Purple Sprawl

Purple mountain sprawls.  The intoxicating views of those rolling peaks is as essential to my life as any famous duo.  When I do not have them in view, my concept of direction is completely gone.  When I do not anticipate them around a bend, my eyes rove for their majestic counterpart.

Friend, do you crave something or someone so much that you feel completely lost without such nearby?  Have you ever been without that essential for longer than you would like to be?  Are you struggling with a separation that seems to last an eternity?

Difficulty lures us to focus on what we do not always have.  It can be challenging to see beyond our loss and live in contentment.  How, friend, can we let the beauty of our desires inspire us to traverse the day-to-day trails even when we would prefer to wander in the wilder woods?

Red Head

A bright red head bobs up, down, and all around the bare-limbed hickory tree at the edge of the woods.  Birds frolick in the purple, wiry vines that have grown below the towering canopies.  One sits upon the round picnic table, weathered to the same tan sported by its hopping friend.  And then, in a quick spurt across the window, they are out of sight.

Where are they going?  To what destination does their current flight fit their fancy?  Where are you headed, friend?

Sometimes my path seems certain.  Plans and goals spread into the horizon like steady stepping stones.  But, no matter how carefully I place those stones, they never seem to stay where I expect them.  It can be frustrating to try so hard only to find that time pushes me out of the sight I thought I knew.  And you, friend?  Are directions changing and you feel helpless to start anew?  Is time too stealthy for your liking?

May hope guide you as life twists along unexpected paths and places seemingly unploddable spots in your way.  Take a look at those bobbing birds and let the joy that comes from knowing with certainty your journey's end buoy your spirit when the current views seem clouded and threatening.

Seed Packets

Whispers of snow sweep here and there.  Woodstove warmth kneads my back as I sit at the kitchen table, flipping through seed magazines with my husband and sipping hot chocolate.  It's heartening to think of a lush garden growing fresh fruits and vegetables, especially on a day that promises flurries.  Hope lingers among the long winter days.

Soon, seed packets in hand, we'll be poking holes in tilled soil, nestling seeds of various sizes.  And as the days slightly lengthen, little sprouts will grow to bring a dazzling and quite yummy yield to our family.  So much from little packets with the tiniest of contents.

Is there something in your life that seems tiny, friend, but brings the greatest joy to your life?  For me?  My life is covered in abundant blessings blooming from little bitty origins: baby hugs and smiles, first steps teetering across the floor, inquisitive comments from a loquacious three-year-old, loving words and glances from my husband, encouragement when least expected, prismed light sprayed across the room by a suncatcher.

And you, friend?  What tiny seed plants hope and joy for you?

Galloping Boots

Joey's grandmommy bought him boots for Christmas.  And now, my energetic two-year-old is galloping around the house in his new boots.  Sometimes, he wears them with socks; other times, he wears them mismatched on his feet.  He even gallops barefoot in circles around his boots.  Regardless, Joey's wide smile remains.

Today, we are waiting for an apple pie to finish baking.  The stove's timer beeps it's one-minute alarm.  "It's done," Joey proclaims, peering through the oven window.  "See!  It's done, Mommy!  It's done!"

And although Joey is delighted that the pie is finished baking, he will not even attempt a bite of that ooey-gooey, cinnamon-swirl apple pie with crumb topping.  Alas! Joey greatly dislikes fruits and vegetables.

I should take a lesson from my son.  No, I still plan to eat the pie!  But, perhaps I should show more enthusiasm even when I'm confronted with something I usually consider to be arduous, dismal, or otherwise extremely unpleasant (like scrubbing the toilet or sharing a pie).  I should add a gallop to my daily stride and chase away any threatening rain clouds.

And you, friend?  Can you add some gusto in that task you have to do?  Or, might you paint a happy smile on your face and then feel it soak into your soul, too?

Strutting Peacock

A local farmer owns some peacocks.  On occasion, one of these proud birds crosses the road without concern of approaching cars.  So, rounding the turn to the peacocks' farm, wary eyes will avert disaster.  The peacock's sleek tail trails behind him as it lurks forward in graceful strides.  Sun-sprays flash color from its feathers.  Even with a monstrous metal vehicle careening toward it, it's calm and steady.

Watching the peacock finish its slow stride in front of our car, I long for grace under pressure, too.  Tongue-tied and eyes downcast, I feel insecurity creeping up my face like a warm blush.  Perhaps I've said something I long to take back or I've been left out or I'm unable to smooth out my emotional crinkles so as to speak in coherent sentences instead of blundering sobs.  Regardless of the circumstances, I want to hide away in my Savior's hug and flee from the challenges that confront me.

Do you have moments like that, friend?  Let us take comfort together, knowing that if we take God's hand we will hold onto a grace, working through our weaknesses, that brings Him glory.

Sifted Snow

Sifted all about, snow glistens in the morning sunshine.  Joey's eyes shimmer just as brightly with the anticipation of playing in the crystalline quilt that covers everything in view.  And, for a moment, I catch that joy, which lumps deep inside, and I recall the snow-sledding adventures I had as a girl.

With a stretch and a sigh, I plug in the little white lights to twinkle on the Christmas tree.  Again, Joey's eyes catch that light and a smile spreads across his face.  He touches a silver bell and chortles in glee-filled tones as it rings.  He turns a drum and runs a finger across the train, saying "choo choo."  And, for a moment, I catch that hope, which jingles and shines with the ornaments on the tree, and I recall the anticipation of the Advent season I had as a girl.

One... two... three drops swirl into a vanilla glaze that turns buttery yellow.  The wooden handle of the frosting knife is smooth in my hand as I smear dollops of the glaze on star-patterned sugar cookies.  Joey runs up to my side and delight fills his voice, "Cookies!"  A little hand slips up and snatches one of the simple sweets.  And, for a moment, I catch that peace, which accompanies the time placed into the preparations of giving and enjoying the holiday season, and I recall the serenity I had as a girl.

Instead of the gifts of the season, I too often feel the stresses and worries that float as glaciers in my life.  I try to avoid them, but instead those colossial sneaks creep upon me.  Do you know what I'm talking about, friend?  For me, they are finances or self-doubt or unkind words and acts by people I thought cared, etc. 

And you, friend, does a smorgasbord of unfavorable delicatessens fill your table?  Perhaps we need to lift the ends of the table cloth, gather up those worry-ridden treats, and toss them out the door!  Let's fill our day with acts and words that express the trueness of the season: joy and hope and peace and love.

Dancing Bunny

Hops, a bunny I received while in college, is dancing along the top edge of the wooden playpen.  "O come let us adore him..." resounds over the little laptop speakers while I type.  Joey - if you had not previously guessed - is bouncing the bunny up and down in time to the music.  Then, Joey plops Hops on the desktop and grabs a sticker and paper, leaving me wondering in his wake.

It's amazing how many different things Joseph can do in a day.  He is so observant and tries to imitate things he sees Russell and I do.  For example, I tape Christmas cards to the wood flanking the entrances into the kitchen of our house.  Each one has a slight slant so that the cover picture hangs downward and yet still allows a quick flip to see the lovingly-placed words of the sender.  Joey took the paper and stuck it below the bottom-most card with a smiley-faced sticker beaming the words "great job."

But as his tiny fingers fly, I sometimes become impatient with their incessant grasping at adult-only items (like delicate snow globes or jars of spices).  In times as these, I need to remember that gleaming sticker's sign of encouragement and speak in the gentle words that ring loudly this time of year.  We can all use reminders of God's glory, especially during the constant influx of daily life that sometimes causes us to loose sight of the blessings gracing our days on earth.

And you, friend, what tests your patience?  Do you feel like Hops - bounding this way and that only to be left behind by your emotions?