31 May 2014

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

 

30 May 2014

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

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
seeking stillness with Sandy 

29 May 2014

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

Whitespace Community Linkup @ faithbarista.com

finding whitespace along the shore with Bonnie

 

28 May 2014

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!”
 

26 May 2014

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

 

25 May 2014

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

needing grace with Lisha

 

24 May 2014

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


Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
making time to be still with Sandy

22 May 2014

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.

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


Whitespace Community Linkup @ faithbarista.com

allowing room for whitespace with Bonnie






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


 

21 May 2014

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
 

20 May 2014

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

 

19 May 2014

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

 

17 May 2014

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. 

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.

 

16 May 2014

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

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
in the stillness with Sandy

 

15 May 2014

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

 

14 May 2014

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
 

13 May 2014

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

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

 

10 May 2014

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!


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

Sandra Heska King - Still Saturday
silent for the cause with Sandy and Deidra

 

09 May 2014

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

 

08 May 2014

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

Whitespace Community Linkup @ faithbarista.com

and sharing whitespace with Bonnie

 

07 May 2014

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