Monday, October 3, 2011

The reach that's not a reach

It's taken me a long time to get to 1,000 gifts.  Not because my counting is slow (though sometimes it is), but because I'm too often blinded and deafened to His goodness.... how really, really, good He is.

Perhaps some are gifted with the ability to see His wonders right down to the seemingly inconsequential, but I think for most it comes from training the brain to engage,  and the body to respond.

Last night, amongst dear brothers and sisters, my friend asked about rewards in heaven.  Some talked about jewels in crowns and such.  I don't know how all that works, so I didn't have a lot to add.  What I thought about is how I know His rewards from living in His kingdom now.  How can a crown filled with emeralds and rubies compete with knowing Him now?

His mercies are new every morning.  He recycles much goodness back to me, and my reach for counting up to 1,000?  It's taken me over a year, but it's been no reach.  He gives me that and more in a single day.

Gifts #982-1,001

using stuff you kept, but didn't think you would use again

stories from my sister of Holy Spirit moving and calling and using her in the process

a gas fireplace that can warm a cold morning
lit candles on dark, rainy nights

a brother not scared to share his heart
listening ears

soy milk creamer

watching my girl stroking and kicking down the lap lane
the look of her sweet gap-toothed smile and goggles
the way she takes initiative
how every weekday morning I wake to her next to me, because
her daddy put her there
like he's done since she was a babe
how things change
how some things don't

the way my boy kicks up his left leg before swinging
him getting a base hit
coming across home twice
how he tries twice as hard and is ten times more excited
the smile on his face that came from his heart





holy experience

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Changing




The atmosphere outside the door is almost magical
a rarely mixed batch of wind and warmth
the sun shooting through leaves still holding green

October winds ushering out September breezes
as inside the cocoon 
this place is in metamorphosis 

Twenty degrees of heat will be lost by Saturday
clouds will cover sweater- bound citizens
and rain will wash under our boots

But today dry winds muss our hair and sun kisses our arms
And He smiles on us as

He changes us too.






Monday, September 5, 2011

An Ordered Life

This Labor Day marks the beginning of a new season for me and mine.  With my two littles now in 4th and 6th grade, schooled at home, I am having to change some ways.  I don't think anyone would think of me as a disorderly person.  Heck, there are some who actually have been fooled into thinking I'm quite organized!  But order, especially of the strict variety,  has never been a strong point of mine... or frankly even something I ever wanted in my life.  Still, as I look ahead to this school year, I can recognize that without daily order, what used to be carefree, unencumbered living becomes captivity to fancy and whim.  Even though I do so enjoy fancy and whim, I just as much dislike captivity.

In the vein of ministering peace unto my family (and myself!), I have scoured toilets, laundered sheets, scrubbed floors, vacuumed carpets, dusted furniture, planned meals, stocked the pantry, made lists, scheduled lessons, placed holds on books, readied binders, sharpened pencils,  marked the calendar, bathed the dog and cleaned the van.
And prayed.
Inspired by a constant conversation I read about, I purposed to also walk in thanksgiving through these preparations.  Let me tell you, what joy!  What freedom!  Scrubbing a toilet has never been so gratifying.
Yes, Tuesday we will enter into our books and studies.  We will have done what we could to make ourselves ready, and we will turn unencumbered open hearts and minds to Him who teaches us all things.
In this may we learn thankfulness.

Counting now from His infinite graces to me and mine...
#966-981

the last roses of summer
neighboring mercy

gathering to celebrate friendship

a really good day planner

making dinner out of odds and ends

a no turned yes

warm breezes
bare feet
hair clips

being a woman

thoughts of wood and yarn and music

sentence prayers


my crucifix, because
it wasn't the tree that saved me
it was the Man on the tree






holy experience

Monday, August 29, 2011

Thinking on His goodness, and counting....949-965

The Lord's goodness is astounding to me.  He so lavishly loves me.  I am overwhelmed by it..... when I take in His perfection in the sight of massive Oregonian trees, or find myself swaying to soulful sounds of country folk music, or the feel of my son's hand in mine, or..........

the way her lashes curl
her infectious giggle
how he crinkles his nose when he laughs

a dark morning
books, books, books
how our house is such an imperfect mess

hot, sunny summer days
a cool lake nestled in the mountain
kids and craw-daddies
watching our pup swim like a fish, doing what he was born to do, and
loving it

free online planners

praying with her over the miles

heart-to-hearts with my girl

loving him
turning over at night and seeing his still, sleeping form
feeling my own smile






holy experience

Monday, August 22, 2011

Counting the gifts #896-948

painted toes, peasant skirts and toe rings


that rules can be fun!



these reminders:
 "extreme soul makeover" does not exist
it's a process
that's the way He likes it

God the Father is really more loving
more concerned
more generous
more fair
wiser
gentler
kinder
smarter
more in tune
more reasonable
a better listener
friendlier.....     
than I am.

really.


hugs and kisses from my love
his words of kindness and admiration
how so many of my life's dreams have come true with him by my side

summer evening walks, holding hands

that she came and brought her three precious others
the walks and talks
the fun we had
breathing the same air
sharing the same space
a luxury

the way she takes pictures

how my pup loved her like he's always known her
the way a dog can just know

telling her my secrets 
the ones you don't tell anyone else
the ones only she would care to know


how He is her bottom line
in everything
always.


a few favorite memories:

















And this just last night:
our boy sharing a difficulty
getting to be mama and daddy with listening ears
mama kisses smoothing the brow
daddy words soothing the mind
him being thankful, and, us even more so








holy experience

Monday, August 15, 2011

The gifts #856-895

sun warmed wood under bare feet
time alone together

the ability to have medical and dental care

ample food to prepare and eat

cooking in a Star Wars apron

friends around a table
laughter and smiles

how simple is good

that happy is a choice
 He wants us to choose it


This is the day the Lord had made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24






holy experience

Monday, August 8, 2011

counting the gifts 827-855

a meeting in the park
her vision
Him calling
Yes!

a friend wanting me to meet her friend
the kindredness Christ brings

girls and boys splashing in water
mamas chatting
dogs smiling

Toby-doo, a Liechty for one year yesterday

my girl giving it her best
playing b-ball with the boys
playing catch at the park

my boy at the piano
trying something new, challenging
frustration, working it out
endurance

lessons on prayer!

a lesson from the garden

renewing our minds together
starting with attention

The Word in the evening
The Word in the morning
at my bedside

59 Degrees
a sweater in the morning
it's never boring

Fifteen years this week for my love and me

This promise:

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   Is 40:31










holy experience