The Joy of Reading...

If you know me, you know I love to read. I am a voracious reader. I have to limit myself on the reading thing because I've been known to shut out everyone, completely, when my nose is in a book. Ahem. I have given myself permission to read a book just last night...
a book that I've been hearing is a good one. It is entitled The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. See? Even the title is intriguing! I'm only to page 13, but I had to share this excerpt from what I've read so far:

I wonder how the book got to Guernsey? Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true. That's why I love reading: one tiny thing will interest you in a book, and that tiny thing will lead you onto another book, and another bit there will lead you onto a third book. It's geometrically progressive --- all with no end in sight, and for no other reason than sheer enjoyment.

Now, don't you want to read more??? I know I do and I know I will be reading this tonight. Probably way too late and will go to work tired tomorrow. Tired but happy because I got to spend some quality time with a book.

Just thinking....again.

So many thoughts swirling around in my head....must write some of them down to decrease the mental clutter. I've been thinking about the faithfulness and provision of God. No matter my situation, He has always provided for my daily needs. There have been times when we had more resources and I used some of those resources to stock pile. You know, you see a screaming deal on canned peaches so you buy as many as you can afford and store. Then the times come that are a bit leaner and you remember - ah! I have peaches! - and it just makes your day. You can't convince me that that is a coincidence. If I remain open and yielded to God, He uses it all: all of my efforts and desires and longings and whatever. It is truly a confort to me to know that He is always watching out for me and always creating a way for me to not only survive, but thrive. It is truly humbling!

I have another example....there are several women at church who are expecting a baby. I love to give gifts to new moms and love to participate in the fellowship at baby showers. But, in hard times, it can be difficult to know what to do about the gift. Again, like the canned peaches example, many years ago someone taught me how to make a very simple denim strip quilt. I've stockpiled enough old Levis to make 100's of quilts! So, now I am known at my church as the lady who makes denim strip quilts for new moms. And, years ago, when I was learning this particular skill, I wasn't thinking about how useful it will be in the future. I was just happy to learn. Now I can look back and see how it all fits together in my life now.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that nothing is wasted in God's economy. What I'm living through right now is going to help me or someone else in the future. God has it all in His very capable hands and all I have to do is be obedient and yielded to Him. It gives me great peace.

Just thinkin'...

I've heard it my whole life: "Life is short". I heard it when my boys were babies and the nights were long and the days were longer. I heard it when they still wanted to sit on my lap and snuggle. I heard it when they started school. I heard it when there was conflict. I heard it from my mother. I've read it in books, seen it in movies....so why does it still catch me by surprise? Last night I heard about a friend from college that I was able to reconnect with while living in Colorado. At the relatively young age of 47, he passed away suddenly. My first thought was "life is short". Again I am reminded that our lives here on this planet that we are so attached to and have so many plans for is just a temporary place. Even my fleshly body is a temporary shelter. And I feel the longing for my true home and my true body.

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, and eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Corinthians 6: 1 - 5, NIV

A resolution of sorts....

My Symphony

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 study hard, think quietly, talk gently, Act frankly;
To listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart;
To bear all cheerfully, Do all bravely, Await occasions, Hurry never.
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common.

THIS IS TO BE MY SYMPHONY

William Henry Channing

A New Year...

RECIPE FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Author Unknown
Take twelve whole months,

Clean them thoroughly of all bitterness, hate, and jealousy,

Make them just as fresh and clean as possible.

Now cut each month into twenty-eight, thirty, or thirty-one different parts,

but don’t make up the whole batch at once.

Prepare it one day at a time out of these ingredients.
Mix well into each day one part of faith, one part of patience, one part of courage, and one part of work.
Add to each day one part of hope, faithfulness, generosity, and kindness.

Blend with one part prayer, one part meditation, and one good deed.

Season the whole with a dash of good spirits, a sprinkle of fun, a pinch of play,and a cupful of good humor.
Pour all of this into a vessel of love.

Cook thoroughly over radiant joy, garnish with a smile, and serve with quietness, unselfishness,and cheerfulness.
You’re bound to have a happy new year!

(and that is my wish for you!)

Day 1 Musings...

Today I have been a cat magnet. Every time I sit still for any amount of time, one of the two cats that live with us decides I look irresistably comfortable and saunters over to make herself comfy. This process usually involves some licking and kneading and, most importantly, placing her feline self between me and the TV. Cats are funny.

In other news, we went to see "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" and found it refreshingly funny and sweet! I love it when a children's movie involves humor for grown-ups as well. There were many laughs in there as well as a wee nap as I was wedged in between two handsome men and it was warm and I was cozy and there was a lull....sigh. It was pretty great.

As far as New Year's Day goes, it's been a banner one.