Kaleidoscope (Big Words)

What is this?

It's my blooming kaleidoscope flower!

I created it today at the Refresh retreat 

hosted by my friend Sandy.

It was a mostly silent retreat, 

and I'll write more about it later on another blog.

But for now, just the story behind the picture.

It started here on the couch,

before I even picked up my colors. 

In my private devotional time

reading through Colossians.

I wrote down key words

and pondered how they applied to me.

I came in weary and grieving this morning.

Last year, my most challenging ever,

left me feeling fragmented.

It's not yet over.

Today, in my meditations on 

Scripture and my tumultuous life,

I thought of the word:

KALEIDOSCOPE

Broken pieces,

raised to the light,

jumbled and reflected,

turned and turned

and raised up again,

ever-changing 

beautiful patterns:

redemption.

Why yes, I did just write an impromptu poem.

So when we sat down at the art tables,

while the others made collages,

I knew what I would draw with markers instead.

My outlines uneven,

shading splotchy,

as my life often is also.

I started filling in around the edges.

The words came from 

my morning's journaling

chapter by chapter in Colossians in my

well-worn Bible, which has a story of its own.

 I apply words of TRUTH

to the broken places of my life.

Love

Wisdom

Grace

Truth

Joy

Glory

Hope

Peace

Reverence

Gratitude

Encouragement

Growth

Devotion

Treasure

Endurance

Prayer

Singing

Service

Reality

Unity

Fullness

Strength

Sincerity

And on the stem, the words:

Rooted

Growing

Bearing Fruit

That's what I want to be and do.

At the end of the day,

one of the sweet ladies shared

what a blessing it was 

that she saw me blossom into joy

during the day

as I spent extended quiet time with God.

It happens that way,

doesn't it?

More later.

Oh, here it is now, two weeks later!

Two more posts featuring this retreat!

Refresh Retreat

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Virginia

The Day of Small Things

Flame vine on a neighborhood fence

I've been watching for it
and saw it on my way to the bank.

Today, in its emerging glory!
(See last year's flame vine photos, too.)

The curly vines always amuse me.

Could it be?  Flame vine in a tree?
Yes, blocks away, but it's the same kind!

At home again, fresh folded linens
on a fresh made bed (a new habit?)

Alternating housework with lesson planning
- then back in the classroom next week!

Visit with an old friend from faraway

Afternoon clouds = whimsy!

Clouds always speak to me!
(They have a whole category on my other blog...)

Hanging out the WELCOME -
a new flag for a new season
(but I still need to take down
the Christmas wreath from the front door).

Warm cinnamon rolls
for an after school snack = happy kids!

My "new" sweater,
$4 from Salvation Army,
nice and cozy!

"Who dares despise the day of small things...?"

Zechariah 4:10 (NIV)

Yes, I know that's out of the original context,

but the concept still rings true:

sometimes the little things in life count the most.

A quiet day (for the most part), 

no big thrills, still important.

Thankful!

"Brothers and sisters, 

think of what you were when you were called. 

Not many of you were wise by human standards; 

not many were influential; 

not many were of noble birth. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world 

to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world 

to shame the strong." 

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (NIV)

I often link my posts to these blogs:

Still Saturday

The Sunday Community