Practicing the Art of Abundance

At a recent meeting for my women's writing group, the subject of abundance came up. One of the members had brought a book full of poetic phrases designed to capture the essence of abundance. I left that day challenged to seek out and appreciate more fully that which is abundant in my little world. 

I've been giving it some thought and on the day that I locked my keys inside my car and had to wait two hours for my rescuer to come and unlock the car, I thought about how nice an extra set of car keys would have been right about then! I suppose I thought having one set more than I needed was an abundance I didn't need but I'm thinking differently now.  (I USED to have a hide-a-key under my car bumper but it is likely to be rusting away on the bottom of some pot hole ridden back road. And there is SUPPOSED to be an extra key tucked into a drawer at home but it has gone AWOL) 

Later that day, home and feathers slowly un-ruffling, as I put away my groceries I thought about abundance some more. 

A fruit bowl piled high with shiny apples
 and plump juicy oranges
A fresh vibrant colored array of vegetables
 piled high in the produce drawer of the fridge
A freezer stocked piled with food 
and a pantry lined with an assortment 
of bright colored packages and cans
A kitchen full of healthy yummy food products
            This is abundance.

When I take my cup of fresh brewed coffee, 
mixed with sweet heavenly cream 
and I tiptoe out onto the front porch, 
barefoot and still in my jammies,
when I park myself on my 
kaleidoscope colored patio chair 
and breath in the still cool freshness of a new day, 
when I turn my face to the sun and let it kiss my face 
and let the breeze tousle my hair
               This is abundance.

On laundry day when the piles of clothes seem endless
and there is no more room on the clothes line 
When the sheets need changing on the bed 
and I must decide between flannel or cotton
or whether or not to add  the extra blanket
When it's time to get the fans back out of storage 
and I have one for upstairs and one for down
              This is abundance.

Abundance is noticing just how many Bibles we have, 
when I know there are others who are rejoicing over having 
just one page of a Bible.
Abundance is not complaining about 
having to dust the library shelves
where rows of books are assembled.  
Abundance is having gas in my tank, 
enough to get me to places I want to be, 
not just the places I need to be.
Abundance is staring at the shoes in my closet 
trying to decide which ones to wear today,
knowing others go barefoot.

Abundance is...
    fresh drinking water
       a lawn to mow
          a house to clean
             a meal to cook
               a garden to grow
A family to love.


All the things I might take for granted...
               come from living a life of.....
                                                        Abundance. 

A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14.1

T'was the Day After Christmas...

and all through the house
not a creature was stirring
not even my spouse.

Stockings were worn
for the the first time in days
as snow frosted mountains
awaited my gaze.

Visions of laundry
competing with mail,
coupled with jet-lag
has me wanting to bail.

Unpack the suitcases!
Restock the shelves!
It's keeping us busier
than all Santa's elves!

But in the midst of the clutter
way down deep inside
reflecting the mission
with a sense of pride

We did what we planned
We accomplished a lot!
We helped make a way
for Cherie and her tots.

"Mission Accomplished"
We truly can say
God is glorified
When we do things His Way.

~Thank you everyone... for your prayers and love and support during our mission adventure to Costa Rica.~

~our view Sunday Morning, our last full day in Costa Rica~ God's Promise to us all. 

Autumn

~~Happy First Day of Autumn~~

In honor of the first day of Autumn I  share this poem. I have shared it here on the blog before but it still, for me, says what I love about this season best. thanks for indulging me. I also included a few awesome pictures....

little lone leaf

Autumn, swirling around us in vibrant hues; amber, goldenrod, brick and sage.

Clouds, the color of ash, hanging low in the sky, heavy with rain.

Misty mornings, slow to shed light on a world reluctant to let go of a long pleasant summer.

Evenings that creep in with the tide, coming closer with each arrival.

Chilly, frosty, "I can see my breath" kind of days.

Umbrellas, rain coats, flannel work shirts.

Espresso Stands swamped with orders for steamy creamy mochas,

Wood stoves filled with alder and birch, radiating heat

Smoke that rises over sleepy little towns, gently unfurling into a thin line, till it gradually disappears.

School buses loaded with runny nosed children,

Football games, home coming dances, toga parties.

Pumpkins, squash, cornstalks bent over, almost touching the ground.

Gardens exhausted from an abundance of zucchini.

Blustery, dusky, windy and wet,

Autumn swirling around us in golden hues.

by Robyn Bauman Burke, 1993

at the river

Bellingham Bay from Fairhaven

Bellingham Bay near Fairhaven

hydrangeas... the last bloom of summer.

happy first day of fall

sunshine

o perfect sunshine.
sunshine energizes me
it brings out my best
it inspires me
to clean
and eat dinner outside
to snap towels in the breeze and let them dry on the line
to invite friends over for dinner
to barbeque
to paint my nails in outrageous colors
to nap in the lawn chair
to plant seeds
and water them
to crank the music
and dust
fresh sheets on the bed
windows wide open
fresh chives in the sour cream
glass of wine
on the back deck
as the bird chirp in delight
sunshine
o perfect sunshine.

Be Happy NOW

So stop waiting
until you finish school, until you go back to school,

until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds,

until you have kids, until your kids leave the house,

until you start work, until you retire,

until you get married, until you get divorced,

until Friday night, until Sunday morning,

until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off,

until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter,

until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth,

until your song comes on,

until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up,

until you die,

to decide that 
there is no better time than right now to be happy.

 Author Unknown

Blissfully Blissful

sleeping in, side by side
sunshine streaming, pierces eyes
snuggling deeper under the quilt
if we linger there is no guilt


tangled sheets, tousled hair
still we manage debonair
sleepy eyes, hint of teasing
morning kisses, oh how pleasing


whiff of coffee, tantalizing
padding barefoot, hand out reaching
quiet house, a little chilly
back in bed, blissful tranquility

 

Where the Sidewalk Ends...

I have to admit that another blog post has inspired me to re-visit this wonderfully delightful poem by Shel Silverstein... but since my sweetie and I are planning our anniversary get away for later this month, and this poem resonates with the "whys" of the adventure we have chosen, it just seemed fitting to include the poem in my post. 

 

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.

We are taking our road trip in just 2 weeks and I can't wait! We are taking the trailer and heading for parts of Washington we have not yet explored!

Okanogan Country!

Ghost Towns, dirt roads, towns with populations of 37 or 5. Lakes and rivers and hiking trails.... No sidewalks, streets that might barely be there... and lots of grass, blowing in the cool prairie (peppermint?) wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends. 

 

Mountain passes that will be showing off their crimson glory, streams that trickle in a meandering fashion... We have purposely planned this trip to be unhurried.... driving for no more than 4 or 5 hours each day... time to pull off and explore.... set up camp and plunk down a chair and just listen.... listen to the secrets whispered in the wind...

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

 

where the sidewalk ends by shel silverstein

Shel Silverstein you wrote a masterpiece when you penned this one.....  and I can't wait for Bruce and I to get out there, off the beaten path... into the places where the sidewalks end.  

I Just Don't Understand

what did I do?
really.
I had to leave or be
consumed by the fire, the poison,
the anger.
a small matter of survival
and something called self respect.

boundaries, safety, love
too much to ask?
leaving was as
much for them as it was for me.
i wanted them to know
something better
then what was being modeled for them
i had to leave or be
consumed by the control, the violence
the craziness.

broken, fragile, scared
and scarred.
emotional waste land
tired, afraid, confused
trust is not an option
when you are fighting for your life.

choices, badly made
and some not so bad
learning, growing
searching, healing comes
slowly, painfully
like burned skin that must be grafted

what hangs in the balance
are the relationships
they don't understand
they don't have all the facts
and they shouldn't.
trying to protect them
from the truth
when it was the lies we lived
that destroyed.

healing, waiting
seeking forgiveness
reconciliation
slow to return
the chasm between hearts
will this wound ever stop bleeding?

days slip into weeks slip into months
a year, a decade, maybe two
still the bridge waits to be built
a draw bridge that can be withdrawn
when ever they want
don't call me, I'll call you
these are the rules
and we play it his way

bargains made
promises broken
I don't know what he wants
or how to make it better

I had to leave or be
consumed by the things that slowly
destroy the soul.

spring cleaning haiku

Windows wide open.

Sunshine streaming, breathe fresh air
Birds chirp. Spring is near!

Fresh sheets on the bed.
Dust bunnies banished today.
Time for the vacuum.

Cat perches on bed
Watching my every move.
Noise sends him running.

Stretched out I will rest.

patch of sunshine on the bed.
Fruit of my labor.

March roars like lions
Changes direction midway
gentle like the lamb.

Just Because

Just because you have fallen asleep in the recliner, reading glasses still perched on your nose...

Just because you made me a thoughtful clever gift (even though you are sick)...

Just because you may tease the cat but I see how you smile when he climbs up in your lap...

Just because you always encourage me, believe in me, and want the best for me...

Just because you like a rainy night as much as I do...

Just because you worry about meeting my needs...

Just because you think I am the most beautiful girl in the world...

Just because you make me laugh...

Just because I make you laugh too...

Just because you pray for me...

Just because you are nice to my mother...

Just because you take the time to listen...

Just because you extend so much grace to those who need extra...

Just because....

Just because...

Just because...

I love you... just because....

Hope for Spring

warm temperatures
sunshine
birds chirping

begs my presence outside

damp earth
sunshine
first buds on the pussy willow tree

cause for celebration.

take a walk
sniff the air
smile and nod
at others also outside
our first time in days
with no rain

hope for spring.

Miracles

Perhaps the greatest miracle that could take place in my life would be to remove any and all doubt and replace it with 100% trust in Jesus to do anything.

I say I trust Him.
But still I worry.
Try to solve problems in my own strength
Harbor fear and doubt.

I say I trust Him.
But still I hold on
To things that I should fully release
into His hands.

I don't want to doubt
I don't want to be like the disciples
who, even after witnessing the miracle of the feeding of 5000
still didn't get it.
their hearts still hard and filled with disbelief.

I want my heart soft and pliable
my mind free and clear
I want to wait expectantly upon the Lord
when I lift my prayers, petitions and requests.

Hope is wonderful, lovely, uplifting
but is it enough?
I hope for miracles
but is that enough?
should I not rather expect miracles?

How much faith is enough?
Mustard Seed Faith
is supposed to be enough.

Lord I believe, help my unbelief.

A Quiet Morning

I'm not an early riser
I never claimed to be
I'd rather snuggle in my bed
but sometimes you gotta pee!

Once I'm up, I might as well
make a pot of coffee
and look, there next to the cream
is creamer;flavored toffee!

the birds are pecking in the dirt
a blue jay is a squaking
a little gray squirrel scurries by
the animals are talking.

I nestle in my blanket
next to the crackling fire
Sipping nectar of the gods
of this I never tire.

I gaze out of my window
taking in the marvelous sight
I think of Browning's poem
and all the world is right...



from "Pippa Passes"

The year's at the spring
And day's at the morn;
Morning's at seven;
The hill-side's dew-pearled
The lark's on the wing;
The snail's on the thorn;
God's in his Heaven -
All's right with the world! 

Robert Browning (1812-1889)Pippa Passes (1841) pt. 1,l.221

Being Thankful Day 19

Fridays that stretch before me, with guilty pleasures that i refuse to feel guilty for...
hard working hubby in the garage... the humming and vibrations of the tools bring me comfort...
plans hatched, scratched and re-batched for the weekend...
plans for thanksgiving settled and now eagerly anticipated.
a project in the works to help others...
conversations with another couple that spur Bruce and I forward in our quest to be in the center of God's will...
a feeling of satisfaction after my first week at work...
a nice chicken dinner & a bottle of wine planned for dinner tonight, to celebrate the first week at work...

Fridays are blessings. Aaaah.

Ode to Autumn

Autumn, swirling around us in vibrant hues; amber, goldenrod, brick and sage.
Clouds, the color of ash, hanging low in the sky, heavy with rain.
Misty mornings, slow to shed light on a world reluctant to let go of a long pleasant summer.
Evenings that creep in with the tide, coming closer with each arrival.
Chilly, frosty, "I can see my breath" kind of days.
Umbrellas, rain coats, flannel work shirts.
Espresso Stands swamped with orders for steamy creamy mochas,
Wood stoves filled with alder and birch, radiating heat
Smoke that rises over sleepy little towns, gently unfurling into a thin line, till it gradually disappears.
School buses loaded with runny nosed children,
Football games, home coming dances, toga parties.
Pumpkins, squash, cornstalks bent over, almost touching the ground.
Gardens exhausted from an abundance of zucchini.
Blustery, dusky, windy and wet,
Autumn swirling around us in golden hues.


note: I wrote this poem one fall day in 1995. Bruce had it framed and it hangs in my little library nook. To me it still captures the essence of Autumn and all that is in my heart when I think of this season. I truly LOVE Fall.

 GRACE

today on facebook, Praise 106.5 was asking people to share what grace is to them.  that inspired me to write this little poem. 

Undeserving, full of sin
still by faith, Your love came in,
washed me clean and set me straight
not by chance, not by fate.
Your grace that's still a mystery
...but day by day reveals to me
the heights and depths to which you go
to tell me that you love me so.
it can't be earned, it's not for sale
to try would set me up to fail.
Amazing Grace, so rich and free
to save a sinner such as me.

2 Corinthians 12.9~ My grace is sufficient for you...

I will Trust in You

trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...  from Proverbs

like love, trust is a choice.
i don't understand
so i chose to trust you God.

decisions made, wise and worthy
we may not like them
but we have to live with them.

i dont understand
so i chose to trust you God.

you have a plan
and its always for good
you see the whole picture
while i only see one small speck

it hurts, this dissapointment
so i cry and i vent
but ultimately i give it over to you
because i have chosen to trust you God.

i am reminded too
that i do not cry alone
you who wept over Jerusalem
you understand how i feel
and now i think i understand how you must have felt...

but there is still hope
and i trust you.

Role Reversal

i am the daughter
i am the mom
sometimes it is hard to see which role i am playing.

i spend days with my mother
but i am the one in charge
i guide her and say no
when she makes inappropriate demands

i am the one who takes her to the doctor
and listens to the instructions
i tell her to take her medicine
and fasten her seatbelt.

she says she did this for her mother too.

i am the mom
and i have a daughter
sometimes i feel as though i have lost her.

she lives far away
but its not about miles
we follow different paths
and often do not agree

when she was little
i could teach her the rules
and rock her to sleep
and keep her safe

i told her she would do this for her own children someday.

i want my mother to stay independent
i won't do everything for her automatically
i want my daughter to depend on God
and i will do anything to point her that direction.

i say no to my mother
knowing this is right
and i feel good about standing firm

i say no to my daughter
knowing this is right
and my heart aches when she's angry.

it was easier being the daughter
even as i rebelled.