Sunday, August 29, 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Ugly Apples


I have an apple tree. I am not sure this qualifies as a garden yet because I have done nothing to it except pick the apples (not sure I should be doing that yet, but they taste pretty good are are starting to fall off the tree). I love this apple tree because it has been totally neglected yet it is producing fruit. But, the fruit is really ugly. All the apples are really odd looking and some have spots and others are rather hunchbacked, but the fruit is sweet.

Today Laine and I made applesauce from these apples and froze it for sweet Annabel. I was filled with a sense of awe as I realized that this lonely tree with the ugly apples will feed my dear love-y lady her first apples. The humblest of trees will nourish my dear tree.

Last week in church, we discussed the idea of servanthood. I love the idea of this tree being a servant called to bear fruit unaware of who will be nourished by it. I am not called to do more than my dear tree. I must bear Godly fruit so that God may use it to bless others.

New Things

I promise I have not fallen off the planet. We are just doing some new kinds of growing. Sinking our roots in and letting the dust settle. Ordinary time at its best. Fall is going to be busy at church. I am soaking up the sweetness of summer.

Being a parent has taught me the beauty of slow. It has also brought more joy than I have expression for.

Peace be to you.
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Monday, August 9, 2010

Why I Stay Home

This week has been brought to you by becoming two. Laine is struggling to transition from complete dependency to partial independence. He is a delightful little twirp and I find it both exhausting and fulfilling to help him grow up. I am committed to staying by his side as he struggles through immaturity to adulthood. I love him deeply, but I now understand why my mother used to say she was my parent not my friend. It is a pleasure to enjoy my child's company, but I must fight to maintain my individuality so that when he is disobedient or makes a poor choice, I can parent him without emotional entanglement. It is so tempting to become dependent on my children for joy and happiness, but it is not fair to them or myself.

By the way...I really hate disciplining. I never knew that moms participate in the agony of time out quite so deeply.


Saturday, August 7, 2010

Wash me in the Water

After a truly exhausting week we took a few minutes to release stress in the river.

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Thursday, August 5, 2010

Finally, a thought about gardening

So, I originally started this blog to talk about my gardening attempts. Obviously, I am pretty terrible at gardening because there is literally nothing to talk about. I have a lemon tree and a tomato plant. Neither have born anything yet. Probably there is still hope for the lemon tree.

I have been trying to feed my family fresh, local vegetables during the summer, but our budget is pretty tight these days. One day recently, our crisper was bare and I didn't have anything left in the budget for fresh vegetables. I sent up a simple, short prayer for "daily bread." Within 8 hours I had tomatoes, green beans, peaches and blackberries. God blesses us indeed!

Of the Father's Love Begotten














Of the Father’s love begotten, ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done: Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one; All that grows beneath the shining Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing; Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King! Let no tongue on earth be silent, Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be: Honor, glory, and dominion, And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

Are You My Mother?

We have been reading Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastmann. A lot. There is an airplane in this book. We like airplanes. Every time I read it, I remember a sermon that Luke preached several years ago. He used this book as an illustration of our search for God. There were many points that were made, but I remember Luke talking about the significance of the baby bird walking right by his mother because he didn't know what she looked like.

Right now, I am pretty sure I don't know what God looks like. I am tired, weary and distracted. The one thing I do know is that I see the reflection of God in my family. I see God's work in the life of my husband. I see God touching Luke's heart and guiding him through this new appointment. I see God in my children. Every time Laine is tender toward Annabel my heart melts and I see the grace of God.

Lord, help me know you in a new and fresh way. Help me to rest in Your grace even though my body is weary.


Monday, August 2, 2010

Wonder

I don't wonder enough. Annabel, thanks for reminding Mommy to wonder. God is awesome. God, help me notice.

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