Early morning, cold gray sky.
No breathtaking sunrise on this cold and snowy day. 
It is difficult to distinguish the ground from the sky. Is it gray and white? Or white and gray?
I am walking in a snow globe.
Snow coming down, covering the ground in a thick blanket of flakes.
The world is muffled under the wet white.
Counting down to Christmas.
Shopping and wrapping.
Singing and laughing.
The snow…
just makes it seem more so.
The most wonderful time of the year.
My laundry room is a mess. Not only is this the place that overflows with dirty clothes and linens, but it also is the place
laundry room – before (Photo credit: Amber Karnes)
where everyone takes off their boots and shoes before entering the house. This includes boots that have been in the barn and the chicken coop. Um…..it can get yucky. It seems I am constantly sweeping and cleaning the floor, only to have it quickly messed up all over again.
I take life lessons where I can get them….sweeping up the dirt of life. The dirt is everywhere, isn’t it? Just when we think everything is in order, life gets dirty again. It is when the messiness is overwhelming, I realize that I am incapable of making things right. I’ve never been able to make things right, not really. I cry out to the One who is able to put things in order.
He is ever patient with me.
And for that I am thankful and forever grateful.
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Today I am thankful for:
* wet, soggy Monday
* white twinkling Christmas lights
* Ghiradelli chocolate
* my dirty chickens that give me lovely eggs
* Ace who walks by my side and “patrols” the perimeter of the house
* Lonnie dog next to the Christmas tree
* Nikki who follows me around and purrs loudly
* my husband who loves me in spite of myself
* children who are healthy and funny and messy
* friends that come into my life
* singing Christmas carols without music
* dirty laundry room floors that remind me of God
* Emmanuel—God with us
The Christmas tree lights sparkled, giving the room a warm glow. There is just something about how a room looks when
bathed in the sparkle of Christmas lights. My gaze took in the room, noticing all the picture frames nestled amongst the greenery, the ornaments hanging on the tree from days long ago and a feeling of peacefulness settled around me. The world is not perfect, and at times it can be down right scary…but, for a few, still minutes it was calm and filled with a deep thanksgiving. I felt blessed, truly blessed. Blessed not with perfection, but with purpose.
Purpose…
The beautiful Italian nativity setting on the table brings me joy. Joy, not because of the work of a great artisans, but because of what that small baby in the center of it all brings…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV
Jesus, whose purpose it was to come into this broken world to save.
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19: 10 NIV
Peace from the Prince of Peace…at Christmas and all through the year.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:26 NIV
It’s A Wonderful Life is one of my favorite Christmas classics. I have to watch it every year around this time. In the movie
Travers in his most memorable role, as Clarence Odbody in It’s a Wonderful Life (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
George wants to die because he thinks his life isn’t worth living…that it would be better if he had never been born.
There are days like that for all of us, huh? Maybe not to the extent that George felt it, but we all have times where we struggle, and wonder the “why’s” out loud? It’s easy to see the hardness of life, if we don’t make a concentrated effort to see the good.
Clarence, George’s guardian angel, tells him, “You see George, you’ve really had a wonderful life. Don’t you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?”
Clarence and George were just characters in a movie, but there is truth in what they say.
Life has its up’s and down’s, that is for sure, I am definitely not here to debate that fact. Regardless, life does give us much to be thankful for.
It has to do with perspective and where we choose to look.
Remind yourself daily of all the things for which you are thankful…….
and then pass the popcorn and hot chocolate, the movie is about to start.
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Today I am thankful for:
* friends of all ages
* going on a Christmas House Tour
* twinkling lights
* spur of the moment “dates” with my husband
* laughing together
* children that make me smile
* children that drive me crazy
* hugs
* kisses on rough, stubbly faces
* asking questions
* friends that know Jesus
* planning a classic movie night with girlfriends
* seeing that there truly can be joy after mourning
* home made fudge
* goofiness
* singing Christmas songs along with Pandora
* the smell of freshly ground coffee
* beautiful Christmas decor
* heavy fog on a warm December morning
* living in “the sticks”
* wide open spaces
* Jesus, my Savior
* knowing that because HE lives, I can face tomorrow
Last night I was pondering my life….. nothing life changing, mind you, but just thinking….
The life I have now, might never have been. I am keenly aware of that fact.
I believe, understanding that, helps me to keep things in perspective.
Sure, I have my good days and bad days just like anyone else. Life isn’t perfect…..
but, how could I expect it to be? Since we, the imperfect, all live in this imperfect world.
With all that said, life can be and still is, pretty good.
I’m getting ready to celebrate my 44th birthday this week. I can’t believe it. Where did the time go?
How can I be 44? The river of time speeds along, carrying me with it.
I want to enjoy my time. Really enjoy it. Not perfectly….but, wholly.
And, Holy………celebrating the moments that God has blessed me with.
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Today I give thanks for:
* a great Mother’s Day weekend
* the sound of new wind chimes
* the wind mill from Tractor Supply
* clucking chickens, and crowing roosters
* walking the dog in my pajamas and rubber boots
* dew on the grass
* crisp, early morning stillness
* egg salad and iced tea
* cards that say I love you
* a mother that is my strongest advocate
* sister’s words of love
* an aunt that gives her time
* touching feet under the blanket
* laughing with hubby
* hugs from my children
* a deck that needs washed
* a yard that needs mowed
* a life that is lived…one day at a time…thankful for it all.
Every bit of it.
“Love is never having to say you’re sorry.”
I don’t know who ever came up with that quote…but, just for the record I hate it. I completely disagree with the sentiment.
That statement is full of pride. The very thing that builds up walls and causes isolation, even within relationship.
Now, I cannot speak for everyone, but I know for myself that I am imperfect.
You heard me. Imperfect. I freely admit it.
Stubborn. Opinionated. Fierce.
Slow to boil, but when the steam is rising—step back or you might get burned.
Ugh. I dislike that about myself.
It has taken me years to realize that my gift of words can heal…or they can hurt.
And the choice is mine.
On Valentine’s Day everyone is talking about love. Millions of dollars are spent on showing each other how much we care.
Then February 15th rolls around and it is back to usual.
Relationship with any intimacy at all, is going to have times when the imperfect collides with reality.
Those times are the perfect time to say “I’m sorry”. Those words have healing power, if said with sincerity.
Those words humble me.
Love in the real world is not some Saturday afternoon chick flick. It’s not the handsome guy on a white horse. Or even drowning in expensive chocolates……
Love is strong. And it is tough. And it is brave.
It is humbled. And it is servant. And it is forgiving.
Love is a great gift.
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My name is Dawn.
A short name, only four letters.
Dawn was a popular name in the 60’s and 70’s.
The name means: sunrise, daybreak.
Maybe that is why I am so taken with the morning sky…
when the sun turns the darkness into beautiful streaks of pink and purple.
I quietly watch in anticipation as
a new beginning erupts across the horizon.
A chance to start anew.
Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Isaiah 58:8 NIV
Yesterday was the long drive back home. My family and I spent this past week visiting with relatives that live in another state. It was heartwarming, fun, and memories were made. Today will be the business of getting back into a routine, unpacking a weeks worth of clothes and starting laundry. I’ve already begun to think about this coming weekend and the beginning of a new year. These few days of the old, always seems to hold such promise. What will the new year bring? Excitement? Personal gain? Love? New friendships? Sadness? Tragedy? One just never knows. For me, the new year always holds excitement mixed with a little apprehension. It’s the not knowing that makes me pause.
I’m not much into New Years resolutions. I think they cause too much pressure. I’m the type to write goals out on a daily and weekly basis anyway.
This year I’ve learned the art of being thankful. I’m still learning…and, I suppose I will continue to learn the lessons of thankfulness until I take my last breath on this side of Heaven. One would think being thankful would be easier considering how much there is to be thankful for. Why is it that most of the time we see the holes in our lives, the less than, the lacking, the unfortunate….and we concentrate on those things? Why not focus on all that is good in life? Really, there is so very much. Thankfulness continues to be my goal as I begin a new year…not as a resolution that will fade from existence by the first of February…but, a resolve to see all the ways that I am blessed.
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A million things to do. My to do list is overflowing.
I’m running around like I’m in a mad race.
STOP. BREATHE. SLOW DOWN.
Why is it that we, especially as women, feel we must have everything under control? Striving so hard to get it all done…
Forgetting about what is truly important, only for what is just urgent.
And the song coming from my computer,
shocks me back into the reality of Christmas.
O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angel voices
O night divine!
O night when Christ was born
O night divine!
O night, O night divine!
And in His Name, all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us praise his holy name
Christ is the Lord!
The words……fall on your knees…….let all within us praise His holy name……
And I stare at the nativity that I bought just a couple of weeks ago.
Why don’t I remember?
Why is it so easy to forget in the hustle and bustle of this holiday?
Stopping.
Remembering.
Celebrating.
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A bright and sunny December morning.
December 12, 2011….
I’m finding all things to be thankful for,
because I will not pass this way again…
So thankful for:
*the crystal frost that covers the ground and sparkles like diamonds in the early morning sun
*a blazing pink and purple sunrise
*a lit Christmas tree covered with memories
*music that makes my heart soar
*worshiping in the here and now
*cleaning the house
*looking forward to having company over
*the village post office, it is exciting this time of year
*being known
*sharing my life
*chocolate covered almonds
*family and friends that brighten my days
*finding the nativity in an old antiques store
*beautiful, vintage glass decorations that make my heart happy
*Christmas cards from friends
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:13-14 NIV
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It Just Dawned On Me 