Silent Nights

Children, Faith, family, grace, Motherhood, Trust

Very soon, I will have silent nights.

Less late night dishwashing cycles, no waiting for distinct sounds of cars pulling in or sounds in the middle of the night “Who’s in the bathroom, what’s wrong?”

Today’s Advent card, sandwiched between my two favorites is a beautiful image of “Silent Night, Holy Night.”

And I’ve not finished our tree yet. Nor have we mailed our cards or drawn names for our Georgia Christmas.

But, the crazy, funny, most wonderful thing happened this Christmas.

Heather said, “Mama, why don’t we make ornaments from old photos and hang them on pretty little ribbons?”

And I asked, “How did you know I had that idea?”

It’s quiet now; but, some things happened today that I could run rampantly anxious over.

I could read too much and read into too much.

Instead, I look over at our tree and know in just a little bit, I’ll pray for them both, opening my hands towards heaven.

My babies

Placing my babies there in God’s hands.

This time next year, in the solitary and silent nest of home

I’ll be praying still for my children.

They belong to you, Lord. Just humbled to be their mama.

Favored and Growing

courage, Faith, Trust, Vulnerability, wonder

I took today’s image, Day 11 Advent and laid it on my desk

Next to small books, bird’s nest and collected things, they’re pretty objects to distract and to settle me all at the same time.

This softly colored yellow card, with tree branch painted white over the word “eleven”.

It’s been my favorite all along, its simplistic beauty.

The idea of a solitary branch reaching out to grow, to yearn for the best and farthest reaching places.

Like grabbing hold that thing that’s just beyond your grasp

The tiniest, most delicate of newly sprouted branches with much room to grow.

Like a renewed desire prompted by a sincere compliment.

The things we love reach out and grow just as far and as strong as we allow or not.

Pruned by doubt or nourished by wholehearted belief.

It’s no secret anymore, the thing that you nourish like a Spring planted tree, fed, watered, cared for wholeheartedly, until

It nourishes you back.

.. it was because you favored them and smiled on them. Psalm 44:3

Everyday Delight

Faith, family, grace, praise, rest, Uncategorized

There’s a place I begin each day.

It’s quite heavenly for me.

A delightful time allowed myself, a commitment.

Not rushing forward to join the day.

Just making a point to hold my thin little book and pen

and to write a few or many words. It differs day to day.

Sitting, feet tucked under to read words of wisdom, to add with fluid black ink marking thick ivory page.

Recording words that resonate and then to go on about my day.

Allowing them to catch up with me later, my favorite part.

This is my happy way of life, this little snippet of each day.

It’s sort of like little mental post-it notes, pretty pastels tucked here or there, saying “This is why you needed this verse.” .

If I write, I remember.

Just when I need it.

It’s delightful like today’s image for Advent, Day 10. The most beautiful of happy colors, like square-shaped sticky notes, reminding me of the sweetness of a life God desires for me.

Things that delight my heart are the things the Lord the desires for me:

My children smiling, my home at peace, a solace in storm and a welcoming return for friends and family;

Good health for ones I love and the gift of knowing Jesus for all I meet.

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 4

All the Tiny Pieces

Faith, grace, praise, Prayer, rest, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability

It’s not at all easy for me to fathom

That looking down on us God sees us, each of us separate and unique.

But, I do.

Believe the unseen, believe I am seen.

And because of seeing all things I can see.

I walked on Saturday, through the crinkled up brown leaves strewn over the path.

I turned the corner to see even more bordered with cushions of rich green moss peeking through.

Layers and layers of same but different fallen leaves.

I continued on and stopped to notice the breeze as it rustled leaves, still clinging to branches, the wind cupping their edges to curve up, touching the sky.

Each tiny leaf, a creation of God and each one different.

It’s quite remarkable really, to be known by God.

To be more than a tiny piece in an enormous collection of pieces, indistinguishable from the one beside.

We’re more to God than that. We’re each unique, His plans for us waiting to be understood in full.

Few of us ever know fully, I’m afraid.

Few truly live so closely to His Sovereign will that it’s possible to see all He has for us.

It’s sufficient though to God each moment we spend seeking.

Thoughtful moments with leaves underfoot and breeze making music in the trees.

Sufficient because his grace is, sufficient.

The image that marks today’s Advent reminded me of dust and blackbirds.

It’s not at all easy for me to fathom that God sees more than specks of dust when he leans down to

listen

to see

That he hears my prayers, unspoken or not.

knows my thoughts

Sees my doubts, my dissapointments, my dilemmas.

To know that I am worth more

Than many sparrows.

But, I do believe he sees me.

No need to be afraid.

Adoring Stillness

Faith, grace, Prayer, rest, Trust, Vulnerability

Tiny candles tucked in places around the house.

An old miniature tree in the bathroom

Gold stars resting in a pretty white bowl

Little pine cones gathered on a pretty afternoon to be sprinkled golden and then hung with ribbons

A little touch of country for the tree

A mantle with greenery, candles flickering just enough to give a glow

To sit in the quiet of home at Christmas is to be still.

To adore the season.

To adore the Savior.

O’ Come let us adore Him,

Christ, the Lord.

Jesus We Love You

Faith, family, grace, Prayer, rest, Trust, Vulnerability, wonder

On this, the seventh day of Advent, I undo the card from my display.

Remembering my son’s girlfriend, IsabeI chose this as her favorite.

On this Saturday that’s yet to unfold

O’ Glorious Day!

My heart sings an old song.

My Jesus, I love thee

Know thou art mine

For thee all the folly

Of sin, I resign. My precious redeemer

Savior

Art thou. If ever I loved thee

My Jesus ’tis now.

Oh, what a beautiful reminder of peace is the sunshine flooding through my window, remembrance of the gift of day!

As if to say, “Here’s a new day…Let it be good.”

The tree, only partly adorned, reaching out to capture the light of day

And my little journal, gratitude list,

Just one word with a period added for emphasis.

Prayer.

To you, O’ Lord, I lift up my soul. For you are good, and ready to forgive and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Psalm 86:4-5

Jesus, we love you.

Linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee today

http://jenniferdukeslee.com/six-steps-to-a-guilt-free-christmas-tellhisstory/

Towards Jesus

Faith, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability, wonder

If you were a part of a group of people on a trip and you had no idea of the route, the time of arrival or the promised destination…

Would you follow along?

If you were considered wise, considered yourself wise

Would you band together with others wise, Magi, to travel dark countryside led by starlight

To worship a baby? The one you’d been told would be King of Jews?

Would you the lead the way, navigating the positioned flock, forward moving based on positioning of the others?

Like geese on an early autumn morning, focused on promised destination, moving towards the expected.

Being certain of the path and the arrival.

The place where Jesus was born.

There’s much to be said for moving

forward, uncertain and with

uncertainties,but

moving forward still.

Hurrying towards the Savior, like shepherds following a star.

When the angels left them and had gone I to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about. ” Luke 2:16

Moving towards, drawing more close too, staying there.

Draw me nearer, Lord.

Peaceful, Beautiful, Happy Smiles

Uncategorized

I’ve paused to notice Day 5’s Advent Card since hanging alongside the others in order countdown.

It’s a humble beauty, this card. Just the faintest of peachy skin colored background, a feathery wreath and a pretty “five” in just slightest of gracefully shiny gold.

Evoking beauty, a contented ease.

Much like a faded photo of a beautiful woman captured in laughter.

Knowing not her beauty.

A woman uncomfortable with being noticed, usually uncertain of her pose.

Yet, in a moment she’s laughing with all her heart and soul.

She’s surrounded by her children, and us, cousins.

She’s joyous.

Her beauty is pronounced. She’s at peace.

Soft hair, uncombed and messy from ocean breeze.

Her cheeks plumped up by beaming smile, resting ‘neath pretty eyes.

An old black and white photo, the date in tiny type on the scallop bordered edge.

The woman?

My aunt, the one who taught me

“Prayer and Patience”

She’s a humble beauty.

Day 5 of Advent, a peaceful happiness, an easy optimism and hope.

Mary and child, the angels providing a warm glow to welcome the baby Jesus.

If there were a photo, it would be an image of sublime celebration on a dark cold, but warm night.

I imagine Mary’s smile, peaceful and serene.

Unreserved and unhidden, embracing glory

Upon seeing the face of her child.

Thoughtful in the miracle of a child.

All who heard were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19

Let there be peace tonight and unhindered smiles tomorrow.

Sing Your Song

Children, Faith, family, grace, praise

I stood outside my daughter’s bedroom one day.

She was singing before church.

Her voice, clear and honest, uninhibited.

Not too long ago, I walked as softly as possible towards my son’s door as he played his guitar.

Day 4 of Advent is depicted in bright, vibrant combination of colors.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing…Glory to the newborn king.

I bet the angels sang like a Sunday morning praise with no one around or a Sunday afternoon strum to calm the soul.

When Jesus was born in a manger under a starry sky of cobalt blue.

Unabashedly, joyously and unreserved.

My friend Carolyn is an accomplished artist. She encourages me.

She prefers oils, pastel or watercolor.

She and I talked of layering, of color and of creating with abandon.

Our hands covered in color, applied with intent or spontaneity, uninhibited.

Velvety vivid, touchable colors created for emotion

With emotion.

Singing when no one’s around or fingertips covered in color.

All art is praise.

Joy.

Glory to the newborn king

Born to be our Savior.

To be gloriously and happily praised.

In the quiet private and the wide open.

Three as Design

Faith, family, grace, Prayer, rest, Trust, Uncategorized, Vulnerability

Day 3, its image soft in color, peaceful again

Beautifully scripted three at the base, centered at the foot of the cross

The chorus of a longing lyric, trading ashes for beauty

Laying burdens down.

Lord, help us to center ourselves at the foot of the cross.

The culmination of your good design.

Help us remember the goodness of three.

Father, Spirit, Son.

Like standing back to reflect on placement of objects to mark occasion in places all around the house.

Like adding a tiny candle, satisfied now.

Let me add nothing to or remove what you purposed for me…

To call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

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