Moving Day

It’s not been an easy decision…but I’m moving back to:

HERE

Hope to see you at “The Unfinished Project”!!

 

Beth

 

But, How?

The morning air is close…hot, humid, languid….and all seems very still….

The birds aren’t singing….I cannot hear the traffic from the interstate far away…..

and I wonder

about all this stillness….

How sometimes I find it so easy to be still and listen…

other times I rush…..

from here to there….

do this….

do that….

on to the next thing that happens to be on my ‘list’.

I wonder…..and so, I ask…

“God, what do You want me to do next?  What are Your plans for my day?”

Today….

A concentrated effort to hear and obey God in the stillness of the morning….this is the easy part…when all is quiet and calm.

What about when the world invades?  Sometimes the day passes by in a blur, and I know that I haven’t taken a moment to be still….there doesn’t seem to be a moment to be still…what about those times?  Aren’t I missing something?

I’m sure that I am….missing God’s direction for my life from minute to minute…missing the Holy Spirit’s leading speaking to my heart and mind….and what about those times?

How do I hear from God when all the voices of the world are clamoring down upon me from all sides….asking, demanding…..

How? 

I admit that I want to feel the stillness and quiet at all times.  I admit that I want to always feel the closeness of God within me….around me….always and forever. 

But, how?

Beth

 

Who Can Count?

Several weeks ago, a friend suggested to me that I just open my Bible–randomly–to Psalms or Proverbs–just find the beginning of several verses and then pray and meditate upon them.

This morning I did just that and opened to Psalm 106.

Praise the LORD!

Give thanks to the LORD for He is good!                   

His faithful love endures forever.

Who can list the glorious miracles of the LORD?

Who can ever praise him half enough?

Happy are those who deal justly with others and always do what is right.

Remember, me, too, LORD, when you show favor to your people;

come to me with your salvation.

Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones.

Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage.   Psalm 106:1-5     

Interesting–since this is what I am doing…..listing the miracles of God, giving thanks for even the small….becoming small and childlike in all my senses….and finding joy that will live and stay within me.

But, who can list the glorious miracles of God?  (verse 3)

So, the list will go on and on…..forever…for the miracles of God are great and many, and His love endures forever! 

45.  Air conditioning on hot, humid days. 

46.  My neighbor’s red geraniums surrounded  by Dusty Millers which remind me of my mom.

47.  Lydia–now 18 months–saying “more kisses, more kisses”.

48.  The wonderment of God working for years to bring me not one…but two….godly fathers who set good examples for me to look up to.

49.  A raindrop falling on my nose.

50.  God’s love endures forever. 

51. Finally being able to eat “chewable” food–even if the list is limited.

52.  Baby blue jays.

53.  First buds appearing on a daylily.

                                       

            

 

Be sure and stop by to visit the others who are counting the gracefuls of God….the list that will never end…..

Beth

Jubileeing?

First cup of coffee on the deck…..

Hmmm….it is wet and damp on my bare feet…must have rained last night and I slept right through.  The moon is full….peeking in and out behind the cloud cover.  The sky is just starting to lighten with shades of blue–only seen fleetingly.

I suppose I will stand with my coffee since sitting on wet furniture is not an option.  Still, a gorgeous morning…a day that is full of potential….

Yesterday was Jubilee Day in the town where I live.  I’ve been there…fought the crowds pushing and shoving, shuffling along with the others.  I have to say that I don’t particularly care for Jubilee Day…and I know that I am in the minority in saying this.

I didn’t understand–what is all the ‘jubileeing’ about? 

So, I looked into this…

Apparently, our Jubilee Day was started in 1923…the largest and longest running one day street fair in the entire East Coast.  This was started by the Chamber of Commerce all those years ago….I suppose to create business for the town….I really don’t know.

Some just will not miss this day…the chance to go and buy food and goods from vendors….streets are closed….parking is impossible….took me a longer time than usual to return home yesterday due to the traffic….

And it rained….rained down on Jubilee Day……but, this did not stop those determined to go. 

Maybe I’m missing something….maybe I just can’t see what the vendors have that I may be interested in due to the fact that I cannot make my way to their stand because of  the massive amount of people crowding one street–estimated to be 60,000 people. 

Or maybe I’m just not interested.  And those who don’t understand this….well, they just don’t have to understand me. 

I’m me….I know that I don’t care for this day of festivities….I don’t mind that others do love this day….but, please don’t try to convince me that this will be ‘fun’ for me. 

Because it is not….

Beth

Oh, yes….the July Giveaway is still going on until Monday evening!!  Only a couple of entries so far…I’m wanting to give these away.  All it takes is a comment and you could be the winner!!

STP

I know it’s not Monday.  I haven’t gone that far off in my mind with this illness…

After finishing Ann Voskamp’s “One Thousand Gifts” for the second time, I am struck by how when I am full of grace–filled by noticing and counting the small gifts that God has bestowed upon me–that I am so much more easily able to allow this grace to flow to others. 

Sometimes I have a problem with this…a word spoken, a look given, something that is just not going “my” way.  But, is “my” way the way that God is allowing matters to proceed in my life? 

And when these ‘things’ happen, I can quickly go back to the place of the “unflowing grace” person.  I have to stop and think and be thankful for every circumstance.

Yes, this is sometimes difficult…this being thankful for every circumstance….

I have learned that when life’s circumstances tend to bend a little (or a lot)  in what I consider to be the wrong direction that I need to stop, think, pray….STP. 

Today, this will be yet another note taped upon my computer monitor along with Chronos vs. Kairos.  STP–remember to stop, think, pray…before speaking, before reacting instead of responding.

36.  Hummingbird with wings going so fast they are a blur coming to visit my red T-shirt

37.  Red-headed woodpecker on my neighbor’s tree

38.  Boys with fishing rods walking by…asking them what they’re going to catch…their response….”whatever we get”

39.  Kids in bright yellow tubes floating on the creek on the hot, hot days

40.  Friends and family who care beyond caring

41.  A bird singing a new song every morning

42.  Jesus

43.  God loving me…all the time, every moment, chosen, helping me to remember to give thanks in all things….

44.  A small girl in a bubble bath–reminding me that I must become more childlike and enjoy the very small in this life

Stop by and see all those who are counting their blessings…leading them a full of grace life…

Remember….each comment earns you a chance of winning in the “July Giveaway”.  Perhaps I’ll post a picture tomorrow…

Beth

Sleeping Beauty??? (and June Giveaway Winner!!)

Yesterday was my first day back to work.  Need I say that after being off sick for a week that this day took a lot out of me…

Came home after work and decided to lay down for a bit before a meeting that evening.  I left my phone on the kitchen counter….headed for the bedroom…into bed…fully clothed…and I’m just now waking up!!  Who is that in the fairy tale…you know…the person who slept for all those years?  I’m not thinking of Sleeping Beauty….there is another one and I just can’t think of the name…

I woke up this morning to missed phone calls, text messages and emails wondering where I am…..asleep….that’s where I was…and sadly, I think I could sleep some more!!

So, I have picked the winner of the “June Giveaway”:

There were 8 comments between the time I announced this and last evening.  I put these into a random number generator….

And the winner is Pam!!

So, Pam….you need to contact me with your two favorite colors and your mailing address.  I’ll knit two dish cloths and crochet two hot pads in the colors of your choice and ship these off to you!! 

Congratulations, Pam!!

We are moving onto the “July Giveaway” before it is July.  Why you may say?  Because these are specifically ‘patriotic’ and could be used at a “4th of July” gathering.   I want to be sure that these are in your hands by the 4th!!

We’ll run this contest from today until next Monday evening…winner to be announced next Tuesday…this way you’ll have them in plenty of time!!

Off to get ready for a day of work….

Beth

 By the way….yesterday I mentioned that my two daughters were coming to clean last evening….they decided to do this today rather than yesterday….too bad…if the vacuum were running I wouldn’t have slept through my meeting (or perhaps I would have?)….

 

This Is The Last Day!

I am finally going back to work today.  Nothing like spending a whole week’s vacation time being ill, down and out, and unable to do anything. 

The upside of this is that I am feeling better–not 100% by any means, but well enough to return for a day of work.  My two daughters are coming this afternoon to clean and do the laundry for me–things I wasn’t able to accomplish this past week.

And while I was off, I did make reservations for a cottage in Chincoteague, VA–one of my favorite places–for a week in September.  Both daughters and my granddaughter will be coming too–along with my son, girlfriend and her two children.  My son and entourage will only be staying for a three day weekend, but it will be wonderful to have a vacation which is a “true” vacation….something I haven’t enjoyed in 10+ years. 

So, as I recuperate I’ve been able to progress from a clear liquid diet (for 3 days) to a low fiber diet.  I’ll be on the low fiber for approximately two weeks while gradually working my way up to a high fiber (25-30 grams/day). 

And this time….I’m going to listen.  This is my 4th bout with this diverticulitis–totally not enjoyable–and I’m going to do my best to avoid getting this again. 

Just a quick note–off to get ready for the work week. 

Remember the June giveaway….today is the last day to enter!!

Beth

Weightlifting

Words spoken from one to another to another to me.

These words sting, bring back the past, put me into another place and time.  They make me feel “righteous indignation”. 

I see a picture of the person who originally spoke these words, and I think a nasty thought about her.  And as I am looking at the picture, the words return to my heart and mind. 

I wonder why this person cannot see beyond the past….from what we were….to the present….who we are now…..and even further to who we may become.

These words, spoken on Friday, stay with me…fester within me….bring a feeling of lowness, sadness, unworthiness, shame and guilt. 

I have been here before–in these exact same places.  I know what to do, but can I?

Can I cry out to my Father and tell Him how I am feeling?  Can I unburden myself by burdening Him? 

My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear….Psalm 38:4

I carry this with me…carrying this and bowing under the weight upon me.  How long can I carry this?  Will I carry it forever?  Will others remember and only think these thoughts about not only me, but my family?

Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind, and the powerful are not what they appear to be. If you weigh them on the scales, together they are lighter than a breath of air….Psalm 62:9

Tears come to my eyes from time to time….tears of sorrow…..

We have moved on from this place many years ago.  Am I hiding my light under a basket so that others cannot see?

Last night–sitting outside in the darkness…close my eyes–quiet…..peace…..calm….serene….crickets chirping….aroma of honeysuckle…..small child laughing far below me…..

Open my eyes–fireflies all around in the darkness–their topaz flickering on and off….alighting first here, then there–too quickly for me to keep track.  There are so many–my own private fireworks celebration.

Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall….Psalm 55:22

The burden lifts–

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”….Matthew 11:28-30

Peace descends upon me–

For Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one can come to the Father except through me.”…..John 14:6

Beth

 
 

 

Chronos vs. Kairos

Our church had a series recently on rest.  We all need rest…a rest from our days work…the demands this can put upon us…..a rest from the stresses of this everyday world all around us…sometimes we even need a rest from ourselves.

But, how do we find this rest?

I am not fluent in Greek, but I did learn two words that are very important to me:

Chronos–This is measured time….the hands on the clock moving….the “I have to have this completed by 2 p.m.” time.  The bam, bam, bam of our everyday lives telling us to accomplish more, be more, the ‘get it done’ time. 

Kairos, on the other hand, is the ‘in between time’….a time that is indeterminate….a time where something special occurs…even for just a moment.  And, of course, kairos is totally dependent upon the person….what they see or hear or experience that is unique, special and important to themselves as an individual.

I have been ill this past week, and I realized this morning that I’ve spent most of my waking hours in kairos rather than chronos (except when I look at the clock and realize it’s time to take my medication).  I’ve enjoyed being here in this ‘land of inbetween time’. 

But, the illness improves–reality sets in–and I will have to return to chronos land.

So, my question is:  How to live a kairos life in a chronos world?  Is this possible?  Am I being totally optimistic in even hoping that this can occur?

Several weeks ago, I printed a note to myself and placed this on my computer monitor at work.  It simply says:  Chronos vs. Kairos–a reminder to myself that in the demands of the day–a day spent in chronos–that there are the kairos moments–those ‘inbetween times’–where something will strike me as special and unique. 

I typically start my day–every day–in kairos.  I sit on the deck with my first cup of coffee.  I listen to the birds awakening, I hear the geese honking, a barn owl saying his good nights to the world, purple petunias edged in white.  Close my eyes–my granddaughter holding a rock as if it were a diamond, the warmth of God’s love and His embrace surrounding me, the Shepherd caring for His lambs, the sun that I know is peeking through the darkness.  Yes, I could stay here forever.

Then the reality check–time to shower, time to dress and dry the hair, time to move along and out the door–and BAM–snap back to chronos.

I have come to the conclusion that it is possible to find kairos in our chronos world.  We just have to allow ourselves to look for it.  It is there, and perhaps we are missing it.  Perhaps we need to open our senses–all of our senses–our eyes, our ears, our taste, our touch, our intake of the aromas of this world–and just rest in the kairos–if even for a moment.

You see, we need these times–these ‘inbetween times’–where something special and unique can come into our lives.

Why?

Because the kairos sustains us through the chronos. 

Beth

 

Surprise, Surprise!!

Today…..feeling slightly better….and I am so glad!!

Yesterday, my oldest daughter stopped over and did some cleaning that I haven’t been able to accomplish.  And, yes, she brought the love of my life with her:

She is getting so big…I couldn’t pick her up due to the pain in my abdomen.  But, she was content to look out the window at the cars going by and saying, “Car”, “truck”, “oooohhhh….too fast”.

After they returned to their home, I took a nap…a much needed nap since I’m trying to recuperate.

Around 6 p.m., a truck pulls into my driveway.  Out hops my youngest daughter with two friends.  They’re getting something out of the back of the truck bed and saying, “Surprise!!!”

My friend had gotten new patio furniture, and she contacted Lindsay who contacted Josh with the truck.  She gave me the patio furniture that she replaced….thus replacing my old, worn out set.  This had been planned for almost two weeks, and everyone kept mum about it.  That, in itself, was an even bigger surprise because my children are not very good at keeping these kinds of things to themselves. 

The furniture I did have was taken out to the road since today is trash day.  It found a new home within a matter of an hour when some one stopped with a trailer attached to their vehicle and loaded it up.  I hope the new owners enjoy their new patio furniture as much as I am going to enjoy mine.   Kind of a “pay it forward”, don’t you think?

I had gotten the globe that is sitting in the middle of the table a few months ago.  Along with this, came some citronella candles that fit into the bottom….very nice since the mosquitoes seem to be rather bad already this year.  I do enjoy sitting here in the evening….the peacefulness, the creek meandering by, but I do not enjoy being bitten and itchy.

And what can I say….my son then arrived and mowed my lawn!!

A spectacular day….even though I’m not feeling well.  All three of my children and my friend went the extra step to extend some love…..and isn’t that what life is all about?

Have a wonderful day in Him,

Beth

I’m back to bed after taking all my medication!!  June Giveaway still running until Monday night….winner will be announced on Tuesday!!