Thursday, February 2, 2017

FABULOUS FEBRUARY



"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult."
Psalm 46: 1-3

February seems to be such a positive sounding month.
After all, we almost immediately focus on love and hearts and roses and chocolate.
Our valentine becomes central to us even though we celebrate the loves of our lives only one day in a month filled with new and wonderful adventures.
There is more to this month than valentines, which I love.

The shot I showed last month is still on my mind.
The paper airplane, soaring into the sky reminds me of all the possibilities ahead of me.
God has placed an empty space in front of me in which I also can soar.
May this month be filled with new discoveries that make the heart soar into a world beyond our human parameters.
May we soar to new heights that only the Lord, our God, can envision for each of us.

February 1, 2017    A LETTER
If one is to purchase a card,
Mary Englebrite says it all.
I so love her cards.
This is the month that we seem to focus on love letters, notes, gifts, acts of kindness and the like.
It's interesting how the commercial market has hijacked something we should be doing every month of the year.
Christmas, of course, is the most commercial time of year.
But consider this month.
The gifts and 'thought-filled' gestures may not cost as much but it's a boon for retailers.
Valentine cards alone cost $4-$5.00
What a rip off!
My dear aunt, now 104 + 5 months (one must count every day at that age) has always made cards on her computer that are created just for that person.
A dear friend of mine does the same thing and I LOVE her cards.
I think my aunt was 102 in this picture.
She is no longer on the computer
because she can't see but she is
still the most amazing woman
I've ever met.

What a joy to receive a personal note with a little picture and a few words just for me.

My resolution at the beginning of this year was to send notes, with photos specific to each person, to my closest friends.
Thus far, I've done a pretty good job.
Each note, typed on 8.5x11 paper and sent email, takes over an hour to create because I truly ponder how that person has influenced my life.
It's like when I send birthday cards to people who are so very dear to me.  I write a personal note of encouragement.
So, beginning this month, I am going to make a list of all the people who have made an impact on my life and tell them so.
A letter - the most precious gift I could ever receive . . . or give.


2-2-2017::  A-B-C
Today is a unique day in Christian history.
I call it the ABC day because there are three names for this day.
The Feast of the Act of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary . . .
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
and . . . 
Candlemas.
This day is based on the passage in Luke 2:22-40

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus journey from where they were staying in Bethlehem up the mount, not too far from their home, to Jerusalem . . .  to the Temple.


This will be the first time Mary has been able to worship in community since the birth of her child.

The law dictates that the new mother separate from community for forty days to rest, recover from childbirth and then be cleansed by a ritual bath of purification called a michvah, which takes place in a private area in the temple. 


After completing this beautiful ritual, surrounded by women and filled with prayers, Mary is then 'purified' and ready to join fellow jews for worship in the temple.

What a glorious time of worship this must be.

At the same time, Joseph offers the sacrifice for the redemption of the first born as required by the Law of Moses. 

He is able to sacrifice two turtle doves instead of a lamb because he cannot afford to purchase a lamb.
This is the ritual for the dedication of baby Jesus to God.

Before the Purification and the Dedication a special gift from God was waiting for this Holy Family. 

Upon entering the temple Mary and Joseph, holding baby Jesus, encountered a very wise old man called Simeon. 
Simeon had been waiting for them and prayed to God that he would stay alive long enough to share a prophecy and pray a blessing on the One who God would show him.  

Sure enough, this was Simeon's big moment, fulfilling the purpose of his life . . . to see the Messiah and to pray a blessing over him.

The prophecy affirmed that the Christ Child would be a light to the
Gentile nations and a sign for the Jews and that a sword would pierce Mary's soul.  
All these words eventually came to pass.
Jesus was dedicated to God through the sacrifice made by Joseph and by the the prophecy and blessing given by Simeon.

The third celebration of this day is Candlemas.

Many Catholic and Anglican/Episcopal churches have a ritual procession and blessing of the candles that will be used during Lent and Easter.
Until not too many years ago, we used wax candles by the dozens as we ushered in the Light of Christ after the dark period of Lent.  Now candles with batteries are used in most churches.

No matter which we use, we celebrate the Light that pierces the darkness of the world not only at Easter but throughout out the year, each Sunday we celebrate the Presence of Christ in our lives, the Light of Christ.

So there we have it.  We had a grand celebration at our principle service on Sunday.

The A-B-C of February 2 . . .  a triple blessing . . .  a triple treat.
Act of Purification, Baby Jesus' dedication and Candlemas.


2-3-2017:: Another Day
I wake each morning in wonder.
I wonder where my shoes are.
I wonder if what I am wearing will be warm enough in this tropical climate where it's in the 40s in the early morning hours.
I wonder what the day will be like.
And then I STOP, remember, pray.
I learned years ago that it is better to pray then plan my day rather than plan my day and give God the nod.
God is totally in charge of wonders that never cease if I let God give me the plans for each day.
And so, I prayed and chuckle at the instantaneous recollection of a prayer I have given to others for years.
Just another day in the tropics - even if it is chilly

It's a prayer that opens the wonders of each day for me whether I'm sitting quietly or teaching or running errands.
The wonders of God fill my soul when I say the following:


This is another day, O Lord. 
 I know not what it will bring forth; 
but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. 
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. 

If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. 
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.  
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.  
Make these words more than words, 
and give me the Spirit of Jesus.  
Amen.  
This prayer comes from the Book of Common Prayer, page  461, used by the Episcopal/Anglican church in the United States.

Saying this prayer is a beautiful way to begin each day, especially if I am weary from a long week or heavy challenges.

2-4:: The Book
After two months of whirl and swirl getting  settled in this southern climate I finally found a day to read a book that was just for me.
I have plenty of books on my list but they all are a bit more cerebral than I want to read right now.
I just want to escape into another space as words of a great novelist fill my head.
James Michener, writer of big, fat historical novels, wrote The Source decades ago.
The book has been sitting on the shelf for almost as long.
Archeology is not all that light reading but the first hundred pages have been a delight.
I'm in another world, in another era, in another realm of imagining.
The Source is water.
Homes, villages, towns all depend upon the water source.
The closer they can be to fresh water, the better, especially for the Hebrew people in Canaan.
This 'Tell' has a fascinating history beginning with the 'cave' man and family and maturing over the centuries.
The Tell remains in one state or another as humans rotate through the extensive chain of growth, aging, dying and new birth.
What a delight . . . The Book.


February 5:: Happy Birthday, Dad
It has been a long year.
We did not think dad would last more than three months after his 'blip' this summer.
Then he had a little set-back a few weeks ago.
Once again, dad is moving forward as if nothing could stop him.
Today is a special day as three in the family celebrate their birthdays.
Yet, we celebrate dad's today.
Who would have thought dad could live a full 102 years!
Tomorrow dad begins his 103rd year of life!!!
What a guy!
CELEBRATE!
HAVE A BALL!
Let the party begin.
The whole US is celebrating this SUPER day . . .  with the SuperBowl.
What a day to remember!

February 6-8:: Feeding the Heart
She said, "I did nothing but quilting and a bit of reading this week," 
"I did nothing . . . "
Doesn't sound like nothing to me.
She is still grieving from the loss of her husband as she reaches out to everyone at church.  She is very involved with her children and grand children but she did 'nothing'?

She and I often identify with each other in so many ways.
We are the same temperament.
We seem driven to perfection some days and think we have done 'nothing.'
Her statement made me ponder a moment.

As you may notice, I have not written in several days.
Thus, have I done nothing?
I've done something but I have gone completely off track with my daily regimen.
I've not kept to my 'rule of life' so to speak.
Instead, I picked up this voluminous book . . . Michener does nothing less . . .  and have been slogging through it every single moment I am free to read.

I only take breaks when hubby wonders what there is to eat or wants to discuss another brilliant idea.
[He has loads of brilliant ideas . . . all good . . . all brilliant]
That said, he has also honored my 'silent' time of doing 'nothing.'


Next time I hear someone, or myself, say, "I've done nothing but . . . "
Perhaps it is exactly what I am suppose to do right now.
I need to center my mind in one place.
I ask God to lead me into a deeper rest as I disregard everything around me as long as is possible.
Once a year, I set aside a large swath of time to dig into a huge project where I choose to remain totally focused.
I encourage my friend that quilting is a gift given to her by God that has blessed me as well as so many others.
It's a gift from the heart that also calms the heart and fills the heart of another.
Reading for pleasure is a necessary part of sacred rest . . .  filling our heart in new ways.
To feed the heart in new ways is always a good thing.

February 9:: Auntie Helen
I wrote about her on the first of this month.
She is always in my heart.
I received a phone call today that she had finally died, at 104.5.
This is at her 100th birthday party.
Someone tells her it's time to sit down.
"I'm not done yet, I'm only on my 40th year,"
she says.  Amazingly, she continues for
another half hour before she takes a rest.
What a gal!

My precious aunt who gave me so much of herself simply by answering my emails.
She was involved and active until about a year ago.
This vibrant woman who, at 100, used no cane, no hearing aids, no glasses, spoke about her life, on and off, for two hours . . .  standing . . .  while we were all sitting!

I knew that macular degeneration had taken a toll on her eyes so I sent postcards hoping someone would read them to her.

I did not know her hearing was all but gone.
She slept a lot . . .  just like dad who just turned 102.
Last night she gently moved into he arms of the Lord as she slept.
She has not skipped a beat, I'm sure.
She's most likely meeting every one of the thousands of relatives she had entered into the very long genealogy on her parents' side.
What a life.
What an example of love, giving, easy going nature, living life to the fullest.
May she rest in peace as she sings with the angels in the full presence of the Lord.


The white 'dots' are windows.
It's difficult to capture the majesty
 of this dome . . .  Christ surrounded
 by biblical figures from
Old and New Testament.
2-10:: A visit to St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church
Shortly before we moved North, the Greek Orthodox church was built.

The beauty of the structure was amazing as we non-orthodox gawkers were invited to visit this beautiful edifice.

Of course, with any Greek festival there is tons of food and folk dancing.
The endless desserts and lamb dishes were a delight.
Traditional Greek costumes on little ones as well as adults took me back to my travels in Greece decades ago.
Sights, sounds, singing, food, joy, laughter, wonderful conversation and a time of listening were all part of the package.
Magnificent Icons around 
and behind the Altar.
Hubby and I especially loved the hour-long presentation of this 'new' space filled with glorious icons of Jesus, the Apostles, Mary, Joseph and several saints.. . . including St. Katherine.
What a treasure to share with others who worship in blank boxes with booming music.
We sat in silence, except for the priest who delighted us with stories of the beautiful paintings all over the ceilings and altar area.
We can join their congregation any time for worship but most of the service is in greek.
At least we could feel as if we were in Greece for a few moments . . .  then return to the culture of our own churches.
A joyous time was had by all.

Space of sea and sky is endless.
Only markers such as our pier can give some idea of it's vast expanse.

February 11-13:: Space
When one thinks of 'space' we each might think differently.
Immediately, this word reminds me of ". . . the vast expanse of interstellar space . . ."that we recited in our liturgy yesterday.
It's Eucharistic Prayer "C" from the Book of Common Prayer p.370 
I have been uncomfortable with this phrase for years only because I want 'space' to be a tiny, intimate closet with just me and God . . . no one else allowed.
Here I am in a "vast expanse" of a large church digesting interstellar space.
I can't imagine a vast expanse greater than that.
God is with me whether I am in a closet, in our large church or even floating in the salty waves of the Gulf down the street.

Yet, SPACE is what I have needed for the past several days to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this book by Michener, The Source.

My tiny 'welcome' heart looms large in the small
space of our wreath.

I'm actually slogging through a few bloody centuries of insane killing of Christians and Jews mostly by Turks and Christian Crusaders.
It's unbelievable how a 'belief system' can go horribly awry due to the leadership of  giant, charismatic leaders.
We have seen this over and over throughout history.
We all seem to think 'If only I had my very own space to control just the way I want' life would magically become smooth and easy.
NOT
When I choose to hide in my own space with just God, my book and me, even this space
This picture from the internet delights the eye
with the endless space of red bushes.
is invaded by . . . 

"What's for dinner?"
"The laundry is piling up, should we wash it?"
"Don't forget your appointment."
"I need help with . . . "
And there is my own agenda.
I have commitments that I have tried to pace evenly throughout the week.
I teach, attend a 'commitment' group that has met for twenty years, attend church activities and interject daily walks and hubby time.
I even have skipped 'blogging' days.
I've managed to 'space' my time, find tiny snippets of 'space' in each day to read.
I continue to carve out space to breathe and wonder and simply linger in the emptiness of 'wasting time'.
I will continue to do so until this 'book' project is finished.
Until then . . . 
I delight in this SPACE!

February 14:: Saint Valentine's Day
St. Valentine of Rome (c. 270) was a priest who lived in Rome during the reign of Emperor Claudius II. 

Little is known of his life with certainty, except that he ministered to Christians who were persecuted and imprisoned for their faith, and died a martyr. 

One account has it that the emperor banned all marriages and engagements in Rome, believing this was the reason Roman men were unwilling to serve in the army. 
Valentine defied this unjust decree and continued to perform marriages for lovers in secret. 

He was arrested, and while in prison he restored sight to his jailer's blind daughter, causing the jailer and his entire extended household, forty-six people in total, to immediately convert to Christianity. 
Upon hearing this, Claudius ordered Valentine's execution. 
St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, whom he had befriended, and signed it "From Your Valentine." 
He was beheaded on February 14th. 

St. Valentine is the patron of many causes including bee keepers, betrothed and engaged couples, lovers, love, happy marriages, and young people.

In Iran, this holiday is alive and well but cannot be named, "Valentine's Day".  After all, St. Valentine was an infidel, like all Christians in the eyes of Muslims.
So, hearts are brown, red roses are smuggled out of flower shops (many shops close so they will not get arrested) love notes flourish and the day is celebrated without it's original name.

Isn't it amazing how God uses a martyr's death to lead us to the God of love, our God of forgiveness and grace.
May we each consider St. Valentine daily as we send notes of encouragement throughout the year. 

February 15:: Marcion, the Heretic
Few Christians have heard of this leader of a heretical sect that mushroomed to a size and strength that was evenly matched with the Christian church . . . known to us as the Catholic Church.

Marcion's final breech with the church was about 144 AD yet by 154 AD Marcion's doctrine was spread everywhere.
Marcion taught that Christianity is totally separate from Judaism, the Old Testament god is cruel, fierce and angry and is called the "demiurge," creator-god of the Jews.

The New Testament God is Love and has no connection with the old covenant.
Christ is God manifest, not God incarnate.
Christ Jesus had no real human body . . .  he is only divine.
There is no resurrection of the body so no return of Christ.
Marcion rejected the infancy or any childhood of Jesus.

Mother Mary, since she was born Jewish and lived by the Old Covenant, was a product of the "demiurge."
Flesh is not evil but contemptible.

Only one problem with this.
Marcion threw out the Old Covenant , used only the Gospel of Luke with all references to the Old Covenant removed, used only ten Pauline epistles and claimed Peter, James and John as fans apostles!


Followers of Marcion (Marcionites) drifted into Gnosticism: Nothing is good, nothing is just, all is wicked. 

As I think about this information that I have gathered for our 'Going Deeper' class I wonder how many sitting comfortably in their pews on Sunday could be swayed into heresy. 
 If it sounds good and if we like the preacher and if no one says otherwise, it must be true?
If the liturgy (the work) of the worship service,  Holy Eucharist, does not change and makes one feel good, everything else must be fine.

How often do we float through a worship service, barely hearing

the sermon or choosing to agree with the preacher because the words sound logical or affirming or gel with our way of thinking?
I learned long ago to listen hard, think long and research as much as I can in scripture so that I might not be fooled by false doctrine.
Easier said than done.
Some scriptures can be justified according to our own belief instead if us letting scripture shape our belief in God.
Only by coming into community and  digesting scripture in its full context can we even hope to cut through the 'gray' areas of doctrine and see clearly what God wants us to see.
We have no excuse.
We have computers and 'Google' and e-bibles written out just for us.
All we are called to do is "hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" God's Word at all times.
Who knows if there might be a modern Marcion lurking behind us, ready to deceive us because 'it' looks like the real thing and "It agrees with my own way of thinking.'
I praise God that my weekly group, the classes I teach and the church leaders stress accountability in community.

February 16- 21   Down for the Count

YES !
Some days the body just gives out.
This time it was not for a day but for a week.
I felt like limp liver.
I moved as if I were in a sea of mud.
My brain seemed quite alive, however.
So, I went to bed . . .  not to sleep . . .  but to read.
It was glorious . . .  just for one day . . .  but that day felt like forever.
I had not taken a day to read in bed for several years, as I'd promised myself I'd do annually.

I usually pick up a good novel and read it right through.

Since I'd been slogging through this humongous book by Michener, The Source, since the beginning of the month, I thought I'd see how far I could read.
I was amazed how many centuries of archeology I sifted through in one day.
So refreshing . . .  STILLNESS.
For the following several days I was still not willing to enter the real world.
I huddled in my cave-like world as much as hubby would allow and ventured through several more centuries of Jewish history mingled with Christian crusades.
This historical novel brought me into the very lives of real-sounding people as if I were part of their culture.
I felt their pain as my soul yelled directives these imaginary people could not hear.
Why did you not do this?
Hooray for being so creative in your defense?
Good for you to flee when you could or fight to the last.
Too bad you gave in so easily and bowed to another god.

And then, as usual, I came to my senses.

What would I do in that century?
How long would I have lived?
Would I ever be so brave to defy the enemy and stick with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob only to be hacked to death  . . . ever so slowly?
We think atrocities to humanity are beyond the pale now.
Think back a couple thousand years, in Jesus' day.
Our animal instincts reigned.
Oh what a world I enjoyed as I finally came to the end of my 900+ pages of history.
What a joy it was to re-enter this world of sheer chaos (sometimes) knowing that I live in very tame times.

Praise God I can worship as I please with no hindrance to my faith (so far).

Praise God that we can agree to disagree in our life outlook.
Nasty words, pouting, false e-news and all the rest seems like nothing more than eating pickles compared to the other world I absorbed for a week.
Thank you, God, for all the blessings you have given me . . .  us.

February 22:: Passion in words

Rotunda of St. Katherine's 
Greek Orthodox Church
It's Wednesday.
That's my day to share words that penetrate the heart so that we might be drawn more deeply into the Presence of the Lord, thy God.
It's my day to Celebrate the banquet that we share together as we eat the consecrated bread and wine as we remember Jesus' words, "This is my body . . .  this is my blood . . .  take this in remembrance of me."
I shared words from the heart drawing on my story from forty years ago.
That's when I was drawn into the arms of our loving God through His son, Jesus Christ.
As I shared turning points that have drawn me more deeply into God's precious presence, I grew more passionate.
I guess this shy, quiet voice was booming with JOY and EXCITEMENT and VITALITY and ANIMATION.
By the time our worship service was over people were telling me that had not seen that side of me before.
The "Story" draws us 
into the Presence of Christ.
I spoke with a passion, a zest, an energy that made them come alive with wonder.
They wanted more of my story . . . which would take far more than eight minutes to share.
I also felt the deep passion of my words.
It felt good to be so excited about my crazy, zigzagging journey in Christ as I continue to be drawn more deeply into the precious presence of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I'm definitely feeling more energy than I have in a week.
Powerful.

February 23::   The AMAZING  Puzzle

During this period of rest and relaxation, I enjoyed another "cave-experience" . . .  a puzzle!

It was given to my hubby because it is the "Periodic Table of The Elements" and he is a scientist who loves such things.

However, he does not love puzzles.
He'd rather read some boring textbook full of formulas and theories.

I've always thought myself as a 'puzzle solver,' not in the sense of putting these little pieces together on a flat service.

But, I seem to have the knack to solve dilemmas, find new paths out of a difficult situations, or guide another out of a stormy pit.

So, when given the opportunity to put 1000 tiny pieces together on a flat surface I thought I'd give it a try.

Little did I know that I'd be totally absorbed, almost to obsession.
I did have a few obligations I had to meet, including Sunday church and, of course, meals for hubby.
But he helped with laundry and ran tons of errands so that I might 'rest.'

I was amazed how the puzzle pieces came together so quickly.

In difficult sections I'd be holding a piece, revolving it in my hand, as my eyes searched for the possible space where it belonged.
Without any cognitive connection that I understood, my hand would automatically reach out and place the puzzle piece just where it was suppose to be.
I completed this puzzle six years ago.
I was newly purchased but had one piece
missing!  Can you find it?
AMAZING !
My fingers sensed the puzzle piece dimensions as my eyes assessed where those dimensions might best be placed.
My brain was absorbing information from both my fingers and eyes so that I might move my arm to the correct place.
AMAZING!
God has created us 'beings' so incredibly that we can touch and see and know without seemingly engaging that cognitive level of understanding.

It all seems as if the hand of God were putting the puzzle together.

After a few hours in just a few days, the puzzle was completed.
I stood back in wonder.
What a sight.
I finished a puzzle with the hand of God leading me.
Isn't that just like life?
Some day I'll be able to tell God, "I finished the puzzle of life as You led my every move."
The Puzzle . . .  Life . . . are the same.
Only God, working in each of us, can help us solve the daily puzzles we encounter in life, one piece at a time.
Love it!

2-24:: The Shirt
Hubby and I have this tendency to splash sauce or salad dressing on white shirts.
I'm especially prone to a splotch right in the middle of a brand clean white t-shirt.

Hubby seems to find little dots almost daily but he is meticulous about looking for them when he removes his shirt at the end of the day.

He will usually leave the shirt hanging over the laundry bin and I take care of it the next day.

The other morning I noticed a perfectly smoothed out white shirt on the table with two pens on it.

I looked further and these two pens were each pointing to a specific dot on the shirt.
I believe that the dots were so small that I would, indeed, need something pointing to them to notice them.
I laughed deep inside while he was still sleeping.
What a riot!
He is so creative in letting me know that these 'dots' needed attention.
Of course I took pictures.
One is a close up because who would ever guess why two pens are laid upon a white shirt?

These are the moments when I can't help but smile at his creativity.

Imagination at work.
Message sent.
Message understood.
SMILE !
The shirt . . .  a simple piece of apparel that offered great delight in the early dawn.

2-25::   More Stories

Today we attend a prayer conference at a church that has no paintings, no icons, no statues.
I'll share more on what we learn at the conference when we return.
In the mean time, I can't help but show more of the dozens of Icon paintings filling the edifice of St. Katherine's Greek Orthodox Church.

Oh the stories we see as our heads bend back, resting on the back of the pew.

These 'Icons' are 'written' so that we can see the story unfold before our eyes.
Before the written word was common to all, this was the only way people could enjoy the many stories in biblical scripture.
What a delight to enjoy them today.

2-26:: Last Sunday after Epiphany
By tradition, this Sunday just before Lent begins focuses on the mountain top experience where Christ Jesus is transfigured into the full Presence of God.
The Old Covenant (Law of Moses and Prophets like Elijah) meets the New Covenant, Jesus, as the disciples are transported beyond their present world into the full Presence of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Each week, as my soul is drawn into God's full Presence in the Holy Eucharist I feel as if I were with the disciples on that mountain.
I allow my soul to soar through each part of worship until I am 'tabernacling' with Christ at Communion.
Just as the disciples could not explain the phenomenon they experienced with Jesus during the transfiguration, I cannot explain what happens to me . . .  ever so silently, quietly, deep inside my soul.
I simply know that I have more holy boldness to continue taking one step at a time into the full Presence of God.

2-27:: The Walk
I must admit I have been quite slack in my daily walks on the beach.

Today I was determined to get out there and walk in the scrunchy sand even though it was an hour later than I usually walk.
Just as predicted, there were so many footsteps in the sand that I found little 'packed' sand and sloshed along in an uneven gate.
I was determined to take my allotted steps, pre-measured long ago to make sure I am getting enough steps for the day.
I think I got a better workout than most days.
OR I am way out of shape.
It's amazing how leg muscles can play hooky if I'm slacking off.
I soak in the beauty of the waves, the palms making beautiful silhouettes against to blue sky and the plovers walking in and out of the water faster than my feet could ever travel.
I concentrate on anything other than the lack of traction in my feet.
All too soon I am finished.
Now to be disciplined to do this as many mornings as my schedule will allow.
I feel blessed that I can always fall back on my walks with hubby along the tree lined street.

2-28:: Like a Butterfly
And so February flies by like the flitting of a butterfly.
Each month seems to blend into the next almost before it starts.
Yet, each day is a wonder of its own, a blessing of blessings.
Each week flies by as one experience piles upon another.
Just as the butterfly transforms from a 'dot' on a plant . . .  to caterpillar . . .  to cocoon . . .  to majesty in flight, my days do the same.


I wake up with a 'dot' of an idea as to how the day will go.
Yet, that dot matures into tremendous appetite for my surroundings, wherever I am for the day.

As I chew on beauty and ideas and the Presence of God in my life, I'm like that caterpillar devouring all set before me.
Then, at intervals, I cocoon as I did this month.
I step back and meander through a book or puzzle and digest the wonder of rest.
Then, all too soon, it's the beginning of a new adventure, a new month, a new idea, newness of life and I soar into whatever draws me forth as a butterfly soars into the sky.

This sculpture in the botanical gardens shows the process from inception to God's miracle of flight . . .  the butterfly.
Thank you God . . .  for everything.