Praise River

"My heart bursts its banks, spilling beauty and goodness.  I pour it out in a poem to the King, shaping the river into words."  Psalm 45:1 (Message)

This morning's walk and a weekend of activated senses brought praise after praise after thanks after thanks to the King of my heart, the Lord of Lords.  Today I am  shaping this praise river into words as  - -I give thanks for:

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smelling honeysuckle and basil in the garden

smelling flavors from food on the grill

seeing five orioles on my walk

seeing the fog roll away as sunlight appeared

hearing my husband pray for youth going off to college and the military

hearing my mother give thanks to God for provision

feeling the heartbeat of a young child pausing for a hug

feeling the warmth of water as vegetables get rinsed

tasting food prepared for gathering of church family

tasting and seeing that the Lord is good - always good!

Today, I pour my river of thanks to the Lord...in joy

Join Ann's Gratitude Community today - thanks is contagious!

A Window with a View

Since initiating this blog in January 2010, I have encountered skilled and gracious writers who model, inspire, and encourage.  This post is inspired by Cassandra at the MoonBoat Cafe.  Cassandra writes from the heart with skill and creativity.  She shared her window view; an update of what is happening in her world.

Window view from Gilmore Farm.

Seeing Life from My Window

I intentionally sought to reframe aspects of my life this summer, and reframing abounds!!  Rekindled dreams are a wonderful product from the process of reframing.   So, while I continue my work-a-day world in policy development: dreams unfold in the background. 

Dreams are manifesting in actions I added to my life this year:

Blogging provides an outlet for my desire to encourage and nurture.

Counseling adolescents opens the door for communicating encouragement, nurture, and hope.

Reading and learning and listening opens my heart, mind, and spirit to next steps.
As this summer of reframing moves forward, I relax, more than ever before, in the faithful, loving hands of the Lord.  Change is in the air; I am listening; I am waiting; I  am moving...

Reframing Leisure: A Walk in the Park

During shortened summer days and waning flexible schedules, I am reframing leisure.  The past: Leisure is often appended to full months and multiple tasks. 

The present: Not this time! How refreshing to spontaneously plan for a weekend away...special time with my loving husband. 

Leisure can be a walk in the park when I:

turn my heart to re-creation

open my eyes to splendor in the ordinary

feel the pull of yielding to rest and releasing stress

hear the whispers that encourage full embrace of the moment


For your viewing pleasure, scenes from a walk in the park:

With joy,

Free to Be

While visiting Monticello, Montpelier, and the Gilmore Farm, the reality of the cost of freedom glared before me.   Choices made; consequences paid.

The ultimate price, the Ultimate Life,  sacrificed for freedom.  Love lied bleeding; rose victorious...leaving us free to be...

 

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"It  is for freedom that Christ has set us free...  Galatians 5:1

I rejoice and give thanks that Freedom rings:

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from the depths of my soul set free by Grace

in my spirit made alive by Love

in the laughter of a baby walking for the first time

in the heart of a child who no longer fears

in ringlets of curls covering the head

as we serve one another

when loving our neighbors as ourselves

as fruit of the Spirit fills the heart

as we keep in step with the Spirit

when I choose to yield to My Father


Got thanks?  Join the Gratitude Community giving 1000 Gifts.

Privilege of Presence

During this summer of the reframing project, I find myself thinking of childhood memories.  I suppose because the framing of many of my thoughts on faith, fun, rest, relationships, and more were formed, at least partially, during those years.

Today, I thought of the joy I felt while sitting in the kitchen watching as my mother prepared meals for the family or for one of her catering jobs.  I can still feel the sense of contentment that sprang from simply sitting in the same space with Mama.

Being in Mama's presence yielded more than contentment.  Without trying hard, I mimicked her cooking skills.  From preparation to presentation, I learned how to produce a  family meal.

As I recall those moments, sometime words bubbled up from my lips.  At other times, I quietly watched without a word spoken.  The privilege of being in Mama's presence alone  brought joy to this girl, one of seven children.

Words in the Psalms remind me of the privilege of being in the presence of the Lord.   Like the fragrant smells of apple/peach cobbler and freshly prepared potato salad, the fragrance of the  Bread of Life brings joy to this girl, one of multitudes of children.

31 Years, One Flavor

31 Years, One Flavor

Covenant made 31 years ago;
Young man and young woman pledged love so true
Living out marriage vows, how could we know?
With each blessing and each sorrow love grew.

Within six short years our love multiplied;
Rachel and Marques arrived bringing joy.
Now mother and father teamed to provide;
Nurture and teaching to our girl and boy.

The years seemed to quickly move us along;
We laughed and we cried and sometimes stretched far.
We promised to stay and right any wrong;
The fruit of our love no trouble could mar.

Thank you, dear Reggie, my gift from above;
Thirty-one years with one flavor, our love.

So Good to Give Thanks!

One of the traditions we practiced while my children lived at home involved a simple acknowledgment of the arrival of a new month.  The acknowledgment could be a simple as a "Happy August (or whatever the current month was) to reading books or making crafts related to the month.

With child-like anticipation and joy for this new month, I give thanks for:

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evening surprise celebration of niece's happy birthday

weekend of sharing meals with covenant friends

moments of sister laughter, so rich

week of learning in new environment

anniversary month praise

vacation anticipation

words heard, words spoken, strength arising

growing, fragrant lavender

cool breezes in the early morning

insight from wise youth

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What a beautiful thing, God, to give thanks, to sing an anthem to you, the High God!  To announce your love each daybreak, sing your faithful presence all through the night.    Psalm 92: 1-2