Friday, December 29, 2017

DECEMBER DE-LIGHT

December lights pierce the darkness as the  light-filled days of summer fade away.
Darkness clings to me . . . even where we are in the most southern part of mainland Florida . .  . as I continue to get up early for my morning walk.  

Dawn creeps in ever-so-slowly as I don my shorts and three layers: T-shirt, sweat shirt and windbreaker.

No one who lives down here for more than a few months
would dare step into whipping winds and wet salt water splashes.
But I promised myself that, if I do not have an early morning obligation that takes precedence, I will walk the beach daily.  

For one who does not like temperatures below 75 degrees with NO wind, braving 45 to 52 degrees with a swift breeze is my height of boldness.

I look forward to my breakfast on a tray filled with Christmas dishes.   I make a huge pot of tea each morning and sip it slowly as I read or relax on our little lanai.  
Christmas tea every day reminds me of the celebration we look forward to after weeks of waiting as we anticipate the  Advent of Christ’s birth.


We are suppose to wait quietly and prepare our souls for
the grand celebration of the coming of Christ, the 
new Light, at the end of dark December but the rest of the world did not get the memo.

Crazy shopping, Christmas Carols, Tuba Christmas in the middle of town, the Santa parade, decorated streets and all sorts of TV shows depicting Christmas scenarios light up the night sky that grows darker by the minute. 

 It’s all fun and wonderful but I wonder who celebrates their own birthday an entire month BEFORE the allotted day?  The past few years we barely finish the All Hallows Eve celebration before decorations go up in the stores.

What a wonder if we could allow the darkness to envelope us until the darkest day of the year . . .  very close to Christmas day.  
Then, as if someone pulled the switch, "Let there be light!"

If we review the creation story in Genesis, that’s exactly what God did when He spoke creation into being.  "In the beginning" there was nothing but God and then God Spoke.

God spoke light into the darkness.  
Darkness remained as the pitch of night but the days became gloriously illuminated  . . . and all that God created thrived in the sunlight.

What an awesome idea to pierce the darkness on one, single day . . .  all over our tiny little world.
That's what we should be doing on the day we celebrate Christ’s birth.  
On the very day we all celebrate Christ's birth . . .  all over the world . . .  we TURN ON THE LIGHTS!

We do this on New Year's Eve.  Every time zone waits until  midnight and then a frenzy of fireworks and celebration moves across thew world.  
Do we have it all backwards? 
 Or can we celebrate the same way for both grand events?

Currently, lights that are strung to look like trees, lights on trees and yards and homes, flood dark nights so that we sense that we are ‘walking in the light’ on vary dark, starless nights.

Hubby and I drive through a huge neighborhood of hardworking families.  
Hundreds of homes are decorated and each block has the same lit decoration on their mailbox.  It might be a tree, a candle, a star, a snowman or even Rudolph.  The people are told when they move to this very old development that they are expected to add to this annual celebration in some way.  

What joy it brings to see every single home with a few lights and each street following a different theme.  Even Menorah's were represented in various ways.
Our own home was filled with treasured gifts from the past such as this heart with tiny cross-stitch.

Manger scenes of all kinds: wood, blow-up, full size plastic
figures . . .  dot various homes.  I smile as I see Santa or snow men near a manger scene or, in one yard, a ballon-like hippopotamus.  Our own home has managers of all sizes, each with a very special story.

I tried to take pictures of as many homes as possible but cars were bumper to bumper and, even though we were going about 2 mph, we still had to move. 
 Hubby was a gem as he tried to stop as often as possible.

Hubby and I experienced some wonder-filled moments of light this month of December.  
Many lights still linger in the dark nights after Christmas day.  

It’s a sight to behold as we recall the words of John’s Gospel:
 “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God and the word became flesh and dwelt among us…”  God's Word continues to enlighten us to His unending love for us.


Every time we turn on a light, especially during these darkest weeks of the year, we are reminded of God’s gift of light in creation that gives life.  Jesus is the ‘new’ light that gives us life eternally.

This year I was able to take a bit more time to decorate our tiny abode.  The Advent calendar was easy to find.  
Each gem that appeared from our two plastic bins has a fond memory.  

Everything else has been given away.  My sister hand made most of what you see over many years. 

 I can never part with these treasures.

So, on with the LIGHTS . . .  Pictures say far more than words so enjoy.

May the light of Christ draw you more deeply into God's presence.
May the New Year be filled with light-hearted JOY and a brilliant future.

May the star lead your way forward and stop along your path when you need to take a breath.

May God send angels to affirm your path and prepare you to say "yes" to new opportunities and challenges.

May you find LIGHT-ness in each day to laugh and sing and remember precious moments that fill your heart.

May God fill you with curiosity to seek answers to hard questions and help you listen hard until you understand. 

May God open your heart to something new each day . . . something that you choose to tuck into your heart and savor for a very long time.

"Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door shall be opened onto you."






 "May God bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace."
 Numbers 6:24-26





  










Wednesday, November 29, 2017

NOVEMBER'S OPEN DOOR

NOVEMBER is a strange month.
This year we felt the summer breezes for the first few days.

Deep inside my soul I wished that summer would linger for several more weeks.

I knew better.
Suddenly . . . as if a door were opened on a stormy night, COLD popped into my realm.

Burrrrr!
It's time to head South.
I'm like a little bird who loves her nest but the nest must remain cozy-warm for me to remain.
At my age change is difficult but there are some changes that, for my body (and soul) I must make.
Hubby has been gracious as he loves the cold.
Yet, when we reach a warmer climate, he feels like a new man.

Changing weather is expected.
Changing through life-challenges becomes part of our aging process.
Changing jobs or finding myself 'retired' seems like the change of weather.
One minute I am working way too many hours per week and the next minute I linger longer over the morning newspaper.
I find more time to spend with hubby . . .  and he with me.
"Open doors wide", I say, "just don't let the COLD in." 

So, we choose to head South for a few months.
Change of scenery.
Change of pace.
Change.
Cold, blistering wind is exchanged for cool, soft breezes.
Not a bad change.
New doors open.
We are busier than ever.

Yet, windows of opportunity draw me into a rather pleasant schedule.
Up early.
Walk the beach.
Read WSJ.
Read devotions via my computer.
    This is new for me.
     I'm use to touching thin pages filled with columns of tiny print   as I read chapter and verse of biblical scripture.
    To have this same verse in a 'New English' translation is quite enjoyable.  Even the Psalms seem to chime a new melody.
The Gospel of the day comes alive and echoes the Old Testament scriptures.
NICE!
The doors are open to new opportunity but I choose to maintain balance.
I need quiet, alone time.
I also enjoy 'hubby' time.
Volunteering my services elsewhere is important but each window
of opportunity is weighed out in my soul so that time does not overtake me.
Easier said than done.

We schedule 'exploring days' so that 'stuff' does not get in the way of our little adventures.
We visit the gardens, another city, friends, enjoy a special conference where we meet new friends and drink in affirming insights.

We linger longer on the beach at sunset.
We enjoy simple meals, made in our little kitchen, filled with healthy ingredients.

The door may be open but, instead of cold wind, friends enter freely.
Doors, windows, insights, opportunities, and whatever blows our way is embraced with joy and gratitude knowing that any change in these later years is good for the soul.


Monday, October 30, 2017

OCTOBER AUTUMN

We look forward to October color each year.
This year we wandered through New England about the time we thought fall colors might appear.  
Alas, summer lingered far too long.  
I will never complain.  
Soft breezes, T-shirts, plush gardens, green carpets, lush foliage and not a changing tree in sight.

As usual, home sweet home gave us the most glorious color.
No matter where we travel, we seem to yearn for our own back yard with farms as far as the eye can see and meadows and flora and fauna far better than any discoveries in our travels.

I'm reminded that we don't have to go very far to 
know that HERE is right where we are suppose to be.


Our neighbor has the most beautiful Maple tree.
I noticed a 'volunteer' Maple about afoot tall that sprouted in our back yard.  I'm waiting to see if it will overtake my rose bushes or if I can tame it as it grows.  
Then we will have Fall color in our own back yard.
God plants and we nurture for strong and healthy growth.



My old faithful - Saint Francis
He holds vigil in the front garden year-round.
We have a dear neighbor who makes sure it remains upright during winter storms.  Francis is protected by our winterberries that just POPPED out RED last month!  
I love to see the color before the snow flies.  
Berries will remain until mid-winter when birds begin to consume them.  This winter is suppose to be more harsh so I'm glad we have eight bushes to feed the birds.
I am reminded to "be anxious for nothing" like the birds of the air.
They know God will provide even in the harshest of times.

I can't resist.  
Our local farmers offer pumpkins and gourds by the cart load. 
 I try to pile them up in a creative way by I think each one, in its own way gives enough beauty. 
 I simply enjoy the color and fantastical design of each 'fruit of the earth.'  "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you new heart desires." [my translation]  Isn't it true? 
 I simply DELIGHT in God's beauty and
  JOY seeps into every crevice of my soul.


Our farm market, open six days a week, offers colorful choices.


This farmer simply filled bins and boxes and let it all loose.
A great cacophony of all kinds of pumpkins.



Burning bush - that's what it's called.
I think of Moses standing by the burning bush as God calls out to him.  Well, here it is - in miniature.  
This seemingly simple, green bush begins to 'burn' with fire-red leaves every Fall.
Each time we turn into our driveway, I'm reminded of God's call to Moses to do the impossible.
Then I recall the number of times God has called me into what has seemed an 'impossible' task.
I always grow when I say YES to God,
even if I am sometimes filled with fear and trembling.


We love Longwood Gardens, longwoodgardens.org  with it's renovated fountains and incredible gardens.  A Fall jaunt to these wonder-filled acres of beauty always leave us awe-struck. 
 Creative minds and hands make simple blooms seem like majestic scenes.
"God, our Creator, created us to create."
Even pieces of stone and drops of water gushing forth look as natural as the colors that surround us.


Hubby and I went off the beaten path to the 'west garden' where blooms grow in huge patches to be transplanted into glorious scenes along the miles of garden paths.  
What fun to look behind the scenes where the gardeners labor.
We breathe in a cacophony of color!


Who would believe that Christmas Cactus would bloom so fully in the Fall!  What a delight to the eye to see rows of jolly purple blooms. 
 "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord . . . "

One, single, pop of color.
It speaks to me in silence giving delight to my soul.
My sister is an incredible botanical artist.
She could see each of the dozens of colors in this flower and, 
with many hours of delicate work, re-create this in such detail that, on paper, I would not be able to tell the difference between drawing and photo.
Her artistry truly is a gift from God . . .  
. . . along with lots of hard work to hone that gift. 
 I'm reminded that, although I cannot draw beyond stick figures, I also have gifts that, through hard work, God has used to give of myself to others.
Isn't it wonderful that we all have within us God-given gifts that we can share with others.  
OH JOY!

We explored a totally different place after our garden visit.
Old doors and buildings ushered us into another world where creativity and hard work created amazing gifts.
"Hands to work, hearts to God" was the Shaker motto.
Hancock Shaker Village, hancockshakervillage.org  in Massachusetts was a totally different delight for us.
Colorful buildings stand out against acres of 
herb and vegetable gardens.
All doors were open to us as we walked into another century.
"Just ask" says God "and my door is open to you."


Even spent apples that dropped from the tree as we walked by are a gift of beauty and color.  My heart said, "Doesn't anybody care what happens to these apples?  They could be picked and made into apple sauce and sold to help pay for this outdoor museum." 
 Alas, the volunteers have too many other chores. 
  Apples are delicious treats for animals that live in the wooded areas surrounding this community.
God provides for all our needs.


The door, seen previously, drew us into this round barn. 
 One person can care for 52 cows at a time on the first floor.  
Stalls are cleaned into openings to the basement where wagons are filled with 'nutrients' for the garden.  
See that large dark opening in the bottom where wagons come and go?  The top floor is filled with hay, brought in on the other side via a beautiful green ramp.  
At the top of the barn you see the little tower that is open so the heat is released from the combustable hay.  
GENIUS.
God gave us eyes to see and hands to create.
A perfect example of "Hands to work, hearts to God."

Modern bales (rolled by machine) are still stored the 'old' way.
This storage area attached to the barn provides a safe haven for hay needed for other uses.  
God gives us a 'safe haven' to rest until the time when we are ready to be used according to our gifts and talents.
Our spirit tells us when we are ready.
All we need is a YES and God will hear us.
Saying "yes" to God may be difficult sometimes.
That's why we, like these hay bales, can rest in the shelter of God's precious presence for as long as we need.
God's time is infinite.
It's our time on this earth that is limited.
"Give rest to your soul and God will do the rest."


Gray clouds sweep the sky but this pop of YELLOW brightens my spirit.  It truly was a glorious day to walk these acres of buildings and learn about the many talents the Shakers offered to their surrounding community.  
They LOVED COLOR.
Bright yellow and deep RED are prevalent.
Tall spruce balance these large edifices.
Every inch of space was open to us as we climbed three stories high to find weaving rooms and broom making rooms.
Note the double entrances to the yellow house where the men and women worshipped together on the second floor (men on one side and women on the other).  The large room has wide plank floors  that remain strong and sturdy to this day even though worshippers stomped and danced to their delight over 100 years ago.  
Shakers lived up to their name.
We learned a few of their 'shaking' dances.
"Rejoice always; again I say, REJOICE!"


There are two sides to every story, and every picture.
Elegance with simplicity of design is seen in this building which housed the machines for woodworking and the 'laundromat.'
The building was divided in half on the main floor.
Those who did wash on the main floor with running water due to a gravitational set-up, transported the wet wash "up" to the next floor via a pulley system that was easy for a child to use.
Clothes were hung mostly on the highest floor to take advantage of natural heat from the sun.  
Actually, children only did chores that were age-appropriate like setting the table or sweeping and were given much opportunity to play.  The elders knew that all too soon these children would be given greater responsibility.  
"There was a time for everything under heaven."

This beautiful building was used for the most mundane work.
God crowns us with beauty deep within our soul so that we are able to endure the challenges set before us that seem dull, boring, mucky or sometimes intolerable.
We simply need to remind ourselves that God's presence within us, given to us by God's unconditional love if we ask him to preside over our lives, seeps out through every smile, every laugh, every greeting of blessing we share with others even in the midst of intolerable pain.
That's God-given beauty.


We took endless pictures of beautiful furnishings. 
This was a simple workbench used daily by the woodcrafters.  
Most of their larger pieces were made by machine.  
"Belts" moved by a lever, powered by a steam engine, enabled the men to saw, cut, lathe or whatever they needed so that they could spend more time staining and creating the glassy finishes of chests like these.  
We watched a class for professional woodworkers as they used old machines and implements to 'hone beauty' as they created fine chairs and tables.
Hubby and I were fascinated as we watched.


And then we happened to come across a lovely estate that was open to the public.  We wandered the well manicured grounds and delighted in the pristine shapes and well designed garden 'steps.'
A green carpet of steps.
Never thought of that!
Other's creativity helps me to envision what we might try for our hillside yard.  STEPS of grass.  Hmmm.  Perhaps rows of bricks?
Let the grass do what it does for an entire summer?
It's a thought . . . and may remain just that.
The idea is great but I would have to do the work.
I'd rather be awe-struck by other's creativity.
NICE!

And this is the estate, planted high on a hill.
It is a summer cottage donated to the historical society. 
 Some wealthy widow who lived mostly in Europe but enjoyed summers in New England.
Her excess is our blessing.
We even had a dish of home made ice cream on the covered veranda.  I felt right at home for a few minutes.
I could see myself on my own little porch, which I love dearly.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I love the shaker homes and this elegant home.
But, more than ever, I love our own little abode even more.
There truly is no place like home after our jaunt into another colorful world.



Home is wherever God plants me but my favorite spot is 
our little back porch.  It is now all tucked away in preparation for winter storms.


Our abundant Hydrangeas, once bright blue, now grow dim yet remain beautiful.  A blue one lingers in the fall sun as my variegated Hosta peaks out from behind.
Of all the gardens and beautiful acreage we saw beyond our own fence, I still love what we have right here in our own back yard.



And around the corner, the same story each year, as tobacco dries in open barns where donkeys pull carts and rubber is not allowed on tires.  Amish farms are far less trim but still draw my curiosity.

And so we linger a little longer on our front porch as Fall brings forth an incredible "indian summer."  We've had a couple cold days and loads of rain.
But roses still bloom and sun shines most days.
October beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I'm 'beholden' to God's creative hand in Creation.
"Thanks be to God!"