People We’d Rather Ignore

On a recent flight, I glanced up to see a man walking down the airplane aisle. The man who if we were honest, we’d admit that we all hope didn’t sit by us. Disheveled, smiling around at no one in particular as he unintentionally knocked his bag around. When he stopped at my row, I felt guilty for these thoughts and looked up to smile at him. I do not want to judge people, strangers I know nothing about, just put off a bit by their appearance. That is not who I want to be. So, I smiled. That committed me for the flight.

Lightning Captured On Simple Ipod

My early bird daughter was able to capture some amazing lightning shots this morning.  In another part of the city a bolt struck our friend’s home, thankfully leaving them mostly shaken, some home damage… but not without a home today. We celebrate this and share the incredible power here, thanks to a simple Ipod and a dedicated young photographer.

My Husband’s Dream Date? Not

Source: homeschoolingryangosling.tumblr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

Surprised (and convicted by) others' stories

Reblogged from kellitrujillo.com:

One theme I see as I reflect back on even just the last few months of my life is a recurring sense of conviction. A little voice—more my own than the voice of the Holy Spirit—saying in my head, You have a lot to learn. You have a lot to learn from this person.

See, I tend to judge a book by its cover.

Read more… 408 more words

Finding The Obvious

I recently spent hours (seriously) searching for something. It was large and bulky, and I knew where it was supposed to be. Yet for all my searching I just could not see it. Frustrated, I sat and said, “God, will you help me find this?”. My eyes immediately fell upon the item. Right. In. Front. Of. My. Face.  I don’t understand how I lost the obvious.

Obvious, yet difficult to see.

How much of our lives to we spend frantically searching, but not finding? We look for items, time, solutions, help.  There is a solution, but we often don’t remember it until after we’ve spent our energies searching fruitlessly, tired and confused.

Matthew 6:33 tells us, “What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.”  This applies to every aspect of our life. Will He always help us find what we need? Maybe not how we expect it, but it is a guarantee that God’ll set our eyes right where they need to focus.

Ready To Leave The Nest

Lucky me! I looked outside right in time to see the birds had grown and were going to fly solo. I heard the mama bird instructing them, near them on the grass keeping her gaze steady. Sure, she is there to protect and guide, but I bet she doesn’t waste time fretting about letting go. Not like me.

My girls flew away this week also. As they prepared to leave the nest, I too instructed, things meant to protect. They were going to switch planes for the first time alone in an unfamiliar airport. Last year they weren’t ready for this kind of responsibility, this year it didn’t faze them. Just like the birds we’ve been watching, my babies have grown up quickly. Their legs might be wobbly as they enter young adulthood, but their wings are strong and capable.

It was easier for them. It wasn’t sadness that they were leaving. I was overjoyed they were able to take this trip. It wasn’t fear of danger, I felt peace. It was more the realization that their being “ready”  for life seems to have come so quickly. While my mama’s heart knew it is a process of letting go, I was distinctly aware of their complete focus on the trip. Their hearts were devoted to the next thing, not giving care to what they were leaving behind.

Is this what it is like for God? Watching His children forge ahead, unaware of the security they step away from in His embrace? Yet, He, we, let go. Let the child experience. Watch with fascination as they journey, prepared with open arms for their return. Always, unconditionally.  His example is a perfect one for this mama. I love watching them fly, delight in their soaring experiences, and relish them returning to the nest. Safe, for another night under the shelter of my wings. While I rest under His.

How have you dealt with your kids growing up?

New Baby Birds

I love nests.  I remember the first one I ever saw up close; it was made of horsehair when I was a girl in California. It was tucked away into the rafters of our garage for years, always catching my eye. Perhaps my affinity for them is related to my passion for nesting as a verb. One of my favorite books is even called Nesting, It’s A Chick Thing by Ame Mahler Beanland & Emily Miles Terry.

Recently, our family found a welcome surprise in our honeysuckle trellis. Robins graciously nested low enough to easily track the progress of their family.

Don’t Fix Blurry Photo Mistakes

There is advice for altering pictures everywhere, tips for lighting and proper framing. This morning I was reminded of the beauty of imperfection. A hyacinth in an old pitcher naturally framed by the morning sunlight. I snapped a few shots, debating if it was worth the time to make a “perfect” shot.  May I suggest that is already is? Sometimes life is a little blurry, the sun is too bright in our eyes. With a different perspective, perhaps a few steps back, we can see that in the lack of focus there is still beauty to be found.

Do you toss out the bad shots? Would you consider keeping them as reminders of true moments?

Pachebel’s Canon and Life Soundtracks

Why is music so powerful? Some are especially sensitive to it. I am one of those people who can hum along with songs that many don’t notice. The elevator music, doctor’s waiting rooms, restaurants, dressing areas. It is there, the background soundtrack to my life. Expression is clearer, more defined when music guides it. My daughter and her friend were playing music the other day, messing around, when her guest started playing Canon. I begged him to replay it several times. My eyes sprung a leak, probably startling the poor kid. You see, the song he chose was the music I walked down the aisle with toward my groom. My husband has been away from home too much this year, and as I laid there with my eyes closed, the music carried me back. A melody, notes assigned value and force, transported me through time. I miss the man, the music brought him to me. Single notes start out, powerful orchestrations of life follow.

Completed Katz Writing Course!

Galatians 6:4 (The Message)

Make a careful exploration  of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that

It is finished. My 6 week writing course. Completed.

Plenty of people finish strong with projects. I am not always one of them. I do finish commitments to others, but the ones I make personally often get pushed to the side. My creative spirit is perfect for leading me forward, exploring new territory of unchartered ideas. This guiding force can be my challenge as well. Not this time. And, I happily cross off one of my 5 goals for the year. Check! I not only learned about the craft, I explored the writer. This course coincided with tremendous personal difficulty. And, this is big, I still pressed on. This is a powerful feeling. Not only do I write for my own pleasure, but my goal is to honor the author of my soul, Jesus Christ.  The writer of Galatians might have easily penned my  name into this verse. I’ve waded into the creek of self exploration and am spending my time enjoying the waters.