Be Still, Breathe, and Bind Together
If you read last week's post, you know my heart has been heavy after losing my sweet dog, Rocky. The treehouse apartment feels a little too quiet and the grief comes in waves. I catch myself looking for him, almost talking to him and waking up thinking he is next to me. I will cry if I see pictures of him right now. He was this family's everything, my everything.
So now I am finding myself leaning heavily on the truth that always brings me back to center, "Be still and know that I am God" in Psalm 46:10. Being still isn't always easy, especially when emotions are swirling. But lately, God has been gently guiding me toward pockets of peace, freshness, and deep connection, reminding me of the beauty of stillness.
A Breath of Fresh Air Up North:
A dear friend took me on a beautiful drive out of town this week, just north of the edge of Payson. As we left the valley heat behind (yes, it was just above 100 degrees still here in the desert), the air shifted and was slightly cooler. We had a lovely lunch at a very cute Mexican Restaurant and it was wonderful being up with the pine trees. We even popped into this cute secluded vintage looking general store, where we ended up having the most incredible, deep conversation with the owner. It was one of those unexpected sweet reminders that the world is still full of kind souls and that sometimes a simple change of scenery is exactly what God uses to refresh a weary spirit.
The Lilacs and Lavender of our Boutique Business:
Coming home from that trip, I felt a renewed appreciation for the very heart of this boutique. My daughter, Sarah, and I often speak about how our brand reflects who we are in a very special way. Sarah is the Lilacs and I have totally bonded with the Lavender. Lilacs bloom in early spring, bursting with bright bold energy, confidence, and a renewal of life. They command attention and bring joy to everyone. I have to tell you that three separate times this past week when we were in a store, people, and I mean women AND men, would approach my daughter from out of nowhere and start asking her about skin care or various products we happened to be looking at. They did not approach me, they approached HER! She is such an amazingly approachable person and I would just stand back and be astonished at how much she represents the Lilacs with her bright, bold and energetic personality. She exudes confidence and actually brought joy to each of these individual people. The scent of the lilac flower is intensely sweet, potent and impossible to ignore. It fills an entire space instantly, commanding attention and lifting the mood of anyone nearby with an unforgettable cheerful confidence. That is my Sarah, for sure!
As for me, I have to say I def relate to Lavender! Why? Lavender is all about calm, healing and peace, sturdy through the elements. It thrives in harsh, rocky soil and requires very little water to survive, making it a beautiful botanical symbol of endurance, strength under pressure and steady resilience. I would also have to say that through my struggles I am still very much here and fighting. I do keep trying to push forward through everything and feel there is so much more to give and share. My goals continue to focus on allowing God to guide me through this life adventure. Plus, I am doing my best to simplify life, live with peace and to persist in this healing journey. So then, perhaps this is a testament to the affinity I have with lavender.
When you look at these two beautiful blossoms side by side, their physical and symbolic traits create an incredibly gorgeous balance. Lilac is considered the daughter spirit and Lavender the mother spirit. How wild is that? On our own, we, along with our flower bonds, have distinct personalities. But when blending lilacs and lavender together, something beautiful happens. The bold energy of the lilac intertwines perfectly with the soothing peace of the lavender, thus balancing each other out, reminding us that life requires both strength to bloom and the grace to rest. Together, these two blossoms reflect a complete cycle of wellness: the lilac gives you the joyful energy to bloom, while the lavender gives you the peaceful grace to rest and heal. It is our hope and prayer that this is what you experience when coming to our sanctuary.
Sarah and I also both have a scripture we believe represents ourselves with regards to the lilacs and lavender flower personalities. Sarah, with her lilac characteristics, has a relationship with the scripture from Isaiah 43:19 which reads, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." This is a beautiful verse with an unshakeable truth for believers that teaches us how God can create a path and provide refreshment even in seemingly hopeless or barren environments. Lilacs are like that....right after a very hard winter the lilac bush is the very first to bloom, giving us hope, energy and beauty. Most of you can probably guess which verse I am closest with since I speak of it often. It is my 13 year motto verse of Psalm 46:10 which states, "Be still and know that I am God." This amazing verse teaches us to release control, stop the desperate striving, and let go of human self-reliance. It emphasizes surrendering the self and acknowledges God's ultimate sovereignty and refuge. For Sarah and I, this journey of Lilacs and Lavender is from the heart with God leading us every step of the way and we are so excited for what God has for us through this business.
A Surprise Visit from Pinetop-Lakeside:
That beautiful blend of family comfort came right to my door yesterday. My son and granddaughter and her best friend traveled down from the Pinetop-Lakeside area, where they live, to spend time with us as well as venture to the shopping malls. There is nothing quite like having your children and grandchildren near when your heart needs healing. So something interesting happened when my son was visiting. He fell in love with a few of my handmade, personal creations. In fact, he packed them up and took them back up the mountain with him when they left.
So I thought I would share the exact recipes he fell in love with, because taking care of our bodies is just another way we can practice that gentle, quiet stillness while honoring our temple.
*The "Wild Awakening" Energizing Exfoliating Coffee Scrub/Mask: Handcrafted with a rich, aromatic coffee blend, nourishing refined O Organics coconut oil, as well as Vitamin E oil. This indulgent exfoliating treatment is complemented with a delicate touch of warm vanilla and a whisper of cinnamon. It is designed to buff away dull dry surface skin while leaving your complexion feeling beautifully conditioned, silky smooth, and refreshed. Wild Awakening transforms your everyday routine into an uplifting experience that awakens your senses and celebrates the beauty of God's creation.
*The "Lavender Sugar Bloom" Mask and Scrub: A peaceful mix of sugar, O Organics Refined Coconut Oil, Vitamin E Oil, aromatic Lavender Essential Oil, and real lavender buds from Windy Hills Lavender Farm here in Az. It is beautifully created with a little sweetness and a little serenity. Designed to gently polish away dull, dry surface skin while leaving it feeling irresistibly soft, smooth and beautifully conditioned, lavender sugar bloom brings together the sweetness of nature and the comforting fragrance of fresh lavender.
*The "Wildwood Ridge" Facial/Body Oil: A custom hydrating blend I formulated just for my son and now sharing it with you, using golden Jojoba Oil, rich Avocado Oil, Rosehip Seed Oil, nourishing Vitamin E Oil, with a beautifully balanced blend of bright refreshing Bergamot Essential Oil and calming Lavender Essential Oil. Designed to condition and soften the skin while helping maintain its natural moisture, "Wildwood Ridge" delivers a wonderfully smooth supple finish with a fresh sophisticated fragrance that appeals to both men and women.
Seeing my son appreciate these creations reminded me that the best things in life are simple, grounded and made with love. When the world feels like too much, I encourage you to take a page out of our book this week. Hug your family tight. Wrap yourself in comforting scents. Spend time with friends. Get outdoors and most importantly, take a deep breath, be still, and know that your are loved.
*Don't forget! The "Wild Awakening" Energizing Exfoliating Coffee Scrub/Mask, the "Lavender Sugar Bloom" Mask and Scrub as well as the "Wildwood Ridge" facial/body oil is available on the website under the Beauty and Sanctuary Page. Head on over and check it out! God bless you all and have a wonderful week!!!
