It was June of 1994. “His due date is Christmas Day,” my obstetrician shared. Later that evening we told big brother, Jarrod, “Your little brother might come on Christmas Day!”
Instantly, my mind began thinking of Christmas plans, gifts, socials, and school! “Will I make it to Christmas break before he comes?” Time flew faster than bad news! We celebrated Jesus with one special boy that Christmas-two days later, another special boy, Jay, was delivered. All in due time.
December is determined! What is due? Past due. Due dates. Taxes, bills, and holiday shopping! Due diligence is necessary. How can we live in the moment constantly thinking about due dates? Ah, I have found freedom in the frenzy. As life’s due dates circle and swirl, my communion with Christ centers me.
Outstanding, receivable, and payable. Our debts were paid, dear friends.
Outstanding
In his creation all “due dates” crumble.
Walks in the woods prove how nature cares less about due dates. Humans force and nature flows. The hawk and I gazed at one another for what seemed like eternity. “I’m not going to take your dinner, my friend,” I whispered. Songs from what seemed like a thousand birds cried out. I felt cushioned and calm.
Due dates? All were called off. Nothing would “come around” but critters. Charitable was conducted between the kindness of few strangers enjoying conservation. We weren’t “checked out” (either at a store or on-line). We were completely checked IN.
Nothing was owed.
Receivable
Due to cutbacks and shortages, this rowdy class of 5th grade students didn’t have a teacher. After a physical altercation was carried out, *Ellie asked, “Will you forgive me? Can I come back to the circle?”
“Oh, sweetheart. Please come back. I’m given grace each day. Of course I forgive you.”
Situations arose that required assistance and differing outcomes. Yet, at the end of the day, there wasn’t anything due.
What was due? She had consequences (don’t we ALL?). What was receivable? Love won.
Payable
Humans put due dates on everything. Kids, jobs, relationships, and homes. Beliefs, habits, health, and unknowns. Holidays, sports, customs, and pets. Squeeze a few more in, stress and regrets.
So much is owed. What are YOU…DUE?
What if we paid one another kindness, respect, and generosity?
Payable? You’re not delinquent. The debts, short and long-term, are paid.
Do you have hope? Do you believe? Or do you feel unworthy to be paid? Due and delivered over 2,000 years ago, Jesus paid all that is due. HE WILL RETURN. All in due time.
Happy December, dear friends. You are loved. 🤍
Have faith 🤍
More from Flannel with Faith 💛
©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.
Discover more from Flannel with Faith
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Karla I love this post!! Yes all debts were paid and we are free of all the burdens that come with owing and owning!! I hope you are feeling the lightness of freedom and the security of God’s grace!! 😍💕🐾🙏🏻🙏🏻🐾💕😍
Val, your response put a huge smile on my face (Finn, are you smiling too?). Thank you so much! I do feel it! It’s liberating! A friend and I were talking recently about “religiosity” (standards, rules, the rigidity that might end with failure anyway!) versus being completely filled with the Spirit~ not perfection, but the power and peace that only comes from Christ. A 24/7 I’m only human, but completely and utterly dependent on Christ and communing with him all the time~ not just on a specific day, time, or holiday. I lit my 2nd Advent candle this morning~ peace. Hope and peace. I’ll never be enslaved to what the world “offers” because it’s too heavy, Val! I hope you’re feeling that freedom too, my friend. Much love to you and Mochi ❤️🐾🙏🏻🥰
Oh Karla, I’m free and filled with peace and hope! I never worry about waking up in the morning because I’m right with God and doing my best to be Christ to the world…. 💕💕🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻💕 Give some love to Finn from me and Mochi too! 🐾🐾💞🐾
Beautiful! Yay! I just hugged her~ she had a “look” of gratitude 🥰🐾❤️❤️💚🙌🏻🙏🏻♥️
Finn is adorable – she probably invites hugs!! Mochi begs for pets and thinks hugs are great (unless the nail trimmers are out)!
🤭❤️🐾
This is truly Good News, and I’m going to spread it. I’ll start with those bill collectors that keep calling me.
Tippy, that’s a great idea! Tell them! 😂 as a friend, you can go ahead and give them my number. I’m sure they’ll hang up on me after I keep sharing! It’s good to see you, my friend!
Good to see you, too.
Beautiful birds, and a gentle reminder some species don’t worry about these human contrivances of time and money.
Thank you, J.K.
I’ve never stood that close to a hawk for that period of time. It makes me think of Psalm 148. Praise! Man made just spins doesn’t it?
Beautifully written Karla, the photos are lovely. Always happy to see you blogging. Praying for you and your family. Have a respectful night.
Thank you, Tangie. I appreciate you so much, sister. Sending love and prayers 🙏🏻💚
Happy December, dear friend. ❤️ Beautiful expressions and photos! Sending love.
Excellent, Karla! I couldn’t help but think of the Apostle Paul telling the church at Rome to “Don’t owe anyone anything—except the continuing debt to love one another.”
I’m glad you let that 5th grader back into the circle. Consequences, yes, but one should never be excluded from a loving community.
Thank you, David!
What a beautiful reminder of Paul’s words!
I didn’t have a frog or play dough (using your great ideas!), and this situation was more elaborate than my short share~but it happened in 15 minutes~she sat at her desk after I told her she could have a cool down time~but I wasn’t going to allow her to hurt anyone (or anyone hurt her!). This class will have a teacher on the 16th. They’ve had a substitute each day. You understand how it impacts them.
I appreciate you, my friend!
A beautiful post Karla. We owe a lot to our Creator in way of immeasurable thanks for all His blessings.
Thank you, Sadje. How beautiful! Amen❤️🙏🏻
My pleasure 😇
Such a stressful time of the year for many, but especially for children. Kindness, patience, and understanding are necessities. If Jesus can forgive us, then we should be able to do the same of those around us.
Pete, how beautifully said!
Necessities~when I’m not able to give those~ I need to pause and pray before proceeding. 🙏🏻
Thank you so much.
Oh, what beautiful photos and what blessings to be able to observe and share in nature with God’s glorious creations!
Thank you, dear Melissa! I appreciate you, my friend.❤️
Our due date was certainly given with a very powerful Grace Karla. Profoundly given, and now in understanding with a heartfelt thanks…lovingly received ❤️🙏
When I touched that unconditional love, the due date had been met. There was no time there, it was just ‘there’, in everything. A total acceptance of His love.
Delightful photo’s Karla, nature in her time. The hawk in his element, the ducks even flowing along the water. Even the stream speaks a gentle sound to let us hear its calm.
Big hugs to you and Finn. I hope you are well, and also your dad too. Sending health and healing to you all, and may the season be full of Joy, Peace and that Grace that is His love ever gives kind lady. Great share, thank you 🤗🎶🕊️🐾🦓❤️🙏
Thank you, dear Mark. Your words are balm for the soul. You just know!
You unwrapped the free gift at just the right time in life~ and you continue paying it forward for us all.
Your friendship is a gift to Finn and I.
I’m delighted you enjoyed this post~ the themes are always “your” themes too! The ducks are much smaller than the whales and dolphins circling your beautiful area~ yet, all of God’s creations swim and “be” in ways that we humans can learn a thing or two! And the huge ocean doesn’t separate the love!
Dad (and Mom) are doing their best, thank you. Follow up appointments to monitor, therapy, continued healing…I’m so grateful for modern medicine ~ some things cause their own effects, yet, to be here is an absolute blessing. My family recognizes that God is the reason. We will give him credit and praise ~and also use our God-given abilities to use this gift of life to not waste it!
I appreciate you, Mark. Finn and I send our love and blessing. Let’s continue walking in peace and faith, dear friend.🐾❤️🙏🏻🥰🤗🎶☕️🙌🏻 🦓
We will walk in that love found Karla, and give from what we have become through this journey we take. And Indeed paying it forward (very well said, your words so true), in all we do. He unwrapped that gift for us beautifully so that we can see and appreciate its beauty in this path we take. Just like that hawk and duck, though much smaller than my watery friends, but just as profoundly make their presence known…in expressions, attitudes and actions…each a beauty to be held. Just like you kind lady, also a very unique, profound love that you are and share because of it. Thank you, it is a gift, and my present all year 🤗❤️
Big hugs, love and light from across the big blue to you and Finn also Karla, and I will most certainly join you in that walk of peace and faith. And I hope the excitement of the season is a healing to you and family, and its nature of joy and smiles that gift that only love can give 🤗🥰🦋🎶🕊️🐾🦓❤️🙏
My heart, soul, and face are smiling, Mark. Thank you, dear friend. 🥰🤍💞🩷❣️🙏🎶🤗💛🐾
a beautiful, inspiring post, Karla, especially applicable now the whirl has begun; I like your ‘calm and cushioned’ and repaying people with kindness, respect and generosity.
Thank you, John. “…now the whirl has begun.”
Let’s stay calm and cushioned together in our joined journeys, my friend. I appreciate you! Thank you for your kindness and respect!
Very timely post. My daughter was born December 26. Your photos are glorious!
Thank you, dear friend! Happy early birthday to her! I appreciate you so much.💚🎄💚🙏🏻
Merry Monday, my friend! This is a beautifully written post. The debt has been paid, one that I could never pay, by the only One that could pay it and mark it paid in full!
The photos are stunning. You should frame the hawk, he appears to have posed for you.
Karla, you are a blessing! You share yours gifts so freely. I am sending love and hugs on this rainy Monday ❤️🤗 You have been in my prayers this morning, as always 🙏🏻 I love you, dear one ❤️🎄✨☕️
Pam, you are so precious. Merry Monday! I love that!
I knew this post would resonate with you~your heart and soul.
I’m so thankful for you (and Butch) for your unwavering support and love. It’s such an encouragement!
You’re a blessing to me, too. I’m praying right now for all of you (including your precious Daddy). I love you!💚🎄🙏🏻 ☕️
Love and prayers, always ❤️🙏🏻💚
♥️🙏🏻♥️ likewise dear Pam
I love your interesting perspective on due dates, Karla! They are always part of our life. Then there are due dates that keep us in the dark, not knowing when they will happen. We only have one day at a time.
Your photos are great, especially the hawk. I love hawks. Looks like the squirrel met his due date! Nature is our best medicine it seems.
So glad you are hanging in there and enjoying life as much as possible.
Dwight, I appreciate you and your supportive comments!
I’m happy you enjoyed this perspective.
Ah, those due dates in the dark~ truth! One day at a time~ more wisdom, my friend.
When I placed that Hawk photo in the post I thought “Squirrel supper was due!” Great minds! 🤭
Nature is so healing. The skies make a perfect roof and the ground a perfect floor!
It’s a blessing to be here~ I don’t take it for granted, dear Dwight. I hope you have an amazing day and week! Thank you, again.💚🙏🏻
:>) You are very welcome my friend. Keeps the Faith!
❣️❣️❣️
I felt myself exhale just reading this. All that is due… it is noise and distraction (something I’m writing about today). In the eternal world, the one where my soul will find its rest because Jesus paid it all, there will be no deadlines or rush. That is where my eyes and heart need to focus this busy season. Thank you for the reminder!
Aw, thank you, Mama M. What a beautiful and heartfelt response. There’s so much noise isn’t there? What a relief heaven will be. I just can’t fathom it–yet, I feel exhilarated thinking about about it. It might not make the “due dates” go away. But we don’t have to let those take the peace provided by our Lord! I’m supporting you in love, prayers, and sisterhood. You’re a blessing!
Hallelujah! Thank you for reminding all of us of our cancelled debts and the wide-open future Christ has given us all. And happy early birthday to your son. I hope you are well and at peace as you prepare your heart and home for his coming again. Blessings!
Thank you, Russell! Your words of support, and wisdom, always bless me, my friend! I’m at peace. It’s a peace I’ll never let go of, Russell. I know you know it, too! Thank you for the birthday blessings for my son! I pray you both are doing well. Blessings to you both!
I love your photos, Karla! Isn’t God’s creation amazing?! I was especially intrigued by the goose with a blue neck. He got me totally off-task, searching google for a name. Couldn’t find anything, though. Do you know what kind of goose he is?
Well anyway, thanks for another great post! May God bless you richly as you serve Him! 🙏💕🤗🐾
Thank you, Cindy! I’m tickled you pointed that out, my friend. SO….that evening, I went down one of my rabbit holes in research (I’m ADD when it comes to researching). Then, I “tagged” my oldest daughter-in-law and son on this wild goose chase (Pun intended tee hee). I even downloaded migration maps! Oh my!
To all of us he was a cross between a Canadian Goose and a Cackling Goose. We found a picture with both geese. He seemed all Canadian except for the color–but a cackling goose is supposed to have a stubby and short neck. I found him fascinating! A college professor was on that hike that day and he told me to look for the Canadian Goose.
Thank you for being here, Cindy, and sharing your love, kind words, and blessings. It means so much to me! We love you and Henry! God bless you! ❣️🤍🐾🙏🙏
It sounds like we’re “two peas in a pod”! 🫛 Love you, too! 💕🐾🙏
Aww. Yay! ❤️♥️💚🥰🐾🤟🏻
So much to do in December, yes, Karla, happily due to show our loved ones how much they mean to us! Thank you again for your wonderful reminders here.
Hello, my friend. You’re so kind and thoughtful, Mark! I appreciate your support and friendship so much. You’re an encouragement to me! Thank you!
Around here, nature has “due dates” that are surprisingly uniform, driven by the seasonal cycles. You know how much I love that hawk!!!! ❤️🐩🐾
I love nature’s due dates, MAK!! And Finn and I love you 3! I thought of your raven before I went to school today (yay, I felt well enough to go and sub for music!). I recorded Raven and my little granddaughter and I sung it this summer. So, that song is stuck in me. Thank you for your friendship and support!!❣️🩷🤗⛰️🐾🐾🐾
We three think you two are Brave and Good 😊🐩🐾🏔️❤️❤️❤️
Aww. We sure are trying, MAK! Thank you!!!❣️❣️❣️🤗🐾🐾🐾⛰️⛰️⛰️🎶
All in due time indeed, dear friend.
Great post Karla! Merry Christmas!
Thank
You, my friend! It’s good to see you! I hope you and your crew are doing well. Merry Christmas!💚🥰🙏🏻🎄
What beautiful photos. How wonderful to have such a close encounter with the hawk.
Thanks for sharing.
Love, katelon
Thank you, Katelon! Sending hugs. I appreciate you. Love, Karla
A Christmas baby 🙂
Your nature walks look fun little sister. It is a good thing that we do not know the due date of the return of Jesus. It is wonderful we have nothing owed, no debt, with God because of Jesus paying for it all.
Aw, thank you, big brother! I appreciate you!
Yes to all of this! Amen!
Many blessings–I pray you are well, Matt!! 🙏🥰
Nature does flow Karla. A little slower here in winters cold. Love the hawk picture (as well as the others). I’m glad God’s love for us flows. Take care as Christmas flows rather fast.
Amen, Gary. You all have been on my heart and mind today. I wanted to text to share I’ll be headed out to visit my youngest son and family. I’m sending lots of prayers and blessings to you and the girls and crew. I’ve been checking out your forecasts knowing that God’s warmth is about all you have this time of year, my friend, lol. Oh my. I’m trying to pace myself. I almost outdid myself today–but peace is still my pace. I’m ready to go celebrate an early Christmas and see how God unfolds more miracles. That’s what I pray for all of you too, dear friend. I appreciate you so much.
I hope you get to keep taking those walks Karla. Prayers will be going both ways…Yes, it would be tougher here. Now we get to see if we have warm enough boots, mitts and coats here. Vehicles are plugged in tonight. Have a great Christmas time. Mugs of Hot Chocolate with whipped creme and peppermint candy canes hung on the side are waiting here
It’s such a gift to get encounters like this with these beautiful birds. Great reminders to offer praise ❤️
You just know, my friend. Thank you for being here. It means so much to me. ❣️🤗🙏
Such clever word-webbing* of all things “due,” Karla! With you I praise Jesus for paying what is due on my life, so one day I can live in heaven with him. *Do schoolchildren still make word webs these days?!
Thank you, dear Nancy. Isn’t it such a wonderful feeling to know we will be with him one day? I appreciate your support, prayers, and positive feedback. It means so much to me! Recently, I put a word on the SmartBoard and the kids “webbed” their thoughts around it. I’m not for sure if teachers do this daily, but I use it! I pray you are well. Merry Christmas! God bless you!
❤️
🩷🩷🩷
That poor rowdy class. I understand all too well. God bless you for your efforts, Karla! Happy Birthday to Jay! Merry Christmas to you! And lots and lots of love—many prayers, too! 🎂🎄🩵🙏🏻
Aww, thank you, dear C Merry Christmas to you and your precious family, too.
You know WELL about the classes!
Thank you for the bday wishes for Jay, too. It was fun to be in your “neck of the woods” for many days. I’m sending lots of love and prayers to you, too, dear sister. 🩷💞🥰🙏
Well, this word was certainly due and received right on time. Timing is everything and God’s timing is always perfect, right?!
Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏻🎉
Ah, thank you, dear CP. Please forgive me for the late reply.
Timing is everything! HIS timing is always perfect!
I appreciate your unwavering support, friendship, and encouragement so much, dear friend. Hugs and blessings always from Finn and me! 🤗🥰🙏🏼
” Ah, I have found freedom in the frenzy. ”
Child, wise one, teacher, friend, mother, daughter, lover of christ, Karla!
💓
You nailed this post that had me nodding and thinking “damn, this girl nailed this to a T or a (cross) lol
😆
“Outstanding, receivable, and payable. Our debts were paid, dear friends.
Truly amazing hearing your words that struck me in such a perfect way… soooo good and introspective my friend. I loved every word! Each a masterpiece into the heart of love and your words are openings to inspiration that we all need. Love each beautiful photo. Take a bow, Karla and relish in the love you spread as I am in you right now.
I love you so much and thanks for the post.. have a great holiday!
❤️🎄🎄💗💗🎄🎄💗🎄🎄
C, what a heartfelt and generous response, big sis. THANK YOU! You are so kind and thoughtful. I’m so thrilled my words struck a heart chord. I felt like I was beginning to “unfray”…ONLY for a TINY bit. I “re-grounded” in faith…and TRUTH. You inspire me, Cindy. I love you so much! Merry Christmas to you and your precious family💞🩷🌲💞🩷🎄🙏🏼🤍🤍!
It was my pleasure and I loved it so much, I shared it on my last post. I loved every word of it. I love you to the moon and back and hope you enjoy every minute with your family as well! 💗💗💗💗💗
Oh, C,…I’m honored, big sister. Thank you for your love and support. I will go to see it now. I’ve missed being here. I feel your love and it means so much! I love you to the moon and back, too! I enjoyed time with my youngest son and his family and found out he is coming tomorrow to join his older brother and family to go on a Christmas outing with me. My heart is so full, C! I hope and pray you are all well and that your Christmas is filled with joy too!❣️🎄🩷🤗💞
K.L., this is a beautiful post. Sometimes we take our blessings as what is due to us. What a hard lesson to learn. Nothing is due. God bless. 🙂 xxx
Thank you, Marsha! Amen! God bless you, too! XXX
Thank you 🙂 xxx
As I was reading, I got to thinking about Jubilee. That practice that was not really practiced. But it was or would have been a release of debts and, I now imagine, due dates of all kinds. Thank goodness that in Jesus we have a Jubilee not every fifty years but for forever. And thank you.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom and truth! Jubilee! AMEN! I appreciate you. God bless you!
Dear Karla,
I loved the many beautiful messages and photos in this post:
“Walks in the woods prove how nature cares less about due dates. Humans force and nature flows.”
“Pay one another kindness, respect, and generosity. “
The world would be a better place if we lived according to these tenets.
Wishing you many flowing walks in nature and kind, respectful, and generous encounters.
Warmly,
Tanja
Tanja, thank you for your lovely words and precious support! I hope your Christmas was amazing. I can imagine the views, walks, and the peace of the snow during your season, my friend. Wishing you the same as we begin another year! Many blessings!
Thank you for the good wishes, Karla. 🙏
IT’s my blessing, Tanja. Happy New Year, my mountain friend! 🙏🏼🩷🤗
Thank you, dear Karla. Best wishes for the new year to you as well.
It’s my pleasure, my friend. I appreciate you! It’s off to a good start, Tanja. A bit of cold, maybe snow (it won’t be like Colorado). I’ll enjoy the peaceful hibernation period. You enjoy it, too!
I’m glad your year is off to a good start.
I’m actually out of the country but look forward to returning to CO soon. Central Europe in December/January is not sunny enough.
Tanja! How wonderful, my friend! But I understand about the sunshine. I can’t wait to hear about your trip. Prayers for safety and wonderful memories (and some more sun!).
Thank you kindly. 🙏
You’re welcome ☺️ 🙏🏻
Karla, your faith and creative voice share so much encouragement. Indeed, I can forget about life’s due dates when immersed in nature’s landscape . . . truly freed, just like our Savior’s birth.