regrets

cloudy skies and still counting gratitudes...

forgiveness and freedom from guilt
letting go and letting God
prayers, heard
kindred friend lunch date
seeing help needed before asked
friendly children
figuring out something tough
a quiet time without end (kids are at grandma's)
Wisdom in His Word
hearing husband on phone after absence
being loved
deep wine-colored geranium surprise
forgotten purple cone flowers from seed
child voice on phone
timely encouragement
a treadmill when it rains
unending fresh water to drink
Spirit help when in need
favorite quotes found after absence
creating order
friendly neighbor chat
shining eyes
cat song
unexpected chicken...again
dishes, cleaned
making cookie dough
getting sleepy
clean sheets
the sound of a bath being run
nested baby bird show outside my window

not mere mortals

Why have I heard this very specific quote twice in the past month?  Divine echos- something said or seen multiple times exactly when you needed it, the Spirit relating to you exactly where you are.  How hard it has been for me to love, lately!  ...how to hold another accountable, but, yet not get entrapped myself...  We are all sinners, leaning to the light or running away from it, becoming, as C.S. Lewis would say, an "immortal horror or everlasting splendour"...

"All day long we are in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in light of these overwhelming possibilities it is with awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal, Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations, these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit-- 
immortal horrors or ever lasting splendours...

I believe in Christianity as I believe the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because, by it, I see everything else."     
from The Weight of Glory, by C.S. Lewis

on prayer and praise

I've been learning so much about prayer lately, having a certain person burdening my heart daily. This is the first time I have been this flustered, not knowing how to pray constantly and persistently, and realizing prayer is all I have in this situation. Duewel's book has helped tremendously, having a section on "How to Pray For a Person".
Last night I, along with countless other prayer-partners for his person, got a glimmer of Hope. Time for a little praise! This version (thanks, Kimba!) of How Great is Our God is from an Irish band and is played exclusively on their iPhones. Isn’t technology amazing?

practice makes perfect (one everlasting day...)

I'm reading brother Lawrence lately...so helpful in a world of potty training, heart training, menial tasks, life-altering family decisions, and stumbling...oh, so helpful...

"Whatever we do, even if we are reading the Word or praying, we should stop for a few minutes -as often as possible- to praise God from the depths of our hearts, to enjoy him there in secret. Since we believe that God is always with us, no matter what we may be doing, why shouldn't we stop for awhile to adore Him, to praise Him, to petition Him, to offer Him our hearts, and to thank him?

 What could please God more than to leave the cares of the world temporarily in order to worship Him in our spirits?  These momentary retreats serve to free us from our selfishness, which can only exist in the world.  In short, we cannot show our loyalty to God more than by renouncing our worldly selves as much as a thousand times a day to enjoy even a single moment with Him.


This doesn't mean we must ignore the duties of the world forever; that would be impossible.  Let prudence be our guide.  However, I do believe that it is a common mistake of Spirit-filled people not to leave the cares of the world periodically to praise God in their spirits and to rest in the peace of His divine presence for a few moments."

-brother Lawrence, the practice of the presence of God

continuous gratitudes...
a new glue stick
wild turkey in my backyard
mismatched socks on 3-yr-old feet
lots of potatoes to fill up little tummies
rough boy being secretly sweet with cat
three mud-laden dishes with spoon
 quiet smiles after angry outbursts

date night
hand holding over a meal
sharing popcorn
a long, long attic of play
advice from a crown of splendor
deep chamomile sleep