The Gift We Give Ourselves

 

   

                                                         please listen to the beautiful song...

I watch from afar and admit it would be easy to reach up to that branch of judgement dangling it's accusations in my face.

How tempting it would be to hurl questions about motives, character and all the things that are a measure of the heart.

I wish you could be here to see;I wonder what you'd say.
I think about actions; and how they drown out all the noisy clamour of shallow words.
I breathe a prayer to release my feeble feelings... 

Grace and forgiveness that gift for us; to then release to others the way it's given to us.
I hold it close here and ponder it's glorious meaning.
 For when it is the most difficult thing in the world to do...it is the most needful.
Then and only then can true peace be acquired.

Sometimes it's easy to read into the subtleties  of a relationship, that can at times be discouraging.

Then I remember my word response,no one but myself is responsible for my response; but I. How freeing and exhilarating to know my response is my right and privilege.
I am grateful.

                                        


these thoughts came in part from reading this book recently...
a modern take on the story of Joseph.


416; March break week...happy times,417;for hubby who made the coffee on Saturday and Sunday and poured me a cup,418-listening as he talked about his first of the season motorcycle ride,419-cross country skiing on Saturday morning,420-riding my bike in the afternoon,421-daughter making breakfast for all of us,
422-good time with two oldest girls while the other three were at my sister, 423-sisters,424-a hubby who listens while I share my heart,425-praying,4-hope for a week that is a mix of spontaneity with clarity.....

My Word of the Year

The beginning is the half of every action...

Routine began anew this morning.
 And  I am the one who loves the hum of routine most days, except for this morning I was calling recant.
 I need another day I say and I pull the throw up around me, after I've made the lunches and breakfasts and combed hair, and prayed  with them and waved to the bus driver.
The world outside my window had been softly and  regally draped in a pure, white garment.
It was ever so still and quiet. Hushed was the word.
 I don't want to move...BE Still and KNOW that I am God.
Be still, still, still.Psalms 46:10

I am pondering my word or words for the year. I like the idea of having a word that resonates a theme for the coming 365 days. Last year I went with the small; but ever so mighty word YES.
The word that keeps  coming back to me as I consider this is RESPONSE. I talked about it here.(thank-you Amy)

Last years Yes,was a response.This year I'd like to "bear it in mind" a little further.
So many times I cannot change the outcome, but my response is entirely up to me. This was something I thought about while hubby and I watched the absurd movie Ground hog Day last week. While I certainly don't condone everything about this movie,it really impacted me how Bill Murray ultimately came to the conclusion, after nobody believed his strange tale of repeating the same day; that his own RESPONSE was the pivotal key to his own happiness.(Inspiration and observations come from the most unlikely things sometimes.)
The way I respond is up to me... ,whether someone arrives late or on time,
hold or relinquish,give or take....HOW I respond is what is important!
So much is a response,and has the power to change me! I have a feeling I may learn some frightening things about myself but I am ready for the challenge!

Even when I think I am NOT responding, that alone is a response.

 I have a couple more words that I'd like to integrate in 2013, that I will share with you another time.

       How about you, Do you choose a word for the year?

Is It Really That Simple?

Recently I was a spectator at a hockey game. Every time I watch this sport I am struck at the end of the game when the two teams line up after the game is over, to shake hands with their opponents. The poignancy and power in such a seemingly simple action moves me.
 I commented to the person I was with "this is my favourite part."" Because it's over," she  teased. " Maybe," I acquiesce.


But as I consider this further I decide it is more than that.

It can best be summed up in one word RESPONSE. 
Isn't that the critical element to what life doles out?
 Response; how is my response to that outstretched hand of life, 
         that may at times I feel have played harsh and unfair?
Can I extend my arm and shake the hand that has been playing against me for the whole game?

How do I respond to those sudden changes to my day that require a bit of grace and bending for someone else?

My response to a cutting remark from someone,  is the key to further pain or beautiful blessing.
I hope this makes sense, but response can make a huge difference to my day.

 I stand at the window of a new year, and look at all the footprints in the snow of children and dog and skis and sleds.
 I think about what may or may not come to pass this year and how so much of it is beyond my grasp.....
                   except for one  small but monumental reality,my RESPONSE.

I hold out my hand with courage and HOPE beyond my own.

New things, shiny things, have a certain awkwardness that I am not sure I am ready to embrace, but tentatively I stretch out my hand to accept the one being offered in a truce like manner,and
I gratefully accept the chance to get up and TRY and hope my response will be worthy.

                I just love the Serenity Prayer ,but it really is 
 all about the last line....so I have this plaque on my wall as a reminder 
 where to find wisdom.










Thank-you Susan for the book you sent, and this bookmark, which I will treasure, with the serenity prayer on it.






still gratitude abounds here:
275-sleeping in,276-daughter's who want to read  Bible through this year,277-having a campfire with friends in our woods,278-turkey soup,279- a fun New Years eve,280-skating outdoors on New years eve and admiring the lights in the city,281-impromtu invitations, 282-generosity,283-watching Ground hog day with hubby and laughing at the absurdity,284-Divine protection,( I say this a lot because I mean it a lot!) 285-cross country skiing,286-staying up late,287-observing characteristics in my children that make me happy,288-learning to tell them,289-libraries to visit,290-organizing and decluttering,291-hanging up the new calendar.