Sunday Afternoon Musings

I have fresh herbs at various stagesof early growth in tin pots on my bedroom windowsill. This makes me happy.  I have a new addition to the empty wall along side that same window, a fairly long rectangular mirror with five hooks at the bottom and the frame painted white.  This brings me an exuberant amount of joy as well!

It is Sunday afternoon . . . A quiet time in this household, thanks to a faithful, steady husband who every Sunday issues this degree that it shall be naptime from such and such a time to the time determined by the determined father.

Rest . . . Reflection . . . Discussions . . . Prayer . . . Musing . . . Reading, writing, sharing . . .

Outside I can hear the traffic . . . Inside, the inside of me hears the Father . . . And I try to calm myself as a weaned child, knowing I need to trust the Father more . . . Knowing he is calling me to this . . . Hearing His whispers of love and leading . . .

Refreshment

My daily walks/excursions/bike rides/exercise has become the focal point for me this spring.  At first I started going because I needed exercise and that seemed better than using my elliptical machine indoors.  Then, they exploded with the joy of capturing moments in time and particular places and scenes, of fresh air and silence, of time alone away from the bustling household and clingy babies, of exploring nearby roads and picking flowers (Yes, even in this snow covered North land ) My mind clears and returns,  refocused and energetic, ready to continue giving to my family and enjoying the good things in life.

Pussy Willows

The first "flowers" of spring wear soft, grey, brand-new fur coats!!!😃

Spring Fever

Sleep was elusive this night . . . I didn't think I drank coffee that late in the afternoon/evening, but something kept me awake . . . And then I started daydreaming ( Now, how can one daydream at night??? Isn't this a paradox?)

I began thinking of flowerbeds and gardens, of the planting and the of growing of herbs and all kinds of delicious and beautiful plants . . . Of making raised garden beds and darling garden paths, of landscaping our hillsides and the small spot in front of the house ( which is all still barrren sand, well with a bit of snow and ice on it yet to date).

Between browsing through a complete cookbook and writing down recipes to try, googling how to build cheap raised beds, and getting my husband sent off on his travels, here I am at five thirty up again with the excitements of spring tackling this sleep deprived body saying,  "Sleep is overrated after all.  Spring is almost here and you need to make plans!!!"

Spring fever . . . That is what has taken hold of me, I'm sure!

The summer visions loom close by in my brain, of future gardens lush, fruitful, weedless and fair . . . The spring rush of warmer weather thrills the heart until it beats louder and quicker than ever.  A fever sets in . . .

The forehead is warm, rather "hot" to the touch, as time spent outside gives us a sunkissed healthy glow.  The ear inside strains ever so hard to catch the song of the birds as it scurries to get it's duties done so as to be free to spend time with it's love.  The sky beckons with dawn, the sun beams his love, the earth quakes with impatience . . . Where and when will this freshly awakened love be allowed to immerse themselves in each other?

The goodness of God in the land of the living . . . Gives us hope and joy  . . . and dreams of a better day.

Honesty

. . . It is humbling . . . To be open . . . It is vulnerable . . . Yet, out of this there is sweetness . . . And I honor God, when I tell of how He has and how He is working in my messes and jumbles of mistakes and humanity . . . Once again yesterday and this morning I was WhatsApping with a friend and sharing part of my heart and life and how God is there for me . . . It is one of the ways I have come to realize that He wants me to walk . . . In openness . . . In being transparent . . . In being honest about my mistakes and my doubts and fears . . . And in the ways that He answers and holds my hand . . . And that can get v.e.r.y personal . . . Too personal to share on here . . . But one on one it can happen . . . And it can be a blessing . . . I have been blessed by others honesty and bravery . . . By their boldness and lack of pride . . . Sing His praises, my friend, tell of His goodness in the land of the living . . . Don't hide it all till the next life . . .

"The God of"

. . . What was it about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that repeatedly in Scripture they are set apart, like the phrase " The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" . . . What is it about them that is so compelling to remember? . . . I understand about Abraham's faith, I get that . . . And Issac was willing to let God guide his life, trusted God/was willing to get in the alter, and even let others choose his wife . . . Jacob, though is harder for me to grasp . . .

No Picture

I didn't get a picture taken yesterday of my friend on our outing . . . Only a picture of some littles that got to tag along with us.  I was going to . . . But somehow in the fun of the moments . . . I forgot and a picture didn't seem to fit the occasion anyway . . . When you open up and share your heart . . . Sometimes, bringing a camera into the picture 😋 just doesn't seem to fit.

A nice, long bit of travel, a friend's bulk food store, a " new" thrift store, and another one, and a first time for an Amish bent and dent store! 

Time with a friend . . . Fellowship to a thirsty soul . . . Heart connections . . . 

Bad Habits

This morning I am reading in Genesis . . . The verse of Lot's wife looking back and the consequences of that struck me in a new way.   What if I would take to heart the idea of looking ahead at the joy set before me of having set into motion new, healthy habits . . . I have tried to start some . . . I have made progress . . . Yet last night, I looked back to food for comfort . . . Three times, I almost caved . . . But each time, I stopped to consider how I would feel the next morning . . .  So, I was looking ahead AND looking back longingly . . . My resolve was retreating and weakening as my mind conceded that I didn't care, I wanted comfort in food.  I chided myself, "Aimee, what are you doing?  Think, Girl, think . . . This will get you nowhere tonight, but regret . . . And tomorrow morning you will be disheartened.  Take courage, my dear, straighten up and be a good girl . . .  You CAN stay strong!"

. . . So, I crawled into bed on these notes.

This morning . . . I am every so grateful . . . And I think how close I came to giving in, again.  If only, I wouldn't have looked back time and time again. 

A Birthday Song

My daughter's birthday arrives again tomorrow . . . The song leader at our little church has this tradition of letting the birthday person choose a song amidst the first few hymns that day.  Your birthday needs to happen during that last week.  So next week, Loraine gets to choose a song.

I have fond memories of celebrating birthdays at Kitchi . . . The congregation there would sing a birthday song to/for you . . . Not the common "Happy Birthday to You", but a song that starts out like this, "So, you've had a birthday, that's what we've been told.  May the Lord as His blessing for each year you're old . . . ". I have loved that song and will always love it!  I just don't hear it enough these days . . . I request it at times when a happy birthday song is needed . . . But many people do not know it . . . In my opinion it is far superior and the best birthday song ever.   But, really . . . getting to choose a song during Sunday morning singing is one of the best things ever as well and probably better . . .

I wonder what song my daughter will choose . . . I love hearing the songs chosen by the birthday girls and boys, ladies and gentlemen.  Songs about God's Holiness, goodness . . . Songs about faith and hope . . .  perseverance and heaven . . . love and joy . . . Trials and storms . . .

Thank You, God, for the lovely, beautiful gift on song!  Lifting out spirits to Your higher thoughts and ways!!!

" . . . May He bless you and keep you, ALL the year through.  And we pray that you'll ALWAYS be faithful and true!!!"