The following is a portion of a devotional by Max Lucado, which I find helpful to setting my goals for the new year -- and each day in it! I'm putting it here, early in the month so I can find it again when I need to remind myself how I am choosing to live each day as I am able, and as I am enabled.

I CHOOSE LOVE…
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY…
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical… the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE…
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE…
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS…
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. I will be kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS…
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS…
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My spouse will not question my love.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS…
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF CONTROL…
I am a spiritual being… After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

From EACH DAY by Max Lucado (When God Whispers Your Name)

I know I won't always be able to manage the above choices, and I know I won't always make good choices. And I know I don't have to do all of these things all the time every time, but it is enough to be trying. "For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:8)

I'm off to have a good day!

Current Mood: hopeful

Well, it's taken me a whole year to write this, but here it is -- what I wanted to say about my mom and about my loss of her. I guess it's appropriate that I should finally find the words for it in the final days before Mother's Day!

My family has always been fond of nicknames for each other. We have whole lists of them, usually silly ones that we wouldn't allow to be repeated outside the family -- but to us they are special endearments. One such name is the name we assigned to my mom at some point -- Meyer. I think it got started one day when I came home from school and announced that I had learned the French word for mother (mère), and Meyer was my sister's mispronunciation of that word. We thought it was funny, and so, of course, that's all it took for it to become our name for Mom. She answered to "Meyer" for years, and we all still call her that, actually, even though she is no longer with us.

Sometimes we would just call "Meyer, Meyer!" over and over again, and when my mom would come to find out what we wanted, we'd simply say, "Oh, we were just saying your name for comfort." She'd always laugh and shake her head in mock exasperation, but we could tell she liked it when we said that. She never minded being called away to see if we wanted something, because her reason for being on the earth was to serve, and she was always willing to drop what she was doing to see if someone needed something, and provide it if she could. Even if it was just us kids being silly in a loving sort of way.

( Click here for more thoughts and a nifty song )

Mother's Day -- or should I say, Meyer's Day? -- will never be the same now, it will always be tied up in that day when she went away, but it will also be all that more special a day of remembering her. We are gathering this year to be with my dad, just as we planned to gather last year. We're going to go to the cemetery and take her some flowers, and then take my dad out to eat, and I imagine we'll shed a tear or two -- but they probably won't be noticed much, because we'll all be laughing and remembering funny things she used to do and say, and just having a good time together, saying Meyer's name for comfort. ;-)

Current Mood: nostalgic

I was looking through a box of old stuff recently, and came upon an old engagement calendar -- the Winnie-the-Pooh Engagement Calendar from 2002. I got these for Christmas several years running, and then they seem to have stopped producing them. Alas! They were lovely, with wonderful quotes from all kinds of Pooh-related media, as well as the classic illustrations made famous by Ernest H. Shepherd.

I wanted to share a quote from that was included in that calendar, which really strikes a chord with me. This is from The Te of Piglet, by Benjamin Hoff.

Te is pronounced DEH. In classical Chinese, it is written two ways. The first joins the character for "upright" to the character for "heart." The second way adds the character for "left foot," which in Chinese signifies "stepping out." Its meaning is virtue in action.

Te is not, as its English-language equivalent suggests, a one-size-fits-all sort of goodness or admired behavior that can be recognized as essentially the same no matter who possesses it. It is instead a quality of special character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential unique to the individual -- something that comes from the Inner Nature of things. And something, we might add, that the individual who possesses it may be quite unaware of -- as is the case with Piglet through most of the Pooh stories.

Piglet, we believe, is the Pooh animal best suited to demonstrate the transformation of Virtue into Virtue That Steps Out.

What's cool about this is that size really makes no difference when it comes to character, spiritual strength, or hidden potential. Piglet is always worrying about being an animal of very small size, and yet we see that he is the one who often steps out and accomplishes things, in spite of being afraid or feeling small. That's why he's my favorite Pooh character, maybe. That, and the fact that he is adorably cute. ;-)

This also reminds me of some passages of Scripture, that talk about how the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength, and how God's grace is sufficient, for his power is made perfect in weakness.

I wonder if Piglet ever saw his weakness as an opportunity to step out and unexpectedly be strong? I'm sure it helped him to know that he had an encouraging friend like Pooh who was always there for him to cheer him on. :-)

That just seemed like a good thought to share on a grey rainy Monday -- stepping out in virtue, even when we feel small!

Current Mood: happy

As my Christmas greeting to my friends, I'd like to share the same song I shared last year at this time -- What Child is This? as performed by The Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Once again, I have been listening to over and over again this season, I really love it -- the words, the music, the passion of the singer, everything!

This song is part of a longer narrated story about a man and his son, so the words have significance in that way -- but to me, the lyrics are significant in and of themselves, as they tell the story of why Christ was born and how our tomorrows can be changed when we look in the face of God.

Here are the lyrics, and below, if I've done it right, is the actual song at Youtube.

Have a blessed holiday, my friends!

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO LAID TO REST
THAT I NOW FIND HERE SLEEPING?
DO ANGELS KEEP THE DREAMS WE SEEK
WHILE OUR HEARTS LIE BLEEDING?

COULD THIS BE CHRIST THE KING
WHOSE EVERY BREATH THE ANGELS BRING?
COULD THIS BE THE FACE OF GOD,
THIS CHILD, THE SON I ONCE CARRIED?

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO IS SO BLESSED
HE CHANGES ALL TOMORROWS?
REPLACING TEARS WITH REBORN YEARS
IN HEARTS ONCE DARK AND HOLLOW

COULD THIS BE CHRIST THE KING
WHOSE EVERY BREATH THE ANGELS BRING?
COULD THIS BE THE FACE OF GOD,
THIS CHILD, THE SON I ONCE CARRIED?

IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
AS HIS LIFE SLIPS AWAY
AS HE READS BY THE LIGHT
OF A STAR FARAWAY

HOLDING ON
HOLDING OFF
HOLDING OUT
HOLDING IN

COULD YOU BE THIS OLD
AND HAVE YOUR LIFE JUST BEGIN?

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

TELL ME HOW MANY TIMES CAN THIS STORY BE TOLD
AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS IT SHOULD ALL SOUND SO OLD
BUT IT SOMEHOW RINGS TRUE IN THE BACK OF MY MIND
AS I SEARCH FOR A DREAM THAT WORDS CAN NO LONGER DEFINE

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
AND THE TIME
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

AND THE TIME AND THE YEARS
AND THE TEARS AND THE COST
AND THE HOPES AND THE DREAMS
OF EACH CHILD THAT IS LOST
AND THE WHISPER OF WINGS
IN THE COLD WINTER’S AIR
AS THE SNOW IT COMES DOWN
AND VISIONS APPEAR EVERYWHERE

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IN THE AIR
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
AS HIS LIFE SLIPS AWAY
AS HE READS BY THE LIGHT
OF A STAR FARAWAY

HOLDING ON
HOLDING OFF
HOLDING OUT
HOLDING IN

COULD YOU BE THIS OLD
AND HAVE YOUR LIFE JUST BEGIN

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS

Just a few quotes from a magazine on the subject of spring...

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is symbolic as well as actual beauty in the migration of the birds, the ebb and flow of the tides, that folded bud ready for the spring. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter. -- Rachel Carson

There is another sort of day which needs celebrating in song -- the day of days when spring at last holds up her face to be kissed, deliberate and unabashed. On that day, no wind blows either in the hills or in the mind; no chill finds the bone. -- E.B. White

May you all have a celebrating sore of day today, with no chill wind in the mind or the heart. I am going to be gardening. ;-)

Current Mood: content

I was struck yesterday by a passage of Scripture that was part of our sermon in church, which happened to be about God's faithfulness in fulfilling what he has promised. The verses seemed totally new to me, like something I had never read before -- whether that is because I never noticed them amongst the other verses in the chapter, or because this was the first time they actually struck home with some meaning, I don't know. In any case, the passage made me sit up and take notice!

So, because I like to keep track of such things in a place I can find them again, I'm putting it down here in my journal.

From Hebrews 6:16-20

Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf...

It's encouraging to think of hope as something more solid than just an emotion, or a feeling of something we want to happen but it might not. There is that aspect to hope, I realize, but in this case, the point of the verse seems to be that it is something solid, that we can trust, because what we are waiting for is certain.

I like that!

Current Mood: hopeful

As my Christmas greeting to my friends, I'd like to share the song I have been listening to over and over again this season, performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. This song is part of a longer narrated story about a man and his son, so the words have significance in that way -- but to me, the lyrics are significant in and of themselves, as they tell the story of why Christ was born and how our tomorrows can be changed when we look in the face of God.

The file can be found here, so you can listen to it, as well as read the words: What Child is This?

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO LAID TO REST
THAT I NOW FIND HERE SLEEPING?
DO ANGELS KEEP THE DREAMS WE SEEK
WHILE OUR HEARTS LIE BLEEDING?

COULD THIS BE CHRIST THE KING
WHOSE EVERY BREATH THE ANGELS BRING?
COULD THIS BE THE FACE OF GOD,
THIS CHILD, THE SON I ONCE CARRIED?

WHAT CHILD IS THIS
WHO IS SO BLESSED
HE CHANGES ALL TOMORROWS?
REPLACING TEARS WITH REBORN YEARS
IN HEARTS ONCE DARK AND HOLLOW

COULD THIS BE CHRIST THE KING
WHOSE EVERY BREATH THE ANGELS BRING?
COULD THIS BE THE FACE OF GOD,
THIS CHILD, THE SON I ONCE CARRIED?

IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
AS HIS LIFE SLIPS AWAY
AS HE READS BY THE LIGHT
OF A STAR FARAWAY

HOLDING ON
HOLDING OFF
HOLDING OUT
HOLDING IN

COULD YOU BE THIS OLD
AND HAVE YOUR LIFE JUST BEGIN?

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IT BEGINS
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
AND THE TIME
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY
IN THE AIR
READING BY THE LIGHT OF A LOST CHRISTMAS DAY

IN THE DEAD OF THE NIGHT
AS HIS LIFE SLIPS AWAY
AS HE READS BY THE LIGHT
OF A STAR FARAWAY

HOLDING ON
HOLDING OFF
HOLDING OUT
HOLDING IN

COULD YOU BE THIS OLD
AND HAVE YOUR LIFE JUST BEGIN

Current Mood: thoughtful

I had a good day yesterday of getting things done. I have to confess I did turn on the computer, once at midday -- to get some things printed from it that I needed for some work -- and then in the evening when my work was done, just to see how everyone was doing.

The task of packing to move is daunting, especially amidst all the other things that one has to do regularly, and the things that crop up suddenly and throw you into a tail spin, and things you have to do that involve going out of town, just when you really want to be home and get organized. We have to be out of town again this weekend, for like the 4th weekend in a row, and while the conference we are attending will be good, it's still time away from home -- both of them! The home we need to pack up into boxes and the home we need to fix up so it will be ready to receive those boxes.

But I'm not complaining -- just being realistic, hee!

So, yesterday was a good day. I got some boxes packed, got some non-email letters written, did some sorting and planning, and had a lovely walk. The weather was fantastic here yesterday, 66 degrees, sunny and breezy. Today is much the same -- rather springlike, in a fall sort of way, if you know what I mean. ;-) Snow tomorrow, maybe, which is okay, too, because after all, November is when you are supposed to have snow.

Speaking of which, that reminds me -- 21 years ago come November 11, we took the bus to the airport to fly to Pakistan, and it was snowing. But not when we got there, lol!

I've been in a tree sort of mood lately, and poems that use tree imagery are appealing to me. That's why I posted this one the other day:

http://lin4gondor.livejournal.com/208172.html

If you didn't see it, go have a read, it's beautiful. And here's another:

( Young Wills Whine by Karin Boye )

May you all have an "unafraid" sort of day, as you strike root, become tree and ripen. (((((F/list)))))

Current Mood: prospering

I was going to post about my List of Doom, but I'll save that for another day -- suffice it to say, I am busy being busy and trying to accomplish things in a productive way that makes best use of the time that is given me.

What made me decide not to talk about all tasks that are worrying me and making me feel a bit thin and stretched is a poem I found this morning, when looking for something else. It is by Karin Boye, a Swedish writer, and it is beautiful. It seems to apply somehow, in these days -- I hope you all will find it as encouraging as I have!

YES, OF COURSE IT HURTS

Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking.
Why else would the springtime falter?
Why would all our ardent longing
bind itself in frozen, bitter pallor?
After all, the bud was covered all the winter.
What new thing is it that bursts and wears?
Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking,
hurts for that which grows
and that which bars.

Yes, it is hard when drops are falling.
Trembling with fear, and heavy hanging,
cleaving to the twig, and swelling, sliding -
weight draws them down, though they go on clinging.
Hard to be uncertain, afraid and divided,
hard to feel the depths attract and call,
yet sit fast and merely tremble -
hard to want to stay
and want to fall.

Then, when things are worst and nothing helps
the tree's buds break as in rejoicing,
then, when no fear holds back any longer,
down in glitter go the twig's drops plunging,
forget that they were frightened by the new,
forget their fear before the flight unfurled -
feel for a second their greatest safety,
rest in that trust
that creates the world.

-- Karin Boye, 1935

Current Mood: thoughtful

I read recently that prayer is an attitude of the heart that can transform every activity. We cannot say prayers at all times, but we can have a prayerful attitude as we go about our day, doing ordinary things, keeping our heart open and letting every thought become words of intercession and of supplication. In that way, we really can be in prayer at all times.

So, while I go about my day -- whether it be packing boxes, writing emails, helping Hubby put a new ceiling in the bathroom at our house, or raking leaves, I shall be doing it while praying for all my dear ones who have needs. And I do mean ALL my dear ones. What I can't accomplish by plain words or virtual hugs or by being there in person, I shall try to manage with fervent prayer and by keeping my heart open.

Words For It
by Julia Cameron

I wish I could take language
And fold it like cool, moist rags.
I would lay words on your forehead.
I would wrap words on your wrists.
“There, there,” my words would say –
Or something better.
I would ask them to murmur,
“Hush” and “Shh,shhh, it’s all right.”
I would ask them to hold you all night.
I wish I could take language
And daub and soothe and cool
Where fever blisters and burns,
Where fever turns yourself against you.
I wish I could take language
And heal the words that were the wounds
You have no names for.
[Thanks to

estellye for sharing with me this poem.]

Current Mood: prayerful

I wanted to start the week off with a bang, as I have been reading some interesting things over the weekend that got me thinking deep thoughts -- but my head isn't up to any bangs, today, so I think I'll stick with chota mota and do deep thinking and sharing another day. ;-)

My weekend was good! It was nice to be with family and friends. My cold hasn't been too bad on the scale of worse colds ever, though it does disturb my sleep at night, and gives me fits in my sinuses. Which is why I have the head problem today.

I'm trying to do cleaning and packing at the same time today, though somehow I keep doing one exclusively and not the other. What happened to my former great skill in multi-tasking?

This afternoon I'm going with DH to look at bathroom stuff. Tile, toilets, tubs, -- you name it, we're going to look at it. We hope to make some choices today of what we want in the new bathroom, so Hubby can know what he is working towards as he tears out the old in preparation for the new.

Come to think of it, maybe I'll share one of the cool things I read this weekend, for you all to ponder for the rest of the day.

WHAT REALLY COUNTS in life is that at some time you have seen something, felt something, which is so great, so matchless, that everything else is nothing by comparison, that even if you forgot everything, you would never forget this.

-- Søren Kierkegaard, Journals and Papers

May you all be encouraged as you are reminded of something that counts and is unforgettable, or as you make up your mind to look for something like that in your life today!

Current Mood: good

Rather than say anything new, I thought I would repost something from my archives. The following was what I posted on September 11, 2004 -- and may I add, the school is still running, and the work continues over there, even though we are no longer a part of it:

On the anniversary of 9/11, I am finding some hope and encouragement in the fact that people can pick up the pieces and continue on in the face of frightening tragedy.

As a result of 9/11, American troops went to Afghanistan; as a result of their fight there, terrorists in Pakistan began attacking American interests within Pakistan and changed my life and my work forever. Some of these terrorists planned and carried out an attack on the children and staff at my son's boarding school, killing 6 Pakistani staff. The school was closed for two years.

I am grateful to say that today, that school is once more open and running -- it has been for several weeks. In spite of the precarious state of things in Pakistan these days, they are determined to offer a quality education for those foreigners who remain in the country. The children are happy to be back and the parents are grateful for that.

I know that many still struggle with what happened that day three years ago, and that they have not yet been able to pick up the pieces. It is hard to stand up again after we have been knocked down, to face the thing that hurt us -- the fear is still there that we could get knocked down again. I pray that all those who were affected in any way by the events of that day would be able to face their fear and their doubts and remain standing.

(((Everyone)))

Current Mood: contemplative

I have lots of catching up to do, in sharing with my friends how my days this week have been going, and in letting you all know that I am here reading your journals by getting in there and saying so. But it's Verse Thursday, and I want to share a little something about friendship that was printed in the birthday card I received from

lyria_theringer:

"Surely our lives wouldn't be nearly as happy
without the joy we feel in giving and receiving friendship...
Friendship has its beginning within our own hearts --
we feel something very happy, or perhaps something very sad
and we want to share it.

Soon we discover that sharing our happiness means doubling our joy,
and sharing our sadness means diminishing our sorrow.
We have given this part of ourselves to another,
and we receive a wonderful treasure in return --
the gift of friendship."

That is why I am here with you, my friends, that my joy may be doubled in sharing my happiness and experiencing yours, and that my own sorrow might be diminished, as you help me carry the burden of it -- and that I might help your sorrow to seem less weighty, as you share it with me.

Speaking of good friends and birthdays, my very best friend -- the one to whom I have been married for 25 years come August 1 -- is having a birthday today. Happy Birthday, Dear Hubby! We don't have a big plan for the day, other than me making a carrot cake (DH's favorite because it can support a ton of frosting, hee!), but knowing my birthday boy, he'll come up with something on a whim, and then we'll go do that. As long as it doesn't involve bike riding AND walking for miles and miles, I should be okay. ;-)

Thinking of you all today, and praying that it is a day of double joy and diminished sorrow!

Current Mood: happy

This is something fun I got in an email from a friend yesterday. It made me laugh, but it also made me think! The amazing thing is that this message is very timely for me. This fun message, while seemingly simplistic on the surface, was actually very helpful to me in a time when I really needed a straightforward "fax" from God. I needed reminding about where my priorites should be when it comes to fretting and trying to deal with everything in my own strength.

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject:YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling ALL of your problems for you. I do NOT need your help. So, have a nice day.

I love you.

P.S.

Remember...

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do NOT attempt to resolve it yourself!! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in MY time, not yours.

Point taken. Thanks, God! :-D

Current Mood: peacefully amused

As of today, my sister is my "twin" for a few weeks -- she is only 11 months younger than I am. :-D She won't see this post, but I wanted to honor her anyway, because she has been a great friend as well as a wonderful sister, always. Now if I could just get organized and get to the post office, I could send her the gift I bought her. :-/ Guess it will be a bit late... Hopefully, I can get her on the phone tonight so we can have a sisterly chat.

I may have only one sister in my family, but I have lots of sisterly friends, who are like sisters to me! Both of these poems are fitting for sisters of blood as well as sisters of heart. I am thankful for both kinds today.

What is a sister?
She is your mirror shining back at you with a world of possibilities.
She is your witness who sees you at your worst and best,
and loves you anyway.
She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who
knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense
attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink.
Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child.

~Barbara Alpert~

Sister

~© Aspen~

You've been my sister
for many years,
We've laughed together
And shed some tears.
We've had harsh words,
And pulled some hair
But against the world
We are a terrific pair.
Our times together are very few,
I just want to say I LOVE YOU!

Current Mood: thankful

Rain

by Louise Rill, e-poems.org

When it rains
The soft grey sky
Drifts to the ground
Brown rivulets
Trickle away
Trickle away
Washing sadness down
Weather vanes
Weep and turn
Weep and turn
Forgetting in the damp and grey
That by and by
The sun will shine
Sun will shine
By and by
The sun will shine.

It's rainy here in Wisconsin today, though not dark and dismal. The sun could come out at any moment!

And thereby hangs a homily! ;-) While I set about doing my house work today, I shall be thinking of each of you by name, and praying that any storm clouds in your life would be blown away quickly so that the sun can shine through.

And because we have a sweet little finch that is doing its best to sing in spite of the wind --

Spring song

by Louise Rill, e-poems.org

Singing liquid notes
In the green bud tree
A willow warbler
Welcomes the sun on the old wall
Its song melts away
The long grey winter
Sing of sweet hope
Let no late frost
Stop its trilling throat

Current Mood: hopeful

My mom used to say when she was having a particularly stressful day, "I'm running a rat race, and the rats are winning!" The last couple of days have been like that for me, too! I'm having a particularly crazy day today, so I shall apologize in advance for not getting back here to keep up with you all. Sorry! My thoughts are with you in any case!

Here's a wee quote that someone at the office sent out today which I found most timely and comforting for myself in my current day-to-day struggles:

/*Other people live and die and make mistakes all the time without
asking you. And sometimes people do great things, all on their own,
without your help. God will see to it that the world keeps spinning,
even if you stop pushing. Not everything is your fault.*/

~ W. Dale
Cramer "Bad Ground"

Whew! What a relief! :-D

Oh, and just for fun, here's the latest from the LOTR Exhibition coming to Indianapolis next month: a photo of Boromir waiting "patiently" in his crate. ;-) Patiently? I bet not, hehe!

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5924/1492/1600/lotr_unload26.jpg

Current Mood: stressed

I took the time to quiet my heart before God this morning, and I was given a gem of wisdom from my reading that applies so well to what I am fixated on in these days -- my List of Doom, and how I am going to accomplish everything I need to and ought to, when I am so distracted and disorganized.

The verse was from Matthew 11:28-30:

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdended, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my bruden is light"

The accompanying devotional said this:

"As you learn to become a moldable, usable vessel in the hands of God, you'll discover that ministry is no longer a burden, no longer a list of thngs you have to do. Rather, it's a simple matter of listening for God's voice and then following where he leads."

Not that I'm going to throw away my List of Doom today, but I'm not going to let it have a hold on me! I'm going to go through the day today with a quiet heart and a sense that what I accomplish today will be what needed to be done, and I will be content.

Woo hoooo! :-D

My GIP today is in honor of the List of Doom, or rather the things I need to do today, but won't get all gloomy and stressed over if I don't. ;-)

Current Mood: peaceful

This is a story I like to pull out and reread now and then, when I'm beginning to "feel the heat" in my life:

( The Silversmith )

Current Mood: thoughtful

Hubby and I had a lovely walk this morning in the freshly fallen snow; it's not as bitterly cold as it was when we first arrived, and now that we have (mostly) recovered from our long journey, we are ready to enjoy our break from the routine.

It was lovely and peaceful outside, as it was early enough that not many yet were out and about. My parents live on the edge of town, so a walker has some nice views of the hills and of snow covered fields while still being able to take advantage of the sidewalk.

A tradition in my family is for the youngest to read on Christmas Eve the tale of Christ's birth from Luke Chapter 2. My niece had the honored position as reader and it was a joy to listen to her. Interestingly enough, I found myself wishing I could hear the passage read in Urdu, the language we spoke in Pakistan. That passage, along with some of the other passages that mean a lot to me, are especially fascinating to contemplate in that language, particularly at this time of year!

There is a word in Urdu -- majism -- which means something like "become flesh". Ma means "the one who" and jism means "body" -- literally, "the one who is body/flesh." The word is used in the Urdu translation of the Bible to refer to Christ as God made flesh. Yet there are shades of meaning in that word that don't quite translate into English. For me, it is a word that truly seems to capture in a single word (as much as it is possible to capture such a concept) the meaning of the infinite God limiting Himself and entering the world as a child, in order to make it possible for me to find peace. That's what I celebrate at Christmastime, the time when that embodiment is traditionally remembered -- the first part of that greater celebration of the Passion that comes at Eastertime.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:6-8

However you celebrate the day or the season, I pray that each one of you -- my dearest friends -- will find a peace that surpasses understanding, which will stay with you every day of the year.

Blessings to you and your loved ones this Christmas season!

Current Mood: peaceful

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Linaewen

February 2025

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Linaewen's Lake of Small Birds

Entries tagged with devotional/inspirational thoughts

I Choose

Just Saying Your Name For Comfort

Virtue Stepping Out

Life Begins

Spring inspiration

Something I read in church

Life Begins

Of boxes, warm days, and trees

Yes, of course it hurts!

Keeping my heart open today

Chota mota for Monday

Thought for the day

Concerning friendship -- for Verse Thursday

A fax from God

Because it's my sister's birthday today

Sister

A rain poem for a rainy day

The rats are winning the rat race!

A quiet morning, a quiet heart

Verse Thursday -- The Silversmith

A peaceful day, a peaceful heart

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February 2025

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