Reflections

Reflections

Ten things I learned from living in 2014.

 “Mostly it is loss which teaches us about the worth of things.” 
- Arthur Schopenhauer

 Things I’ve Learned in 2014

    1.   Be grateful for good health. Kidney stone and gall bladder surgery stole a lot of my “good” months for exercise and fun. Now, I have blown the meniscus on both sides of my knee.  I am grateful that all these things can be fixed.

 2.   Give hugs and affirmations to those around you. In one breath, they can be on their eternal journey. We lost two dear relatives and a neighbor this year.

3.   Pray often. Prayer sustains. Prayer heals. Prayer comforts. Prayer gives me a conversation with God when no one else cares to listen.

4.    Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing, which lie and plot to take your money and give you nothing in return.  Do not buy a time-share ever; especially at Stormy Point in Branson.

5.     Forgive and pray for those who hurt you. Yep, I was devastated the first two days after we were scammed, but on the third day, I began to intercede for their souls.  Strange how giving it to Jesus, made my life return to order and peace.

6.     You’ll see whatever you are looking for. In pain, despair, or joy, I was looking for Jesus ,and He always showed up.  I was looking for love and found it as I extended it to my mate, my children, my grand children, and strangers too.

7.    Dinners shared make us all happy. Whether sharing a beach picnic, porch party, or a simple bowl of beans with my love of 48 years, having others to eat with make a simple dinner special.

8.    Nothing brings more pleasure than creating. Oil paint, turpentine, brushes,and canvas create the opportunity to share my soul in pictures.

9.    Breathe deeply. Be where my feet are planted. Live each day well and whether it was filled with trials, misunderstandings, frills, or silliness, cherish its worth and lessons given.

10.  Learn from our feathered friends. Sit and observe, wait your turn, defend your territory, and be blessed when strangers care for you.

Cardinal Rules.

               Cardinal Rules.

Birds Are for Teaching.  

  I have been taking an online class called Project 137  facilitated by Patti Digh, author and speaker. I first met Patti in Indianapolis, where she was doing readings from her book, Life is a Verb. I immediately liked her as much as her books. She taught at the Midwest Writers Workshop that year, and I observed a woman with a quiet spirit and wise soul. So, I was eager to be a part of her class.

     The online class offered prompts to encourage participants to observe more closely. We attempted to live each day fully and love deeply by remembering to take life-filling breaths, use our creative nature, and make intentional choices, and carefully observe the life happenings around us.  One cold winter day, I looked outside at my bird feeder and learned these lessons from my cardinal family. 

    While watching three red cardinals on my feeder, I visually detailed each brilliant crimson feather and how it blended into a softer red belly. I marveled at the exactness of their black mask around a yellow cone shaped beak. Their crest on the top of their head could go up and down. The great Creator marvelously designed them.

    I recognized that the ladies always allowed their mates to eat first. The female sat on an empty branch waiting their turn. They just sat and looked content.  I am trying to learn that kind of contentment. They loved their mate or understand the rules so well that they were content to just be, silently sit, and watch all that is around them on that branch that moment. I know love requires silence even when I don't think the order is correct. I know true love requires me to sit and observe, not correct or suggest that my way might be better. I see, just like the soft reddish brown cardinal with much less color in her feathers, that I have an important mission. Because I am not dressed with intense colors does not mean I am less important, just different. Because my purpose is to wait my turn does not mean I am less significant, I am just on a different branch. Because I cherish watching every insect, feeling the roughness of the branch underfoot, and mentally stretch to memorize the exact hue of the azure blue sky that caresses me from above, makes me grateful that I appreciate the universe that surrounds me with beauty and awe. I realized that there are many lessons to be learned by our fine-feathered friends, who live between heaven and earth.

One Manger

My favorite artistic version of that night in Bethlehem.

     I have worked diligently for three years to downsize and rid our home of “extras” or found collections of too many vases, shoes, pens, teapots, dishes, or makeup. Clutter happens slowly but builds into mounds quickly. Paradoxical as that may seem, the heaps of stuff become burdensome.  So, again this year when I pulled out the Christmas décor, I asked myself, which of these decorations are extra or don’t spark my joy? 

     In a short time, I had three boxes ready to deliver to the Salvation Army for someone else to enjoy.  Some were old, some new, but all these items took away from the beauty of the decorations that sparked my joy. I wanted my favorite pieces to shine.  There was no doubt which manger scene I would keep.  A stained glass artist in Muncie, who died shortly after I purchased this from him, made it.  Every figure was made important through color and design. He designed a wrap around mirror as the backdrop, which makes the images three dimensional.  A simple candle or light makes the Christ child become the focus of the scene.  I have sat many mornings learning from that child surrounded by a family who loved him and wise men who sought him.  All of the nativity characters listened to God, believed him, and followed his directions.  They suffered that they might share in the blessings of the King.  

     So, if your night seems dark and cold, follow the Star of Bethlehem.  There you will find light, comfort, and the joy of this season.

Turning weaknesses into strengths

Effective design occurs when negative and positive spaces are in harmony. (Joseph Gyurcsak)

       My morning ponderings and meditations have been centered on how I can use my weaknesses to become my strength. I recently had surgery and it was painful and forced me to slow down. I wanted to maintain my normal energy and creative projects right away. Well, that couldn’t happen, but through my weakness, I was given new inspirations and truths. 

       I watched my friend’s daughter learning to walk. The mother meticulously taped each step and shared the child’s progress on face book. It reminded me of my sons when they learned to take their first steps.  There was a lot of falling on their bottoms, pushing up, reaching out to my extended arms, and focusing on me.  When they focused on me, they didn’t stumble or plop down. They were encouraged and their weakness became their strength. Those heavy heads began to balance and those wobbly legs moved in harmony. They each became more confident and less afraid.  They trusted me and moved toward me. If they lost their focus, they would stumble and fall. 

       That vision stayed with me all week.  Aren’t we always taking first steps, again and again? When my eyes are fixed on Jesus, I can go forward. My weakness becomes my strength because I learn to trust Him, keep my eyes on Him, and allow His gentle words to coax me, encourage me, and remind me how much He loves me. His outstretched arms draw me into new truth, new understanding, and balance my weaknesses of unbelief, misunderstanding, and human faults. The scripture in 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds me:“ My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Through Him, all days are filled with balance and harmony because my fears,doubts, and insecurities are reduced when I focus on Him.

Hummingbirds are my coffee.

Hummers, Cardinal, and Finches

Hummers are my coffee

      Outside the large window in my studio, I hang a feeder for hummers. They bring me such delight when I hear the whir of their wings and see their pointed beaks dip into the sweet water I have provided. I also hang a special safflower feeder to attract the cardinals, as well as a finch feeder filled with thistle, and another long tubular feeder filled with wild bird seed that the house wrens gobble up in a half day. When I awaken at five or five thirty, I know I am retired and should know better, but my body says “time to get up.”  So, I do.

      I anticipate seeing my bright red cardinal, Arnold, and his fluffy wife Anita. They never disappoint me.  Also, my little hummer family arrives and gives me morning blessings.  Edgar is downright muscular looking for a hummingbird. His wife Allena is tall and thin, and their Baby Boo is my kitchen window feeder’s constant visitor. I talk to Boo while doing dishes or cooking.  He is so tiny and listens to me coo his name and say these words.

     “Baby Boo be brave today.  Glad to have you right here in my window. You are beautiful, courageous, and a speedy flying machine.”

      I named him Boo because he was so skittish when he first arrived.  He has grown about an inch during the summer.  I love how he stares at me when I talk to him.  He is braver and more mature now, but still my Baby Boo.

      The finch feeder is covered with bright, yellow finches hovering all up and down the long black cylinder. They are a magnificent sight and evidence of God’s creative power. These visitors begin my day with joy and expectation.

       I think birds teach me so much about my spiritual life. I imagine God in the heavens happy to have me at his window feeder each morning.  I hear in my spirit the Creator say, “You are my joy and the apple of my eye.  Go forth with courage because I am by your side. Spread my word and tell others how much I love them because I created them to soar, to love, and to have an abundant life.” 

        Baby Boo may not understand my exact words, but he trusts me and can sense the essence of my love pouring through the window.  I, like Baby Boo, know I can trust my Savior and feel His love pouring in me each morning.