The Howell Blessings

“Taking the weight off your shoulders" is an idiom that means to feel relief from the things that weigh us down. Worry, responsibilities, and even business keep us from feeling our best selves and cause sleepless nights.   The last few years I have experienced an enormous amount of weight on my shoulders. From taking care of my aging parent and his declining mind, to the loss of one of my brothers. Even the good parts of life can be challenging. My husband retired early, which was a blessing to us, especially to him. My honey has the freedom now to travel and do all the things he’s waited to do. I love traveling with him, but as of right now, I still work. I thank God I have a job that gives me the flexibility to work on my own time, most of the time. But, as a Realtor, there are deadlines that must be met, so working while traveling takes away some of the fun and certainly adds to my stress. When I do get to slow down and breathe a minute, I feel the weight lifting off my should...

Five Minute Friday - Soon I feel like I am still in the same situation I’ve been in for way too long. I have friends where I live, but I don’t feel like I have close friends. We’ve lived here for 15+ years and yet it’s my out of state friend that will call to check in on me.   It’s been tough lately. Emotionally anyway.   I lost my oldest brother a year ago, and I feel like I still haven’t snapped back into life as it was before. I’ve been quiet lately too, as in not mingling with my group of networking friends, or my work friends, or my church friends, or God.   I’ve been feeling down and tired.   Yet not one of my local “friends” have called or texted me to check in on me. Proverbs 1:24 says “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”     Just recently, I was catching up on some chores around the house and listening to the Spotify “Praise” channel.   I was occasionally signing out loud ...