The Cold
I know I often say that I hate Mondays and just want to stay in bed, but it is even more true today. Sadly, I’m the only person at the museum today, and I have an important meeting this morning. However, I started getting a cold Saturday night. My throat was feeling raw, and while I know it’s likely post-nasal drip, it doesn’t mean I don’t feel awful.
I was supposed to go to the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival with a friend of mine yesterday, and I almost canceled going, but I’d started feeling better and decided to go. I should have gone with my first instinct, but decided to go because my friend and I were supposed to go out to eat at a new restaurant I wanted to try. Probably none of y’all have ever tried to drive through Stowe during peak foliage season, but traffic was bumper to bumper. Then, we arrived at the site of the festival only to find out that it had been canceled due to high winds Friday night that caused the main tent containing the festival to collapse. We were able to walk around a bit to see the foliage, but it was a big disappointment.
We went out to eat and by the time I got home, I was completely worn out. I went to bed early hoping to feel better today, but I don’t. So, I really wish I could just stay in bed today. It won’t happen. To add to this, it’s currently 41 degrees here, but the temperature will drop to nearly freezing when I’ll be heading home from work. Most of this week will have highs in the low 50s, but we will have lows below freezing most mornings this week. We might even get our first snow of the season.
Embrace God’s Love
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:38-39
As LGBTQ+ Christians, it can be challenging to reconcile our faith with our identity. We live in a world where we may feel misunderstood, judged, or even rejected by others. Yet, in the heart of Scripture, God’s message is clear: His love for us is steadfast and unshakable. Nothing—no person, no ideology, no power—can separate us from that love. Romans 8:38-39 is a powerful reminder that God’s love is all-encompassing. In times of struggle, confusion, or loneliness, remember that you are deeply known and cherished by God just as you are. God’s love is not conditional on fitting into a particular mold or meeting the expectations of others. He created you uniquely and beautifully, with purpose and intent.
When you feel distanced from the church or face discrimination, know that God’s arms are always open to you. You are part of His family, and His grace is not limited by human boundaries. Just as Jesus reached out to those who were marginalized, He reaches out to you, inviting you to experience His boundless love. First John 4:8, which states “God is love,” is especially important to us as LGBTQ+ Christians because it affirms that God’s very nature is rooted in love, and this love is not conditional or limited by human standards. We are reminded in 1 John 4:8 that Christianity centers around God’s love as the ultimate truth, offering comfort, hope, and a foundation for LGBTQ+ Christians to embrace their faith and identity without fear.
In Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” The heart of our faith is love—the love God has for us, and the love we are called to share with one another. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). So love God, love others, and love yourself. Know that you are loved beyond measure, exactly as you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, and God has a plan for your life. Let us all remember that nothing—nothing in this world—can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Take a moment today to reflect on God’s love for you. Write down (or post in the comments) three ways you have seen His love in your life recently, even in small moments. If you’re able, connect with another LGBTQ+ Christian for support and encouragement, sharing how God’s love is sustaining you. Above all, remember this: You are loved. You are worthy. You are enough. Hold tightly to the truth that God’s love for you is unbreakable, and let that love empower you to live fully in His grace.
TGI Friday
I’m glad it’s Friday. It hasn’t been a bad week, though somewhat busy. However, I’ve had a migraine for the past few days. I ended up going home from work early Wednesday and Thursday. I’m working from home today and plan to take it easy. Luckily, there isn’t a lot of must do things today because I still have a migraine.
Yesterday, I went to the ENT to have him evaluate my hearing. The whole visit took less than five minutes. He introduced himself, looked in both ears, declared that there was no damage that could be fixed with surgery, and then said that the hearing loss was due to nerve damage and only hearing aids would help. So, now I’ll be returning to the audiologist to be fitted for hearing aids.
Hopefully, my migraine will improve and I can enjoy this weekend. I’m planning to go with a friend of mine to the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival. We’ve gone to a few arts festivals together and always have a good time. With this one being in Stowe, one of the most expensive places in Vermont, I doubt there will be anything I can afford, but it will be fun to browse through the booths.
I realized last night that I did not post an Isabella pic of the week, so here you go. This is about the closest she ever comes to cuddling, though she most often lays on my hip if I’m on my side. Sometimes, if I’m on my back, she’ll lay down stretched out from my belly to my chest. Mostly, she just prefers to be near me, not on me.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Migraine
I went home from work early yesterday with a migraine. It was one of those migraines that came and went all day long. Most likely, it was caused by changes in the weather. It was supposed to be a sunny day, but it rained on me while I was driving home. It continued to rain off and on for the rest of the day. Some places around me are also having snow flurries this morning. In other words, the weather is a mess right now and causing havoc for my migraines.
I’d probably stay home today, but I have a tour to give first thing this morning, and I have an appointment with an otolaryngologist (ENT or ear, nose, and throat doctor) later this morning. I had gone to an audiologist for my tinnitus, which is particularly bad when I have a migraine, and my insurance requires that I also see an ENT before the audiologist can move further with any type of treatment.
I’m not sure how the rest of my day will go. It will probably depend on how the migraine I still have is after I have my doctor’s appointment.
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