tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70268976887568856282024-02-18T22:02:15.838-05:00Everything BelongsLove received. Love shared. Love spread.Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.comBlogger194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-37653793222876842382011-09-23T17:40:00.001-04:002011-09-23T17:41:24.192-04:00New postsHello readers! <br />
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Just a reminder that this blog has moved locations! Please switch your browser over to: <a href="http://www.everything-belongs.com/">www.everything-belongs.com</a>, to find the latest from me! <br />
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I have noticed on some of the blogs that I follow that you are still linked up to this Blogger page. I'm trying to keep everything at the other site, so please make note. <br />
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You can also follow me on Facebook--search for Everything Belongs and *like* it. It will send the newest posts to your newsfeed so you can read from there. I'm so humbled and blessed that there are over 100 readers!<br />
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As always, thanks so much for reading!<br />
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Love,<br />
RachelEverything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-60848590529378802922011-08-03T07:07:00.001-04:002011-08-03T07:08:36.136-04:00The Annunciation<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Being a mother of two boys is well...</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><img alt="" class="size-large wp-image-2060 alignnone" data-mce-src="http://www.everything-belongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1188bw-1024x761.jpg" height="475" src="http://www.everything-belongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/IMG_1188bw-1024x761.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%;" title="IMG_1188bw" width="640" /></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">always interesting.</strong></em></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I say this with a huge smile on my face and...</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">heartburn.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">It is always a balancing act--how to have fun letting boys be boys without it getting too out of hand (because boys simply can. not. keep. their. hands. off. of. one. another.),</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">teaching compassion</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">and <span data-mce-style="text-decoration: underline;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; text-decoration: underline;"><em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">manners</em></span> (seriously, this is close to the very top of my list of "I Will Die A Happy Mother," right after loving Jesus).</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">As I was playing soccer with Owen yesterday, followed by a quick round of indoor hockey</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">(did I mention again how happy I am that we are renting this house?),</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">it struck me again how active boys are.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I mean really.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Wow.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Arts and crafts, please?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Not a chance--well maybe for a few moments until they turn their paper into a sword, bow and arrow or gun.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">What is it with boys and firearms, by the way? (That is another post all to itself!)</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I digress...what struck me so soundly the other afternoon was the passion.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">The gusto.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">The life.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">And this is good.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Very good.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">It is so wonderful to see strong, active, boys being passionate about life,</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">about their desires,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">and about one another.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">It makes me think about how lukewarm I often am.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">About life,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">about decisions,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">about God.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">What makes one person head-over-heals passionate, and another ho-hum at best?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Personality?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Life experience?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Perhaps...but maybe it is also perspective.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Intuitively, my guys grasp each moment for the gift that it is--new, undiscovered, full of possibility and potential.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">They are just kids, you say. Of course they are like this. The entire world is new to them.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">So where did I lose it?</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Where did the luster of living go? Where did the pure excitement of getting up each day, bounding out of bed, simply because it is a new day of life?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Bills?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Responsibility?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Cynicism?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">As the sunlight barely breaks forth on the horizon in the wee hours of the morning, which also seems to through some cosmic timer cause my littlest one to pop his eyes open, the pitter-patter of his feet race to my bed,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">(Running, always running!)</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">he gently places his sweet lips close to my ears and whispers,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">"Mom, mom...I did it! I woke up!"</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">And even though my first reaction wants to be, "Well, la-de-da! Now I am too, much before I really wanted to be,"</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">(Am I sounding like a completely <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">horrid</em> mother?)</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I say, "Yes you did, love! I am so glad!"</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Because Connor has it.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">What a gift--he woke up.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">We woke up.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">What's not to be passionate about this?</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">From this perspective, we have been given another day of life.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">To learn.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">To grow.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">To be together.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Breathing is miracle.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">When I think of life in these terms, I can't help but be passionate.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I can't help but be deeply grateful.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I can't help but run.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">For all of these things...</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">are <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">miracles</em>.</div><h1 style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 2.4em; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Ordinary miracles.</strong></h1><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">But miracles nevertheless.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I cannot say enough at how much my boys have changed me,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">are <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">changing</em> me.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Each day is an annunciation--an encounter with God, proclaiming new life that has been given.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">So let's live.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><br />
</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">Owen and Connor, not only do you make me a better mom,</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">you are making me a better person.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">The depth of my love for you both can never be described fully.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">I only pray that each day you will know and feel it.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">Thank you.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;">Thank you.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: left;">**Please switch over to www.everything-belongs.com, the new hosted site of this blog.**</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-53470672538905780512011-07-25T10:36:00.000-04:002011-07-25T10:36:14.340-04:00Step By Step<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;"><br />
</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAagMH6Op5AM_Lpi-Y2U73gUsrTlyomLPXZ0XQIOFxCjHoSlS9C5KzVl7ChbFZU7xpG77RW2jfrjza-z3VwAG4JCvXjAJhacuoQezhOSviVF_Rt8rayHZB5DCiXpNNL7pTnD3fxFG9b1i/s1600/DSCN2288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMAagMH6Op5AM_Lpi-Y2U73gUsrTlyomLPXZ0XQIOFxCjHoSlS9C5KzVl7ChbFZU7xpG77RW2jfrjza-z3VwAG4JCvXjAJhacuoQezhOSviVF_Rt8rayHZB5DCiXpNNL7pTnD3fxFG9b1i/s400/DSCN2288.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Life has been happening.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">And that is a good thing.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">So, pardon me for not being a better blogger this summer.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">On our recent travels together as a family, I realized again just how important play is.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">To break away, to rest, to just be.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">..together...</em></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Because let's be real, how often does that really happen?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">All together--with no agenda, nothing to do, nowhere to go.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">No prodding, hustling, (and well, <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">threatening</em>).</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">It just is.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">And it is good.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">We climbed dunes--crystal sand high as mountains (and as hot as the Sahara),</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">with cheers of encouragement coming from the youngest of the group that gave strength and chuckles to the older ones.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">"We can do it--together--we can do anything! Just one step at a time...that's all it takes!"</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Just one step.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Just one step at a time.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Owen, you are so wise.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">So why do I feel the compulsion to run, to sprint--only to burn out?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Or become completely overwhelmed at the task before, seeing the mountain ahead--and paralysis sets in.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">But really, life <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">is</em> only needing to take one step at a time.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">And I'm not alone.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Never alone.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Big hands and little ones grasp together, pulling and steadying. The mountain is steep, but we are <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">together</em>.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">High fives and sky high emotions as we tower over Lake Michigan proud of the feat we accomplished--and Mama prouder still of her babe that did it with such grace, insight, and determination.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">He is a special kid.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">As we sat in the shade catching our breath just to lose it again at the expanse of the view, I caught glimpse of Shawn's shirt--"Life is Good."</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Yes, life is good.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Even in the struggle of the mountains that we face each day--and for some, each hour, minute or second--we struggle forward together, sweaty hands grasped tight.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">For it is on the mountain that we encounter the Creator--the one who gave us all things, who reminds us that even still,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">life. is. good.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">No wonder mountains are holy places.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">For it is from this place, we are given a new <em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">perspective</em>.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: left;">God, thank you for this life.</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: left;">Thank you for not only meeting me on the mountain, but even in the journey of struggle to the peak. For you walk with me all along--just as you always do. Sometimes I am just so blinded by the sun and heat and wind, I fail to notice those blessings you place within my hands, both big and small helping me forward,</div><div data-mce-style="text-align: left;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: left;">step by step.</div><div>*****If you are reading this in Blogger, please change over to: <a href="http://www.everything-belongs.com/">www.everything-belongs.com</a>.*****</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-6421613435527593852011-07-13T21:36:00.000-04:002011-07-13T21:36:23.271-04:00Time Out<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">The other morning as the boys jumped into and promptly began tossing and turning, kicking and wiggling in our bed,</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">--no need for an alarm clock here, good morning 6am--</em></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Connor sat straight up, looked at me in the eyes and said (I kid you not): </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">"Jesus wants you to have a time out."</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"> Perhaps this came from wanting to exert his own power in control in discipline, or out of his amazingly sly and dry sense of humor, but it took me off guard.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">And I saw that he was absolutely right.</strong> Jesus does want me to have a time out. Because life just gets too busy, too complicated, too dark, too confusing sometimes. Just within the last month my life and the lives of those I care about have been full of cancer reports, child custody hearings, moving dilemmas, job losses, theology debates, pregnancy disappointments. As the cares and concerns compound, I find myself feeling swept over by the inability to take away hurt, pain, disappointment. My heart bleeds. Overtime, what do you do with it all this? </span> </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-2037 alignright" data-mce-src="http://www.everything-belongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/timeout-200x300.jpg" height="300" src="http://www.everything-belongs.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/timeout-200x300.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #444444; display: inline; float: right; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 24px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 4px; max-width: 100%;" title="timeout" width="200" /><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Take a time out.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Of course. Thanks, Connor.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Being still, instead of trying to rationalize, overanalyze. Releasing the need to fix situations, or feeling guilty for not knowing what to say.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">Because sometimes...there just aren't any words to say.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">The only thing, the best thing, that I can do is to be still and release these hurts and pains to the One who loves and cares for these even more that I.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><em style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.5;">Far greater.</em></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">My job is not to fix. It is to help where I can, offer support and continued love...and to release them into the greater Light that shines forth peace beyond understanding and comfort beyond measure.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><strong style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.5;">For this is the greatest gift I can offer.</strong></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><br />
</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-58830476445320694032011-06-21T09:29:00.002-04:002011-06-21T11:56:40.060-04:00Exciting News...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Hello readers!</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">I am so excited to share with you all that I will be one of the guest bloggers at<a _mce_href="http://incourage.me" href="http://incourage.me/" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">(In)courage</a>, a website that is geared towards encouraging the hearts of women. I will let you know when to expect my post, entitled, "Hide & Seek."</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;"><span _mce_style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a _mce_href="http://www.incourage.me/" href="http://www.incourage.me/" style="color: #0066cc; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img _mce_src="http://www.incourage.me/in-buttons/in-guestwriter200x300.gif" alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" src="http://www.incourage.me/in-buttons/in-guestwriter200x300.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">As always, I love it that you continue to follow and read this blog. As you can see, it has been going through some changes, with some more to come over the next several weeks. (**If you are still reading this blog on Blogger, try to switch your RSS feed over to <a href="http://www.everything-belongs.com/">www.everything-belongs.com/</a> and see if it will redirect you to my new site. We are still working out the kinks.**) I'd love it if you would leave a comment/thought when it comes out on the (in)courage blog.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Thanks for the support--I'm deeply humbled and in awe of how God continues to work...</div><div><br />
</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-29827094062150011432011-06-14T21:41:00.001-04:002011-06-14T21:51:48.888-04:00When you can't find the wordsWhat does a day filled with sun, swimming, and hungry bellies waiting for dinner add up to? <br />
<br />
Lots of tears. Screams. Fits. Gnashing of teeth. <br />
<br />
Don't you wish you could have been a guest at the Gerber's tonight?<br />
Consider yourself lucky.<br />
<br />
As we sat down at the spread table with my wailing babe, and hands were extended towards one another to grasp for grace (quite literally, from my perspective), we sang.<br />
<br />
<span class="mceItemHidden">"I can't sing!" cried the droning <span class="hiddenSpellError" pre="droning ">bass</span>. "I can't sing."</span><br />
<br />
As I held his little hand in mine, through his sputtering and gasping, I whispered, <br />
"It's okay. You don't have to. We will sing for you."<br />
<br />
I didn't really even give these words much thought as they escaped my lips, until after they touched the wind. Everyday sacred. Here it is. Even in the mess. Especially in the mess.<br />
<br />
In the dark, in the hopelessness, in the fear...<br />
when God seems to be nowhere in sight, or exhaustion runs so deep--where even breathing seems labored...<br />
<h1><strong>Let us sing for you.</strong></h1>The power of God's people. Holding for you--for me, when things seem to be too much. Keeping faith, when it is hard to find, as long as needed. <br />
<br />
I continue to think back on this dinner interchange time and time again tonight. And find myself moved at the depth of these words. This truth. <br />
<br />
I've experienced the singing community. As has my family. And I have had the honor of singing for others. <br />
<br />
So wherever your find yourself today, well-fed and nourished; or pit-empty and aching, know there is a place for you at the table. <br />
<br />
<span class="mceItemHidden">There is always a place at the table--after all, isn't that what family is all about? </span><br />
<span class="mceItemHidden">You bring the good, bad, and ugly. </span><br />
<br />
And it is at this Table, that we hold hands and <em><strong>say grace</strong></em>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><em> Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;</em><em> for we do not know how to pray as we ought, </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>but that very Spirit intercedes<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>with sighs too deep for words.</em> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>~Romans 8:26</em></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-28938109515924808822011-06-12T10:05:00.002-04:002011-06-12T10:05:52.262-04:00A Sabbath PrayerA fitting prayer for me, this morning. I hope it meets you in your places of longing...<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1940" height="300" src="http://rachelsgerber.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/candle-flame-and-reflection.jpg?w=239" title="candle-flame-and-reflection" width="239" /></span><br />
<br />
<strong>The ri</strong><strong>sen, living </strong><strong>Christ</strong><br />
<strong>Calls me by my name;</strong><br />
<strong>Comes to the loneliness within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Heals that which is wounded in me;</strong><br />
<strong>Comforts that which grieves in me;</strong><br />
<strong>Seeks for that which is lost within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Releases me from that which has dominion over me;</strong><br />
<strong>Cleanses me of that which does not belong to me;</strong><br />
<strong>Renews that which feels drained within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Awakens that which is asleep in me;</strong><br />
<strong>Names that which is formless within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Empowers that which is newborn within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Consecrates and guides that which is strong within me;</strong><br />
<strong>Restores me to this world which needs me;</strong><br />
<strong>Reaches out in endless love to others through me.</strong><br />
<br />
~Flora Slosson Wuellner<br />
from <em>Prayer, Fear, and our Powers</em>, Upper Room Books, 1989.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">With all that I am, all that I shall be, and all that I cannot yet even imagine,</div><div style="text-align: right;">I offer to you today.</div><div style="text-align: right;">In your loving embrace, fill me with your goodness and mercy and light,</div><div style="text-align: right;">so that wherever I tread,</div><div style="text-align: right;">You are seen.</div><div style="text-align: right;">Go with me, and those who read these words, now and always.</div><div style="text-align: right;">In this Sabbath day, meet us along the road.</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-50753827048696437722011-06-03T12:34:00.002-04:002011-06-03T12:34:55.917-04:00Encountering Grace<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal normal 13px/19px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-left: 0.6em; margin-right: 0.6em; margin-top: 0.6em; max-width: 640px;"><div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px; text-align: center;"><a data-mce-href="http://rachelsgerber.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/photo-on-2011-06-02-at-10-24.jpg" href="http://rachelsgerber.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/photo-on-2011-06-02-at-10-24.jpg" style="color: #ff4b33; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"><img alt="" class="size-medium wp-image-1932 aligncenter" data-mce-src="http://rachelsgerber.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/photo-on-2011-06-02-at-10-24.jpg?w=300" height="225" src="http://rachelsgerber.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/photo-on-2011-06-02-at-10-24.jpg?w=300" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; clear: both; color: #444444; display: block; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; height: auto; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%;" title="Photo on 2011-06-02 at 10.24" width="300" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">There were his shoes. Sitting by the door. Just as he left them. Day after day they sat there, reminders of the gap of his presence.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Daddy? Hospital? the little voices rang.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Yes, dear ones, Daddy is in the hospital. He loves you so much and can't wait to come home.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Long days, longer nights. Exhaustion strickens.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">But Grace upholds.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Midnight calls, pleas for help, Grace comes. Without excuse, without complaint, Grace shows up and sits.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Phone calls, visits, texts, prayers, food.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Grace extended.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">As I sat on the hospital bed, with beeps and tubes and needles, holding the hand of my love, we speak of this Grace that comes and keeps on coming. Freely and unencumbered.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">We weep.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Grace sustains.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">What is this? This miracle of sustenance--showers of manna, everyday covering our ground. Funny at how the word, "manna," in Hebrew means, "What is this?" What is this that comes and feeds and allows us to live, even as we encounter the desert of life?</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Grace is gift.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">And all we can do is to go out and gather this "what is it?" every morning, unable to repay what has been given. But to accept what has been offered and gather enough for the day, knowing that tomorrow more will be there.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">We live.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Thanks be to the Great Physician... and to the people of God. </div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">Through you, we have seen God.</div><div style="color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 24px;">ps. I will continue to copy and paste here, until I can get the kinks worked out with Wordpress (about updating everything-belongs.com to your readers). </div></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-30150019725112770662011-06-02T12:41:00.000-04:002011-06-02T12:41:37.278-04:00Re link meHi friends!<br />
<br />
As I was cruising around on the web, getting caught up on blogs, etc...,I noticed that my "update feed" wasn't coming up on a few of your blogs. I think it is because I switched to Wordpress (even though my address is the same).<br />
<br />
If you want to get the latest update from me, try relinking my address again. Hopefully it will redirect you there. <br />
<br />
www.everything-belongs.com<br />
<br />
Thanks for reading!Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-42429852288687229192011-05-26T07:00:00.026-04:002011-05-26T07:00:03.919-04:00Run D.M.C.Give two little boys a set of headphones,<br />
attached to nothing,<br />
and see what they come up with.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AOczo2bvwu61SGAjEYMQC4njVD6vV6VS89Npr2eqJc2P89LITfA28tQm0nmUzXDbY1W-YR1puQWENTFS36cPKnOVJSU8RG9j-d6GNEqQG2wcK2SXa5bwdCLIdG9tpJ00DG_JaOLzOMqX/s1600/DSCN2049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9AOczo2bvwu61SGAjEYMQC4njVD6vV6VS89Npr2eqJc2P89LITfA28tQm0nmUzXDbY1W-YR1puQWENTFS36cPKnOVJSU8RG9j-d6GNEqQG2wcK2SXa5bwdCLIdG9tpJ00DG_JaOLzOMqX/s320/DSCN2049.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn-wMUCIgR23BycN2NhcXFL3ccu8sprSuzNdDAc7avd5Ru39wWTe0JsD1S4o06KLP6RzCJDFSmbjHVhjazD601JsMBmJozYKCPW6Qy64_bJqHOX8ClocAqWiUOzNswQd0Cqd5cP4Nu4D9/s1600/DSCN2050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn-wMUCIgR23BycN2NhcXFL3ccu8sprSuzNdDAc7avd5Ru39wWTe0JsD1S4o06KLP6RzCJDFSmbjHVhjazD601JsMBmJozYKCPW6Qy64_bJqHOX8ClocAqWiUOzNswQd0Cqd5cP4Nu4D9/s320/DSCN2050.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBrkSpatstyDRoLu6QVXW1ovDJznJVXO8t74gLhNeP8nIoVBPLRf1eWUDsxvLEuMyQNeeeLbdyEr5gGYAidt9XAFhmF0oh3jjbLy-BI_fJAyjYz1m1Rfs3jVozhJD9dk7p8AW06ZHOUi/s1600/DSCN2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iBrkSpatstyDRoLu6QVXW1ovDJznJVXO8t74gLhNeP8nIoVBPLRf1eWUDsxvLEuMyQNeeeLbdyEr5gGYAidt9XAFhmF0oh3jjbLy-BI_fJAyjYz1m1Rfs3jVozhJD9dk7p8AW06ZHOUi/s320/DSCN2052.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W3t5AIX0a87dPu0jauTE0fNZ-ZXNwqbmuHQlb8VWEo4qf8dtVUtH7yHj9pIE3Yfo1COzPLhyphenhyphenw36uwSVsYyFojETlQhSc63RYZXf7chcEhafkWoy-563o2k-dP1TqhdMUzq1MytQOVJeq/s1600/DSCN2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-W3t5AIX0a87dPu0jauTE0fNZ-ZXNwqbmuHQlb8VWEo4qf8dtVUtH7yHj9pIE3Yfo1COzPLhyphenhyphenw36uwSVsYyFojETlQhSc63RYZXf7chcEhafkWoy-563o2k-dP1TqhdMUzq1MytQOVJeq/s320/DSCN2054.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Where do they get this from?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Must be from the rapper, G-mommy.</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSMR0UjQ5LEPT_LH9trxodc3OvO7A7C6YzFE59CcJ4O2Gy2oZGovHGkYGxzpWoZLBy__Y8TfIKYnryp5XkkToXFwZelXUSA7r0tfaM3ulPceLJzccSEQq73aE1kyLBrQLjsyawTGzwDOp/s1600/DSCN2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSMR0UjQ5LEPT_LH9trxodc3OvO7A7C6YzFE59CcJ4O2Gy2oZGovHGkYGxzpWoZLBy__Y8TfIKYnryp5XkkToXFwZelXUSA7r0tfaM3ulPceLJzccSEQq73aE1kyLBrQLjsyawTGzwDOp/s320/DSCN2051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-81265908785259756472011-05-25T09:45:00.000-04:002011-05-25T09:45:51.688-04:00I'm movingI am attempting to move to my blog to a new host: Wordpress. I like the features and look better. Hopefully, it will all work out smoothly and I won't lose everything!!<br />
<br />
I am not anticipating that it will change anything for you, dear readers. My domain name should be the same...www.everything-belongs.com <br />
<br />
But incase it does, I'm currently using, rachelsgerber.wordpress.com, as an initial way to activate my account there, in hopes to switch over my domain name soon, if it doesn't do it automatically.<br />
<br />
We shall see...<br />
We shall see.Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-88850041856731821762011-05-24T20:47:00.002-04:002011-05-24T20:48:51.267-04:00Transforming the funk<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So, I've been in a funk lately. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Running, running, running....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">yet seemingly going nowhere.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And nothing gets done. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The clothes are still not put away,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the dishes impregnate, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and dirt.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Oh my.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Where does it come from?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two words.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Little boys.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It is just how it is. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And how it will be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And maybe even,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">how it should be.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And yet, some days it is just so exhausting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The attitude,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the mess,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the monotony of the hamster wheel that seems to never. stop. never. stop. never. stop....</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I turn out of the drive to catch a few hours of mama-brain time,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here run two pint-sized beauties,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">reflections of their (F)ather,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">waving hog-wild after me...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Mom! Mooooooom! I love you! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Happy Mother's Day! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Thanks, albeit a few weeks late)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Merry Christmas! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(The little one trying to keep up with the holiday cheer) </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">L've you!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I smile. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Smile because I am going out...alone? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">but my heart beams. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two boys.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chaos. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">because I have</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">two boys</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Why do I forget?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">How can I forget the blessings?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They fall fresh upon,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">dusting off the tiredness,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the monotony.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have be given</span><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">two</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">boys.</span></i><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two messy,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">crazy,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">syrupy-sweet,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">boys. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9akodpJcsQSQ6yVnXfAgoF-aHlpJUSSg4UfxAaDWEph2qX3c9sUdlqTitu5GIfgcjrUTSlnx1Zg2e1JhkvJe2elyuAfOsRh1CdVqoPRapd1cF6PnnZAIsBDIn8LvdvvVIZPzQnXWDUBG9/s1600/DSCN2083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9akodpJcsQSQ6yVnXfAgoF-aHlpJUSSg4UfxAaDWEph2qX3c9sUdlqTitu5GIfgcjrUTSlnx1Zg2e1JhkvJe2elyuAfOsRh1CdVqoPRapd1cF6PnnZAIsBDIn8LvdvvVIZPzQnXWDUBG9/s320/DSCN2083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I realize that in the remembering of these blessings,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and giving thanks, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">transformation takes hold.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of everything.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In the moment of this epiphany my soul hearkens to the one I cannot shake in this Easter season, when the cloaked Jesus appears.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As they came near the village to which they were going, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he walked ahead as if he were going on.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But they urged him strongly, saying, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">So he went in to stay with them.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">When he was at the table with them, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">he took bread, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blessed</span></span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and broke it, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and gave it to them.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i></i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then their eyes were opened, </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and they recognized him; </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">and he vanished from their sight.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">~Luke 24:28-32</span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For the eyes of these weary travelers were opened, </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">not only as they offered hospitality--</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as they opened their home,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">a place to stay, play, eat, be to this one passing through-- </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it was in the very act of </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">giving thanks</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> for "their daily bread,"</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that they saw the Christ.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They saw the One who was with them the entire time.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For in the act of giving thanks</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">for the daily blessings of life,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">it transforms,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">awakens</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">my dull heart</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">to see the true gifts in my life.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And the One that is always present...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">even in the pint-sized packages.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Especially in the pint-sized packages.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Holy work.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Which is also, hol</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">y </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">work, Batman!)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Though I do this never alone,</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">always with the Christ that journeys with.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Offering strength and sustenance.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May I not forget.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">if</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> when I do...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Christ, meet me </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">again</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on this laundry-stained road.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-44022005952547106952011-05-19T00:07:00.004-04:002011-05-19T00:25:23.160-04:00How to be happy in life<div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Happiness. </div><div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Want to know how to get it? </div><div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">The secret is right there, if you read between the lines. </div><div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;">Which is right where I got stuck today in reading Psalm 146.</div><div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px; text-align: left;"><div style="color: black; line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><i>Happy are those whose <b>help</b> is the God of Jacob, </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>whose hope is in the</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Lord</i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i> </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>their God..</i></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br />
</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whose <b>help</b> is in God. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Help.</div><div style="text-align: left;">This is what struck me, </div><div style="text-align: left;">the ever-independent...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I need to be willing to be helped.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tough to swallow considering I tend to identify with the Enneagram Type 2,</div><div style="text-align: left;">which is aptly named,</div><div style="text-align: left;">HELPER.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">To offer help is one thing, but to be willing to be helped is another.</div><div style="text-align: left;">It takes vulnerability,</div><div style="text-align: left;">trust,</div><div style="text-align: left;">release.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Plunging into my soul I must ask myself the query that looms, </div><div style="text-align: left;">down-deep,</div><div style="text-align: left;">at the center of the core,</div><div style="text-align: left;">do I really believe that it is <i>God</i> who holds everything together</div><div style="text-align: left;">or is this the mask that covers the true lie--</div><div style="text-align: left;">it's me? </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Me, the helper, </div><div style="text-align: left;">the one who is always trying to be good,</div><div style="text-align: left;">to earn love,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and acceptance...</div><div style="text-align: left;">bearing the martyr burdens,</div><div style="text-align: left;">thinking in exchange happiness will ensue?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But this is a dead end road.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;">And ultimately...<i>life</i>.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because I. am. not. God.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">In this resurrection season,</div><div style="text-align: left;">as death digs deep in the earth</div><div style="text-align: left;">only to release the hope and joy of new life,</div><div style="text-align: left;">so do I stretch my hands upward.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Turning my face heavenward,</div><div style="text-align: left;">I realize that happiness is found</div><div style="text-align: left;">in who comes to me.</div><div style="text-align: left;">The true Help--</div><div style="text-align: left;">the one who is always first reaching out</div><div style="text-align: left;">to this mama who tries so hard,</div><div style="text-align: left;">(or am I just distracted, afraid of seeing the Light?)</div><div style="text-align: left;">but continually falls short.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet breathes grace.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Upon grace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>It's not up to me.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>It's not all up to me.</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Release brings peace.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">If so, then could this be where true joy is found?</div><div style="text-align: left;">For there is nothing that can separate me from this Love.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hand and help outstretched.</div><div style="text-align: left;">For always and forever.</div><div style="text-align: left;">True life released to live.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Dare I trust in this grace </div><div style="text-align: left;">that accepts the whole of me,</div><div style="text-align: left;">just as I am?</div><div style="text-align: left;">As the soul-tired mama whose guilt rises with each PBS show,</div><div style="text-align: left;">whose mind clammers with shouts of should's and could's?</div><div style="text-align: left;">The weight buries. </div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Am I willing to accept this sweetness?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Because maybe in this case,</div><div style="text-align: left;">receiving really is better than giving. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Can I receive this gift given so freely?</div><div style="text-align: left;">With no thank-you note expected in return?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yet, might my life,</div><div style="text-align: left;">lived well,</div><div style="text-align: left;">full of love,</div><div style="text-align: left;">grace,</div><div style="text-align: left;">and overflowing joy</div><div style="text-align: left;">be enough.</div></span></span></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><div style="text-align: left;"></div></span>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-84317620901011373552011-05-15T23:57:00.003-04:002011-05-16T08:51:11.110-04:00A picture says a thousand words<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyztCGL5dZZYkY3mfpGmHbsKGSCiDy7hL9iHcEDTxAJEiEKwocbEUqsNlDjw-Cw-C2wttH-fEVbq3B9-Q7c56DbMM_X_huQzbjqpd23fuzmixMBDFuyLnQEv3WQxMGqkrwlrLZo5C9YTWr/s1600/DSCN2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyztCGL5dZZYkY3mfpGmHbsKGSCiDy7hL9iHcEDTxAJEiEKwocbEUqsNlDjw-Cw-C2wttH-fEVbq3B9-Q7c56DbMM_X_huQzbjqpd23fuzmixMBDFuyLnQEv3WQxMGqkrwlrLZo5C9YTWr/s400/DSCN2037.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-19196854482687389632011-05-06T13:26:00.003-04:002011-05-06T14:14:10.868-04:00Wrestle-ManiaHave you ever second guessed a decision as a parent? <br />
Here's mine today:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-TfyDhj8CsA5p5qfM5D0s24CDqFE8FwiXXNDy81Q6XxqOFyU7jbuhLmwNg8De2UYjuYWd0f-tPnqONJJN-U__KmDySQWng_QZMThwF66-QHv1BmGnNrI587Kjgb3cLzhW91VdAz4uGNZ/s1600/DSCN2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-TfyDhj8CsA5p5qfM5D0s24CDqFE8FwiXXNDy81Q6XxqOFyU7jbuhLmwNg8De2UYjuYWd0f-tPnqONJJN-U__KmDySQWng_QZMThwF66-QHv1BmGnNrI587Kjgb3cLzhW91VdAz4uGNZ/s320/DSCN2023.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQqR1UwzPzQK-i7suzMvcb9PaKjlpqp4_3rREStcSfur578xq2Cty-99rObe9Ai1RVmFBRjCIv4gxAPiDW2-LEl9sige2FVt9mSYZJyqdwFG361fyXKfjXeNWZluYgUBMEdux-85Mp_LM/s1600/DSCN2024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQqR1UwzPzQK-i7suzMvcb9PaKjlpqp4_3rREStcSfur578xq2Cty-99rObe9Ai1RVmFBRjCIv4gxAPiDW2-LEl9sige2FVt9mSYZJyqdwFG361fyXKfjXeNWZluYgUBMEdux-85Mp_LM/s320/DSCN2024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb-KClqnTMU8gI8R2mdfPUj8W5F_p-RahPpnFdCm3XU5pne7eB2xsjIKAruEZGV_rnQv9Yk_y5RTxNa44POBkSzQ8jEByK9IJAtaX1SGrHHlrIKmF3gsPESTkgj-A3_ckhbP9lPg3ikJm/s1600/DSCN2022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb-KClqnTMU8gI8R2mdfPUj8W5F_p-RahPpnFdCm3XU5pne7eB2xsjIKAruEZGV_rnQv9Yk_y5RTxNa44POBkSzQ8jEByK9IJAtaX1SGrHHlrIKmF3gsPESTkgj-A3_ckhbP9lPg3ikJm/s320/DSCN2022.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They couldn't wait to put on their new summer pajamas...they tore it out of the bag the moment we got home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And started wrestling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Was I thinking they were just going to prance around looking cute? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not a chance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will there be sleep tonight? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Odds are slim to none. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yet they do make me laugh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Especially when Owen told me, after putting on his "uniform," </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"I don't have underwear on, because wrestlers don't wear them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and I need water. Lots of water. Wrestlers <i>need</i> water." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...as he body slams off the couch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's going to be a fun afternoon around here!</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-86375875996765144692011-05-05T15:32:00.002-04:002011-05-06T23:11:31.883-04:00This Present MomentAs a parent, especially to little ones,<br />
especially to curious boys,<br />
I find that I need to supervise them under a fairly watchful eye. <br />
Or something like this might happen:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Uymk8S6tJxlyuRwrVgelg-l3DDc0n5gdIBkP08omNtyCAJEl6Rj44WP-Arl-CKDRrN_Yz2xLjTh1pOf5oiMmk8tkZUyun5uRaJPUirrcqHqru3rzjWRw8Zt0AfNNF0r2ZNVG0ApgHXep/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Uymk8S6tJxlyuRwrVgelg-l3DDc0n5gdIBkP08omNtyCAJEl6Rj44WP-Arl-CKDRrN_Yz2xLjTh1pOf5oiMmk8tkZUyun5uRaJPUirrcqHqru3rzjWRw8Zt0AfNNF0r2ZNVG0ApgHXep/s320/DSCN1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just saying. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yet, I am realizing that even when I am there, I might not really be <i>all there</i>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, not in the "I'm losing my marbles" way, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">but in the emotionally present way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the way that takes in the wonder of the moment,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">that truly hears and shares in the laughter,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">that sees beyond the tears and squabbles,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">that enters in to the gift of life. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Because life flashes by.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And where will I be when I finally wake up?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">50?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">70?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Will my boys have receding hair-lines and bifocals? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And how I will long for these days of managed chaos back... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">running feet,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">muddy worms,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">blueberry shampoo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Millions of details swallow my presence on a fairly regular basis:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">phone calls to return,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">dry cleaning to pick up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">play dates to make,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">meetings to attend,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">food to prepare,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">toys to pick up,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">laundry to fold,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">bills to pay,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">plants to water.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But that is just what they are...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>details. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Is my life going to be ruined if I don't get to all these details?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Absolutely not.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, if I allow these details to take over my life, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">my presence,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the only gift I really have to offer another,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">my beloveds,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">it just might.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Perhaps the devil really is in the details.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And so today, I intentionally walk slower with two small hands in mine </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">for there is no need to rush,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">no need to drag,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">no need to clip along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For the moment is here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And it is a gift.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I am present, to this moment...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">and God help me, the next too...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">life almost comes to a stand-still. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">They are here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am watching,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">experiencing,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">shaping,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What an honor. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-57725906538941455302011-04-27T00:56:00.002-04:002011-04-27T00:59:59.791-04:00Calm in the stormThe wind started blowing. And blowing. And blowing. The sky began to turn orange-grey and thunder rumbled. Lightning flashed. Hail pounded. <br />
<br />
Oh yeah--a thunderstorm.<br />
And a good one at that.<br />
<br />
I had one boy open all the blinds, oohhh'ing and ahhhh'ing completely fascinated by this natural feat. <br />
<br />
The other?<br />
You can probably guess...<br />
<br />
Wild-eyed and terrified.<br />
<br />
As I held him close, all twisted in his monkey-limbs,<br />
explaining the booms and cracks,<br />
uncovering the mystery of his displaced anxiety,<br />
I understood.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">For he and I are not too far apart. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I worry and fret and wonder and obsess. From mud stains to life goals. </div><br />
And here as I held my wee one, wrought with fear, my heart was at near-explosion limits of love and compassion on the scale of Fukushima, for my shaking leaf.<br />
<br />
I. get. it. <br />
<br />
I only see part.<br />
God sees full. <br />
<br />
I only see the wind...the thunder...the lightning...the hail. In my babe-sense of understanding, somedays the world seems to be falling apart. The windows shake, the ground shifts, it feels as though it will be like this forever. <br />
<br />
But I only see in <i>part</i>.<br />
<br />
I don't understand how storms work, how fronts come through, how thunder and lightning echo. In my fear and anxiety I am blinded from seeing the beauty of its majesty and how the rain nourishes the earth (and gives me a break from watering the garden!). <br />
<br />
But He sees the whole.<br />
<br />
As my wild-eyes look up, tossed in the storm, I see that I do not need to feel ashamed. For still, <i>still</i>, I am held in a loving and compassionate gaze. In tender arms that soothe and caress.<br />
<br />
<i>It's all going to be okay. </i><br />
<i>It's all going to be okay. </i><br />
<br />
For I only see in part.<br />
But God knows the whole. <br />
I only see the storm.<br />
But God sees the life cycle.<br />
And there is no chiding, no "buck-up," no dismissing.<br />
Only deep love.<br />
<br />
<i>If you only knew. </i><br />
<i>If you could only see the whole. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Parenting is such a gift.<br />
I'm learning so much from being their mama.<br />
Widening and expanding my own concept of God.<br />
Beginning to really...see.<br />
<br />
And give thanks in the storm.Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-25535997352718087912011-04-22T07:18:00.001-04:002011-04-24T21:47:51.896-04:00DisappointmentsAnd it rained blood.<br />
Again.<br />
We thought this month would be different.<br />
I felt so sure.<br />
So secure.<br />
The disappointment overwhelms.<br />
Again.<br />
Where did we go wrong?<br />
<br />
As I looked in the bathroom mirror wiping the sleep from my eyes,<br />
I saw the reflection of the disciples who were also so sure<br />
they knew the ending.<br />
This time.<br />
This time would be different.<br />
They were sure of it.<br />
And yet,<br />
it rained blood.<br />
Disappointment overwhelms.<br />
Where did they go wrong?<br />
<br />
Pain stings.<br />
It pierces.<br />
Blood runs red.<br />
<br />
Today I sit in the darkness,<br />
in solidarity with confusion,<br />
unfulfilled dreams,<br />
crushing sorrow.<br />
<br />
Yet, I do not lose hope.<br />
<br />
For I know the end of the story.<br />
Darkness does not win.<br />
The night does not last forever.<br />
For Sunday is coming.<br />
And the dawn will rise,<br />
blazing like the noonday,<br />
crushing fear,<br />
defeat<br />
and death.<br />
<br />
And even if the stick never reads positive again,<br />
my Resurrection sight awakens my inner eye<br />
to see the life that I've been given.<br />
<br />
Owen<br />
and<br />
Connor.<br />
<br />
Such grace.<br />
Such grace.Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-44944665723805509972011-04-20T22:29:00.001-04:002011-04-20T22:37:44.217-04:00Going greenTonight we decided to go out for a picnic at the park behind our house. <br />
It was lovely.<br />
In many ways.<br />
<br />
The boys ate,<br />
played,<br />
explored;<br />
Shawn and I lounged leisurely<br />
watching,<br />
smiling,<br />
full of gratitude for such amazing boys.<br />
<br />
It was what I needed.<br />
Actually, it was what everyone needed.<br />
Fresh air,<br />
beauty upon beauty,<br />
getting dirty and not caring.<br />
<br />
After we finished up, we explored a nature trail through the woods.<br />
As we slowly meandered on the path<br />
through mustard,<br />
mushrooms,<br />
wild onions,<br />
purple trumpet<br />
and white star flowers,<br />
while keeping our distance from any <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.hr-rna.com/RNA/images/Reptiles%2520and%2520Amphibs/BroadHeadSkink%2520TL.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.hr-rna.com/RNA/Reptile%2520pages/Skink%2520page.htm&h=446&w=530&sz=57&tbnid=w4nZDrolU9fydM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=132&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dbroadhead%2Bskink%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=broadhead+skink&usg=__gFvIgFCzGLRJy0Rfaf9LMAvbggI=&sa=X&ei=t36vTcHFHpK3twfs9dWkBQ&ved=0CCoQ9QEwAw">skinks </a>that might be lurking,<br />
<br />
<i>(Sidenote of vileness: We were terrorized by one Sunday evening that lurked under our couch. It did not end pretty.) </i><br />
<br />
we breathed.<br />
<br />
We became alive again.<br />
<br />
There is just something about being in nature,<br />
in beauty,<br />
in creation,<br />
that re-creates.<br />
That builds the soul,<br />
that centers,<br />
and reconnects.<br />
<br />
To myself,<br />
to others,<br />
to the Creator.<br />
<br />
I wonder if this mystery of re-creation happens<br />
because I am surrounded by the elements in how it all began.<br />
That I'm going back to the organic connection of what was,<br />
and what still really <i>is</i>,<br />
apart from cell towers,<br />
PBS kids,<br />
cables and wires,<br />
desks and air conditioning.<br />
<br />
For in that longing to be reconnected,<br />
truly connected,<br />
in that desire to breathe deeply again,<br />
I am really yearning to behold the One whom holds all these things together.<br />
Oh how I forget.<br />
<br />
For my life and all that fills it,<br />
the synthetic stuff and perpherial junk,<br />
after time,<br />
creates stagnant air,<br />
and my soul longs for freshness.<br />
It screams out, "Open the windows!"<br />
<br />
That is what re-creation is all about.<br />
That is, at the core, what I long for.<br />
To reconnect with the Beauty that created me.<br />
And all this.<br />
And no amount of primetime TV,<br />
sleep,<br />
and unfortunately, chocolate<br />
will truly satiate.<br />
<br />
As we were walking back,<br />
laughing with abandon,<br />
Connor stopped us dead in his tracks.<br />
Listen.<br />
Listen, he said.<br />
Then he pointed up.<br />
Up to the heavens.<br />
There a <a href="http://www.birdjam.com/birdsong.php?id=3">cardinal sang</a> out to us.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Yes, the heavens.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Of course, it all comes from up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVVBHZqvIjpbRWPrJleY17_M5l57ezOSHi5XK7JhmrOc43lhxCwF44IShbNbybM9XW-mJlvdnQzCzJs8viEw92xrOvynuStsNCwm_JXrqSgbTy8g_LxlXjTUqgeB1EjyYrxuOCQ4I4TrN/s1600/NorthernCardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVVBHZqvIjpbRWPrJleY17_M5l57ezOSHi5XK7JhmrOc43lhxCwF44IShbNbybM9XW-mJlvdnQzCzJs8viEw92xrOvynuStsNCwm_JXrqSgbTy8g_LxlXjTUqgeB1EjyYrxuOCQ4I4TrN/s320/NorthernCardinal.jpg" width="285" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><br />
A flame in the midst of budding growth.<br />
Passionate beauty,<br />
Spirit gift,<br />
the song of God.<br />
<br />
Go for a walk.<br />
By yourself.<br />
With your family.<br />
Recreate together.<br />
Re-create your spirit.Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-81674617316877654732011-04-18T23:43:00.004-04:002011-04-18T23:51:41.925-04:00Working the interior soilThe red, clay soil felt cold in my hands as I dug deep, trying to loosen the earth. As I squeezed and pulled, breaking the clumps of humus apart, I realized that the process of growing takes preparation. <br />
<br />
In order for my salvia to take root and thrive,<br />
the soil must be tended. <br />
It must be tilled,<br />
fertilized.<br />
<br />
I must prepare.<br />
I must dig deep into the soil of my soul,<br />
I must not be afraid to do the hard work and get dirty,<br />
because it is from this place that growth happens.<br />
Formation occurs.<br />
Shape takes form.<br />
<br />
She came tumbling over.<br />
"Wat yo doin'? Yo planting flowers? Oooohhhh--let me help!"<br />
Her first-grade body jumped right in exploring the tools, digging deep.<br />
"I know how to use a shovel. I saw it once in a movie."<br />
<br />
So we dug.<br />
Together.<br />
City girl.<br />
With the Menno.<br />
In the dirt, hands now the same color, we plunged deep.<br />
Reaching deep and loosening,<br />
planting and spreading,<br />
we created something beautiful.<br />
<br />
But it was more so that this.<br />
For as new beds were forged,<br />
in the midst, the Gardener was cultivating me.<br />
For in the process of working my hard clay dirt,<br />
the rocks and weeds blocking me from receiving and offering<br />
love,<br />
generosity,<br />
and thanksgiving,<br />
were being thinned.<br />
For here working by my side was Joy.<br />
<br />
And the sticks and stones<br />
of my Pharisaic grumble mellowed,<br />
because she illuminated my own hypocrisy by her simple honesty.<br />
<br />
Perhaps I needed Tutti's drop-by visit more than she did,<br />
to unearth<br />
and revive my dry bones,<br />
tired bones,<br />
thinned bones,<br />
<br />
with the wonder,<br />
the miracle,<br />
the mystery of Possibility.<br />
<br />
As the sun sank and goodbyes rang into the night,<br />
I stood, cascading water over our garden.<br />
Praying with face wet that Rain would fall upon me,<br />
watering the places within that had grown dry,<br />
crusty,<br />
hostile,<br />
making me pliable<br />
and capable<br />
for nurturing<br />
new life.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80POPW9gr4LCDD8CwYfAEIPNiunDyz-ehbgD6vHLYzY9NyWTsAouojDQQ3zFlEu0eepDDsitYMG0Aqn-1HAM59_Ecv8C-NDE47rxEupgueN21wQCqcQp1r0NsY5l4HMQUC0iH3mAxJYl2/s1600/new+flower+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80POPW9gr4LCDD8CwYfAEIPNiunDyz-ehbgD6vHLYzY9NyWTsAouojDQQ3zFlEu0eepDDsitYMG0Aqn-1HAM59_Ecv8C-NDE47rxEupgueN21wQCqcQp1r0NsY5l4HMQUC0iH3mAxJYl2/s1600/new+flower+bed.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The </i></span><span class="sc" style="font-variant: small-caps;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Lord</i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i> will guide you continually, </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and satisfy your needs in parched places, </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and make your bones strong; </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>and you shall be like a watered garden, </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>like a spring of water, </i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>whose waters never fail.</i></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #010000; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">~Isaiah 58:11</span></span></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-2291988414028075152011-04-12T00:57:00.003-04:002011-05-15T23:56:07.210-04:00Getting bathedI generally pride myself on having fairly clean children.<br />
But with boys, <i>fairly</i> is the operative word.<br />
As Connor was snuggling with me on the couch<br />
the other afternoon reading a book,<br />
that sweet baby-freshness<br />
just. wasn't. there.<br />
Baby-foulness was more like it.<br />
When <i>was</i> the last time Connor got a bath?<br />
<br />
Living with smells...<br />
it makes me ponder my own...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2011:1-44&version=NIV">Lazarus had been dead 4 days</a>.<br />
In a swelterly climate<br />
human remains don't last long.<br />
Even in a dark cave,<br />
the stench would be fierce.<br />
<br />
Take away the stone,<br />
Jesus calls.<br />
<br />
NO--the stench.<br />
The stench of my doubts,<br />
fears,<br />
insecurities,<br />
permeates thick.<br />
<br />
You haven't even given your child a bath yet?<br />
What kind of mother are you?<br />
<br />
But more than that...<br />
darker and deeper grows the tomb.<br />
Is that<i> all</i> that defines you?<br />
<br />
The darkness hides.<br />
And lies.<br />
Though small and confined,<br />
I know the limits.<br />
Although limiting...<br />
<br />
But living in the stench,<br />
is not really living.<br />
It is death disguised.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The Easter season is about awakening to who we really are,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">to who God has called us to be,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">for the sake of the world.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I'm not talking vocational terms,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">but formational terms.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">How am I being called to resurrect love,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">light,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">patience,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">peace,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">gratitude,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">forgiveness...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">in my life?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So that the world might know the One from whom these things come.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Forget about the stench, I hear.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Believe.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Believe that I am capable of doing far more than this.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Far more than you can ever hope of...or imagine.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Again he calls out--</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Roll the stone away!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Just as Golgotha could not contain him,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">so too,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">he invites me to rise to new life.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">COME OUT!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Go and take a bath.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"> </div><br />
<div><br />
</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-68266715495254968392011-04-03T17:27:00.001-04:002011-04-03T17:47:42.222-04:00The good life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXbZJGbOrs93AbPCDwg4KMu1LmndQcM9EzPZRlLYq8XFMQ-wBDTlFNMmlJoxL63JezBrLih2P4D3KhdKOlzF5WAMyGE7jwO23z5lBSDF1JTY1U_hZwDaB3gsPiQd886g0y3VNo_lgfnj1/s1600/DSCN1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXbZJGbOrs93AbPCDwg4KMu1LmndQcM9EzPZRlLYq8XFMQ-wBDTlFNMmlJoxL63JezBrLih2P4D3KhdKOlzF5WAMyGE7jwO23z5lBSDF1JTY1U_hZwDaB3gsPiQd886g0y3VNo_lgfnj1/s320/DSCN1741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Vacation with preschoolers, is not a vacation.<br />
By any stretch of the imagination.<br />
Do not be fooled.<br />
<br />
However, it does constitute a trip.<br />
A change of scenery,<br />
a change of pace,<br />
a change.<br />
Period.<br />
And with the monotony of daily life,<br />
change is good.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFDaPZLVOuys9r7OxcFQFJ9ZzIPRr0tzc9BNN4MMXZLEqWOwzQXbkKbjCX1NvaMHrkmQR31MUmJvmOQODlab1YPh8_pzS_1eaAEK6hhqE2YQOHRH5jYPiE-A_u17qzXtTXQW-gHQrHhyC/s1600/DSCN1714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFDaPZLVOuys9r7OxcFQFJ9ZzIPRr0tzc9BNN4MMXZLEqWOwzQXbkKbjCX1NvaMHrkmQR31MUmJvmOQODlab1YPh8_pzS_1eaAEK6hhqE2YQOHRH5jYPiE-A_u17qzXtTXQW-gHQrHhyC/s320/DSCN1714.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We just got back from a lovely almost two-week trip.<br />
It was warm,<br />
it was sunny,<br />
and there was sand.<br />
<br />
As I was (momentarily) sitting on the edge of the expanse of wet,<br />
gentle breeze kissing my face,<br />
I thought,<br />
Life Is Good...<br />
<br />
even amidst my seagull chasing,<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">sand kicking,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">soccer scoring,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">wave jumping,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">sea shell hunting </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">beach bums.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiyiuH2IWwGqSJ33DhQEUPDitvL8E_CLerQTUsbu_CNJE3qXv6mY7ZMqH75_Vf6naV1TB6u79XKT1hyVKXFd1Uu4Yq8F0pCs-_tNCRzURqkiWjZmnoIaIBdcBDtLTsklGvEATLqqV5h_w/s1600/DSCN1703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigiyiuH2IWwGqSJ33DhQEUPDitvL8E_CLerQTUsbu_CNJE3qXv6mY7ZMqH75_Vf6naV1TB6u79XKT1hyVKXFd1Uu4Yq8F0pCs-_tNCRzURqkiWjZmnoIaIBdcBDtLTsklGvEATLqqV5h_w/s320/DSCN1703.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">No, there was not much <i>relaxation</i> here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">But there was rest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Not so much in the physical sense,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">but in the Sabbath sense.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">By stepping back out of my normal, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">daily routine,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">even if for only a moment,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">I see more clearly.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">I. am. blessed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">More than I realize. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Taking Sabbath,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">being mindful of what is,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">pausing to take inventory,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">and giving thanks,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">renews life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Because it reminds me again,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">and again,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">and again,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">that at the core,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">beyond the superficialities that cloud, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">life really is good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">I have people to love</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">and who love me,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">legs to run,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">arms to hold,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">laughter to hear,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">chocolate ice cream to taste. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Memories to make. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf9R-R3B6olvX5VX4XHB6BQGeNPiQ2eupOc2JXYZslPD5qgwYjljYqqugIXH0Gp2gKQ-c1-XeK9HL7CM18Tn9WB1zQE8Fwd_P8S3uVekbMquH7vxdzemv8lhthCj2Y9whJatDAje8UuvK/s1600/DSCN1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf9R-R3B6olvX5VX4XHB6BQGeNPiQ2eupOc2JXYZslPD5qgwYjljYqqugIXH0Gp2gKQ-c1-XeK9HL7CM18Tn9WB1zQE8Fwd_P8S3uVekbMquH7vxdzemv8lhthCj2Y9whJatDAje8UuvK/s320/DSCN1716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">And perhaps the greatest realization is that,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">I don't need sun and sand to get it.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">For nothing in my life really changed,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">but me.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">Being open and willing to see,</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">what </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">really </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;">is.</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-24167184723762827382011-03-15T20:01:00.001-04:002011-03-15T20:06:40.454-04:00Reinventing leftovers<div>So, I'm completely plagiarizing this title from my friend </div><div>who is starting a new <a href="http://shergerber.blogspot.com/">food blog</a>, The Present Moment. </div><div>What a great title, eh? </div><div><br />
</div><div>As I was reading about her suggestions to transform leftovers </div><div>from meatloaf to shepherd's pie,</div><div>I realized that my life as a mother is a lot like this.</div><div>On a daily basis. </div><div>I am the queen of reinventing. </div><div>Getting my picky four year old to eat another meal...</div><div>Dressing my two year old with a bit more variety...</div><div>as a parent, each day brings new takes on the same challenges. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Yet as a parent,</div><div>at the end of the day,</div><div>I often wonder about the leftovers. </div><div>Because after it is all said and done, </div><div>there usually isn't much left. </div><div>If any.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Bone tired might be the word. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Giving, giving, giving. </div><div>And then when you think you've given it your all,</div><div>someone pukes. </div><div><br />
</div><div>But somewhere, the strength comes to give again.</div><div><br />
</div><div>It's a mystery that where there seems to be none,</div><div>bounty overflows. </div><div><br />
</div><div><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:30-44&version=NLT">The disciples, just coming off of an intense journey</a>,</div><div>trying to find space,</div><div>a break,</div><div>a retreat,</div><div>were being hounded by more.</div><div>And more.</div><div>And more. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Then Jesus said, </div><div>"You feed them." </div><div>Feed them all.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Woah. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The "crowds"in my life hem in. </div><div>Little boys,</div><div>writing assignments, </div><div>marriage,</div><div>friends,</div><div>family,</div><div>home,</div><div>etc...</div><div><br />
</div><div>Haven't they taken enough already?</div><div>Feed them more?</div><div>With what?!?</div><div><br />
</div><div>The <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%206:30-44&version=NLT">question</a> resounds,</div><div>"How much bread do you have?" </div><div><br />
</div><div>Jesus doesn't ask for a lot.</div><div>He just asks for what I have.</div><div>And even at the end of the day,</div><div>where there are only crumbs in my pocket,</div><div>I hear,</div><div>"That's enough." </div><div><br />
</div><div>Because it really isn't about me.</div><div>It really isn't about what I have.</div><div>It is about what I offer. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Because the mystery of enough,</div><div>the mystery of provision comes </div><div>not in what I have,</div><div>but in what I give.</div><div>No matter how much </div><div>or how little.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And it was Jesus who blessed it.</div><div>It was Jesus who broke it.</div><div>Who used those five small loaves,</div><div>and the two smelly fish,</div><div>and multiplied the offering.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And to the disciples amazement,</div><div>at the end of the meal,</div><div>there were twelve baskets of leftovers.</div><div>Twelve baskets for twelve disciples.</div><div>Hungry and tired,</div><div>overworked and underpaid.</div><div><br />
</div><div>And they were satisfied. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Jesus, take my crumbs. </div><div>Transform these leftovers,</div><div>into something that not only feeds my crowds,</div><div>but my soul.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div></div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-23969435125616622052011-02-22T16:16:00.004-05:002011-02-22T18:16:30.654-05:00The burning heartThis morning wasn't been one of the best.<br />
I was up way too late last night exercising,<br />
making it much too difficult to settle down to sleep.<br />
<br />
Lack of sleep<br />
(whom I really have no one to blame but myself)<br />
coupled with two grouchy boys,<br />
freezing rain,<br />
and realization that Shawn is on-call yet again...<br />
didn't make me the best mama this morning.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeAFREz-NssCFk9GojXE8fMARnNffe6fPPnnMe-8MpAt3j9jgFit8c_tSmDOLxf66R-ARg7L_J1Fqbw2jbHHB1lpjbJVXPrCfr0KFKkSN6Utc8PD8lnRLPWGB3ZRpjoD5anwJ91Fyeiu4/s1600/Photo+on+2011-02-22+at+15.53+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDeAFREz-NssCFk9GojXE8fMARnNffe6fPPnnMe-8MpAt3j9jgFit8c_tSmDOLxf66R-ARg7L_J1Fqbw2jbHHB1lpjbJVXPrCfr0KFKkSN6Utc8PD8lnRLPWGB3ZRpjoD5anwJ91Fyeiu4/s320/Photo+on+2011-02-22+at+15.53+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>As I was about to rage on the world,<br />
trying to maneuver slow munchkins out the door,<br />
with not nearly enough caffeine in the veins,<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Rush, rush, rush.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Push, shove,</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">move, jostle, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">hurry, hurry, </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">come on! </div><br />
the phrase, "Life is not an emergency,"<br />
sang to my heart.<br />
<br />
When I took pause and really considered my life,<br />
when I looked at my immediate need at hand,<br />
it was apparent.<br />
<br />
My life right now, is <i>not </i>an emergency. <br />
<br />
Being 2 minutes late to preschool<br />
will not make much of a difference in the grand scheme of life.<br />
And that is the truth.<br />
<br />
What is it then that rages? <br />
What is it then within me that makes me think that emergencies are everywhere?<br />
The laundry pile.<br />
The spilled milk.<br />
The getting out of bed.<br />
Again.<br />
And again.<br />
<br />
Annoying, yes.<br />
Emergency, no.<br />
Let's be real.<br />
<br />
There is not much in life that is a <i>true</i> emergency.<br />
<br />
So, what is it then?<br />
Perhaps it is buying into scarcity.<br />
That things are quickly slipping away.<br />
That my control is fading.<br />
That there will not be enough<br />
time,<br />
energy,<br />
effort,<br />
resources.<br />
There is never enough.<br />
<br />
But what is the truth?<br />
The real truth?<br />
Can I handle the truth? (insert joke here.)<br />
<br />
The truth is,<br />
is that God has given us all we need.<br />
God is a God of abundance,<br />
not scarcity.<br />
Everything is in God's hands.<br />
And I'm being invited to notice it.<br />
To slow down enough,<br />
to see these moments for what they really are.<br />
And they are not emergencies.<br />
<br />
And so, when things get really ramped up,<br />
both in boys,<br />
chores,<br />
and in soul;<br />
I breath in again Jehovah-jirah,<br />
and say,<br />
<br />
"I have been given all I need."<br />
<br />
And my eyes are opened.<br />
For there is abundance here.<br />
<br />
Lots of arms (big and small) to pick up toys.<br />
Luxury and convenience of having a dishwasher.<br />
Sunshine peaking out from the clouds during rush hour traffic.<br />
<br />
Perhaps this is how those two felt<br />
when they walked the long road towards Emmaus.<br />
Panic,<br />
confusion,<br />
bewilderment,<br />
was their journey.<br />
But it was in the breaking of bread,<br />
in the mystery shared,<br />
they saw that they had all they needed.<br />
From the very beginning.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Were not our hearts burning within us </i><br />
<i>as he was talking with us along the road?"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Luke 24:32</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">May your emergencies be transformed into Emmaus' today.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Much bread for the journey for you today.</div><div style="text-align: left;">And always.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7026897688756885628.post-16955609235658329792011-02-20T22:07:00.003-05:002011-02-20T22:09:41.747-05:00Con-man<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGzqXxZwMOYgKuMGrHAktQrTgPGJaptIbteizFpgl4pLdrIqqlqJNVhhbvh0THxu0ZxqvYTLjbfxHupbSzHZdPdwaG6VA_gnUDreDkJf7MViwHj7OFunnNO17lg2gJoGhY2sBE_Q1SCkj/s1600/DSCN1653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGzqXxZwMOYgKuMGrHAktQrTgPGJaptIbteizFpgl4pLdrIqqlqJNVhhbvh0THxu0ZxqvYTLjbfxHupbSzHZdPdwaG6VA_gnUDreDkJf7MViwHj7OFunnNO17lg2gJoGhY2sBE_Q1SCkj/s320/DSCN1653.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A picture to get your week off to a good start...</div><br />
I'm a lucky Mama. <br />
And a procrastinating Mama.<br />
(But I did manage to get his 2yr. pictures taken just shy of two and a half. <br />
It counts, right?)<br />
<br />
Yes, look at those eyes and smile...you can tell I have my hands full.<br />
<br />
But full they also are of:<br />
laughter,<br />
trucks,<br />
books,<br />
hugs,<br />
and<br />
jokes.<br />
<br />
A G-man original coming to a Second City near you: <br />
Knock, knock.<br />
Who's there?<br />
Cookie. <br />
Cookie who? <br />
Cookie monster!<br />
Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm<br />
(In a very realistic Cookie Monster voice, I might add.)<br />
<br />
Connor, my heart smiles looking into your dark brown eyes.<br />
You. are. a. gift.<br />
Even when I know those brown eyes are saying much more...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUCDxuBXkQq6ee0R5XCuR4pn68eneYyz_Pz5CChtCO780gs0PpFl6tOGiKENpt1XP6YNAjQrRAF3ciqdJ2jve0eH_PbEh9hKyLTKW_raR3h4LTSwsE0ltFmNHHFhH4wbPD7Jh5AFSeA5A/s1600/DSCN1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUCDxuBXkQq6ee0R5XCuR4pn68eneYyz_Pz5CChtCO780gs0PpFl6tOGiKENpt1XP6YNAjQrRAF3ciqdJ2jve0eH_PbEh9hKyLTKW_raR3h4LTSwsE0ltFmNHHFhH4wbPD7Jh5AFSeA5A/s320/DSCN1661.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>...like, "Where's the Kleenex?"Everything Belongshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13747935993445766318noreply@blogger.com2