Sane, Simple, Sacred

When It's Easier NOT To...

Yesterday afternoon we walked at a nearby nature preserve.

The weather was perfect...the sun found us even in the middle of the woods.

Not a lot of color was to be found,

but all was peaceful and quiet.
Hickory nuts and acorns peppered the path.
Interesting sights staggered here and there
begged our notice.

I'm thankful to have made the effort to fit in even a little time outdoors

and for the one who shared the walk with me.

Sometimes it's easier not to...

D'ya know what I mean?

Now to remember the reward for such little effort

the NEXT time I'm tempted "not to"!

An Ode to an Amish Maiden

An October Ode to an Amish Maiden

10/20/2017 - rlg

We watched her hold the reins

with confidence,

methodically and skillfully

guiding the harnessed strength

of four work horses

plodding steadily,

unaware of her who persistently

requested of her father this post

until he acquiesced.

Proudly now he watched her

successfully navigating the task.

“She’s my little farm girl,”

he explained simply.

It was an almost holy moment for me yesterday as we stopped the car to watch the harvesting of a cornfield outside of our little town. So holy was it that I respected the experience by resisting the temptation to sneak a photo. So today, I paint with words

The Amish farmer/father arrived in the field with a horse drawn wagon to load the corn. As he watched his daughter and nephew who were navigating some of the last rows in the field, he slipped through the fence and came over to the car to meet us with the explanation that inspired the above writing.

In reflecting on the beautiful, soul-stirring experience, I realize a longing deep within. I recognize myself in that Amish maiden--eager for a challenging post. Maybe even an unconventional post. And more than a longing to try out the reins (yes, even at THIS age), more than the untried, unconventional post, I long for my Lord's approval.

Yes. I guess deep inside I'm my Father's "little farm girl"...

I'm Concerned

Did I just read a facebook ad

for a popular Bible app saying something about

"the Bible to fit your mood"?

(Pretty sure I did.)

What's up with that?!?

And this from our local newspaper:

I admit it.

I'm concerned.

If it's "difficult in today's world to manage",

how will we survive REAL difficulties

which are sure to come?

One Fine Autumn Evening

Smiling faces were in abundance Saturday night
at the 9th annual cookout for our Sunday School class.

Last year was our first with them.

Angus beef hot dogs were served with all the fixings...

and dessert was genuine kettle corn -- hot from the kettle.

This is all tradition.

The broken garage door was NOT,

but it DID serve as entertainment for all the handy men in attendance!

Lots of conversation and laughter echoed in this large building

where we retreated due to high winds and a storm that was obviously coming.

A fine autumn evening it was with great company to match!

Anticipation

The past couple of days have been highlighted by noon lunches

with friends and a view of the beautiful harvest/hunter moon last night.

The weather has been rainy and cool today.

A trip to the library an hour or so agao netted me these two books.

After supper (crockpot sausage, cabbage and potatoes)

and after game hour with my husband and father

(dominoes and a card game we call "Baptist Rook"),

I plan to open Karon's latest and dive in.

Since it's an "express" loaner, it must be finished in a week.

The other is one I'd placed a hold on after reading someone's review about another book

(unavailable in our library system) by the same author.

It's been awhile since I'ver read good fiction.

I'm looking forward to it!

Hours Well Spent

Only the number of signs and maturity of trees and plantings

gave away the fact that we hadn't visited the Quiet Corners Tea and Coffee Room

in quite awhile.

After a simply fine lunch including variously pumpkin curry soup,

ham and spinach quiche, crab coleslaw and ham salad sandwich in fresh homemade bread,

the three of us strolled the leaf-lined paths.

The slow, scenic ride home was filled with soft ballads (a CD)
composed & sung by one of the owners--all of which

were gentle and clear invitations to choose the peace that comes

from knowing Jesus as one's Lord and Savior.

Truly hours well spent......

This is my Quest

A facebook friend posted this today.

I made 3 copies to place in strategic places around my home.

This is my quest. This is my intention.

It's OK

IT’S OK (at least I tell myself)…

that I don’t discard a toothpaste tube until I’ve squeezed the very last bit out of it*

that we don’t go out to eat as often as we used to

that I still wear clothes I’ve owned for over 20 years

that few people comment on my blog posts

that I find crowds stressful

that I’ve only colored my hair once in my life

that I’ve never had a pedicure

if I never write another book

that I find loud music disturbing

that housekeeping isn’t my forte

that I’ve never read Tolkien

that I have more questions about the Bible than answers

that I’ve not replaced a few teeth that have fallen out

that I’m not currently attending a women’s Bible study

that (though I enjoy a partially full mug) I don’t depend on a cup of coffee to face the day

*Actually, it's kind of amazing! Same thing with shampoo and deodorant. I got thinking about this as I brushed my teeth this morning. A new tube of toothpaste is in the drawer, ready for use. But it seems I never run out! I feel a little like the widow in 2 Kings 4 except that my situation is not nearly so dire as hers was. In fact, I want to clarify that we are not as hard-pressed for finances as some of the above lines would indicate. There is a story behind each one and not a one of them has to do with necessity...

Somedays

Somedays my list looks like this!

It was composed at a table at Barnes and Noble yesterday afternoon.

If you're interested, you can see more HERE.

I've already accomplished #1, 2 and 4 this morning!

¹⁶^[a]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Ephesians 5, Amplified Bible

...the Spice of Life

While driving back roads last night, I saw a field FULL of young deer.

Their anxious parents could be seen in woods behind the field.

We backed up and stopped to look closer,

disturbing their leisurely activity.

From my perch in the back seat, I took this photo

of this quartet as they crossed the road!

The sedum bloom furiously in our flower beds.

Their colors deepen almost hourly...

This automobile - a vintage Cadillac, I believe -

was parked along the route of the house walk we enjoyed last weekend.

Over 38,000 pennies cover its entire surface.

Indeed, "Variety is the spice of life"!

So it is with God's faithfulness.

New every morning!

Refreshed

...a lovely yard I pass on my walk to the post office most days...

REFRESHED

By quiet settings

By honest presentation

By patient problem-solving

By thoughtful viewpoints

By faithful friendships

By stimulating conversations

By intentional living

By sensitive input

By truthful publicity

By enriching pleasures

By high standards

By nourishing meals

By reputable sales

By Holy Spirit

rlg 9/14/2017

Though sometimes weary (see my prior post),
thankfully there are things that refresh me!
These are just a few of them that stand in contrast
to those that weary me.

"We simplify, not just to be less busy, even though we may be right to pursue that. Rather, we simplify to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. We prune activities from our lives, not only to get organized, but also that our devotion to Christ and service for His kingdom will be more fruitful. We simplify, not merely to save time, but to eliminate hindrances to the time we devote to knowing Christ. All the reasons we simplify should eventually lead us to Jesus Christ!" (Donald S. Whitney)

Dedicated to my sister-in-law, Beth--a TRUE home manager....

"I work for a King. He has put me in charge of his home. When He comes to see how I have managed His possessions and His children, I do not want to be found wanting. I want to do my best. Everything I have is on loan from Him. I have room and board and a job to do, but it is all for Him. Therefore I want to dress my best and do my best in all my work. I also want to be creative, for this is a sincere attempt to glorify Him and His beautiful creation. How I manage my home is a form of worship to Him." --Lydia Sherman

"A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry,
and see a fine picture every day of his life,
in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Contentment makes poor men rich.

-Benjamin Franklin

"What I am gradually discovering is that in the writing I come in touch with the Spirit of God." ~ Nouwen

~~"Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting."~~Edmund Burke

C.S. Lewis: "To trust Him means, of course, trying to do all that He says. There would be no sense in trusting a person if you wouldn't take his advice. Thus if you have really handed yourself over to Him, it must follow that you are trying to obey Him."

"To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common--this is my symphony." William Henry Channing

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Apostle Paul: "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13-14)

"It's a good thing to have all the props pulled out from under us occasionally. It gives us some sense of what is rock under our feet, and what is sand. It stops us from taking anything for granted. It has also taught me alot about living in the immediate moment. I am somehow managing to live one day, one hour at a time." Madeleine L'Engle

FIVE CERTAINTIES
WITH WHICH TO
START YOUR DAY

God holds you. Each day he carries us in his arms. Psalm 68:19 NLT
God sustains you. THE LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. Psalm 23:1 AMP
God covers you. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust. Psalm 91:4 AMP
God pours His love upon you. Through each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me. Psalm 42:8 NLT
God will not fail you. The unfailing love of the Lord never ends! Lamentations 3:22 NLT

THE BLOGGER'S PRAYER Lord, help me to learn to spell without spellcheck, manage to visit all that visit me, and post regularly - all in 5 minutes a day, so that I can clean house and take care of my family. Help me to not look at every occurrence in my life as a blog post, and to quit taking pictures of weird things to share as well. Please Lord, help me to stop talking about my blog friends as though they are next door neighbors or someone I have known all of my life. And help me, dear Lord, to think of something witty and wise to post tomorrow.
Love, The Dust Bunny Hostage