time, I didn’t realize that I was fearful but I see it now. Like the old saying goes, “Hindsight is better than foresight.” I was overwhelmed and intimidated about starting a blog. I was certain that the Lord wanted me to start this blog to share about hope in Him, but I had no idea how!

The wonderful thing is, God always provides … He provided family and friends who prayed, encouraged and helped me, a precious friend who introduced me to WordPress, and many other blessings. All He required of me was to step out and walk in faith! I had to stop wondering and worrying and Start Walking! 👣😃

I’m learning a lot, but for now I will try to keep this short for you 🙂. In the midst of severe illness and pain, God inspired this blog. I was coming out of an illness that kept me stuck at home doing IV antibiotics several times a day for 4 months. I was also in major pain with little strength in my right leg thanks to (sarcasm intended 😉) a herniated disc that could not be repaired until I was healthier and the COVID lockdown was eased.

I only give these details to tell of the goodness of God 🙌. Both of those problems are much better thanks to the Lord! But in that hardship, in the healing, in the recovery, and in the lockdown, there were definitely fears, concerns, questions, isolation and loneliness. And there was always God! He was always with me and He was always my comfort! He was always my source of hope and even humor 😊. He was always my contentment. And in the middle of it all, He planted the idea of a blog to share His message of hope, and sometimes humor, through the hard stuff of life.

Life is full of fear producing stuff, but I’ve decided to call these “Faith Walks”. Each time I face a situation that tries to scare me about life, death, heartache, health, the unknown, etc, I purposefully choose to trust God and not fear or be anxious. God helps me to trust Him and then rest in His Grace. I find that by giving that situation to God, asking for His help, and walking with Him in faith, I grow to trust Him more and more. I can truly relax and rest more in His Grace and Love knowing that He will be with me and give me His Grace to face whatever may come.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight – we are of good courage.”
2 Corinthians 5: 7b-8a NASB

I love this word from Paul’s writings … walking by faith results in being of good courage! We can face life’s hardships and fears with good courage! This Is Awesome!!! Praise The Lord!!! 🙌

In all honesty, there are many times the Lord has to show me yet again that I am worried or fearful. He and I revisit His Word and I am reminded to trust in Him. Then it’s time to start back on the Faith Walk. 🙂

Dear friends, thank you so much for reading this post and for following “Hope and a Dash of Humor”! We’ve just passed our first birthday 🥳, in a manner of speaking, and it has been a blessing to spend time with you! Thank you again! 🙂💖

May the Lord bless you in your Faith Walk!!! 👣

Kim 💕😃