God-shaped

A life devoted to things 

is a dead life, 

a stump;

    a God-shaped life 

is a flourishing tree

Proverbs 11:28 The Message

His

always

forever

His design

His breath

not by the world

not by my own hand

may my life be shaped 

by His hand alone

joining Lisha in praying give me grace

 

practice slowness

Christ calls us:

practice slowness,

grip the moment before you and see it without hesitation,

see the real and brilliant places before you;

love your neighbor, bless your enemy,

treat all creation with amiable respect.

Because each being in this world is created, designed, intentional.

Dave Harrity in Making Manifest 

slowing

opening eyes to see

a world transformed

after the rains

breathing green

seeking stillness with Sandy 

write His name

waves roll

gentle, lacy edges

teasing shore

magnetic energy grounds

me, locked

here, in this moment

watching, waiting

anticipating

as if an answer 

would be etched

upon the sand

wander, where the wetness

creeps, use a big toe

as your pen

write His name, there

FIRE

strong enough to quench

even these waters

there and only

do all answers

cry

finding whitespace along the shore with Bonnie

 

books in boxes

this is a season of uncertainty

we are convinced, persuaded

with a deep knowing

that we will go to Malawi

but we do not know the timing

it could be next January

or it could be in the middle of August

so we are packing away

things we do not need

the fancy china, serving dishes

collectibles, trinkets

the windows of the almost empty 

china cabinet stare back at me

unsure, even a bit sad

missing contents

but the books, words

eaten, savoured

transforming words

delighting words

words that held up

mirrors, reflecting cracks

then helping to heal

these, then, are like family

dear friends, I hear them

speaking still, as I sort

and stack, placing them in boxes

I can't bring myself to seal

soon, will be time

for the journals, words more

intimate, mine to Him

His to me

including all of those

that set me on this journey

I will remain

a woman of words

and The Word

ever alive in Him

“Yes,” said Jesus, “and you won’t regret it. 

No one who has sacrificed home, spouse, 

brothers and sisters, parents, children—whatever—will lose out. 

It will all come back multiplied many times over in your lifetime. 

And then the bonus of eternal life!”

Luke 18:2-30 The Message

 

lessons in letting go

these days, I am often stopped on the street

in the mall, at the grocery store

by people I know, or those who know me

from pictures in newspaper articles

are you back already? some ask, or

when are you leaving? or

I thought you left already

no, we're still here, I reply

my heart divided, yearning 

to leave 

and stay

each day a new lesson

in letting go

as we begin the process

of packing favourite personal items

wrapped with care, to store away

unsure if we will ever use them again

we are learning, in all things

take what we are given

turn it in our hands

allowing it to become

the new thing He intends

turn it over in our hands

gently, not grasping

then let it go

give it away

it was never ours

to hold

letting the rhythm find its own way with Kelli in Unforced Rhythms

 

in His name

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, 

in step with each other. 

None of this going off and doing your own thing. 

And cultivate thankfulness. 

Let the Word of Christ—the Message—

have the run of the house. 

Give it plenty of room in your lives. 

Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. 

And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 

Let every detail in your lives—

words, actions, whatever—

be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, 

thanking God the Father every step of the way

Colossians 3:15-17 The Message

needing grace with Lisha

 

waiting to unfold

Most of us will never be great in the world, especially when measured by its standards - where product, stature and the bottom line are most important. But measures have a way of being changed over time. There is in the world a way of measuring that has less to do with standing up and more to do with being still. Your life is that small seed etched into earth - the horizon is about to change.

Your voice - that unique view of reality, that humble vision - 

is waiting in you.

Dave Harrity - Making Manifest

see

the whole world

waits, to unfold

in your telling

in a voice that is

yours alone

humble, real

holy

making time to be still with Sandy

whitespace is not blank

the absence of busy

does not equal nothingness

the absence of busy

is not empty

the busy itself is the vacuum

the energy drain, set fully open

till nothing is left but the busy

no light

no breath

no meaning

just stop, if you can

for a moment

one moment in time

turn off the noise

listen

He has been calling

through the ages

My beloved spoke 

and said to me,

    “Arise, my darling,

    my beautiful one, 

come with me.

Song of Songs 2:10 NIV

in rest, in Him

in long, slow breaths

there is space

to create

to embrace the new thing

He wants to bring forth

through you

through me

to all who would stop

and come

letting go of the busy

to be

renewed

refreshed

restored

His 

work of art

allowing room for whitespace with Bonnie

this is also what we're doing over at Sandy's as we are working through Making Manifest

 

prairie coyote

prairie coyote

ever the survivor, the solitary

beauty shakes snow from sleek fur

golden, as proud eyes speak

focused, flashing

I will not be afraid

of cold, brave in the waiting

hunger strong, driving

her desire not secret, but silent

relentless, she will

be filled

allowing the Lord to lead in creative pursuit while Making Manifest

walking with Emily and the imperfect
 

reflection

The connections that arise in the scribblings I have been capturing on paper all seem to point to change, not quite knowing what is to come, but finding excitement in the giving in.

freedom and joy walk hand 

in hand with release

the letting go of 

the familiar, becoming

who you never imagined

and looking back, finding 

only scraps and ashes

what you fought so hard 

to hold was nothing 

at all

what a surprise to see 

who you become 

when you choose

to simply

be

yes, that is 

His light

shining back

in the mirror

continuing to learn through Making Manifest

 

free ride

When we started thinking about Malawi I worried about learning to operate a standard shift automobile as well as driving on the opposite side of the road.  I realized I had no need to fear as we were informed we would not have a vehicle but instead had money in our start-up budget to purchase a bicycle for each of us.

Then came a new rush of apprehension.  I ride a stationary recumbent cycle, pedaling like crazy five or six mornings a week for exercise, but a real, moving bicycle?  I hadn't even tried to ride for at least thirty years.

Last Friday, opportunity and challenge arose.  I was visiting a dear friend, who had not one but two bikes in her shed, and the afternoon was sunny, clear and warm.  She asked if I'd like to try going for a ride, knowing both my nervousness and my need to overcome it.

Anxiety tried to tighten its grip, enough so that I left my eyeglasses inside; at least if I fell I wouldn't harm them.  I felt foolish about being afraid, and spoke against the fear.  I would not allow it to hinder my attempt.

Inhale, relax. Exhale slow.
One foot on a pedal.
One foot on the ground.
Life felt precarious.
Inhale. Lift other foot.
Exhale through the instability.
Push pedals. Inhale.
Feel the motion conquering imbalance.
Exhale joy, squealing like a child.
Jesus had me, strong and steady.
The sun was in my eyes, on my skin
the wind gentle in my hair.
Victory was smooth, fast
and free.

We rode for about fifteen to twenty minutes, until the places where my body rested on the seat began to scream with annoyance.  The aches have faded now.

Friday we shall ride again, longer.  Training has begun.

joining Kelli in Unforced Rhythm

 

all time and now

And now to him who can keep you on your feet, 

standing tall in his bright presence, 

fresh and celebrating—

to our one God, our only Savior, 

through Jesus Christ, our Master, 

be glory, majesty, strength, and rule 

before all time, and now, 

and to the end of all time. 

Yes. 

Jude 1:24-25 The Message

connecting with Lisha for Sunday's Give Me Grace

 

getting out

For yesterday's exercise in Making Manifest, Dave Harrity asked us to step away from our regular surroundings, spend ten minutes in still and silent observation then open our journals and write. I couldn't get to it then, but caught up today.  Here's my getting out:

The air has grown warm enough to sit without a jacket, but the wind brings a chill each time it passes through in waves.  I have left the solitude of our end-of-the-road, edge-of-the-world acreage and come to town, both to do this exercise and pick up some items for dinner at the grocery store.

I pulled the car over and left it to enjoy this small park and sitting area that the town built a few years ago.

Stone planters and wooden benches wear placards honoring those who donated the funds to purchase them, for themselves or loved ones. The bench wood is streaked gray through the brown stain. I believe it is weather, not human use that is fading the colour, for I never see anyone making use of the benches, or the paths or the skate park down at the far end.

The park is lonely for users.

The trees are still bare, even as small buds begin to appear.  The branches twist and reach and following them with my eyes is like trying to track my way through a maze.  I loose my way and then can't remember where to begin again.

A large Canadian flag flutters 
proud, even with an edge tattered 
dancing to a tune of its own
like these small towns
not dying, not living
moved by time
and wind
still holding on

I ambled back to the car, and took a drive to look at one of our rivers, hungry to see life.

 

the fullness

Stillness is a decision 

in spite of the world's standards of being, 

despite its assaults, pressures, and norms 

- a bold way of loving one another 

through a posture of peace, balance, and patience.

Dave Harrity - Making Manifest

finding clarity in the silence

joy in the small things

inhaling the fullness 

of His presence

 I settle, here

now

in the stillness with Sandy

 

why? what? poetry

In today's exercise in Making Manifest Dave Harrity asks:

What do you think poetry is for?  What is its purpose, as far as you can discern?  What are some things you think a good poem should do?

I found myself answering the question in poetry...

poetry is to capture

without caging, moments

in time, to evoke

and invoke

to open doors

wipe the dirt off windows

that a new seeing

is born

poetry should

push you to

the edge, then catch you

as you fall, encourage

a journey in or out

leaving memorial stones

along the way

linking with Sandy today as together we are Making Manifest

 

wonder

wonder

clouds settle slow, filling

empty sky spaces

breathing in light, soft moisture

like an unexpected kiss, touching

skin not unwilling 

to receive, like lips parched

reaching up, in yearning unspoken

so much revealed, like eyelids 

fluttering wide for the first time 

seeing glory behind the veil

continuing to work through Dave Harrity's Making Manifest

walking with Emily in redeemed imperfection
 

He said so

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! 

Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. 

God, your God, is with you every step you take

 Joshua 1:9 The Message

new land stretches

out long, wide

before me

clouds speak of storms

ahead, and I stop

gulping courage

like thin air, simply

because He

said so

if I stay, or

go, there He Is

helping me

put my brave on

linking up with Kelli in unforced rhythm

 

silent shouts

Away with the noise of your songs!

    I will not listen to the music of your harps.

But let justice roll on like a river,

    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Amos 5:23-24 NIV

we are going silent, 

in a show of solidarity with the women 

and girls around the world

who know unspeakable things 

for those who have no voice

or whose voices are never heard

may our silence shout

speaking louder for them

than any words ever could

silent for the cause with Sandy and Deidra

 

seen and unseen

today's exercise  led me to the window

to note what I see and do not see

it may not be because things are secret

but more likely just that I am not paying attention

what pride resides

within, to think

the world exists for 

me, as if I am

by my nature

deserving of anything more

than these

dry twigs, fallen

leaves, strings

and straw, collected

by tiny builders

trying to create

home

how they labor

to gain

what I take

for granted

let my feet tread 

softer, then

that I might hear

their song

continuing to journey through Dave Harrity's Making Manifest

 

the way You used to speak

I remember the way You used to speak to me

bold, bright brush strokes, sharp

contrast against the dark

undeniable, loud, impossible

to mistake for another

what was small, hard

secret within, warmed

at Your touch, floods

of light spilled

into every corner

now You speak to me, quiet

 teaching me how to listen

completing week one of Dave Harrity's Making Manifest with Sandy



and sharing whitespace with Bonnie

 

to tell the tale

it seems my heart is trying to find abalance

(interesting that I write that as one word, without a space, a-balance)

between being grounded

and flying, even with

broken wings

a balance

between rooted

and free

so that I could claim

I am abalance now

but perhaps that is not

His aim

and He keeps me

off kilter to remember

my need of Him

He Is, then, my Balance

my Grounding, my Freedom

again and again I write

of brokenness, of longing

of surrender to

His hand, His design

I am His creation

unfinished, ever imperfect

He Is not done yet

and He made me

to create, but I don't

create my self, rather submit

to His creating

so that I might tell the tale

weaving through Dave Harrity's Making Manifest with Sandy and

walking in imperfection with Emily