Laundry Day

I don't know

about you, but I happen to enjoy laundry.There is something about the ritual that I find incredibly soothing.I think I inherited this from my dear mother who scrubbed many clothes in her life.I can see such a spiritual component in the liturgy of all the steps.

Gathering,sorting.washing,hanging up to dry & finally the folding .It is such a simple, sacred service that can convey love and a great way to pray for our children and remind us they are still with us as long as there is laundry.

Did you know....the winter sun is a great stain lifter?

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Duty makes us do things well, but love makes us do things beautifully.  P Brooks.

MOMENTS (from the archives of my journal)

  I only have a moment ,what difference can I make?
In a heart and a mind that is ready to break,
beneath all life's burdens, toil and pain.
searching for peace but finding in vain no mercy.

One moment is all the time it can take
One moment a smile will ease the ache.
One moment a word can cheer him along.
One moment a line for you in a song.
A moment it's ours we all have the same
Moments to treasure or to pass blame.
For how we use them is our choice alone.
We can confess we all are prone
to waste them sometimes ,or to think they'd be better
if we had a life that suited us to the letter.
I thank you Jesus for moments of grace.
For moments when I can seek only your face.
Moments to treasure and some that refine
the life that is in me and all that is mine.



        Some how I've read much about cherishing the moment this week and it reminded me of this which I wrote a few years ago.Blessings as we live in the moment.

     
       

TEA With The Girls

Mom always said there will be days like this!!!

Those were my thoughts on this dreary Monday as I tried to occupy my three youngest and a friend who were enjoying a P A holiday from school.Sometimes best laid plans go awry and that's what seemed to be happening today.When my daughter came to me to say she was bored I suddenly had an idea pop into my weary head."We are going to have tea" I said.go find a nice dress in the dress up trunk and come to my tea party!!!They scurried off to pull out there finery as I set the table and changed into a dress. What a delightful time as we sipped our tea and I read them stories. My son who was also invited to the party but had declined, listened inconspicuously from the couch. I really don't know who enjoyed it more , but today it certainly helped quell the doldrums.



If each moment is sacred- a time and place where we encounter God-- life itself is sacred,

J M Blomquist

A poem by Henry David Thoreau

I want to share this poem that I love.It almost contradicts its self,which I find intriguing.
It reminds me of that great quote TO THINE SELF BE TRUE by Shakespeare.
 Telling us to be authentic and know we can never really deceive ourselves.
But I would find your thoughts on the second verse helpful . I can't quite define what he is saying here.
Maybe it's meant that way,but if you have any insight on it I'd love to hear it.
                                  My Prayer
Great God I ask Thee for no meaner pelf
Than that I may not disappoint myself;
That in my action I may soar as high
As I can now discern with this clear eye;


And next in value that thy kindness lends,
That I may greatly disappoint my friends-
Howe'er they think or hope that it may be,
They may not dream how Thou'st distinguished me;
 

That my weak hand may equal my firm faith,
And my life practise more than my tongue saith;
That my low conduct may not show ,
Nor my relenting lines,
That I thy purpose did not know,
Or overrated Thy designs.

                                                          Henry David Thoreau

Of Usefulness and Vessels.

I began collecting vessels; pitchers, vases & teapots years ago. It started off with tea cups and mugs and somehow morphed into bigger things. most of my pitchers are a white colour,but I also treasure the green one that used to belong to my husbands grandma.
I also have this crazy thing for symbolism.I love when I find a connection with my artifacts that pertain to my life.Example; I found this plate that I loved ;two birds by a nest of eggs, as I was standing in line to purchase this I noticed there were five eggs in the nest. Perfect, I sighed.
So my collection of vessels symbolizes to me of us.Okay on our own, but never fully our potential until we are useful for something.Holding and pouring out our lives as long as we can.Giving and bringing beauty to those around us.
                             Make me a vessel Dear Lord I pray,
                             Someone who pours out your love each day.
                             Help me stretch out my hand to the poor
                             Giving from the heart in the truest form.
                             Use my words to lift up a weary soul
                             In settings of silver and apples of gold.
                             To my husband and children I'll pour out my life
                              And pray for blessings on each of their heads.
                             When this vessels' empty all dry and depleted.
                             I will turn to you to be fully completed.
                             You only Lord can fill up this cup
                             So keep me from turning to anything but....
                            

...he shall be a vessel unto honor,sanctified,useful to the Master,prepared for every good work.
                                                II Timothy 2 :21

what REALLY matters...

As a mother there is always so much "to do".But there is so much more to being a mother as these lines remind me. I love the vivid word pictures..

I know so well the value of neat rooms,
White curtains and the warmth of polished brass,
Wide window sills with plants in coloured rows,
Serenity that comes in shining glass.
But these, O Lord, are not important things,
Nor will they leave much mark in days to be;
My children will forget their ordered rooms
In after years,but when they think of me,
May they remember I laughed much,and think
Upon the way I shared their gaiety,
And how I read them stories from old books
Of brave fair days, and sometimes made them see
A wider world. O make them understand
That always I have deemed it more my task
To be as understanding as I could,
Than keep clean rugs upon a dusted floor.

                                                             Dorthy Tressider.

Comittment for the New Year...a prayer. I wrote this several years ago at the beginning of a new year.I want to share as I realize this is often the time for New Years resolutions.Once again I will attempt to strive for these attributes knowing on my own strength I could never begin.Wishing you a blessed and learning year!

I resolve to be a more encouraging and positive mother and wife.
I will compliment and enjoy my family daily.
I will laugh .
I will help my neighbour when I can.
I will feel good about myself and stop comparisions.
I will let go of expectations of myself and others.
I will bring out the best in my spouse and thank God for him.
I will meditate on God's word daily.
I will think before I speak.
I will exercise to stay healthy and refrain from compulsion.
I will not compromise integrity.
I will look into peoples eyes and smile.
I will live like it is my last day on earth.
I will do this trusting the One who holds all our tomorrows and who graciously forgets our past.