October Blooms

Inspired by Judy
And photos of her October roses
I set out for a walk in the garden
To catch a glimpse
Of the last blooms of the year

The grass was long and in need of cutting
And for the most part
The the flowers looked tired
and dried after a long summer
Of colorful splendor

But as I rounded the corner
To my delight
There,
Among the aged leaves
A burst of color

Autumns blooms
Of lavender
Red, yellow, pink and orange

The leaves weren't pretty
They've been nipped by early frost
But the flowers were jubilant
Summers last hurrah



Today I Pray...

...that like these late summer flowers
I don't surrender
to the chilly moments of life
And instead keep striving
To bloom

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Quietly

The day breaks
quietly

No crash
No boom
No bang

Just the steady tick tick tick
Of the clock on the wall

And a silent rush
Of comfort
As a new day begins

Surely in this morning sky
I see a glimpse
Of heaven

And I feel Your quiet presence
In my heart
my mind
my soul

Quietly
the day begins




Today I Pray...

...for comfort in the quiet moments

...for peace within

...for a positive attitude

...and the focus to make the most
of the gift I've been given

...another glorious day

In Everyday, a Lesson

If it weren't for the lessons
That I learn in every day
What would be the point
In rising?

Who am I
To think
That there is nothing more to be learned?

Or that somehow I'm entitled
To rest on my laurels?

Surely I can build
upon what I've already learned
To be something more
than what I was yesterday

But if I wake
And stop trying
To discover something new

I am shortchanging myself
and more importantly
...God

Today I Pray…

...that I keep my eyes and ears open
To the lessons of the day

...that my mind stays open
To better understand someone
Who is misunderstood

That I don't rush to judge
But seek to understand

That I keep reaching
Keep striving
Keep learning
Keep living

And do not rest each day
Until I've learned something new
…However great or small

Standing in my own way...

"Don't ask for God to guide your Footstep
...if you are not willing to move your feet."

These were the words that concluded my post the other day. A post I didn't write myself, but an email I received that just resonated with me. Though the whole post had meaning, these words have been ringing through my mind over and over again since I read them.

These words halted the flowery poetry, and caused me to realize that for some time now, I've been doing just that -- asking for guidance, but standing dead in my tracks -- afraid or unwilling to take a step.

I look in the mirror and can see, that physically I need to get moving -- yet quite literally I am idle.

I look around my home and see the work that needs to be done -- but take no interest in doing it.

I pray every day for things to be different for me professionally -- but take no steps to change them.

I am, like this morning, overcast and cold. Filled with self-doubt. Afraid of failing. Asking God to guide my footsteps, but then refusing to move my feet.

If you are reading this and thinking I am being too hard on myself -- I'm not. I'm being honest. I blame no one, but myself, for this feeling I have. I've been talking the talk of joy and optimism -- but I haven't been walking the walk.

So God in Heaven....

Today I Pray...

...free me from the excuses
...enlighten me
...help me to lift this self-imposed burden of sadness and self-pity

Help me to pick myself up
Dust myself off
And give me the courage
To move
...in the direction of my dreams

I know there is a sun
that is peaking through the clouds
Help me to see that light.


"In danger I called on the Lord;
the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is with me; I am not afraid;
what can mortals do against me?"
Psalms 118:5-6

Ode to My Baby

I lived a life
I thought complete
But then I met you
Baby sweet

Precious soul
With angel eyes
Innocence
My life’s prize

And just like that
I've come to feel
The heart of a mother
A bond so real

I feel your hurt
I cry your tears
I’d move mountains
To calm your fears

Little love
Who touched my soul
You changed my life
You made me whole

Originally posted on 'Round the Kitchen Table, September 2, 2009

This little poem is especially significant today...
because some nineteen years ago,
my life was forever changed.

Today I Pray...

...with a joyful heart
for the little girl who changed my life

I couldn't be prouder
of the beautiful, spirited young woman
you have become

I wish you a day filled with
laughter, smiles....
...and tacos!

Happy Birthday Amy!