Cookies
by Erika Mehlhaff.
Here come the cookies.
Girl Scouts will deliver them.
I will gain ten pounds.
***
C is for cookie; that's good enough for me! Cookie Monster and the gang got it right. But, alas and alack, they spend their days Elmocizing and singing and dancing and playing on Sesame Street--which means they need not worry about those scrumptious bites of heaven showing up on their little furry derrieres!!
That is all.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
He Stands Behind Me...
In the midst of sorting laundry last night, I found Jesus. No, I did not see His face outlined in the pattern of a shirt or in the folds of socks and jeans and sweaters. I found Him standing right behind me. A million thoughts were swirling in my head--thoughts about my list of chores and teaching my children, saying goodbyes and soothing pains.... And just when I thought my head would explode, there He was!
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadowy flash. At first I thought it was my Little, out of bed looking for me. I began to turn around, and in an immediate instant it was clear who it truly was.
For fear that He would leave me amidst my piles of laundry and my long list of responsibilities, I stopped short of turning completely, and went back to my task. "Navy blues and blacks in this pile...for Jesus...reds and pinks, yellows and oranges here...for Jesus...jeans over there...for Jesus...."
In retrospect, I realize that I saw Jesus at my shoulder because I needed to see Him there. It was a reminder to me that I can hand over to Him my burdens and the drudgery of so many of life's tasks; I can offer up the chores and the worries alongside the thanks and the praise!
And I need not fear His absence, for He is always here to help me with anything and everything...even if it is just sorting the laundry.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a shadowy flash. At first I thought it was my Little, out of bed looking for me. I began to turn around, and in an immediate instant it was clear who it truly was.
For fear that He would leave me amidst my piles of laundry and my long list of responsibilities, I stopped short of turning completely, and went back to my task. "Navy blues and blacks in this pile...for Jesus...reds and pinks, yellows and oranges here...for Jesus...jeans over there...for Jesus...."
In retrospect, I realize that I saw Jesus at my shoulder because I needed to see Him there. It was a reminder to me that I can hand over to Him my burdens and the drudgery of so many of life's tasks; I can offer up the chores and the worries alongside the thanks and the praise!
And I need not fear His absence, for He is always here to help me with anything and everything...even if it is just sorting the laundry.
******
He Stands Behind Me
by Erika Mehlhaff
He stands behind me
making sure I finish
what I've started,
W/what I've begun[.]
to realize[:]
He is there
where I left Him
T/the last time I needed help./,
He came
and put me at
E/ease[.]
into
T/the situation
T/the situation
and the circumstances
of this
life[.]
I've chosen
to offer up
in an effort
to
B/be steady again,
unwavering
In
F/faith[,]
[-]full.
© February 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Birthdays...
"You say it's your birthday/It's my birthday too, yeah/They say it's your birthday/We're gonna have a good time/I'm glad it's your birthday/ Happy birthday to you."
--The Beatles, "Birthday"
Today actually is my birthday. Here are some of the best birthday words ever, in no particular order, and my thoughts on them...
"We turn not older with years, but newer every day."
--Emily Dickinson
Thank Goodness, Ms. Dickinson!!
If you think about it, Dickinson is on the right track here. Throughout our Earthly lives, our experiences inform our character. Our good character directs us to God, in whom we become new.
"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm."
--Henry David Thoreau
"And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years."
--Abraham Lincoln
True, Mr. Thoreau and Mr. Lincoln!! I try to be as enthusiastic as possible about life. Enthusiasm is a great tonic for the circumstantial ills of life. It helps to keep things in perspective, and inspires a positive attitude. All of that makes for better development of the servant heart!
***
Birthdays are reminders of the Spirit living within us. They allow us to look back, not with regret or longing, but with pride and gratitude for how far we have come. They serve as markers in our Earthly lives by which we can glimpse what is to come: one day, enjoying our salvation in the full presence of Christ!
***
And now, some final wise birthday words from a Roman playwright of old:
"Let us celebrate the occasion with wine and sweet words."
--Plautus
Yes, sir, Mr. Plautus!!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Be Exemplary
I am pondering thusly: if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to see/hear it, did it really happen...and, what is the speck in my eye that makes it so I can't see passed the nose on my face...further, does God's Holy 2x4* really look like a 2x4 or what...? And also: why can't I see the forest for the trees...and, what is this speck doing in my eye anyways, and how do I get it out...further, what the heck are these bruises from--being beaten black and blue by said 2x4?
I am excited to say that I have discovered some answers to these questions! Here is a bit of back story, some context for the answers...
I have been thinking about friends of mine who exemplify Christian living, and reflecting on how they stay grounded in their faith amidst the chaos of the world. I have crossed paths with exemplary Christian women in person, online, and in reading. I have reflected on Mary's example of listening and being open to God's call. I have read Proverbs 31 and rediscovered the woman of strength and grace there, after a friend of mine (another wonderful female Christian example) mentioned that she will be referencing "the Proverbs lady" in a talk she's preparing to give. I have been inspired to make an attempt at following the examples they all have set.
I have realized (though only today) that God is trying to get my attention, to remind me of what it means to be an exemplary woman; and all of these women have been 'showing up' recently as part of His plan. This realization led me to some great conclusions about my recent pondering...
So, here's what I now know: These women who have come into view are all trees in the forest around me; and they are exemplary regardless of whether or not there are witnesses. That said, I can be a witness--if I get that speck out of my eye...
I have identified the speck in my eye. Actually, it isn't always the same speck--there are many that can find their way into my eye. Sometimes it is the speck of pride or vanity; other times, carelessness or thoughtlessness. Sometimes it is laziness or indifference; other times, immaturity or intolerance. The list goes on and on. Most people have had specks like these in their eyes at one point or another. To remove these things, I'm finding it necessary to listen more and better, keep an open mind, foster a greater sense of humor, and pray often--and sometimes very loudly!
And as for the Holy 2x4, I get a good whack from it more regularly than I would like to recognize. It apparently takes many forms--whatever I need to be jolted from my hazy state of obscurity! Some days, the 2x4 is the guy driving really badly in front of me who forces me to practice patience; other days it is a friend or relative who guides me away from complacency; other days still it is one of my children who reminds me to love out loud rather than get bogged down in frustration and disappointment...
The bruises are from the aforementioned 2x4, of course. If I remember to open my eyes and my heart, I no doubt will suffer fewer bruises. As for the bruises I do receive, I take comfort in knowing that they will serve as reminders to me to pay attention!!
*Thanks to my friend Sally for the awesome 2x4 metaphor!
I am excited to say that I have discovered some answers to these questions! Here is a bit of back story, some context for the answers...
I have been thinking about friends of mine who exemplify Christian living, and reflecting on how they stay grounded in their faith amidst the chaos of the world. I have crossed paths with exemplary Christian women in person, online, and in reading. I have reflected on Mary's example of listening and being open to God's call. I have read Proverbs 31 and rediscovered the woman of strength and grace there, after a friend of mine (another wonderful female Christian example) mentioned that she will be referencing "the Proverbs lady" in a talk she's preparing to give. I have been inspired to make an attempt at following the examples they all have set.
I have realized (though only today) that God is trying to get my attention, to remind me of what it means to be an exemplary woman; and all of these women have been 'showing up' recently as part of His plan. This realization led me to some great conclusions about my recent pondering...
So, here's what I now know: These women who have come into view are all trees in the forest around me; and they are exemplary regardless of whether or not there are witnesses. That said, I can be a witness--if I get that speck out of my eye...
I have identified the speck in my eye. Actually, it isn't always the same speck--there are many that can find their way into my eye. Sometimes it is the speck of pride or vanity; other times, carelessness or thoughtlessness. Sometimes it is laziness or indifference; other times, immaturity or intolerance. The list goes on and on. Most people have had specks like these in their eyes at one point or another. To remove these things, I'm finding it necessary to listen more and better, keep an open mind, foster a greater sense of humor, and pray often--and sometimes very loudly!
And as for the Holy 2x4, I get a good whack from it more regularly than I would like to recognize. It apparently takes many forms--whatever I need to be jolted from my hazy state of obscurity! Some days, the 2x4 is the guy driving really badly in front of me who forces me to practice patience; other days it is a friend or relative who guides me away from complacency; other days still it is one of my children who reminds me to love out loud rather than get bogged down in frustration and disappointment...
The bruises are from the aforementioned 2x4, of course. If I remember to open my eyes and my heart, I no doubt will suffer fewer bruises. As for the bruises I do receive, I take comfort in knowing that they will serve as reminders to me to pay attention!!
*Thanks to my friend Sally for the awesome 2x4 metaphor!
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