Friday, January 24, 2014

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



 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!


Virginia

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

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

  •