wonder

of great significance and value

courage, Faith, family, Prayer, Teaching, Trust, Uncategorized, wonder

 

Press on - knees down, heads up

Press on – knees down, heads up

I’m not superstitious and don’t believe in luck or ritual.

Yet, when I glance down to find a penny on heads, I feel favor.

A shiny, but weathered coin, yet stoic forward facing.

Lincoln’s profile reminds of my father.

Strong jaw, contemplative eyes.

Favoring and reminding me of his heart, good and honest, although worn, battered and beaten by life.

A penny on heads early this morning in the chaos of the laundry room, I pick it up and smile, slipping it into the pocket of my robe.

Of great significance to me

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.  Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. Proverbs 24:3-4

Common sense, a strong and honest heart, my father’s legacy.

Life beckons me to move courageously.

Quietly and confidently

With great significance

I am worthy and valued.

My fathers, both of them have told me so.

Adore

Children, Faith, family, Motherhood, Uncategorized, wonder

IMG_20140709_080051_kindlephoto-26148347

I love pretty words.

The last time I used the word “adore” was to describe a photo of my daughter.

I cannot recall the occasion, maybe birthday.

She sat on the couch, looked over and smiled

Beauty, grace and love captured in a snap.

Her beautiful blue eyes.

Her confident, determined ease.

I refreshed my memory on the definition of “adore” and so understand the writer’s exhortation now as we are prompted

” Oh, come let us adore Him.”

Asking, the onlookers, ancient and amazed…to adore Christ the Lord!

And so, let us adore Him, let us overflow with joy, excitement and love as we humbly and blessedly imagine the beauty of the newborn king, our glorious Savior.

Five-Minute-Friday-4

moving mountains

courage, Faith, rest, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability, wonder
Waiting to see

Waiting to see

There’s an image in my mind.

I’m standing, alone and facing a mountain.

Nothing but trees, overgrowth, and wildly growing bits and pieces of brush.  Limbs, broken and resting in varying degrees of decay.

I stand, perplexed by the mountain.

My feet find level ground and planted still and resolute, I focus on the mountain. I am waiting to see.

Concerns and unanswered prayers linger.

Days interrupt with distractions but are filled with ritual;  yet, sometimes spontaneity.

But, then a thought, a nudge reminds…there’s still this  looming concern, this heart-tugging issue, this still mysterious waiting to be “done and stronger for it” nagging unknown.

Diversions are good, like standing in an open field and turning to notice a bird, happy to witness its flight.

Or deciding to rest, so lying down and mesmerized, getting lost in the bright blue and feathery white fluff of the wide expanse of sky.

Or deciding to walk down a path leveled by another’s feet

To feel compelled, excited to venture…to digress for a bit

To allow a break from the discipline of waiting.

Then suddenly reminded, like the turn of the head or the glance over the shoulder… the mountain, you remember the waiting, the unknown.

Still there, still overwhelming

Obscuring your view, reminding you of the enormity of it and the uselessness of your abilities.

Nothing good comes by force, you remember.

Nothing to do but wait

So, I wait. Heels dug in, feet level, balanced, eyes focused. Heart surrendered.

I wait, because I know the immovable can only be moved by God.

I pray. I do not lose hope.

Mountains can be moved.

Surrendered and expectant to see the clearing,   good, the better, the best. 

The mountain before you will become a plain. Grace, grace. It is God’s grace.  Zechariah 4:7

When you’re happy and you know it

courage, Faith, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability, wonder
We sing, God sings

We sing, God sings

My degree is in Psychology. It started as Art.

Detours of my own making and a need, I think to make sense of my sorrows, my sidetracks and my childhood guilted me into Psychology.  A traumatized, self-destructive,  “adult child lost and alone heal thyself”.

I know a couple of young women who are telling me they want to major in Psychology. I know a little about one and quite a bit about the other. They admire my work with the homeless, with suicide prevention, and with those isolated by mental illness.

I care deeply about my work; but, I’m happiest out walking, with a book, writing or excitedly blending paints onto canvas.

Today, I had the chance to tell one of these young women about the most important choice of life’s work or career.

The choice to have the courage to do the happy thing…the thing that fulfills, that pulls you back in like a welcome back home embrace.

That’s the work of your heart, the God design for you.

I reminded her where she felt happiest because I have seen her there.  She told me again of her dream career…that thing she daydreams about thinking, “If I could do this one day…this is what I want to do one day.”

And as she describes her imaginings, eyes bright, smile peaceful, I say  “That’s exactly the thing you should do.”

Because, that is the thing God knows you should do, he created you to do.

So, what derails, hinders, handicaps, causes us to choose the easier, most predictable path?

We settle for fear that our dream is too big. We quiet our heart and hear everyone else. Do the expected thing.

Not Believing Good Things can happen for you is the smallest, yet biggest determinant in your goals, your dreams.

God smiles when we smile. He rejoices over us with singing.

I hear God singing more these days.

Day 31: looking for good – refresh my path

Children, family, rest, Uncategorized, wonder

10151288849091203_kindlephoto-3632244We’re getting away today, my daughter and I.

A little place near the Blue Ridge mountains, just an overnight, wish it could be more, but going with the flow.

Connect with God, laugh, talk, eat, shop, hike a short little hike maybe then dinner, movie in our tiny little cabin warmed by a fire.

Almost changed my mind, so much to do at home, not worth it for one day. Other things in need of my dollars, Christmas soon, I need new clothes.

College for Austin looming. Same old Saturday, laundry, groceries, the habitual mundane, moaning as I go.

But we’re leaving. Not far, just different. Sight unseen, tiny little mountain town.

Hills, autumn leaves, antiques, art, big bathtub and fireplace.

Bags packed, loosely planned, leaving this morning…for a “mommy trip” with my daughter, Heather Analise.