There’s a weed by our front door that’s been growing for a little while.
We should probably do something about that before the house inspection next week.
The ground, this world over, has been hard and dry lately. Most of it is out of my hands, although I can do what I can do, especially on my little patch of earth. One thing that I feel is important is to keep track of what’s happening around the world. And to pay attention to what is true, rather than be distracted by the racket. Another thing, for me this year, is to get a bit of order into my surroundings, which is what I’ve been doing today. Yay! That way, I’m not menaced by a sea of miscellany, and can use what I have effectively. Double yay! 😀
It’s been a good day in my world. The hard, dry soil is still at the door. But it’s good to know that life still breaks through!
(and just wanted to add another random YouTube suggestion 🙂 )
At this end of the year, I do a bit of a change-and-tidy – sorting out the remains of the previous year, setting up the new year in whatever way seems best. One of the things I do is pray over a “word” for the year. It’s not in a weird way -just asking God what He wants me to focus on. Sometimes the word is clear, sometimes a bit maybe/maybe not.
This last Sunday we broke up into little groups, to be prayed over by older/wiser couples in the church. We were asked to briefly explain what we wanted prayer for, and had a bit of time to ponder that before the groups got together. I was pretty set to ask for clarity for the new year…maybe healing – all the good stuff! And then, I felt the word “challenge” drop down in my spirit.
That’s one of those words, really. You can decide that you must have heard wrong, and pretend it never happened. That never goes well. Or you can take a deep breath, and go for it.
So, I asked for prayer, and there was good feedback to ponder on. Some things aligned with what I already knew would be in focus this year. Some I’m still thinking about. I was excited, if a bit unsure of details… Monday morning, I woke up feeling like I’d been hit by a truck. This was not the challenge I was looking for!! 😆 No, I don’t subscribe to magical thinking. The most likely scenario is that I’ve been doing a bit too much overall, and it’s caught up with me. Made me laugh, though! 😀
I’m not sure how the challenge is supposed to look. I feel it will be a “good” challenge. There are steps I’m taking while I’m waiting for some things to coalesce – just one thing, then the next, then the next. One foot after the other. I know there is something to do with writing, and have some ideas about that. There are other creative pursuits to…pursue 🙂 And all wrapped up with rest times, meditation, prayer… I will be using my art room more effectively, and at different times of the day.
To that end, I have obtained a duck. A pastel lit, resting duck, by which to dream.
Behold – the duck!
May your year be restful, and may you find your own pastel duck to dream by. ❤
It was a hard weekend. Being reminded of the darkness (again)… The hatred bubbling over into terrible action. Choices – actions – that are hard to understand – and some reactions that inflamed rather than soothed.
I don’t know what to say, really. This is a season that heralds peace. Joy. Hope. But it has always been in the context of a darkened world.
And so, I will pray. Because I believe that to be a powerful place to start. But I will also pay attention to the marginalised, and oppressed. The ones who don’t live in the same level of ease and safety as I do. I will question the tendency to blame a whole community for the actions of one. Look for what is true, and challenge unthinking reaction – whether mine, or others’. And remember the words of One who came as a baby, to bring reconciliation.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”
The smoke alarms seem to be fixed, so no more overnight vigils for us! I slept very well Thursday night, but it’s been a bit patchy since then… I’ll keep trying 😀
I’ve finally got the tree decorated, and the other bits and pieces in the lounge.
It’s snuggled up next to the wifi modem (router?) My lovely Renaissance angel is back in place.
This is her 32nd year at the top of our tree. ❤
Snowmen hang around the big TV cabinet.
…and gnomes check out some classic mysteries.
Bits
and bobs!
And the centrepiece – including a tiny nativity scene that fits into a matchbox. A miniature snapshot of the Christmas story.
Lots of sunshine lately, after the storms a couple of weeks ago. My newest plant has a flower open, and I tried to take a good photo. The sun seems to make it look a bit glowy…
The (glossy) leaves seem pretty clear, though!
There are a lot of glimmering things about. What about the humble pigeon?
I’d wear that colour! 😀
The moon was having one of its “large” phases the other night. I have trouble photographing it – night mode gives a clear image, but makes it too small.
Using ordinary photo mode (and keeping hands as steady as possible) gives a better idea of size, but reduces clarity.
Still – that’s a bright moon!
Here’s night mode again – with tree and clouds…
…and a last try at moon portraiture through the screen door.
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
1000 Fields of Roses 