Fifty-Six Years

 

Fifty-six years ago the story of us began.  Always starry-eyed, I never could have imagined the path we would  travel together. But travel we did, through radiant joy, heartbreaking sorrow, babies and war and the inevitable growing pains.

You have always been there, Lord, even when we deviated from the story You wanted to tell, and made something good and beautiful of it all.

I found this poem by Wendell Berry that says what I long to say so beautifully:

The Blue Robe

By Wendell Berry

How joyful to be together, alone

as when we first were joined

in our little house by the river

long ago, except that now we know

each other, as we did not then;

and now instead of two stories fumbling

to meet, we belong to one story

that the two, joining, made. And now

we touch each other with the tenderness

of mortals, who know themselves:

how joyful to feel the heart quake

at the sight of a grandmother,

old friend in the morning light,

beautiful in her blue robe!

Blessings,

Linda

A Hymn for the New Year

 At the beginning of many a new year I have chosen a word to carry with me through the coming days. I don’t have one this year. Instead, the words of an old hymn have worked their way into my heart and asked to walk with me. 

“Oh, to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart, oh take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above” 

(Come Thou Fount)

“The older I get, the less I know.” * I’m learning to rest when the path before me seems lost in a veil of fog. 

My tendency leans to worry and fear - and ultimately to doubt. I don’t want to wander from the path He has prepared for me - even  when it is lost to my sight. 

Seal my heart, Lord, as I walk in the grace of Your perfect love.

*Swami Chetanananda

Blessings,

Linda

Eyes to See

“Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord Our God.” Psalm 123: 1,2

When we consider all the myriad images our eyes take in during the course of a single day, it is almost more than we can imagine. Aside from our normal daily life, social media offers up more than we can possibly take in - and yet we do. 

It doesn’t end with the looking. The words and images travel to our minds and hearts - a co-mingling of activity and emotion that changes us in ways we little understand. We cannot underestimate the power of the things we see.

When my heart is weary and overwhelmed with the whirling images and words, I know I need to change my focus. I need to find the place of rest and peace - the place of truth and grounding; the firm footing on which I can stand. 

 I find it in His Word, of course, but if I look with a heart focused on Him I will find His little “love notes” all around me in:

A glorious sunset
A sweet baby’s smile
A bush bursting with tiny flowers
A changing of the season - reminder of His unchanging faithfulness

May we have eyes to see.

Blessings,

Linda

My Book Free on Amazon Kindle

 For those of you who have graciously recently begun to visit this little corner of the internet, I thought I would tell you about a little book I self-published almost six years ago. It is available on amazon, and I have made the kindle version free beginning Oct. 13th and running until Oct. 17th.

If you enjoy a gentle, cozy, Christian mystery you might like this one. 

Here is the link:

ref=sr_1_1

Thanks so much,

Linda

Distilled Days

 

I look at the faces of these dear little great-granddaughters and can’t help but think about the way that life for them is distilled down to the very basics. They are loved, fed, clothed and sheltered; their days are filled with absorbing life around them and learning how to navigate their way through this wide, new world. 

My days, too, in my seventh decade have become distilled. In spite of their sameness (because of our age and a couple of serious health issues we continue to live cautiously), the gift of them is filled with wonder and grace. We are loved, fed, clothed, sheltered and well cared for. 

I find,too, in the noise and confusion from what seems like every corner of our world - the cacophony of voices shouting over one another with little time given to listening - I long for the distillation of simple truth. 

I want my life to stand on the solid foundation of the truth found only in the Word of God. There all arguing ceases and the echoes of opposing voices fade away into silence. There I find peace and hope and a love that sustains me. There I find the sure path to gently travel this winter season of my life. 

This gift of truth that never changes no matter how they try to twist and force it into a shape it simply will not hold, becomes more precious with every swiftly passing day. 

“Unfailing love and truth have met together.
    Righteousness and peace have kissed!”

Psalm 85:10

Just Bloom

 

The analogy, of course, is obvious. We can bloom no matter what the circumstances. But isn’t it a hopeful, encouraging truth - especially in these difficult times?

I think what captivates me about these sweet little flowers is the way their beauty shines against their dark surroundings. They haven’t simply bloomed; they’ve done it to the very best of their ability with verve and joy. 

They don’t pine away wishing someone would come and make things better or wilt with longing to be somewhere else. They simply - well - faithfully bloom right where they’re planted, knowing the One who placed them there loves them - and is well pleased.

Free Prayer Always

 Summer temperatures have arrived, blown in on gusty winds. A return to walking in the mall seems like the best option these days for old retirees who don't rise with the sun. 

I've walked past this Christian Book Store many times, but this sign is new. I didn't read the full sign until the second or third time around but on the last lap I slowed to take it all in. 

"Need prayer? Come on in. Free prayer always."

What a lovely, kind invitation. It's one that is open to anyone - and, I thought as I walked by, one that the Lord extends to us every moment of every day. The promise is written in His word: 

"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."

Jeremiah 29:12

We have an open invitation. It's free - always. 

A little picture from my morning walk (outdoors today). Sweet Mexican Hat flowers, dancing in the wind. They're a free gift from Him too!

Blessings,

Linda