The Best Way To Really Live

The turquoise Ball mason jar that I have setting on the kitchen window sill, is striking when the sun shines through it. A haze of blue-green illuminates the glass. A simple utilitarian vessel becomes beauty when touched by the light. It is amazing what one can see when her eyes are opened to all that is around her. The simple becomes something to marvel at, to appreciate, realizing that all things are gifts.

Life is so hectic and we often times rush through it, only glancing at the moments as they blur past us. The rushing through everything is a way to have a life, but that is not the best way to really live.

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*muted colors of autumn trees, like a water color painting on the horizon

*cool, brisk breeze that blows hair and gives a chill

*warm, well worn hoodie pulled close

*light through jars setting on the window sill

*rescued kitty purrs deeply, I believe grateful…

*long letters to family–news from across the miles

*family visit and memories made, stored in the heart

*my husband, so glad we found each other, the Lord blesses

*my children, growing up…swallowing hard

*cats on top of fence posts

*the soft muzzle of the horse

*gray blue sky

*wood smoke that smells like Autumn

*geese in a V, marvelous to watch

*eating well, getting strong and healthy

*going out to lunch with friends

*small groups and touching lives

*Jesus who makes all things possible

I Love Living Here

I love living here.

In this place….

Daily, surrounded by the wonder of God’s creation.

Sometimes words just don’t do it justice.

Instead of writing for my Thankful Monday post, I will just show you.

Today I am thankful for my life in the country: 

Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23 NLT

I Am Covered

I believe that there is no such thing as coincidence, only providence.

God’s divine guidance. There are no mistakes.

How many times am I guilty of being blind to the extraordinary of the every day?

My heavenly Father gives me the gift of Himself.

His handprints are all over this life that I am living.

There is no moment that is too small, or too insignificant.

There is no crisis too big, or too difficult for Him.

This life is woven in the tapestry of His grace, and I am covered.

Each moment is a gift.

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Today I am thankful for: 

*the golden colors of the fields, ushering in Fall

*the soft muzzle of a horse

*the unbridled enthusiasm of a 65 pound puppy

*fingers that fly painlessly over the keys

*popcorn popped in the old fashioned way

*brothers and sisters in Christ, singing truth

*wedding band glinting in the sunshine pouring through the kitchen window

*memorizing scripture, food for the soul

*fresh vegetables, given by a friend

*numbers on the scale going down

*a new stage in life, that even though difficult, is growing me

*health, may I never take it for granted

*the love of family and friends

*Jesus, who makes all things new

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  2 Corinthians 5:17 

Worry Less And Wonder More

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some days I am full of stories and pictures that I would love to share with you, my readers. I am always thinking of moments and the minute details of the day. I want my readers to see the world through my eyes, through my words. I keep trying…..

The day started at 6:15am. I like getting up early when the world is quiet and still. At this time of the morning, during the summer months, it is already light and I can see the glow of the morning leaking between the drawn curtains. After getting ready and making my way to the kitchen, I start the coffee and straighten the house. I admire the beautiful antique rug I got from the lady who runs one of the antique stores in the next town over. It is soft and worn…just perfect for bare feet. The sun streams through the living room window and I can’t help but notice that the sofa table needs dusting, as does the top of the piano.  I wish I didn’t always see what needs to be done.

The jaunt over to the chicken coop and barn was nice. The abnormally cool air, for mid July, felt wonderful on my bare arms. If the entire summer could be in the low seventies with low humidity, I would be thrilled. I think that is why I enjoy Autumn so much, just a tad over two months away…. The Morning Glories are twisted around the railing at the end of the deck, with delicate pink and purple blooms. The lavender is full and the bees hungrily eat, I hear their steady hum in my ears. Aside from the heat, there is much to enjoy about the summer months. I do love living in a place that allows me to see the beauty of all the different seasons.

My to do list is long, and I am well aware of all that must get done. I desperately want to put a check mark next to items on the list. I want to get things finished. The stress of it all drains me some days. I was outside the other day and the thought occurred to me, why do I worry so much about things? As soon as I check off everything on the list, new things will pop up and beg to be added. Do I chain my life’s happiness to an unending list? Am I defeated if I don’t get it all finished? This is something I am working on, or maybe I should say not working on?

My son just asked for my help to take some stuff out to his car. While outside I stopped and stared at the big puffy clouds and the bright blue sky. I noticed the weeds in the flower beds, and even though they are so hated…they actually are pretty with their yellow flowers. The thought occurred to me that maybe I need to just stay outside more, nature reminds me that the list is not as important as I think it is. My worries make my life small. They force me to live in frantic mode instead of thankful mode. I don’t believe that God ever intended for us to live life like it is a panicked emergency.

Over and over again I attempt to learn this lesson. It is important, and I need to get it. Not just with words, but actually live it. These words are an unending loop in my mind. “Rest, don’t stress. To love, not to list. Be joyful, not panicked. Worry less and wonder more.”

Life is meant to be lived fully and big. God wants us to depend on Him for an abundant life, not through our own power of getting it all done.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

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I love reading Ann Voskamp’s blog, A Holy Experience. She speaks to my heart with her poetic words. Yesterday she had a guest blogger, Ginny from the blog, Small Things. Ginny’s post spoke to me, right where I find myself. Maybe you need to read her post too? Click here.

The Daily Becomes Joy

The moments….the moments, are fleeting. Those moments that are brief glimpses of joy. Those sweet seconds that might never happen again, because time never stops and the clock keeps ticking. Oh, this flickering joy. The kind that brings a smile to both the mind and the heart. That is why it remains so important to see the moments when they happen…while you are living them, and to be present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today the refrigerator thermostat gave out and the food is going warm on a hot summer day. Scramble to keep things chilled. Husband rigged something up to temporarily keep heat at bay. I may as well clean the glass shelves in the refrigerator while we’re at it. Things could always be worse and the shelves needed cleaning anyway.

The farmer across the road and the farmer behind us are baling hay. The tractors roar and the large round bales sit like rural sculptures in the fields, pretty against the green. The view from the kitchen window makes me slow smile, as I continue to wash the shelves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One load of laundry hums in the dryer and another in the washer. Always more to do. Laundry is never done, only managed. Some days even that is not possible. But, I am happy for it. Clean clothes, such a simple thing, really.

This dog, that I love so much, he is a terrier. He sheds and sheds some more. His white fur is swept up off the floor, small tumbleweeds of fluff. He won’t be with us forever and I will miss his fluff. I pet his head and enjoy his big brown eyes now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturdays. How many are in a lifetime? How many days of dogs licks, and loads of laundry? How many fields full of beauty seen through my kitchen window? And how many times will I open and close my refrigerator door? Nothing life altering…and yet, it is. The simple becomes more, and the daily becomes joy.

When The World Tips Wildly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the world tips wildly,

and not one more thing can be crammed onto the lines of this life,

thoughts swirling….and life feels crazy dizzy.

When I can’t take one day at a time, because the days they rush.

The minutes swirl by at a rapid pace,

like white water crashing on the rocks of time.

The realization happens slowly, almost as a calming whisper.

Be still, and know that I am God.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Today, even in the deep, white water, I am thankful: 

*beautiful sunrise

*cats sleeping so peacefully

*graduation announcements

*cold green tea

*fresh new sheets

*a favorite magazine

*songs that make the soul sing

*looking forward to family visiting

*a freshly mowed front yard

*bright yellow dandelions against the emerald green

*fenced back field with a background of clear blue sky and white clouds

*God who gives peace, even in the midst

If Only

 

 

I’ve got a ton of things to do.  There is not enough time in the day. I’m sleep deprived. I’m stressed out and overwhelmed and want to just crawl into a corner and suck my thumb. Okay, maybe it isn’t really that bad. I won’t revert back to childhood, although I have to say it was a lot less busy and a whole lot less stressful.

Life has a way of making me feel like I am constantly running on a never-ending treadmill. Sigh. If only I can make it through the day. If only I can make it through the week. If only I could make it through the year. If only, if only, if only…….

The “if only’s” zap me of the here and now. I overlook the current moments, if I’m always fixated on the “if only”. I don’t want to be that way. Life will still remain busy and honestly, it can get stressful. With that said, if I will slow down and take a moment to thank God for all the good, the mood changes. Yeah, I’ll still be busy, but my perspective will have changed.

My focus will be in the right place.

1 Chronicles 16:8 – Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.

Lord, thank You!

Thank you for……..

*sunshine

*the fresh start to a new week

*hugging my son before he leaves for the morning

*a job interview for son

*soft pillows

*warm socks

*dinner with my husband

*conversation with my husband who tells me “I’m always on your side”

*God who chose me

*living in His unending grace

 

 

I See His Fingerprints

I stand in the yard, on the way to the barn, knowing that a decade ago I never would have thought I’d be here. I enjoy living in rural America. Yes, the pace of life is slower and I can’t get to the nearest restaurant or store in two minutes anymore. That is okay, because nothing takes the place of what I do have by living in the country.

I wish you could see what I see……I look out across the back field and am impressed by the fence my husband toiled over…straight lines of wood and metal. The cats climbed and perched on the posts, whispering meows to the horse standing nearby. The sun hangs low in the sky as I carry the buckets over to the barn. The rays of the late day sun spread across the sky, reflecting on the metal roof of the barn. Colors are dimmed by this cold winter sky, muted perfection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hear the sounds of the geese before I see them coming over the horizon. The feathered family honks to each other as they fly overhead, preparing for their landing at the winter lake across the road. I follow them until touch down, their formation is incredible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The sudden warm up caused most of the snow to melt and be replaced by mud. Lots of mud. My boots sink down into the ground, making a loud sucking sound as I put one foot in front of the other. I love Spring temperatures, but I do not love our mud season. I’ve almost lost my boots to the muck, on more than one occasion.

The chilled breeze caresses my cheeks, giving me a rosy glow as I go about my chores. I pull my winter hat further down on my head, wanting to keep my ears covered…after all it is still February. I see the breeze blowing the bare, scratchy limbs of the trees across the road. I notice a red hawk perched high in the tree, his regal gaze surveying the surrounding fields for his next meal.

There is such beauty and creativity in nature. I see the fingerprints of the Creator every where I look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last night, I got home after dark. I parked the car and slammed the door shut. As I crunched across the gravel driveway, I was forced to stop, and stare, my gaze tilted heavenward. The stars were vivid against the cold velvet sky. Honestly, there is no better place to look at the night sky than out here in the country on a brisk winter night. Yes, summer sky is beautiful, but winter sky has no humidity or haze to distort the view. The winter sky is crisp and perfect. I stood amazed at the twinkling lights set before me. I could even see the swirl of the Milky Way amongst the stars. Oh, how I wish I could share the splendor with you, my readers! My humble words could never do the scene justice.

The verse, from Luke, about even nature crying out to praise its Creator echoes in the night. He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”  Luke 19:40 NIV

“Oh, Father how great and glorious You are! You are creative and mysterious. The works of Your hands are amazing. I am in awe of You. Thank you for this beauty You created for us to enjoy. You could have created all of nature and us and then left, but instead You chose relationship with us. You are not a cold and distant God. You are here, among us. Thank you. Glory and honor to You forever and ever. Amen.“

 

 

Nothing Is Impossible

This afternoon the gray sky is moist. I feel the drops on my face as I rush to unload the groceries.

The wind is biting, and my thick sweater is not enough to protect against the late Fall temperatures.

I hurry to get inside to the warmth. The kitchen lights leave puddles on the counter top, as I quickly put groceries away.

Life is a blur, but I want to slow it down.

It’s Friday. November 22nd. 2013. This day will soon be gone, and there will never be another just like it……

Oh, how I wish I could live each day remembering this fact.

When the merry-go-round goes wild and the moments make me dizzy….

Slow down.

Yesterday, while making dinner I watched Ann Voskamp and Liz Curtis Higgs, “Christmas at the Farm”. (If you too,would like to see the Webcast, go here. ) These two ladies are inspiring. They gave me a gift. They took my hand, frazzled and worn, and led me to the Savior. Towards the end of the visit, Liz spoke of Luke 1:37. “Nothing is impossible with God.” That happens to be my very favorite Bible verse and I just knew she was talking to me personally.

Nothing. Not anything. Nothing big. Nothing small. N-O-T-H-I-N-G is impossible with God.

How many of us need to hear that today? At this very moment? Every day, a reminder?

The darkness is creeping around the edges of the late afternoon sky. 4:30 seems much later….almost time to start dinner.

But, even as the darkness descends, and the temperature plummets, I know this…

My moments are here and now, and God sees them and feels them all.

I can rest in the knowledge that there is no such thing as impossible with Him.

For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37  KJV

 

 

It Is All Good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quiet Saturday morning, except for the sound of rain on the metal roof.

A sink full of dishes that need washed.

A floor that needs swept.

A good book to read.

Big band music on Pandora.

A hot cup of coffee with brownie sundae creamer. (morning beverage or dessert?)

It is all good………