Saying Grace

I sat on the deck this afternoon after church with a plate of leftovers. I started to eat, and then remembered to thank God, to “say grace” for the meal. Sometimes “saying grace” is perfunctory. Sometimes it’s seen as a duty. Today– it just flowed out of what was flowing in. And out came the poem between bites of spaghetti. Blessings to you and yours this day! “Saying Grace…” For the fresh gentle breeze on this warm November day ForRead more
2 Comments

Before they come

The table is set, there’s a place for each one The oven is full and the preps are all done There’s a quiet here now, but it soon will be gone As the house fills with family, from near and from far Oh Lord in this moment, I pray that we’d see Your grace, your redemption on this ThanksGiving For who do we thank for the gifts big and small? Oh God you have Given, you’ve given it ALL! HelpRead more
2 Comments

Finding the Familiar

Finding the familiar in the fog and new terrain where vision blurs These my heart stirs- familiar things that remain Familiar things you ask? What could these sweet gifts be? Bare feet in the blades of grass Dew drops on peonies Washing dishes in the sink Doing laundry, pulling weeds Singing the words to a favorite song My hair blowing in the breeze Yes, I’m Finding the familiar in the fog and new terrain thankful for the daily gifts tasksRead more
2 Comments

amen.

There’s a stretch of trees between where I live and where I used to live. If you’re driving in the late afternoon, early evening, you’ll see a beautiful show of shadows– darkness and light all over the field. It’s such a visual for me of light shining through the dark. The silhouettes of the trees only add to the beauty of this scene, and they can even make the light seem brighter when compared to the darkness. I love that.Read more
2 Comments

a hallelujah

So a few days ago I told my husband I was tired of being brave. Yep. Tired of it. I wanted a nap, a respite, and chocolate. I wanted to yell a bit too. And cry. And maybe even tantrum. I did eat chocolate. And I drove pretty fast with the windows down. And I lifted my voice and sang pretty loud and didn’t care who heard. And the cool thing is, I know who heard. He always does. AndRead more
3 Comments

Southern Snow

The winter is coming to a close. It’s the first day of March, and boots gave way to sandals today. It’s been unseasonably warm in North Carolina and the warmth is slowly melting away any hopes I have had of a good long snow this winter. I always love a good snow. It white washes the world a bit and helps things come to a halt around here. As a teacher, well, I so look forward to having an unexpectedRead more
3 Comments

Bend

“A bruised reed He will not break” Oh but a bruised reed will bend And when the waters rush and the earth gives way  Lord let your mercy move and mend Move like water in shallow shores Where the current ebbs and flows May the woundedness and desperate need Be mended in this reed I know My knees they bend My heart does break I know that only You can save! Oh Jesus send Merciful waves A bruised reed YouRead more
3 Comments

Enough

I love the cover of the journal I have right now. It says “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Yep. And I’m not talking just about stuff, material things. Nope, it’s about so much more than that. Am thinking gratitude does change things in big ways. The cool thing is that oftentimes it doesn’t take big steps to make big changes. Nope. It just takes little noticings (my new word) –little steps of awareness that lead to more awarenessRead more