Tag Archives: inspirational

Our favorite inspirational articles posted on TexasHomesteader.com

Putting Yourself Out There When You’re Shy

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by Texas Homesteader

OK, confession time.  I’m shy.  Not “Oh I don’t like to stand out” shy – PAINFULLY shy.  So shy in fact that it’s hard to be openly friendly to strangers or acquaintances.  It’s not that I don’t deeply desire that connection, I’m just too shy to put myself out there.

I can follow the familial line of severe shyness so I know where it comes from. My grandmother was even more shy than I am. But I just cannot overcome it.

Not everyone in my family is shy and I envy my siblings and family members that can casually start up a lighthearted chatty conversation with a casual acquaintance or even a complete stranger.  Try as I might, I cannot do it.

Helping an acquaintance feel, as I did, the actual loving arms of God Himself sent through the caring actions of others through her illness. #TexasHomesteader

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The Love Of God Through The Love Of Others

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by Texas Homesteader ~

Do you know how it feels to be comforted by the arms of God? I was diagnosed with breast cancer & my world started to spin. There were frightening and painful procedures to endure, many hours on the road and away from the ranch to attend doctor visits and test facilities and many long tense hours awaiting test results. It was an unbelievably stressful time for us.

Although we didn’t necessarily wish our predicament to be a secret, we didn’t feel like talking about it to anyone other than immediate family. But little by little the news came out. Friend after friend voiced their concern and comfort, offering to do anything they could to ease our burden.

We’re pretty fiercely independent so we didn’t even know what to ask for. So we simply smiled and nodded, grateful for their friendship.

Do you know what it feels like to be hugged by God? Recently I experienced the unmistakable touch of God through the love of others. #TexasHomesteader

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Sharing My Life With My Loves

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Spring is a beautiful time to live in Texas. After the dreary season of winter, Texas puts out all her beauty for spring. The skies over our ranch are amazingly blue, the grass turns a vibrant green and bright yellows and dainty whites start popping out in bloom.

Aaaahhhhh….

Since our kids all live in suburban environments it's lots of fun for them to come to the homestead and play in the country for a bit. #TexasHomesteader

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The Garden That Love Planted

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

Those who know me say that having a vegetable garden is just in my blood. And I’m likely to agree with them. 

I guess it’s just something deep inside me that feels the strong drive to nurture the earth and through grit and gentle determination coax from it nourishment for both my body and my soul.

But things came up this year and with a sigh I conceded that a vegetable garden was just not meant to be for the first time in…  well maybe EVER. 

Although I had begun garden preparations months ago, “Life” stepped in and there was simply no way I could tackle the now-overgrown beds and plant. I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Due to surgeries & healing I had to face my limitations this year – it was just too much.  Maybe next year…

Then Love happened.  

The Garden That LOVE Planted! I couldn't plant a veggie garden due to health. Then several people showed their love by showing up to help. #TexasHomesteader

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Mentoring and Paying It Forward

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

When we first purchased our property neither one of us had ever lived or worked on a ranch and we had no idea where to start. Thankfully one of our first local acquaintances was a veteran cattleman who purchased our first calves for us at a livestock auction.

Not only were we holding down full-time jobs in Dallas without flexibility to attend these auctions ourselves but we’d never been to an auction before and were very intimidated by the entire process. This wonderful gentleman purchased those calves and brought them to his corrals to work them for us, then delivered them to our own fledgling ranch. He is a valued friend and mentor even today.

Help others by being a mentor. Pay it forward when you can. #TexasHomesteader

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What’s The Reflection You See In The Mirror Worth?

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by Texas Homesteader ~ 

In any business there’s ample opportunity to get ahead at someone else’s expense. That little voice in your head that says “C’mon, no one’s looking.  Besides, EVERYONE’S doing it!  It’s the nice guy who finishes last!” 

I’d be lying if I said that voice doesn’t whisper to me just as much as it does to the next guy. But I can say that I remain PROUD of the image I see in the mirror looking back at me. I won’t compromise my principles to get ahead.

Temptation is out there - no one's looking, so why not? Staying PROUD of the reflection in your mirror #TexasHomesteader

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